Human Resource Empowerment: Development and Validation of a Measurement Tool

Abstract

The present research is an attempt to develop and validate a multidimensional measure of human resource empowerment in the workplace. We have interviewed academicians and corporate practitioners regarding their understanding of empowerment at workplace. On the basis of existing literature, feedback from academicians and industry professionals, a conceptual framework along with 56 item instrument on human resource empowerment was proposed for empirical validation. The instrument initially obtained views from experts on its proposed dimensions and statements. Using content validity ratio (CVR), 51 items were retained in the instrument for further validation. Data were collected on the retained 51 items through field survey on sample of 278 executives randomly selected from Indian service organizations. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) revealed eight sub-factors measuring two distinct primary factors: structural empowerment and psychological empowerment that measures human resource empowerment. Finally, the proposed model of human resource empowerment was examined to test its model fit by applying SEM through confirmatory factor analysis. 49 items were retained for the new scale of human resource empowerment. The theoretical and applied suggestions along with future research directions of the study are discussed in the context of human resource empowerment and management.