Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

MGT 312
Organizational Behavior 18th Edition
Stephen P Robbins, Timothy A Judge

Chapter 8
Empowerment &
Participation
Presented by
Group 8
8–1
 Defining Empowerment
Empowerment is about creating working conditions
where employees develop the skills to take initiative
and exploit their full potential to create value for a
company.
'Empowerment: the capacity of individuals,
groups and/or communities to take control of their
circumstances, exercise power and achieve their own
goals, and the process by which, individually and
collectively, they are able to help themselves and
others to maximize the quality of their lives.’
- Robert Adams
"Empowerment is viewed as a process: the
mechanism by which people, organizations, and
communities gain mastery over their lives.”
-Rappaport
8–2
 Defining Participation

Participation means mental and emotional

involvement to encourage contributions to group
goals. The involvement of individuals in processes
that affect their lives or communities.

The concept of participation at work refers to

the involvement of employees in the management's
decision making in the workplace by means other than
information and consultation.

8–3
 Nature of Empowerment
• Understanding the relationship between actions
and outcomes: Empowerment allows people to
understand how their actions relate to the results
they achieve.
• Sharing control: Empowerment is about sharing
control and having the ability to participate and
influence decisions.
• Liberating oppressed individuals: Empowerment
can involve liberating oppressed individuals,
groups, and communities.
• Creating collective decision making:
Empowerment can involve creating collective
decision making and shared leadership.
8–4
 Nature of Participation
• Voluntary: Participation is a free choice to take
part or not, without coercion.
• Human dignity: Participation places a high value
on human dignity, which can lead to
stakeholders being more willing to overcome
obstacles.
• Unlearning: Participation is a process of shifting
from being a "knower" to learning and sharing
new ideas with others.
• Diversity: Ideal participation involves engaging a
diversity of people, perspectives, roles,
information, and energies.
• Influence: Participation can involve finding
nodes of potential insight and influence.
8–5
 How Participation Works

Mechanisms of Participation:
Channels:
• Public Forums: These are open platforms where
community members can voice their opinions, share
concerns, and contribute ideas.
• Surveys: Surveys are structured tools that collect
quantitative and qualitative data from participants.
• Collaborative Platforms: Online spaces designed for
teamwork enable participants to engage in real-time
discussions, co-create solutions, and share resources
with ease, making engagement more accessible

8–6
 How Participation Works
Tools:
• Social Media: Leveraging platforms like Twitter and
Facebook allows for broad outreach and engagement.
These tools help disseminate information quickly and
facilitate ongoing conversations within the
community.
• Community Meetings: These gatherings provide a
face-to-face environment for stakeholders to discuss
community issues. They encourage direct interaction,
allowing for rich dialogue and deeper understanding.
• Decision-Making Bodies: Committees or councils
comprised of community representatives ensure that
diverse voices are included in the decision-making
process, promoting transparency and accountability.
8–7
 Programs for Participation

1. Employee Engagement Initiatives: Implement

programs designed to actively involve employees in
decision-making processes and organizational
initiatives.
2. Team-Based Decision Making: Structure teams
across departments to collaborate on key
organizational projects and problem-solving.
3. Training and Development Programs: Offer training
sessions focused on participative skills and
organizational behavior.

8–8
 Programs for Participation

4. Open Communication Channels: Establish

platforms for ongoing dialogue between
management and staff.
5. Recognition Programs: Create systems to
acknowledge employee contributions to
participation and engagement efforts.

8–9
Important Considerations for Participation
Inclusivity:
• Addressing Barriers: It's crucial to identify and mitigate
various barriers that prevent individuals from
participating. These barriers may be social
(discrimination, lack of community support), economic
(costs associated with involvement), or cultural
(mismatched values or communication styles). Strategies
should be developed to create an environment where
everyone feels welcomed and valued.
• Diverse Representation: Engaging a wide range of voices
in participatory processes enriches decision-making.
Diverse representation ensures that various perspectives
and experiences are considered, leading to more
equitable and effective outcomes. Facilitating open
dialogues can help foster inclusivity and create a
supportive atmosphere for all participants.
8–10
Important Considerations for Participation
Sustainability:
• Ongoing Engagement: It’s essential to cultivate long-
term commitment from participants. This may involve
establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and incentives
for engagement. Continuous education and training
opportunities can help sustain interest and involvement
over time.-
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systematic
feedback loops is vital for successful participation.
Gathering insights from participants on their
experiences allows for adaptation and improvement of
processes. Iterative approaches, where participant
input informs future actions, help maintain relevance
and responsiveness..
8–11
Important Considerations for Participation
Evaluation:
• Measuring Impact: Assessing the effectiveness of
empowerment and participation initiatives is critical.
Developing metrics that capture changes in knowledge,
skills, and confidence among participants can provide
valuable insights. Surveys, interviews, and case studies
can help in identifying the progress made towards
empowerment.
• Tools for Assessment: Utilize various evaluation tools
to gauge the adaptability and success of initiatives.
Quantitative methods can provide statistical data, while
qualitative approaches offer deeper insights into
participant experiences. Together, these tools can help
ensure that initiatives remain aligned with participants’
needs and community goals.
8–12