PARTICIPATIVE MANAGEMENT
AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Today's business environment is subject to change. It is caused by limitless external and internal factors. It causes those involved to push aside traditions and supported ways of thinking, acting, living, and working together for new approaches. We trade in our current known environment for ambiguity and uncertainty. People create change, and are the targets of change. The obvious reason is that we will somehow benefit from the change. The change will eventually be of some importance in our lives, and our new views and actions will soon loose their ambiguity and unknown aspects. This will happen just in time for the next major change that throws everything back into turmoil. Therefore, how we learn to adjust to these changes is vital to our well being. The business world has developed many strategies and theories for change that are designed to aid the change process. These strategies are designed based upon the desired outcomes for the firm. In recent years businesses have tried to encompass a participative strategy to aid change and increase employee satisfaction, but the strategy is often spawned by a goal to decrease costs and in turn satisfy shareholders. Whatever the case may be, it is very important to have the right motives for the transformation. This paper will discuss the correct reasons for utilizing a participative management style. It will also provide information to support or negate the following question. Is introducing participative management an effective way to encourage and embrace change?
Before getting far into this debate it is important that we fully understand the main topic involved in our decision. Participative mana ...