Suominen Tarja, Rankinen Sirkku, Kuokkanen Liisa, Kukkurainen Marja Leena, Savikko Niina, Doran Diane Irvine
Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
J Nurs Manag. 2007 Sep;15(6):595-602. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2834.2007.00735.x.
This study describes experiences of work empowerment among staff members at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital in Helsinki, Finland.
The data were collected on two occasions in 2004 and 2005 using a structured questionnaire with background variables and items concerning verbal, behavioural and outcome empowerment. The questionnaires were sent to all (n1=115, n2=112) members of multidisciplinary teams at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, with the exception of physicians, departmental secretaries and administrative personnel. The response rate at both data collections was 58%. The data were analysed by statistical methods.
No statistically significant differences were seen in work empowerment between the two data collections. Perceptions of work-related empowerment were relatively strong.
Work-related empowerment appears to be relatively constant and independent of changes in the organization. Indeed there is good reason to ask whether work empowerment is primarily a function of the individual employee's strengths and competencies.
