EMPIRICAL SUPPORT FOR THE CRITICAL ASSUMPTIONS OF EMPOWERMENT THEORY

This exploratory case study provides empirical support for three criti cal assumptions of empowerment theory Many empowerment theorists have argued that empowerment takes on multiple forms across people, is cont extually embedded, and shifts over time (Rappaport, 1984; Zimmerman, 1 990, 1995). To better understand the implications of these assumptions for empowerment theory and the research anti intervention methods we employ, the empowerment experiences of 49 employees within a large hum an service delivery organization were explored. A method well suited t o investigate empowerment's assumptions of multiplicity and dynamism-a constructivist approach to approach-was employed. Content analyses of interview and observational data revealed that the process of empower ment may be more complex than originally conceived. Not only did multi ple meanings and desires for empowerment emerge across employees and b etween employees and leaders, but several shifting ecologies impacted the employees' lives, causing the employees' empowerment experiences t o fluctuate. Empowerment emerged as a dynamic, highly individualistic, contextually layered process. Multiple forms, contexts, and dynamics that influenced employee empowerment are described. Implications of th ese findings for empowerment research and intervention are discussed.