THE EFFECTS OF EMPLOYEE EMMPOWERMENT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

Abstract: The study’s main goal was to examine the influence of employee empowerment on employee performance in organizations. The descriptive research design with a focus of questionnaire instruments developed around the main variables for the study. The target population for the study included all the 264 officers of Goaso Divisional of the Ghana Police Service. Out of which a sample of 132 officers invited to participate in the study using the stratified sampling technique. Data was analysed using descriptive statistical tools such as mean, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages. Results presentations mainly focused on tables and charts. The level of employee empowerment in the Ghana Police Service showed that the officers have some form of access to opportunity, informal power. The findings further showed that officers’ access to information was not much in the service. It was observed that a positive and significant relationship exist between empowerment and employee performance. It was further established that employee empowerment has a significant effect on employee performance with values β=0.727, p=0.00). The results revealed a positive and significant relationship between empowerment and personality traits. The regression results established a significant effect of employee empowerment on performance traits with values β=0.813, p=0.00). The results showed that there is positive and significant relationship between personality traits and employee performance. The findings showed that there is a greater significant and positive relationship between personality traits and employee performance with values β=0.855, p=0.00). In conclusion, the study provided further evidence of the effect of structural empowerment in predicting job performance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

DECLARATION   ii

ABSTRACT  iii

KEYWORDS  iv

DEDICATION   v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS  vii

LIST OF TABLES  xi

LIST OF FIGURES  xii

LIST OF ACRONYMS  xiii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study  1

Statement of the Problem   4

Objectives of the Study  7

Research Questions  7

Hypotheses  7

Significance of the Study  8

Delimitations  9

Limitations  10

Definition of Terms  10

Organisation of the Study  11

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction  12

Theoretical Framework  12

Kanter’s Theory of Empowerment12

Definitions of Employee Empowerment15

Perspectives of Employee Empowerment16

Structural Empowerment18

Perceived Support19

Access to Opportunity  23

Access to Information  26

Access to Resources  27

Worker Performance  28

Core Self-Evaluation  29

Relationship between Employee Empowerment Practices on Organizations  30

The Role of Personality Traits in CSE-job performance Relationship  31

Empirical Review   32

Conceptual Framework  34

Chapter Summary  37

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS

Introduction  38

Research Design  38

Study Institution  40

Vision  40

Mission Statement41

The Ghana Police Human Resource Management Activities  41

Organisational Structure of the Ghana Police Service  42

Population  43

Sample and Sampling Methods  43

Data Collection Instruments  44

Validity and Reliability of Data  46

Data Collection Procedures  49

Method of Data Analysis  49

Ethical Considerations  49

Chapter Summary  50

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Introduction  51

Demographic Characteristics of Respondents  51

The Level of Employee Empowerment in Ghana Police Service  54

Employee Job Performance  55

Personality Traits  56

Officers’ Perception on Employee Empowerment in the Ghana Police   Service  57

The Relationship between Employee Empowerment and Personality Traits among Officers  62

The Relationship between Employee Empowerment and Employee Performance among Officers  64

Discussion of Results  66

Level of Employee Empowerment of Police Officers  66

Relationship between Employee Empowerment and Personality Traits    among the Police Officers  68

Relationship between Employee Empowerment and Employee Performance among the Police Officers  69

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction  70

Summary of Key Findings  70

Conclusions  71

Recommendations  72

Suggestions Further Research  73

REFERENCES  75

APPENDIX A   92