The Promise and Perils of Worker Participation in Management

A bstract . Movement from authoritarian to participatory work organization promises gains in both worker satisfaction and productivity. In spite of the potential gain in social welfare, change in the United States has been relatively slow. Part of the explanation lies in problems of implementation, in the practical problems of transition Part also lies in management fears concerning the ability to circumscribe the scope of worker participation in order to preserve historic prerogatives. To limit participation may be to compromise participation. There is the additional possibility that change may be transitory, waxing and waning with changes in business conditions.