Critically evaluate the concept of empowerment. What is the link Essay

Critically evaluate the concept of empowerment. What is the link between empowerment and motivation in the context of large U - Essay Example This is essential in the retail sector which thrives on customer satisfaction. Empowerment however requires training and guidance which appears to be lacking in the retail sector. The employees tend to prefer direction to action which implies they lack intrinsic motivation. The management too may be unwilling to share critical information and relinquish power. Hence, the efficacy of empowerment is dependent on various factors and cannot lead to competitive advantage by merely empowering the employees. Empowerment Empowerment has varied definitions and approaches and may involve elements like individual employee perceptions, job structure and work environment, organizational structure and culture, managerial commitment and leadership, and training and reward systems (Anderson & Huang, 2006). Empowerment involves the behavior of the supervisor (cause of empowerment) and the psychological state of the subordinate (the effect). Empowerment is not merely a fad but a unique concept represe nting a new managerial approach and cannot be substituted for word like authority, delegation, motivation or self-efficacy (Lee & Koh, 2001). Empowerment is a continuing process occurring in a dynamic environment. It requires removing the conditions that give rise to feelings of powerlessness. It should create a work environment that strengthens the feelings of self efficacy (Anderson & Huang, 2006). They should be given autonomy and allowed to participate in decision-making. The employees should be freed from rigorous control imposed by company rules and regulations. Empowerment can lead to job satisfaction and loyalty, which positively impacts performance. However, empowerment requires the right leadership style and the managerial practices which can provide the right motivation. Motivation Motivation has been defined as an internal process that controls and regulates behavior, according to Hardre (2003). Barnett (1999) defines motivation as a psychological force that directs, ini tiates, and sustains human behavior over time. To ensure highest productivity and better performance, the importance of motivation has been recognized. However, motivation should spring from the inner self – it should be intrinsic and not induced by external factors such as pay and monetary incentives. Intrinsic motivation is positive, internalized and self-owned whereas extrinsic motivation is low quality and does not produce the valued outcomes. Empowerment and motivation Thus it can be said that empowerment is the authority to use discretion and take decisions while motivation is an inner urge to grow or perform. This is the initiative that Kokemuller (2001) refers to as the skills essential for jobs in the retail but something that is commonly missing. In favorable conditions the workers produce better and according to Ryan and Deci (2000) these include autonomy and competence. This implies that empowerment provides intrinsic joy and this induces the worker to perform bet ter. Empowerment should be an individual motivation which should create an environment for augmenting motivation through the development of strong feeling of personal effectiveness (Anderson & Huang, 2006). Empowerment should foster a belief in the worker on his own effectiveness thereby enhancing intrinsic motivation. Empowerment enhances self-efficacy and even according to Maslow it is the highest in the hierarchy of needs. However, even if the workers are empowered, they

Reliability and Fault Tolerance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Reliability and Fault Tolerance - Essay Example Report also indicates that several patients suffered serious injuries during the accident. In fact, the Therac-25 accident has been described as the worst ever series of radiation accidents in more than three decades of accelerator medical history (Leveson 1995, p. 18). This paper seeks to present a detailed analysis of the Therac-25 radiation overdose accident in light of technologies and equipments involved, what caused the accident and its consequences. The essay will also explore measures that ought to have been taken to prevent the accident. The Therac-25 radiation overdose accident of between June 1985 and January 1987 has been described as the worst ever radiation accident in the history of medical accelerators. The accidents resulted from the radiation overdose caused by the Therac-25 therapy machine. Report indicates that at least six patients were overdosed in a span of about 2 years due to faults of the machine. Report indicates that the radiation overdose was several time s the normal therapeutic dose resulting in severe burns and death, in some cases (Leveson 1995, p. 18). The first complaint of an accident was reported on June 3, 1985, when a female patient was placed on a 10-MeV electron treatment to clavicle area. However, few minutes after turning on of the Therac-25 machine, the patient complained of extreme force of heat on the body. It is then that the patient complained of having been burned by the machine. ... Nevertheless, the company still failed to investigate whether Therac-25 burned the patients or not. Shortly afterwards, the patient developed reddening and swelling at the area treated by the machine. The pain increased to a level that shoulder began freezing as spasms continued to appear. The patient’s condition continued to worsen, clearly indicating that the patient had suffered from radiation (Nancy and Clark 1993, p.19). A second series of the accident occurred at Ontario Cancer Foundation in 1985 just a week after the first patient had been overdosed at Kennestone. Report indicates that the Therac-25 at the Hamilton clinic had been in use for about six months (Leveson, Turner and Sarin 1993). However, on July 26, 1985, a patient aged 40 years old visited the hospital for the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix. Leveson, Turner, and Sarin (1993) indicate that the Therac-25 machine shut down barely five minutes after activation. This time around, the machine indicated an â€Å"H-tilt† error message. It also displayed a â€Å"no dose† and ‘treatment pause† (Nancy and Clark 1993, p.19). Despite these warnings, the operator went ahead to press the proceed button expecting the Therac-25 machine to deliver the right does this time around. Despite this being, a normal procedure since the machine had shown such faults before the machine still failed to operate. The procedure was repeated several time, but the machine showed suspend. The operator continued with the treatment after which the patient began complaining of a burning sensation on the treatment area, which she described as an â€Å"electric tingling shock† (Leveson, Turner and Sarin 1993). Other patients were successfully treated that day without accidents. The