USING EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT TO ENCOURAGE ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Abstract

Purpose: Changes in the public sector and the recognition of the concept of New Public Management have led to wider introduction of employee empowerment programs in public organizations. It is assumed that today the success of public organizations depends on the application of modern HRM methods oriented towards encouraging commitment and initiative of employees. The paper tries to answer the questions about the level of employee empowerment and organizational commitment of employees in the public sector and whether employee empowerment is related to organizational commitment.Methodology: This goal is reached by presenting the results of empirical research carried out in public organizations. Survey research was carried out at the end of 2012. The sample consisted of 318 employees of public organizations operating in southern Poland.Findings: The survey revealed that the level of employees’ organizational commitment is high in Polish public organizations. The analysis also showed that the level of employee empowerment is high in public organizations. The conducted research also proved that employee empowerment is positively connected with organizational commitment of employees in Polish public organizations. Implications and limitations: The results indicated that the use of employee empowerment can bring the required results such as the increase of employees’ emotional attachment to the organization and loyalty towards the organization. But its influence on employee’s intentions to leave the organization is very limited.Originality/value of the paper: There is still little empirical research on this subject, particularly in the public sector.