A meta-analysis of psychological empowerment: Antecedents, organizational outcomes, and moderating variables

Abstract

Psychological empowerment (PE) is a subjective, cognitive and attitudinal process that helps individuals feel effective, competent and authorized to carry out tasks. Over the last twenty years, research into PE has reported strong evidence reaffirming its role as a motivational factor in organizational psychology. In this study, the aim is to systematically review, analyze and quantify correlational empirical research focusing on empowerment, as understood by the theory developed by Spreitzer et al. (1995a, b), using meta-analytical techniques. The study also analyses the antecedents and consequences of PE and explores potential moderators of the relationship between this variable and its correlates. The electronic search encompassed studies dating from the publication of Spreitzer's empowerment scale (Academy of Management Journal, 38, 1442–1465, 1995b) up to January 2019. It was conducted in database aggregators, as well as in Metabus, occupational psychology journals and doctoral thesis repositories. Of the 1110 records identified, 94 were included in the meta-analysis. Most of the studies included used purposive or convenience sampling and had a cross-sectional study design. We focused on searching for studies that use a survey analysis approach. We extracted information about effect size (ES) in the associations between PE and its antecedents and consequences, and used the Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 program to carry out the analyses (Borenstein et al., 2005). Effect size was calculated as the Pearson correlation (r), processed using Fisher's Z transformation. A random effects model was used and heterogeneity was analyzed to detect moderator variables. In relation to antecedents, in all meta-analyses, non-significant results were found only for education (r = -.001, CI [-.06, .06]) and organizational rank (r = .10, CI [-.16, .36]). All meta-analyses focusing on the association between psychological empowerment and its consequences returned significant results. Job satisfaction (r = .50) and organizational commitment (r = .51) had the largest effect sizes. Our results suggest which factors may be more important for generating empowerment among employees in accordance with the profession in which they work and their culture of origin. The main novelty offered by our results is that they indicate that age moderates the relationship between empowerment and the majority of the antecedents studied, a finding not reported in other meta-analyses. The present meta-analysis may help encourage organizations to pay more attention to PE, focusing their efforts on improving or strengthening certain structures or factors. Empowerment initiatives or programs focused on employee well-being lead to a workplace in which people are motivated and have a sense of purpose. Our results allow us to recommend interventions that enhance and improve the antecedents of EP. Finally, the present meta-analysis may help encourage organizations to pay more attention to the antecedents and consequences of PE, focusing their efforts on improving or strengthening certain structures or factors.