The Relationship between Information and Communication Technology Applications and University Staff Empowerment

The aim of the present research was to study the relationship between application of information and communication technology and university staff empowerment. The study was applied، and in terms of method، was descriptive، correlational. The statistical population was all employees in the staff field of Islamic Azad University of central organization، Science and Research Branch of Tehran and Tehran Center Branch that included 225 persons in academic year of 2012-2013. Among them، 143 people were selected as the sample population based on Cochran formula، by stratified sampling method. The research measuring instrument consisted of two questionnaires: 15 questions for information and communication technology and 35 questions for empowerment، prepared based on five point Likert scale. The reliabilities of the questionnaires were calculated based on Cronbach alpha and were obtained 0. 925 for information and communication technology and the 0. 928 for empowerment questionnaire. Data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients by SPSS software. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between the application of information and communication technology and components of empowering employees (improving employee performance، independence and freedom of action، feeling of decision- making responsibility، occupational diversity، self-controlling and professional ability، willingness and development of staff). Among the dimensions of empowerment، the component of improving employee performance had the most correlation، and the component of self-controlling had the least correlation with information and communication technology.