Inom den personaltäta och snabbföränderliga detaljhandelsbranschen ökar medarbetarnas behov av att inkluderas i beslutsfattande och ta mer ansvar. Detta väcker frågor om hur organisationer arbetar med att skapa mening, öka inflytande och ansvar för att främja medarbetarskap. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur stora organisationer inom detaljhandelsbranschen på den svenska marknaden går till väga för att styra mot ett stärkt medarbetarskap och ett ökat ansvar hos medarbetare. Studiens analysmodell utgick från strukturell och psykologisk empowerment ur ett organisatoriskt perspektiv för att undersöka medarbetarskapandet. En kvalitativ metod användes för insamling av empiri. Primärdata utgjordes av semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex respondenter från två organisationer inom detaljhandelsbranschen och sekundärdata i form av interna styrdokument. Resultatet visar på flera metoder för hur organisationerna stärker medarbetarskapet och ger mer ansvar till medarbetarna, samtidigt som organisationerna har tydliga förväntningar på hur medarbetarna förväntas agera. Organisationerna lyckas således styra för att stärka medarbetarskapet.

This study examines the role women’s groups play in the lives of 10 Muslim women in South Africa. A qualitative methodology was employed to gain information from two women’s groups in Johannesburg. An open-ended questionnaire, focus groups, and individual interviews were used to elicit information. The data were initially analysed using a computer-based content analysis programme (Atlas-ti), to identify a priori and emergent themes and categories in the data. These themes and categories were then used as the basis for a qualitative interpretive analysis, focused in particular on issues of empowerment with respect to psychological, community, economic, intellectual and political empowerment, and more specifically on gender equality. The study would thus suggest that while these groups do have many positive outcomes, the issues dealt with in women’s groups cannot be isolated from the broader social context in which Muslim women live. While the processes of empowerment appear to have begun in areas of psychological, community, intellectual, economic and political empowerment in this sample of women, empowerment with respect to gender equality still seems far off.

This research project was inspired by a survey that was designed to help an organization determine how well it was doing in its efforts to empower associates and achieve a goal of continuous improvement. Initial review of the survey created suspicion that the survey was not built around the appropriate dimensions to accurately measure the level of empowerment in organizations. As such, the survey was psychometrically analyzed to determine the validity of the instrument as a measure of empowerment. Additionally, an extensive review of the literature was performed to determine new dimensions that would most accurately measure empowerment. Eight dimensions (culture, trust, accountability, leadership, ability, commitment, responsibility, and communication) were put forth as the most appropriate to measure empowerment. Subject matter experts with knowledge and experience in the area of organizational empowerment reviewed the new dimensions for accuracy and fit with the original survey items.

The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of psychological empowerment among nurse aides in nursing homes. Five structural factors (information exchange, decentralization of resources, co-worker support, supervisor support, and availability of training) and four control factors (age, sex, level of education, and race) are analyzed using multivariate linear regression to examine their effects on psychological empowerment. Two of the five structural factors, decentralization of resources and supervisor support, are shown to positively influence psychological empowerment. Nursing home managers can consider developing and implementing procedures that decentralize resources and demonstrate supervisor support in order to increase psychological empowerment. Based on the findings of this study theory and practice might benefit from additional study of decentralization of resources and supervisor support.

Le concept d’empowerment psychologique a émergé en marketing avec l’essor d’internet, pour désigner un sentiment d’émancipation du consommateur dans son processus de décision. Il soulève des questions importantes, sur une éventuelle perte d’influence du marketing ou sur la remise en cause du rôle prescripteur de la force de vente, notamment ; pourtant peu d’études empiriques ont à ce jour exploré le concept. Ces travaux contribuent à une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes et conséquences de l’empowerment psychologique du consommateur selon le contexte d’achat : les résultats d’études auprès de 1043 acheteurs de séjours touristiques permettent de conclure à un effet positif de l’empowerment psychologique sur la satisfaction du consommateur, à la fois envers sa décision d’achat et envers la marque auprès de laquelle l’achat a été effectué, principalement du fait d’un effet médiateur de l’appropriation psychologique de la décision. Cet effet positif perdure après l’étape de consommation et favorise indirectement l’intention de ré-achat. Plusieurs facteurs explicatifs de l’empowerment psychologique ont été identifiés, à la fois d’ordre individuel et contextuel, dont l’utilisation d’internet en préparation de l’achat. Les enseignements de cette recherche mettent en lumière le rôle positif de l’empowerment psychologique sur la satisfaction et la fidélité des acheteurs, et suggèrent de nouvelles pistes sur la relation entre le contexte/canal d’achat utilisé et la satisfaction du consommateur. Des préconisations sont formulées pour mieux prendre en compte l’évolution des attentes et comportements d’achat des consommateurs dans un contexte d’empowerment par internet. / The concept of consumer psychological empowerment has emerged in marketing with the rise of internet, to designate a feeling of emancipation in the decision making process. It raises important questions, among which the hypothetical loss of influence of marketing and the future role of vendors at traditional points of sale; yet very little empirical work has been made on the concept. This research contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism and consequences of consumer psychological empowerment in a purchase context, through several empirical studies among 1043 buyers of package travels in France. Our results show a positive effect of psychological empowerment on consumers’ satisfaction, both towards the purchase decision and towards the service provider, mainly due to the mediating effect of psychological ownership of the decision. Psychological empowerment also indirectly contributes to a higher re-purchase intent, after the consumption phase. Several antecedents have been identified, both individual and contextual ones, among which the use of internet in the purchase process. Our findings shed light on the positive effect of psychological empowerment on buyers’ satisfaction and loyalty, and suggest new routes on the relationship between the purchase context/channel and consumer satisfaction. Managerial implications are proposed, to help marketers better adapt to an empowering-by-the-internet environment.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Bakgrund: Schizofreni är en psykisk sjukdom som ofta har inverkan på det dagliga livet. Tillståndet kan leda till allvarlig kognitiv svikt och i förlängningen till tvångsvård. Sjukdomsbilden gör att patienterna inte alltid kan eller vill delta i beslut kring sin egen vård. Delaktighet kan därför bli komplext i förhållande till denna patientgrupp. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa faktorer som kan påverka delaktighet i vården hos patienter med schizofreni. Metod: Metoden var en allmän litteraturöversikt över tio vetenskapliga artiklar. Textanalys med induktiv ansats användes som metod för dataanalys. Resultat: Det framgick i resultatet att vårdpersonalens bemötande hade betydelse för patienternas delaktighet i vården. Att bli tagen på allvar, bli lyssnad på och få information stärkte patienternas engagemang. Rädslor för negativa attityder, lågt självförtroende och stigma hindrade de i vissa fall från att uppsöka vård. En tillitsfull vårdrelation kunde reducera dessa upplevelser. Sociodemografiska faktorer som kön, ålder, utbildningsnivå och paternalism hade också betydelse. Slutsats: Av resultatet drogs en slutsats att bemötande, tillit, information, stigma och paternalism påverkar delaktighet i vården hos patienter med schizofreni. Att upprätthålla patienternas autonomi i den mån vårdens kontext tillåter kan öka patienternas deltagande och känsla av kontroll. Klinisk betydelse: I klinisk verksamhet kan man tänka sig att sjuksköterskor bör pröva att använda strategier i form av empowerment och personcentrerad vård för att kunna öka denna grupps intresse av att vara delaktiga. / Background: Schizophrenia is a mental illness that often affects the daily life. The condition can lead to serious cognitive failure and forced admission to psychiatric care. The clinical picture makes the patient not always willing to participate, or able to make decision about their care. Participation can therefore become complex in this nursing context. Purpose: The purpose was to enlighten factors that can influence participation in health care for patients with schizophrenia. Method: The method was a general review of ten scientific articles. A text analysis with inductive approach was used as method for analysing data. Results: The results show that the health care professionals approach is a significant aspect of patient participation in health care. To be heard, respected and receive information strengthened the patient’s involvement. Fear of negative attitudes, low self-confidence and experiencing stigma weakened the involvement. A caring relationship based on trust between patients and health care professionals can reduce these experiences. Socio demographic factors such as gender, age, level of education and paternalism from caregivers were also of relevance. Conclusion: The caregivers approach when it comes to creating trust and give information was found to be important factors along with the experience of stigma and paternalism. To maintain the patient’s autonomy as far as the caring context allows can increase the participation and feeling of control. Clinical implications: In clinical practice nurses can try to use empowerment and a person-cantered care to increase this group’s interest of participating.

Zugl.: Dresden, Techn. Universiẗat, Diss., 2007.

<p>The aim of this study is to investigate the role of micro-credit in women empowerment. Microcredit is a small-scale credit which becomes effectual for the growth of micro enterprises and thus works in poverty alleviation in Pakistan. The major part of this research is to examine the impact of Khushhali Bank Limited (KBL), the largest microfinance bank with a huge network of branches all across the country, on the socio-economic characteristics of beneficiary women and to study the improvement in their economy and social status. The type of economic activities women have started and extent of poverty alleviation have also been studied. The empirical study is conducted in Pakistan. Based on qualitative research, the data is collected through in-depth interviews from borrowers and National Distribution Manager of Khushhali Bank Limited. The findings suggest that micro-credit has positive impact on women socio-economic status and empowerment. It increases to some extent self-confidence and feelings of identity for women in the society. Through interviews we came to know that microcredit has dual effect on the lives of borrowers. It not only helped women to increase their businesses, but also helped them to provide better education to their children. They feel much independence and decision making power in routine life. It has also increased their prestige and status in their family and society. Micro-credit is much helpful for the women who have their own businesses or have some ideas and expertise about the business before getting credit. The women who don’t have pre-requisite knowledge or expertise of business, they could not make any positive change in their status. Microcredit rather put an extra burden of repayment with an extensive amount of interest. They used the loan amount on personal expenses and it made difficult for them to return the loan amount. The study also entailed lack of centralized system between the microfinance institutions that increased the risk of dual loaning. This trend adversely affects the repayment capacity of borrowers and limits the positive impact of micro-credit.</p>

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