An employee empowerment model in healthcare organizations: a case study of the Iranian social security organization

Background: Employee empowerment in healthcare organizations, which refers to providing staff with the autonomy, authority, and confidence to make decisions and take initiative in their roles, plays a crucial role in enhancing both productivity and the quality of health services. This study aims to design an employee empowerment model for the Iranian Social Security Organization to improve organizational performance. Methods: This applied research uses a mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, meta-synthesis of 25 purposively selected studies and thematic coding led to an initial model of employee empowerment. In the quantitative phase, data from 210 healthcare employees were collected via a structured questionnaire. ISM was used to determine component relationships, and the model was validated using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS. Results: The results revealed that the employee empowerment model in healthcare organizations consists of 10 dimensions and 57 components. Additionally, findings indicated that "employee empowerment for organizational productivity" had the most significant impact on other variables, suggesting that improving this factor could enhance overall organizational performance. Key factors identified for employee empowerment included leadership development, organizational support, reward management, feedback and evaluation, decision-making autonomy, and effective communication. Finally, recommendations were provided to enhance employee capabilities and improve the productivity of healthcare organizations. Conclusion: Employee empowerment, driven by factors such as organizational culture, leadership, and training, plays a crucial role in increasing productivity and organizational commitment. Organizations that invest in human resource development not only achieve better performance but also foster innovation, sustainability, and growth.