Relationship Between Organizational Learning and Employees' Empowerment: A Case Study Among Medical Sciences Staff

Abstract

Background: Universities, like any other organization, are working in a variable and dynamic environment. In order to empower these organizations to deal with constant change, they should focus on organizational learning. Objectives: This research aimed to study the relationship between organizational learning and employees' empowerment among the headquarters staff of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Patients and Methods:This was an applied, cross-sectional, and analytical-descriptive study. A sample of 100 headquarters staff of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected using stratified sampling proportional to size, and simple random sampling methods. The required data were collected using two questionnaires. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 18.0 and statistical tests including; ANOVA, independent-sample t-test as well as Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression (stepwise method). In all tests, P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The results showed that the studied employees' empowerment and organizational learning were moderate. In addition, the results of multiple linear regression indicated that only participation (P < 0.001) and competence (P = 0.001) had a positive and significant association with organizational learning. Conclusions:The studied university could promote employees' empowerment and organizational learning using strategies including job enrichment, providing opportunities for innovation and creativity for their employees, giving rewards to individuals and team learning.