Workplace Reform and Democratic Dialogue

Abstract

Theory to guide a process of workplace democratization can be of various types. In Scandinavia, structurally oriented theory of organization dominated in the 1960s and first part of the 1970s. More recently, however, there has been a change towards generative theory theory about how to create solutions to problems of work and organization. Contrary to the micro-orientation in most ideas about organization development, the emerging generative theory is macro-oriented and applies concepts such as democratic dialogue. The article outlines the development towards generative theory and discusses some of the problems emerging when democratization of working life is defined as the introduction of a democratic dialogue where work experience is the key to participation.