The transformation of employee participation: Consequences for the work environment

Ole Busck, Herman Knudsen and Jens Lind
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Ole Busck: Aalborg University, oleb@plan.aau.dk
Herman Knudsen: Aalborg University
Jens Lind: Aalborg University

Economic and Industrial Democracy, 2010, vol. 31, issue 3, 285-305

Abstract: This article reviews the research literature on the relationship between employee participation, influence and the work environment. The main part of the literature points to a positive connection in line with how it has been almost institutionalized in Karasek and Theorell’s demand—control model. However, more recent research into psychosocial work environment problems questions the model’s assumption of high job control compensating for high job demands. Taking its point of departure in a ‘deconstruction’ of the concept of participation based on research on employee participation from the past few decades, the article questions why increased employee participation does not seem to result in a healthy work environment.The article concludes that there are limitations to the demand— control model in modern working life given the contextual changes in the employer—employee relationship, which may mean a transformation of the significance of participation.

Keywords: control; employee participation; empowerment; health and safety at work; psychosocial climate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:31:y:2010:i:3:p:285-305

DOI: 10.1177/0143831X09351212

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