What is the term for the process of giving employees increased autonomy and discretion to make decisions, as well as control over the resources needed to implement those decisions?

• A. Empowerment
• B. Leadership
• C. Informational Roles
• D. Interpersonal Roles

Answer: (A)

Empowerment is the practice of granting employees more autonomy and discretion to make decisions, along with control over the resources needed to carry those decisions out. This approach shifts decision rights closer to the point of action, which can boost motivation, ownership, and speed in responding to needs. It also requires clear boundaries and accountability so that employees know what they can decide and what resources they can access to implement those decisions.

Leadership is broader, focusing on guiding and influencing others, which can include empowerment but isn’t itself the specific process described. Informational roles and interpersonal roles, from Mintzberg’s framework, deal with how managers handle information and interpersonal interactions, not with granting decision-making authority or resource control to employees.