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Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Poster
Degree Type
Graduate
Department
Kinesiology & Recreation
Mentor
Dr. Tracy Mainieri
Mentor Department
Kinesiology & Recreation
Keywords
Hotel employees, empowerment, front-line employees, job satisfaction, psychological empowerment
Abstract
Research by Elnaga and Imran (2014) found that employee empowerment has been widely recognized as having a direct relationship with the ability to increase job satisfaction in an organization. A past study by Pelit et al. (2011) conducted on 5-star hotel employees in Turkey found that both behavioral and psychological empowerment had a significant effect on job satisfaction. The components of psychological empowerment typically include meaning, competence, selfdetermination, and impact (Spreitzer, 1995). These elements contribute to an employee's sense of control and motivation in their work environment. Employee job satisfaction is crucial to hotels as satisfied employees are more likely to deliver exceptional service which is important for the success and sustainability of the hotel industry. This project therefore examines, from the frontline employee’s perspective, the levels of employee empowerment and job satisfaction in hotels in a midsized Midwest city. The goal of the research is to better understand how employee empowerment and job satisfaction are related. This study is highly relevant and timely, as it addresses important aspects of hotel management and employee performance. It is anticipated that empowered employees would experience higher job satisfaction in traditional work settings. The importance of front-line employees in maintaining quality and increasing job satisfaction is highlighted, calling for a change to work settings that actively promote employee happiness. The study integrates primary data sources, utilizing quantitative research approaches to illuminate the workings of employee empowerment and its effects on job satisfaction in the hotel industry. The research technique utilizes a descriptive design and collects data from front-line personnel in hotels through online survey research. In addition to providing hotel managers with guidance, the research advances the field's understanding of this topic by highlighting the significance of employee empowerment. Employee empowerment is critical for long-term survival of the hotel industry.
Recommended Citation
Nyamekye, James; Mainieri, Tracy; Mulvaney, Mike; and Smith, Rachel, "Impact of Employee Psychological Empowerment on Job Satisfaction in the Hospitality Industry: A Case Study of Hotels in a Midwestern City" (2025). University Research Symposium. 508.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/rsp_urs/508
