EFFECT OF EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) FIRMS IN FCT-ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of employee empowerment on the performance of selected IT firms in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), focusing on three key dimensions: participatory decision-making, employee autonomy, and regular feedback. Utilizing a cross-sectional research design, data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 120 employees in various IT firms, of which 102 responses were deemed suitable for analysis. The study employed multiple regression analysis to examine the effect of the empowerment dimensions and organizational performance. Results indicated that all three dimensions significantly and positively influenced performance. Specifically, participatory decision-making, employee autonomy, and regular feedback were found to enhance organizational performance, demonstrating the critical role of empowerment in fostering a proactive and engaged workforce. These findings suggest that IT firms should adopt empowerment strategies to optimize their performance. The study concludes with recommendations for management practices that promote participatory decision-making, enhance employee autonomy, and ensure regular feedback, thereby contributing to improved organizational outcomes.