Participatory Approaches to Work Systems and Organizational Design

Abstract

Participatory approaches to work systems and organizational design are identified and examined. Each approach advocates worker involvement and organizational change. The development of participation in the workplace is discussed, and the evolution of participatory practices in work systems and organizational design is presented, from early research on decision making, through the participative management and human relations movements, to the organization-wide high involvement ergonomics of today. Issues arising from the implementation of high involvement ergonomics are also identified.