Final answer:
Empowerment may be defined as authorizing individuals to think, behave, take autonomous actions, and control their own destiny. It involves a sense of agency and the ability to influence decisions and is often aimed at addressing social inequalities by granting more control and influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Empowerment in the context of workplace and social dynamics is broadly defined as the process of enabling or authorizing an individual or group to think, behave, take action, and control work in autonomous ways. It is the state of feeling self-empowered to take control of one's own destiny. The definition developed by the Cornell Empowerment Group emphasizes elements such as intentionality, ongoing process, and mutual respect. In the workplace, this can translate to employees having a stronger sense of agency, the ability to influence decisions, and a stake in the success of the organization.
Contemporary views on social power elaborate on its ability to not only affect personal relationships but also larger group dynamics and governmental structures. A key concept related to empowerment is agency, derived from power, which consists of the capability to act and make one's own decisions. However, an individual's agency can be deeply influenced by social characteristics such as race, gender, and class. Hence, empowerment initiatives often aim to address social inequalities by providing individuals or groups with the means and opportunities to exercise their agency more fully.
In conclusion, empowerment may be defined as the process of granting individuals or groups more control, authority, and influence over their work and decision-making processes, thereby reinforcing their sense of autonomy and capacity for self-direction.