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PERSPECTIVE ON CAREER RELATED DECISIONS OF MANAGEMENT STUDENTS: A MODEL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING

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Designing a Research Methodology in Management Research: An Empirical work experience in Employee Empowerment and Creating High Performance Workplace M M Bagali, PhD Professor of Strategic HRM, Head, Research in Management, Fellow, Organizational HRM, CAMI and AHRB, Jain University, CMS Business School campus, JPnagar, 6 th phase, Bangalore - 560078, India [email protected]; [email protected] Executive Note: Research and research work requires meticulous crafting the methodology and enquiry areas, per se. The present paper shares the Research methodology design of an empirical work undertaken in the area of EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT. The paper can be benchmarked while undertaking a work in Management research, and the various steps that makes Good methodology chapter. Introduction: We are presently living in a time of complex and seemingly insurmountable challenges in all spheres of our collective lives. A whole gamut of leadership crisis is evident in our organizations and business. From all areas of our society and from the World at large, we do hear about crisis of ineffective structures and relationships. The workplace has become more challenging. The workforce of today 1
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Designing a Research Methodology in Management Research: An Empirical work experience in Employee Empowerment and

Creating High Performance Workplace

M M Bagali, PhDProfessor of Strategic HRM,Head, Research in Management,

Fellow, Organizational HRM, CAMI and AHRB,Jain University, CMS Business School campus,

JPnagar, 6th phase, Bangalore - 560078, India

[email protected]; [email protected]

Executive Note: Research and research work requires meticulouscrafting the methodology and enquiry areas, per se. Thepresent paper shares the Research methodology design of anempirical work undertaken in the area of EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT.The paper can be benchmarked while undertaking a work inManagement research, and the various steps that makes Goodmethodology chapter.

Introduction:

We are presently living in a time of complex and

seemingly insurmountable challenges in all spheres of our

collective lives. A whole gamut of leadership crisis is

evident in our organizations and business. From all areas of

our society and from the World at large, we do hear about

crisis of ineffective structures and relationships. The

workplace has become more challenging. The workforce of today

1

is experiencing more uncertainty and requires business

organizations to adopt different strategy to deal with newer

and more challenging issues. It is needless to say that Human.

Resources forms major component for organizational survival.

In face of all these happenings, we are called upon to rethink

and renew our relationships in our organizations and our way

of developing and managing human resources. We must find ways

to create together new and positive vision of the future. We

must be empowered to pursue our higher common purposes. Our

future quality of life depends on our sincere efforts in

attaining the set goals.

Similarly, most organizations have a number of employees who

believe that they are dependent on others and that their own

efforts will have little impact on performance. In fact,

almost every society has within it some minority groups that

feel incapable of controlling their own destiny. Self-

efficacy is the conviction among people that they can

successfully perform their jobs and make meaningful

contribution and powerlessness contributes to frustrating

experience of low self-efficacy. Problems with self-efficiency

are often caused by major organizational changes that are

beyond the employee’s control and create barriers and problems

such as having to work under an authoritarian leader, rigid

policy’s, unethical management ethos and within a restricted

work system that fails to reinforce competence and innovation

in a job.

2

But one thing is clear that now more than ever before, we need

policies, systems and strategies which will provoke, guides,

inspire, mobilize and above all, empower all of us to rise to

the challenges we face. With thousands of our major

organizations facing global challenges and some even unable to

cope and manage to the extent needed, it is little wonder that

anxiety about future will be much wide spread in our country

in the days to come. At this particular time in history, we

must develop a clear understanding of nation’s challenges in

managing organizations, work force and developing human

resources to face all these unforeseen challenges and demands.

We need to develop deeper comprehensive practices in managing

and enhancing human force to the standards on par with global

company’s. The importance of developing and managing human

resources becomes vital sources of enquiry, as we seek to

respond to these complex challenges most acutely and even the

question of very survival. Corporate Renaissance is now

mandatory for organizational success and an additional driving

change force coming from within the organization.

Empowerment and empowering employees change all the

equations for better growth and development. It changes the

key structures of all relationships that exist...power

relationship, work relationship, trust and faith relationship,

delegated and shared responsibility relationship and the very

premises towards human resources development and management.

3

The empowering policy and leadership role is to show trust,

provide vision, remove performance-blocking barriers, offer

freedom and encourage activities to perform without any

boundaries. Indeed, the empowered organization as a whole is

something, which focuses high at "HUMAN" and looks human

resources as a prime asset of organization. What is this

paradigm shift towards empowerment all about? How different is

it from other organizations? Is empowerment something that has

to be given? The present study tries to examine this big gap

between performing organization and others, and that it is

only because of the innovative work-place systems,

practices, approach and policy adopted for human resource

development & management that makes top performing companies

different. Thus, the enquiry into employee empowerment and its

after-math benefits in over all growth and development of

organization and the work force, per se.

Research Design:

The focus of the study is to understand why and what makes top

performing companies different and what are the innovative and

unique strategies adopted in creating a global standard

organization. It was therefore, decided to use explorative and

descriptive design, which befits into the pattern of

investigation. The study also understood and fleshed out to

explain the technical and commercial context within which the

firm operated in terms of environmental certainty-uncertainty,

stability and resource munificence. The study also looked at

4

the timeline described for the change process that the firm

went through (if that is what occurred), or was the firm set-

up to be empowered from the beginning. It was also to

understand what things changed early, what things changed

later and how well did they triangulate? The current practices

of developing and managing human resources were explored and a

description of all these practices was analyzed through

appropriate questionnaire and schedule, including verbatim

recording of the responses, per se.

Objectives:

The investigation is an empirical research work undertaken to

understand how a model company can be created with innovative

workplace programme and policies. It was also intended to

understand the impact of such innovative practices on

empowerment and how such processes could change the very face

of the organization and help it remain at the top of the

business. An effort was made to understand all that

contributed to empowerment--the systems, practices, policy or

the leadership. The study also tried to differentiate between

the various human resource strategies adopted in empowering

employees and how these strategies differed from other

management practices. An effort was also made to see how these

management practices impacted upon employee behavior.

With these core objectives, the study also proposes to

understand the issue likes: Do we really need empowered

people? Is empowerment something that can be done to someone

5

or something a person must choose? Are employees, leader or

all, creating empowerment climate in the organization? With

these supporting objectives, the genesis of empowerment is

probed at length.

Hypotheses:

The study tries to test the following hypothesis: (The study tested

totally 6 hypotheses)

Ha1 Individual and organizational achievements can be gained

through the sense of belonging;

Ha2 A sense of Organizational life through climate shapes

behavior and moulds positive attitude towards organizational

growth and development leading to employee empowerment;

Ha3 Access to information about the mission, value, goals and

objectives of an organization is positively related to

empowerment;

An important point of enquiry was focused as to why it was

possible for the organization in the present study, though

Indian, to grow systematically and what unique and innovative

techniques were practiced as an exercise of employee

empowerment. Adding to support these assumptions, the study

also tested that: without transparent open lines of

communication and information sharing, people will not extend

6

themselves to take outright responsibility and vent their

creative energies; transparent Management ethos breeds faith

and trust; that creativity and innovation are possible with

positive management practices.

Study Scope:

There is always a big gap between performing organization and

other. The reasons could be several, but an empowered work

culture is what makes significant difference. The present

study tries to focus at these levels and is it the policy,

people or workplace practices that makes an empowered

organization and work force is what is been probed at length.

The focus of study restricts to Polyhydron Private Limited-

PPL, an engineering based organization established in the year

1981, situated at the industrial sector of Belgaum district,

in Karnataka State, India. PPL manufactures Radial Pistons

pumps, hand operated DVC, Pressures switches, Pressure relief

values, Pressure control values and Cartridge values. The

organization has been known for its empowering way of

developing and managing human resources and employee ownership

culture been widely instituted in the organization. All the

employees including the CEO/MD forms the respondent group.

Method of Study:

a) Geographical Area

7

Karnataka State in India is an industrially developed State,

with a wide range of organizations and activities. Belgaum

District has more small-medium-scale (SME) organizations and

the selected geographical area for the present study. It falls

in the Northern division of Karnataka State, India.

b) Organization

PPL was established way back in 1981 with the sole purpose of

creating an organization on lines with global standards, clean

business and ethical approach. Before, PPL was established;

SBH (Suresh Hundre, CEO & MD) with other fellow colleagues

started a group under the Hyloc banner, manufacturing a wide

range of hydraulic related equipments. PPL was one of the

units under the banner. As ideologies change and each global

thinker has a dream to set an organization on lines with what

one thinks are apt, SBH thought of Polyhydron unit with ideas

he felt were on lines with his thinking and hence was left

with PPL, which was a small unit then, to take-up the

responsibility independently and run into a long journey. PPL

is located in an industrially concentrated new area of Machhe,

at Belgaum, in Karnataka state, India. Polyhydron manufactures

hydraulic values and radial piston, pumps, etc. The wide range

of products at PPL spans over more than 40-50 types and an

average of 700 models. The customers are from varied places

and the turnover on an average is between 8-10 crores.

c) Sampling Design:

8

Studying empowerment is a holistic approach and needs to be

studied from all the angles involving everyone in the

organization. The sample included all the employees as part of

the study. Since, knowing the experience was the main focus,

it was proposed to have everyone involved to have a

comprehensive opinion on the practices, per se. Note: 60

employees; One CEO / MD

A total of 73 employees including top management form the work

force in the organization. A total of 73 employees constitute

the entire work force at PPL, with different categories like

highly skilled (HSK), skilled (SK), semiskilled (SSK) and

unskilled (USK) employees apart from Engineers, Administrative

and Managerial staff. The category is done on the basis of

nature of work-skill involved at workplace, per se. In fact,

the CEO, who is also MD, seven at management cadre, six

engineers and two-software expert forms one section. There is

nine administrative staff, which includes four supporting at

office level as another section. As many as forty-two are

grass-root employees of which five are highly skilled,

eighteen are skilled, nineteen are semiskilled, apart from two

unskilled & a trainee. All were included in the study, but, as

many as 62 expressed their willingness to take part in final

study and the rest didn't due to reasons beyond explanation.

Out of the total respondents, two could not complete the

questionnaire & schedules. The study results analyzed the data

gathered from sixty respondents from different categories of

9

employees. A final of 60 employees formed the total sample of

respondent. In addition to these, the CEO / MD of the

organization formed another important respondent.

P.S.: The organization has a flat way of organizationalstructure and hierarchy, where each is equal in position andstatus. But, only on paper is the hierarchy designed.Otherwise, each one is a manager and each a CEO. In practice,there are no divisions as management & work force and noseparation and hierarchy as top / middle / grass root levelemployees. Each can work anywhere in the Organizationdepending on the necessity of work-skill required. Foradministrative purpose, they are categorized into differentstreams.

Data Collection from Employees:

Fig No 01: The mode of Data collection of employees

10

Observed the System Pooling

all the respons

es

Questionnaire

Administered

Discussion with CEOCase-

by-Case discussion

Pilot Study

An exhaustive empowerment questionnaire in different languages

was put to test. The questionnaire was administered to all

employees who participated and a formal discussion with CEO /

MD was done keeping in view the intended enquiry areas. Very

many empowering angles were probed and a total of nearly 125

odd areas were identified, which were apt, valid and relevant

on five point scale, viz: Strongly agree; Agree; Can’t say;

Disagree; and Strongly disagree. Such areas put to test

includes understanding the system of accountability within the

organization, attitude development processes, mode adopted for

career planning, open communication process adopted, decision

making process, delegation and shared responsibility, ethical

standards, feed-back system adopted, methods for information

sharing, leadership development at all spheres, organizational

transparency, management and organizational ethos, power

distribution, climate of politics, degree of trust & loyalty,

team working, employee participation and the like were put to

test.

The present enquiry is a scientific investigation into

practical working of empowerment system at PPL and hence the

study is undertaken at multiple stages. We used three distinct

methodologies in the study:

a) Pre-pilot observation

b) Pre-pilot study

c) Final observation

11

a) Pre-pilot observation

The study began with pre-pilot observation through a survey

over a period of 8-10 months. We observed and identified the

management practices that were thought to influence business

success-broad areas such as: communication, leadership,

transparency, values, decision-making, participation,

management style, organizational politic, ethos, knowledge

sharing, ownership culture and the like. Initial micro level

discussion with employees was held from time to time.

b) Pre-pilot study

A pilot study with specific practices was undertaken with few

enquiry areas identified and put to test. We pursued in-depth

observation of management practices that were pre-observed

which played a major role in enhancing or weakening a

company’s performance. This pilot study allowed us to verify

and extend the larger survey findings. Pilot study also paved

way for further exploration of new areas and few areas of in-

significance were ignored. It also directed a few questions

and enquiry areas in line with objectives of the study.

c) Final observation

At final stage, while collecting actual data, an exhaustive

questionnaire / schedule was administered focusing all valid

areas of empowerment and the extent of such organizational

practices in growth of the company and creating an winning

work force, per se. As many as 125 odd areas were identified and

12

put to test. The collection and examining of data was done in

three stages after communicating to all the employees the

purpose of the study and why their responses through active

participation are important at higher level and the benefits

it comes out for the Individual, Organization and the Nation

as a whole. We injected case-by-case basis, with a sense of

purpose & direction at all the three stages of data

collection.

Stage 1: In the first stage, Questionnaires and schedules were

drawn up after identifying the relevant empowerment angles and

put to test on a five-point scale. This was the first stage,

where each was asked to express his/her opinions on five-point

scale, viz:

Strongly agree Agree Can’t Say Disagree Strongly disagree

Stage 2: In the second stage, formal and informal observation

and discussions at workplace based on the responses expressed

regarding the practices in vogue was undertaken. In fact, at

this stage, each participating respondent was met personally

case by case, and was asked, through personal discussion

regarding his opinions and feelings on empowering system and

why such a feeling has been expressed. At this stage, more

13

emphasis was laid on why such a system / practice was followed

and was it apt and the aftermath benefits of such practices.

It was more of fact finding and knowing the feelings,

analyzing views and opinions based on responses expressed

through questionnaire. A series of formal & informal visits

from time to time for each respondent was undertaken.

Injecting case-by-case and opinion-by-opinion was focused

much.

Stage 3: Based on these observations, final discussion was

held particularly on the responses elicited using the

questionnaire method and the observations and discussions

made. A collective opinions and views from all the sides were

pooled out at one point and put to test for final examination.

This was the last stage and all care was taken to see to it

that the opinions expressed, the observations done and what

actually are the practices undertaken were pooled for final

test and discussed at length. All the possible way through

which information could be collected was adopted. At each

stage of data collection, frequent discussions with the CEO

were undertaken.

CEO Data Collection:

The collection of information from CEO was done separately.

After a series of personal discussion with the CEO / MD, it

was decided to have a one to one personal talk, with the areas

identified. A series of pre-discussions informally paved way

in setting the enquiry areas for getting the desired

14

responses. The main focus of discussion and collection of

information from CEO was to know from top man’s angle, the way

work environment has to be created and the difficulties one

usually (CEO) faces in creating such an empowered workforce

system in the organization. A series of discussions were held

phase by phase at various places in the organization and

practically explaining the systems at workplace in developing

and managing human resources and the organization.

Organizational meetings and discussions were also attended,

informal gatherings were observed and all the ways and means

of such practice and systems in relation to CEO & organization

ethos were keenly observed. At each stage of discussion, it

was actual participant and observation of functioning of the

system with CEO that was undertaken. The results based on

discussion with CEO are presented verbatim and as many as

twenty-five odd enquiries were put to test reflecting

empowerment culture.

Fig No 02: The mode of Data collection from CEO / MD

15

Observed the system

Discussion with CEO

System/ Practices interface

Case by case

discussion

Back to CEO

Pooling all responses in presence of all

A) An in-formal observation over a period of time was donephase by phaseB) Discussion with CEO was done formally at one-one levelC) The opinions of CEO and system match was interfacedD) All the collected data of CEO through opinions wereobserved, verified case by case with each employeesE) The opinions / views of employees were put back to CEO /MD for discussion, and F) Entire system was observed in its fullest scope whilepooling all the opinions in the presence of all. A series ofmeetings were held.

The uniqueness of data collection in present study was the

pooling of all the responses of respondents at one place and

allowing each to express their views on the system and

practices in presence of each other and the CEO. It is quite

obvious that responses usually tend to differ in presence of

Management and this was taken care of. This was, however, to

know the facts and get a clear picture of the system and

practices and not otherwise cross examining and finding the

faults. This was also possible to have such pooling because of

the empowering environment & culture that exists in the

organization and at the same time, everyone understanding the

spirit of enquiry.

16

Mode of Data Collection:

Personal discussions, interviews with each respondents, group

discussions and several meetings with the concerned employees

personally at various places like work-place (temple of

ethics), recreational hall (temple of health), yoga center

(temple of peace), R and D section, canteen, rest rooms was

extensively undertaken. The study injected case-by-case method

for collecting the required information. Frequent and series

of visits to each employee was undertaken phase by phase to

illicit opinions on the system and practices. It was, at one

instance, the employee, the manager and the CEO put together,

were allowed to express opinions on the system in presence of

each other. The intentions, however, was not for cross-

examining the opinions in presence of one another or verify

who is or was true, but, it was only to know the exact picture

from all the angles and thus, "blaming" somebody is ruled-out.

As has been already put forth, a holistic approach is what

makes empowerment work and hence this was the final path

followed for final data collection. At each stage, care was

taken to see that, all relevant facts on the practices were

elicited.

Angles of Enquiry:

Very many empowerment angles were identified and factors such

as understanding the system of accountability within the

organization, attitude development processes, mode adopted for

career planning, communication process adopted, decision

17

making process, delegation and shared responsibility,

transparent behavior, ethical standards, feed-back system

adopted, methods for information sharing, leadership

development at all spheres, management and organizational

ethos practiced, power distribution, climate of politics,

degree of trust and loyalty, team working, employee

participation etc were put to test. As many as fifty core

areas with more than 125 enquires were put for examining at

length. The focus of enquiry was on the workplace empowerment

practices and the relevance of the system in the growth and

development of the organization. Similar areas were also

focused at the level of CEO.

Sources of data collection:

In the present study, both primary and secondary data are

utilized. Primary data was collected through administering

the questionnaire / schedule and participant observation was

undertaken. Meetings were attended, took part in discussions

and visited the actual workplace with the concerned respondent

to observe the system and practices. Getting information

through questionnaire and having discussions with each stage

by stage were done at primary level in collection of required

information.

Secondary data includes written policy statements, work

records, annual reports, documentations, bulletins, write-ups,

procedure charts, instructions, files, case histories, site

maps, follow up reports, suggestions done and field notes were

18

referred at length and reviewed. All the policy papers related

to vision statement, mission set, objectives, philosophy,

guiding principles, code of conduct were referred, reviewed

and examined with the system-practice. To add, all the data

was meaningfully related to the objectives of study, the

hypothesis to be tested and what the study tries to find out.

Analysis:

The focus in present study was on the qualitative analysis of

the responses and results based on case-by-case observations.

Since, quality and not quantifying the results was focused,

lesser use of statistical analysis has been done. Probably,

statistical equations tell less about the true picture of

empowerment practices in such enquiry. However, to test the

hypothesis, ANOVA has been applied in obtaining the F-ratio

values. As also, to understand the degree of responses in

relation to organizational practices, the mean and SD value

have been put-forth. As far as CEO data is concerned, various

levels of discussions with areas identified were undertaken

from time to time. The results are presented verbatim in a

form of question-answer structures focusing the attention on

the quality aspect of CEO’s responses. As many as 25 odd

enquiry areas were identified and have been presented.

Period of Study:

The total span of time utilized to collect actual data for the

present study was ten months. Before the data was collected

19

through administering the questionnaire and formal

observation, a series of pre-observation and discussions were

held from time to time over a period of two years and very

many factors were identified and finally put to test after

pilot work was undertaken. Several series of pre-visits also

paved way for enquiry in right direction along with objectives

of the study. However, for present study, the actual data was

collected during 2000-2001.

Uniqueness of the Study:

The study has been undertaken to come out with concrete

practices for overall enhancement and development of human

resources and organization as a whole through empowering

employees. In fact, developing global standard strategies and

practices has been the focus throughout the study.

o A holistic approach to study empowerment practices in

creating high performance work force has been the core attempt

throughout the study.

o Several valid empowering factors have been identified and

put to test on five-point scale, thus, knowing the intensity

of such practices.

o It is not only system, which makes an organization and

workforce empowered, but, an attempt has also been made to

know the required essential human traits that are intended to

be proposed.

20

o There has been an attempt made to draw up theories, model

development and how such system should be practiced at macro

level. The model specifies the priority area of instituting

empowerment practices step by step.

o How to create a challenging, satisfying work environment

and strategies for high performance work force.

o We could identify which work place culture actually

worked. In other words, we could conclude that improving on

specific practices guarantees a company’s superior performance

and that fumbling at those practices is bound to worsen

performance.

o An attempt has been made to utilize the results of the

study on a larger canvas, where Individual, Organization,

Academic and Research Institute could be benefited.

o Besides identifying the Management practices that can

significantly affect a company’s performance, we’ve developed

a list of leadership behavior that supports excellence in each

practice.

Limitations of the Study:

While, the study has made all attempts to demystifying

employee empowerment, there are drawbacks and limitations in

the study, which requires a separate discussion and is beyond

the scope of the work.

a) The work pertains to PPL, an engineering based

organization..

21

b) An attempt was done to illicit responses from the

employees, who left the organization, but could not do it.

They could have been the potential respondents.

c) Since, all the respondent employees were male,

generalization as to how people differ in gender and

perception of empowerment is limited.

d) Pilot study paved way to extend the enquiry for family

members of the employees. This was not possible for the

reasons beyond explanation in Indian context.

The Reference and Bibliography design:

The studied reported all the reference which was part of

literature search for the study. Such literature sources

includes: Papers; Research papers; PhD level work; Case study;

workshop proceedings; Global Surveys; Cross Cultural Study

Reports; Annual reports; Books; Foundation for Enterprise

Development and Beyster Institute for Entrepreneurial Employee

Ownership Reports, Research work and proceedings; Working

papers; Management Review reports; Harvard Management Update;

Papers from Harvard Business Review; Presentation at the

Academy of Management Annual Meeting; and the like

Annexure: Try mentioning the annexure that the thesis work may

have, mainly the questionnaire; Company profile; Video

clippings; snap shots; data sheet (coding, if at all);

Interview schedule; Live Interview.

22

Infact, the present study also used the video graph of the CEOinterview appears in the paper entitled: Demystifying empoweredleadership: A CEOs Experiment in developing high performance workplaceculture, which formed part of annexure.

Concluding Remark:

The organisation is in the process of creating global systems

that serve the mission and vision and incredible things happen

and this is how empowerment and empowering employees has been

created at work place in the organisation. The other prime

reason why the organisation has been able to create such an

empowerment climate is the leader and the leadership. Because,

is the drum major leading the band or just walking in front of

it? signifies the success of the system. Quite true how

important it is to have a leader for the organisation to excel

has been clearly demonstrated. The leader with the vision and

mission can turn the very face of organisation and great

strides can be achieved as has been in the organisation under

the preview of the study. The leader, who motivates, inspires

and makes one realize is the true leader, which has widely

reflected in PPL organisation. Without employee’s realization

of the organisation existence, one can’t empower employees.

It should also be noted that, empowerment and

empowering employees is a holist approach and all the systems,

practices, people, leadership, culture, ethos, policies and

23

principles should together join hands in working at it. If a

single element in this entire system is missing, empowerment

can hardly be practiced and organisational development will be

defective. Today, employees at every level expect to be

treated as valued members of their organisation. They seek

responsibility and look for independent decisions in the

affairs of organisation. They also seek power for better

organisational deeds. As also, the organization has been

meeting global standard in terms of all its systems and

products. The vision of the leader has paved the way for an

introduction of all these. They are now paying dividends. The

leader has introduced the system and has been instrumental in

inspiring the employees to view their growth through these

systems. A factory within the factory has emerged.

The experiment has come a long way. Today the

results of such efforts are also far reaching. The

organisation can safely boast of having highly motivated and

committed workforce. It has a creative and innovative

approach in place; it has employees who handle their

responsibilities professionally and have the inherent

capability to take independent decisions; a low employee

turnover; less absenteeism; a disciplined and confident

workforce with open and transparent behavior. The industrial

climate is also free from disputes. These are all because of

the empowerment practices the organisation initiated. All

these practices make for the good image the organisation

24

carries today in the market, while enjoys the reputation of

high ethical organisation.

But, one thing is clear. At this particular time in

history, with thousands of our major organisations facing

global challenges and some even unable to cope in managing to

the extent needed, it is little wonder that organisational

anxiety about future will be much wide spread in our country

in the days to come. Experts and the observations in study

leads to conclude that organisation must foster Empowerment or

become extinct. We are likely to see more efforts of

empowerment in the future. I am put at end by stating, “there

is nothing Indian Organisations need more at this moment than

a true RENAISSANCE strategy towards human resource development

and management at every level”. Empowerment and empowering

employees in organization is the answer.

End Note…The Issues

Empowerment systems at workplace are an important contribution

to organizational effectiveness and growth. It is mental and

emotional involvement of employees that encourages them to

contribute to goals by sharing equal responsibility. It has

numerous limitations, but, when its pre-requisites are met and

the amount and type used reasonably fit the situation, it

offers potential for higher productivity, greater job

satisfaction, constant growth, continuous improvement and

other innumerable long-term benefits. The importance of

25

present study, therefore, lies in exploring the present

situation and finding future avenues for such practice on

macro level. A structure, procedure, institutional framework

for such empowering practice requires a careful and balanced

study. The present study answers several questions in creating

a World Class Organization, a High Performing Workforce and

crystallizing the reasons as to “why top” performing companies

are different.

References:

1. Argyris, Chris [1998]: “Empowerment: The Emperor’s new

Clothes”, Harvard Business Review, May – June, Pp: 98-105

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Through System Model”, Worker Education, Pp: 17-20

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Strategies for creating high performance Organization”,

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Strategy for Creating A High Performance Work Force” ,

XLRI-Management & Labour Studies,26(2) April,Pp: 109-119

26

6. Beyster, R J (1999): Harnessing the Power of Open Book

Management; Foundation for Enterprise Development,

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Performance; Foundation for Enterprise Development,

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Personal Today, Oct-Dec, Pp: 37-40

27

14. Kanter, Rosabeth Moss [1995]: World Class:

Thriving locally in the Global economy; Touch-stone

Rockefeller Centre, NY

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: State Employee Ownership Program ; Washington State

Dept of Community Development,USA

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”, Personal Today, XVIII (3), Pp: 19-21

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Competitive Advantage; Foundation for Enterprise

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28

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Development, Research Centre, USA

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29

Annexure No: 1: Some Sample Questions included for Employee

Reponses:

1. Each are accountable for their action & can’t blame others 2. All information is open and shared 3. Honesty & truthfulness is the only policy in organ4. They encourage working in team 5. People are allowed to take risk here 6. Gossip is the way of life 7. New ideas are often dismissed 8. The organization makes you insecure sometimes

30

10 We need direction, supervision & guidance at each stage/step 11. I am made part of organization & take part in organization development process11. I can healthy criticize the boss, if I feel so12. I know each work, job & what one is doing in organization13. Few only are honest in organization14. Each is boss in himself15. Most people are conservative & not open16. Everything is not negotiable here & some matters are rigid17. I am paid just to work18. There is red tapesim & more bureaucracy 19. I know who appraise me20. Common rooms are shared.21. I stay back beyond my work time limit22. I am involved in Organization strategy preparation23. I can permit visitors, if I feel so, without any ones consent24. There is restriction for participation in all activities25. Suggestions are done regularly and honestly 26. We are free to suggest improvements to boss Without fear 27. Selecting of suggestions are subjective28. Rejected suggestions are explained due reasons there off29. I am been trusted in Organization30. Some have hidden agendas(A total of 125 questions with 30 Main areas were put to test)

31

Annexure No: 2: Some Sample Questions included for CEO

Reponses:

What is your definition of Empowerment?

What type of culture required for empowerment

practices?

What are the traits that need to be developed in

employees?

How to create an Empowerment culture and strategies

in Organisation( the steps involved) ?

The area (scope) of Empowerment practices (the

boundaries to be defined)

What is the out-come of Empowerment (How to measure

the after-math of such practices)?

What is not Empowerment?

How should the CEO and the leadership be, viz: style,

traits and characteristics?

What should be the policies of organisation?

How committed are your employees

What are the training and development programme in

area of Empowerment subject be focused (Can training

be given to understand the system, if so, how)?

Does Empowerment in organisation have any relation

between atmospheres at home? Is there a co-relation

between work place empowerment practices and

atmosphere at home?

32

What should be the degree of freedom in an empowered

organisation?

What is open door policy and how is it practiced in

PPL?

What type of leadership exists in PPL, which

reflect empowerment practices?

What are Ethical Management and the relation with

Empowerment (share the experience at PPL)?

How to develop Human Resources and Organisation in

the present Millennium through Employee Empowerment,

per se?

Annexure No: 3: Section wise Question focused for Employee

category

1. Accountability

2. Belief/Trust/

3. Bureaucracy

4. Career planning

5. Culture

6. Customer Satisfaction

7. Decision Making

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8. Encouragement

9. Ethos

10. Feedback

11. Freedom

12. Leadership

13. Learning Organisation

14. Loyalty

15. Management Style

16. Meeting

17. Ownership Culture

18. Participation

19. Policy

20. Politics

21. Recognition

22. Relationship

23. Responsibility

24. Self Esteem

25. Suggestion

26. Suggestion box

27. Team

28. Transparent

29. Treatment

30. TQM

31. QWL/QWL/QWL

32. Values

34

Annexure No: 4: Section wise Question focused for CEO level

1. Belief System

2. Creativity

3. Commitment

4. Confidence building

5. Dedication

6. Communication

7. Development

8. Discipline

9. EGO

10. Ethics

11. Honest

12. Industrial Democracy

13. Insecurity

14. Knowledge Sharing

15. Mind Set

16. Organizational Health

17. Power Distribution

18. Perception

19. Respect to Individual

20. Structure

21. Total Quality People

35

The Results of designing such methodology for ManagementResearch

Table No.1The Respondents Target Group at PPL

Sl No Levels Total Employees Responded % of Responses *

1 CEO 01 01 2 Managers 07 06 10 3 Engineers 06 06 10 4 Software experts 02 02 03 5 Administration 09 06 10 6 Supportive 04 02 03 7 Highly skilled 05 05 08 8 Skilled 18 16 26 9 Semi skilled 19 16 2610 Unskilled 02 00 --11 Trainee 01 01 01

Total 73(1) 60(1)100

* Fractions are excluded in % calculation

36

Table No.2The Demographic details of the respondents

Demographic details No of Employees % of Responses

Department Administration 06 10 Assembly 08 13 Manufacturing 33 55 Workshops 06 10

Packing 03 05R and D 04 06

60 100Age group

<30 25 41.730-39 25 41.740 + 10 16.7

60 100Education level

Upto SSLC/10th 24 40.0 PU/BA/BSc 20 33.3PG/Engg/Dip 16 26.7

60 100Years of Experience

< 10 years 33 55.010+ years 27 45.0

37

60 100

Exhibit No. 1The model of prioritizing the areas for employee empowerment

38

Without trust,You can’t delegate

Without delegatingpower, you can’t share

Without sharingresponsibility, you

Without sharingauthority, you cannot

Without powerdistribution, no one is

Exhibit No. 2

Workplace culture and Institutional Values of PPL♣

Freedom to do work in One’s own way No Supervision/ Foreman No Bureaucracy and Administration interference No Red-tapism High Value to Human Sharing Common Platform Trusting each persons actions

39

Without accountability,none can share the

success

Without success, youcannot create a business

Each one is encouraged No restrictions for new inventions One can fail, no punishment

Exhibit No. 3Areas of Empowerment practiced at PPL♣

Complete Freedom Total Transparency Keeping Faith Full Responsibility Accountability for ones actions Freedom / Liberty to decide course of actions Involvement / Participation Transparent feedback Shared Responsible Delegated authority No hidden Agenda Complete Autonomy Power to take decisions

Exhibit No. 4Traits Visible and Personal Characteristics of PPL Employees

Openness and Transparent Positive approach

40

No defined mindset Empathy Free from bias No scapegoat attitude/ behavior High Commitment Practical approach Disciplined Trustworthiness Visionary Enjoys the work Loyal and Truthful

Based on the experience and responses of CEO♣

Exhibit No. 5Outcome of Empowerment at PPL♣

High Productivity Consistent Growth Nil Employee Turnover High Level of Job satisfaction NO Industrial Relation problems No Conflicts/ Disputes Intrinsic Satisfaction Seeks Outright Responsibility Is with the organization Works that Extra miles Accepts out-right responsibility

41

Exhibit No. 6Definition on Workplace Systems of PPLConventional PPL

Do what is told Do what is required Liberty misused Liberty made use tofullest extent Not my job attitude It is everyone's job Commitment level low High commitment due tosystem Less ethical High ethical standards Lack of scope for improvement Wide scope for improvement Various committees / councils Never a designated committee /councils Less trust Trust is core Supervised work No Supervision Freedom restricted More freedom enjoyed Restricted behavior Transparentbehavior

Exhibit No. 7Employees viewing CEO Traits as a Leader

Respects all Open communicatorSincere Accepts criticismEncourages at all times Result orientedMotivates and Inspires

42

ParticipativeHuman Resource oriented Visionary Based on the experience and responses of Employees♣

43


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