Assessing the effect of employee participation in decision making: A Case Study of Kitwe city council

The study aimed at assessing the effect of employee participation in decision making. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine the types of employee participation adopted by Kitwe City council; to establish factors that influence employee participation in decision making; to assess the relationship between employee participation and decision making and; to ascertain limitations to employee participation in decision making. The study adopted a descriptive case study and 50 participants from the council were picked using random and purposively sampling. Based on the findings it was concluded that employee participation in decision making enhances organizational performance. Employee participation in decision making is critical in enhancing employee motivation, satisfaction, productivity and performance. The study revealed a employee participation in decision making, is influenced by organizational structure, organizational culture, employee skills and experience, knowledge of an employee, job design and motivation as well as employee engagement. The study further revealed that the relationship between employee participation in decision making and organizational performance, the study indicated that the employee participation contribute positively to organizational performance. With regards limitations of employee participation in decision making, it was revealed that employee participation in decision making leads to conflict of interest and delaying the process of making decisions. Finally, the study recommended that management should encourage participation of members of staff in decision making to avoid conflicts and tension between management and other employees.