Abstract:
The study was conducted, in an established apparel manufacturing plant in Sri
Lanka, to examine the impact of employees’ empowerment on team performance.
Specific objectives of the study were to identify the dimensions of team empowerment,
to assess the impact of team empowerment on performance, and to analyse their
interrelationship. A questionnaire (developed based on empirical models) was
employed over a sample of hundred and twenty (120) employees selected from the
organization. Respondents (employees) were selected through stratified random
sampling, and majority of them (102) were sewing machine operators. Key informant
discussions and focus group discussions were conducted for further insights. SPSS
computer package was used for descriptive and inferential (correlation and regression
tests etc.) statistical analysis. Empowerment measures included six dimensions/
variables. Their subscales were adopted based on empirical findings. Employees of
the apparel manufacturing plant perceived a high level of empowerment and teams
have recorded desirable levels of performance. Respondents perceived that team
empowerment had increased their team performance. There was also a specific
programme to empower sewing machine operators aimed at facilitating their
lifestyles. The correlation analysis indicated a highly significant relationship between
team empowerment and team performance. Sub variables of team empowerment had
a significant (and a varying) impact on team performance. The study concluded that
team empowerment results in better performance of teams, and organisations.
