Final answer:
Structural empowerment is characterized by job design, transition of authority, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation, with self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation being crucial to create an empowering environment that leads to job satisfaction and productivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of structural empowerment include job design, transition of authority, self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation. Among these, self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation play vital roles in fostering an empowering environment.
Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their capabilities to produce desired effects by their own actions. This belief is crucial for employees as it enables them to take on challenges and persist through difficulties, as theorized by Albert Bandura. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation relates to the internal drive to perform a task, which is enhanced when individuals have control over their work and feel valued in their environment, as discussed in self-determination theory by Niemiec & Ryan.
The concept of autonomy, which includes control over one's work, has been identified as the most strongly predictive factor of overall job satisfaction. This underlines the importance of empowerment elements in the workplace, suggesting that when employees feel a sense of control and competence, they are more satisfied and productive.