Introduction to Organizational Behavior

Participation proves advantageous for the organization in many ways. It improves the quality and quantity of output. It also improves the motivation levels of employees, decreases the rate of attrition and absenteeism, and improves communication within the organization. Other lesser tangible benefits are decreases in the number of conflicts, lower stress levels, greater commitment to goals, and lower resistance to change. Certain prerequisites are essential for participation; for instance, adequate time should be allowed for participation, and the potential benefits of participation should be greater than the costs involved. For participating effectively, the employees must also have the relevant abilities and skills, and should be interested in that particular area of work. The participants should be able to exchange their ideas effectively with each other and they should not perceive the process as a threat to their position or status. The degree of participation also depends on the area of job freedom for that particular department. There are many programs that can be used to encourage participation of employees. Some programs involve employees only to a modest extent, while other programs require a substantial amount of participation from employees.

Suggestion programs are formal plans developed by the organization which invite the employees to give suggestions for work improvements. Quality circles are voluntary groups, comprising employees who are trained in statistical techniques and problem-solving skills. They attempt to generate ideas to improve the working conditions and productivity of the organization. The TQM approach is an ongoing effort to involve all employees of an organization in the search for novel ways to improve its operations. This approach involves training employees in statistical methods and giving them the opportunity to develop extensive problem-solving and group decision-making skills. Middle-management committees provide junior directors the opportunity to understand a particular problem and recommend solutions for it. The board of junior directors carefully studies and analyzes the problem and presents its recommendations to the top management. Industrial democracy is a participation program in which workers' participation at various levels is made mandatory by the government, especially for those decisions that affect the workers.