The Effects of Dynamic Empowerment Characteristics on Organization Vitality: A Test of a Causal Model

Mahmoud Abdelaziz Elgamal and Hosny I. Hamdy

The objectives of this paper are twofold the first objective is to ascertain the empowerment related critical characteristics. Based on the organization research work the Dynamic Empowerment Characteristics(DECs) include empowerment, the readiness for empowerment (change management literature) and organization responsiveness (strategic management literature).The second objective is to test a causal model of the effects of the DECs on Organization Vitality (OV). Therefore, the paper opted for a causal study using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results supported the proposed model. The path coefficients of the DECs to OV were all significant. The results did not lend support to the mediating effect of perceived competence. In more general terms the results support using a configurationally approach of having multiple critically related variables to explain an organizational phenomenon of interest. The empirical implications of the study include the need to develop empowerment plans along with raising the Human resources readiness for empowerment and to plant them in organizations that rely on responsiveness for success. The mix between human resources management practices and the organization design and strategies related to organization responsiveness seem to be very promising. The study limitations and directions of future research are given.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.21102/wjm.2018.09.92.04