Perceived Organizational Change and its Connection to the Work-Related Empowerment

Aim:The aim of this study is to provide a longitudinal view on factors of organizational change and their association with experienced work empowerment. Background:The hospital under investigation is a specialist one that provides care and treatment for different rheumatic conditions. Methods: All nursing staff (N= 193) was invited to take part in the survey. Data were collected in 2005 and 2006 with a structured questionnaire divided into five parts: background variables, organizational change factors, aspects of work empowerment and factors promoting and impeding empowerment. Computations were done using SPSS 11.5 for Windows. Findings:The respondents rated all the change factors in the same way during the re-structuring process and one year later. The mean ratings given to the statements were quite low (<2.5). Nurses were the professional group which was the least satisfied with the sharing of information and the least confident about the organizational changes. The lack of stress seemed to increase the participants' confidence in the organizational reform. Work-related empowerment, and promoting and impeding empowerment factors were associated with many change factors. Conclusion: To make sure that staff can experience a sense of empowerment during organizational changes, it is important that managers facilitate staff participation in the decision-making process.