Employee-Driven Processes and Partial Empowerment

Krause presents the following formula in Employee-Driven Systems for Safe Behavior Employee Involvement + Scientific Method = Continuous Improvement. Furthermore, he states that the proper use of methods to manage safety hinges on two factors  

scientific measurement and management of all levels of employee workplace behaviors 

the involvement of all employees in this ongoing feedback and problem-solving process 

Petersen discusses the concept of limited empowerment versus total empowerment. Limited empowerment suggests we live within some ground rules. We all play with the same rules that make the game fair and safe. Most football rules are, in fact, safety rules, and most teams find them easy to follow. Limited empowerment means management establishes some ground rules for everyone to follow (Petersen, 2001, p. 63). Employees are empowered within this framework to participate in decision making for improving safety performance. 

---