TEAM EMPOWERMENT AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR TEAM PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This study has examined the impact of employees’ empowerment and management support on team performance in an organisation. Study was conducted in a leading apparel manufacturing plant in Kandy district, Sri Lanka.The specific objectives of the study were to identify the dimensions of Team empowerment, and Management support; to examine the level of team performance in the organization, to assess the impact of Team empowerment and Management support on Team performance, and to analyse the relationship of Team empowerment, and Management support with Team performance. A questionnaire was developed based on empirical models, and was administered for sample of (114) employees selected from the organization. Sample was drawn by using stratified random sampling. Key informant discussions and focus group discussions were also conducted to gain further insight into the findings. SPSS computer package was employed for descriptive and inferential (correlation and regression tests etc.) statistical analysis. Empowerment measures included six dimensions and Management support included further six dimensions. Researchers adopted the aforementioned measures and their subscales after intensive review of literature. Employees of the apparel manufacturing plant perceived a high level of empowerment and management support, and teams have recorded desirable levels of performance. Respondents agreed that team empowerment and management support had increased team performance. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that there was a highly significant (ά=1%) positive relationship between management support and team performance. Team empowerment also recorded a positive relationship with team performance, ie. more empowered teams would perform better. The results of regression and correlation coefficients of team empowerment and management support were positive and significant.Authors conclude that high team empowerment and management support result in higher team performance.

Key Words: Empowerment, Management Support, Team Performance, Effectiveness

For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk