Understanding the Role of Employee Empowerment in Shaping Workplace Relationships. “A Study on NTPC Odisha

Abstract

Employee empowerment plays a crucial role in fostering positive employee relations within an organization. It involves giving employees the authority, confidence, and resources they need to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This approach can lead to numerous benefits, both for the employees and the organization as a whole. One significant impact of employee empowerment is increased job satisfaction. When employees feel that their opinions are valued and that they can contribute meaningfully to their roles, they tend to be more motivated and engaged. This satisfaction often translates to better performance and a stronger commitment to the organization. Moreover, empowered employees are more likely to develop strong relationships with their colleagues and supervisors. This sense of autonomy and trust fosters a collaborative work environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. As a result, conflict resolution becomes more effective, and communication flows more freely, all of which contribute to healthier employee relations The population of this study was employees of NTPC Talcher-Kaniha Plant, a power-generating organization in Odisha, India. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data from the employees. During the study, 311 valid responses were processed for data analysis. The results of the analysis were presented through structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings revealed six major factors such as self-managed teams, interpersonal trust, work culture, job design, information sharing, and employee involvement are the drivers of employee empowerment which significantly influences employee relations in the organization. Further, the findings reflected the fact that empowered employees tend to display stronger interpersonal relationships, increased trust, and increased levels of job satisfaction, which in turn, positively impacts improved employee relations, thereby contributing to overall organizational effectiveness.