Topic: Change Management Question: The concept of empowerment has generated much debate over recent years. What is your opinion?

It is widely recognized that people are the most important asset an organization has, but they are also the most underutilized resource. In the increasingly competitive, knowledge based economy; independent entrepreneurship and initiative are the vital edge for organizations to achieve competitive advantage. Highly motivated and educated staff are critical to the development and implementation of strategies. In today's knowledge based corporate environment, managers must work towards engaging the organization forcefully enough to achieve its …

…this mindset has clearly been seen to fail in democratic society also. References Argyris, Chris (1998, May-June). 'Empowerment: the emperor's new clothes'. Harvard Business Review, pages 98-105. Stace, Doug & Dunphy, Dexter (2001) Beyond the boundaries: leading and re-creating the successful enterprise. 2nd ed. Sydney, McGraw-Hill Dentico, John (2001) 'Empowerment, Not so fast'. Retrieved November 28, 2003, from www.learning-org.com Rae, David (2201) 'Learning to let go'. Retrieved November 28, 2003, from www.nbs.ntu.ac.uk/cgb/research/papers/ltlg.html