Studying the Relationship between Strategic Learning and Employee Empowerment

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between Strategic Learning and Employee Empowerment within private-sector healthcare hospitals in the city of Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from the perspective of healthcare employees. The research seeks to assess employees’ perceptions of the significance of strategic learning and its role in enhancing empowerment practices within healthcare organizations. A comprehensive descriptive survey design was employed due to its suitability for addressing the study’s objectives. Strategic learning, as the independent variable, was operationalized through four dimensions: knowledge generation, knowledge dissemination, knowledge interpretation, and knowledge implementation. Employee empowerment, the dependent variable, was measured using three dimensions: participation in decision-making, delegation of authority, and autonomy in job performance. Data were collected using an electronically administered questionnaire distributed across the study population. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Hypotheses were tested through multiple regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for regression models. The findings revealed significant variation in the influence of Strategic Learning dimensions on the various aspects of Employee Empowerment, highlighting the complex and interconnected relationship between learning-oriented strategies and empowerment mechanisms in healthcare organizations. These results underscore the critical role of strategic learning in shaping empowerment practices, particularly within private hospitals operating in Najran. Based on the findings, the study recommends leveraging digital technologies to enhance strategic learning and employee empowerment by investing in knowledge management systems and digital platforms that facilitate knowledge sharing, support continuous learning, and strengthen employees’ capacity for effective decision-making.