The impact of organizational empowerment on organizationallearning capability and strategic flexibility

Abstract

Abstract: The bottom-up flexibility at organizational level is investigated. Drawing on a sample of 212 Chinese firms, the relationships among organizational empowerment, organizational learning capability, and strategic flexibility is examined. The results demonstrate that organizational empowerment has a positive impact on strategic flexibility; organizational learning capability has a positive impact on strategic flexibility and mediates the relationship between organizational empowerment and strategic flexibility. At last, the theoretical contributions and management implications as well as the research limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Key words: organizational empowerment, organizational learning capability, strategic flexibility, Chinese enterprises

CLC Number:

C931.2

Chen Guoquan, Wang Xiaohui, Li Qian, Lei Jiasu. The impact of organizational empowerment on organizationallearning capability and strategic flexibility[J]. Science Research Management, 2012, (6): 128-136.

References

[1] 陈国权. 组织学习和学习型组织:概念、能力模型、测量及对绩效的影响[J]. 管理评论, 2009, 21(1): 107-116.
[2] Swee C G. Toward a learning organization: The strategic building blocks[J]. S.A.M. Advanced Management Journal, 1998, 63(2): 15-22.
[3] Chiva R, Alegre J, Lapiedra R. Measuring organizational learning capability among the workforce[J]. International Journal of Manpower, 2007, 28(3): 224-242.
[4] Chen G Q. Three kinds of management cultures/practices and their impact on organizational learning capability and performance. Wuhan, China: Science Press, 2007. 1136-1147.
[5] Lin H F. Empirically testing innovation characteristics and organizational learning capabilities in e-business implementation success[J]. Internet Research, 2008, 18(1): 60-78.
[6] Goh S, Richards G. Benchmarking the learning capability of organizations[J]. European Management Journal, 1997, 15(5): 575-583.
[7] Alegre J, Chiva R. Assessing the impact of organizational learning capability on product innovation performance: An empirical test[J]. Technovation, 2008, 28(6): 315-326.
[8] 陈国权,郑红平. 组织学习影响因素、学习能力与绩效关系的实证研究[J]. 管理科学学报, 2005, 8(1): 48-61.
[9] Aaker D A, Mascarenhas B. The Need for Strategic Flexibility[J]. Journal of Business Strategy, 1984, 5(2): 74-82.
[10] Hitt A, Keats W, Demarie M. Navigating in the new competitive landscape: Building strategic flexibility and competitive advantage in the 21st century[J]. Academy of Management Executive, 1998, 12(4): 22-43.
[11] Sanchez R. Strategic flexibility, firm organization, and managerial work in dynamic markets: A strategic options perspective[M]. Advances in Strategic Management, Shrivastava P, Huff A, Dutton J, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 1993: 9, 251-291.
[12] Sanchez R. Strategic flexibility in product competition[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 1995, 16: 135-159.
[13] Nadkarni S, Narayanani V K. Strategic schemas, strategic flexibility, and firm performance: The moderating role of industry clockspeed[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2007, 28(3): 243-270.
[14] 孙武. 孙子兵法 [M]. 北京: 京华出版社, 2004.
[15] D’Aveni R. Hypercompetition: Managing the Dynamics of Strategic Maneuvering[M]. New York: Free Press, 1994.
[16] Miller D, Lant T K, Milliken F J, et al. The Evolution of Strategic Simplicity: Exploring Two Models of Organizational Adaption[J]. Journal of Management, 1996, 22(6): 863-887.
[17] Quinn R E, Spreitzer G M. The road to empowerment: Seven questions every leader should consider[J]. Organizational Dynamics, 1997, 26(2): 37-49.
[18] Matthews R A, Diaz W M, Cole S G. The organizational empowerment scale[J]. Personnel Review, 2003, 32(3): 297-318.
[19] Peterson N A, Zimmerman M A. Beyond the individual: Toward a nomological network of organizational empowerment[J]. American Journal of Community Psychology, 2004, 34(1-2): 129-145.
[20] Zimmerman M A. Empowerment theory: Psychological, organizational, and community levels of analysis[M]. Handbook of community psychology, Rappaport J, Seidman E, New York: Plenum, 2000, 43-63.
[21] Cox C B. Empowering African American custodial grandparents[J]. Social Work, 2002, 47(1): 45-54.
[22] Spreitzer G M. Toward a common ground in defining empowerment[J]. Research in Organizational Change and Development, 1997, 10(31-62).
[23] Spreitzer G M. Psychological Empowerment in the Workplace: Dimensions, Measurement, and Validation[J]. The Academy of Management Journal, 1995, 38(5): 1442-1465.
[24] Zimmerman M A. Psychological empowerment: Issues and illustrations[J]. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1995, 23(5): 581-600.
[25] 苏轼. 苏轼诗词选[M]. 北京: 中华书局, 2005.
[26] Wilkinson A. Empowerment: theory and practice[J]. Personnel Review, 1998, 27(1): 40-56.
[27] Siegall M, Gardner S. Contextual factors of psychological empowerment[J]. Personnel Review, 2000, 29(5-6): 703-718.
[28] 陈国权. 组织行为学 [M]. 北京: 清华大学出版社, 2006.
[29] 陈国权,李兰,郝大海等. 企业学习:现状、问题及其对创新和竞争优势的影响——2006年中国企业经营者成长与发展专题调查报告[J]. 管理世界, 2006, 153(6): 92-100.
[30] Chen G. Management Practices and Tools for Enhancing Organizational Learning Capability[J]. SAM Advanced Management Journal, 2005, 70(1): 4-35.
[31] Harrigan K R. The Effect of Exit Barriers Upon Strategic Flexibility[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 1980, 1(2): 165-176.
[32] Parthasarthy R, Sethi S P. The impact of Flexible Automationon Business Strategy and Organizational Structure[J]. Academy of Management Review, 1992, 17(1): 86-111.
[33] Roca-Puig V, Beltran-Martin I, Escrig-Tena A B, et al. Strategic flexibility as a moderator of the relationship between commitment to employees and performance in service firms[J]. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 2005, 16(11): 2075-2093.
[34] Mills P K, Ungson G R. Reassessing the limits of structural empowerment: Organizational constitution and trust as controls[J]. Academy of Management Review, 2003, 28(1): 143-153.
[35] Hill F, Huq R. Employee empowerment: Conceptualizations, aims and outcomes[J]. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 2004, 15(8): 1025-1041.
[36] Spreitzer G M. Social Structural Characteristics of Psychological Empowerment[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 1996, 39(2): 483-504.
[37] Crozier M. The bureaucratic phenomenon[M]. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1964.
[38] Manz C C. Beyond self-managing work teams: Toward self-leading teams in the workplace[M]. Research in organizational change and development, Woodman R W, Pasmore W A, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 1990: 4, 273-299.
[39] Gist M E, Mitchell T B. Self-efficacy: A theoretical analysis of its determinants and malleability[J]. Academy of Management Review, 1992, 17(2): 183-211.
[40] Bandura A. Self-efficacy: The exercise of control[M]. New York: Freeman, 1997.
[41] Deci E L, Ryan R M. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior[M]. New York: Plenum, 1985.
[42] Seibert S E, Silver S R, Randolph W A. Taking empowerment to the next level: A multiple-level model of empowerment, performance, and satisfaction[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2004, 47(3): 332-349.
[43] Kirkman B L, Rosen B. Beyond self-management: Antecedents and consequences of team empowerment[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 1999, 42(1): 58-74.
[44] 王铁男,贾榕霞,陈宁. 组织学习能力对战略柔性影响作用的实证研究[J]. 中国软科学, 2009(4): 164-174.
[45] Hyatt D E, Ruddy T M. An examination of the relationship between work group characteristics and performance: Once more into the breech[J]. Personnel Psychology, 1997, 50(3): 553-585.
[46] Baron R M, Kenny D A. The Moderator-Mediator Variable Distinction in Social Psychological Research: Conceptual, Strategic, and Statistical Considerations [J]. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1986, 51: 1173-1182.