Which concept refers to giving subordinates autonomy and the authority to make decisions?

Which concept refers to giving subordinates autonomy and the authority to make decisions?

• A. Delegation
• B. Empowerment
• C. Job rotation
• D. Job enrichment

Answer: (B)

Empowerment is about giving subordinates the freedom to decide how they do their work and the authority to act on those decisions, within reasonable boundaries. This shifts decision power away from the manager and places it with the people doing the tasks, which can speed up responses, boost motivation, and create a sense of ownership over outcomes. Delegation involves handing over specific tasks and some responsibility, but it often still leaves the ultimate authority with the manager or requires ongoing oversight. Job rotation moves people through different roles to broaden experience, not to grant broader decision-making power. Job enrichment adds more meaningful tasks to a role, increasing intrinsic motivation, but doesn’t inherently grant employees the formal authority to make many decisions independently. So giving autonomy and the authority to make decisions aligns most directly with empowerment.

Empowerment is about giving subordinates the freedom to decide how they do their work and the authority to act on those decisions, within reasonable boundaries. This shifts decision power away from the manager and places it with the people doing the tasks, which can speed up responses, boost motivation, and create a sense of ownership over outcomes.

Delegation involves handing over specific tasks and some responsibility, but it often still leaves the ultimate authority with the manager or requires ongoing oversight. Job rotation moves people through different roles to broaden experience, not to grant broader decision-making power. Job enrichment adds more meaningful tasks to a role, increasing intrinsic motivation, but doesn’t inherently grant employees the formal authority to make many decisions independently.

So giving autonomy and the authority to make decisions aligns most directly with empowerment.