Abstract
The present paper aims at investigating the relationship between human resource empowerment and results of organizational excellence model (EFQM) among employees of emergency unit in Guilan's university hospitals. This is an applied research performed through descriptive – survey method. Required data was obtained using standard questionnaire. Research population is composed of all employees of emergency units of Rasht university hospitals (N = 400) of which 195 individuals were selected as the sample according to Cochran's formula using ordinal random sampling. Besides, share of each order was calculated through systematic sampling method. Obtained data was analyzed using SEM method in AMOS22 software. Also, Pearson's test was performed through SPSS21 software. Findings indicated a positive, significant relationship between human resource empowerment and results of EFQM among employees of Guilan's university hospitals. Accordingly, it is suggested to pay special attention to employees’ empowerment features to enhance organizational performance level and to look at empowerment as a main strategy for improving organizational transformations.
1. Introduction
Today, many organizations seek excellence but only some reach it. A main reason of this failure is the lack of deep understanding of the concept of excellence and its criteria, especially neglecting the role of excellent human resource (Duhlguard et al, 2007). Respecting employee empowerment to improve organizational performance and bring to a globally accepted level is a great necessity. As Denis Kinela mentions: “in today's organizational movements toward total quality management (TQM) and continuous improvement empowerment has gained a significant place... It seems that empowerment is considered as an accepted macro strategy for continuous improvement and and as a acronym for the variety of manners of applying individual competencies in creative and novel methods of all organizational performance aspects" (Kinela, 2008). Empowerment is considered as a vital factor in almost all scientific references of TQM. Thomas and Volthouse identify employees’ empowerment as a main component of TQM. Moreover, Cardi (1996) showed in the US that employee’s empowerment plans are closely related to quality management and may be the vital element affecting organizational success or failure (Abtahi and Abbasi, 2007).At present, employees empowerment is more and more being considered in European Excellence Model (EFQM) and employees are among important measures of excellence in this model so that the model holds: "excellent organizations enhance equality and justice and involve and empower individuals" (Hill and Block, 2004).
6. Suggestions
Respecting the positive and significant relationship between empowerment of human resource in emergency units of Guilan university hospitals and organizational excellence, following suggestions are presented to managers and supervisors emergency units:To reinforce effectiveness, employees should be given enough authority for problem solving during the job so that a job identity is generated for them and they can plan, implement and evaluate their efforts. Moreover, they must be aware of their results and take continuous feedback from the supervisor, coworkers and clients on their own performance.
