1. A Presentation on: PARTICIPATIVE MANAGEMENT

3. Concept Of Participation The concept of “ Participative Management ” is closely related with the concept of industrial democracy. Participative Management means involving workers in the decision making process. Participative Management is based on the concept that when the worker invests his time and ties his fate to the workplace, he should be given an opportunity to participate in the decision making process of the management. The employee should be given an opportunity to express his views and due importance should be given to them by the management while framing policies. This concept was first developed in western countries and was very successful. Therefore, it has acquired world wide recognition and popularity.

7. Features of Participation Provides higher status to employees – Employees are given a chance to participate in the decision making process of the organization. This empowers the employees. Provides psychological satisfaction to employees – Employees are allowed to express their views and their views are given due consideration. Management even frames some policies according to their expectations. Universally recognized concept – Participative Management is followed and practiced in many countries. Brings employees and management closer – Participative Management facilitates meaningful communication and ensures cordial relations. Beneficial to both parties – Participative Management is beneficial to both parties; organization and employees. Through participative management, both the parties are satisfied.

9. Pre-requisites for Successful Participation Strong Trade Unions – Existence of strong trade unions with creative & enlightened leadership is necessary for successful participation. Favourable attitude of Management – The attitude of management should be progressive & democratic. Due importance should be given to employee’s views and suggestions. Clear Understanding of Objectives – Employers & employees should have clear understanding of objectives of the participation. Participative management should not become a formality. Education & Training of Workers – Employees & their representatives should have adequate technical, financial & managerial knowledge. Voluntary Participation desirable – Participative management should be voluntary & not compulsory. Employees voluntary participation largely influences the success of participative management.

12. Employee Empowerment Employee empowerment is a technique of involving employees in their work through the process of inclusion. Empowerment encourages employees to become innovators and managers of giving them more control and autonomous decision making capabilities. This concept refers to enlargement of an employee’s job responsibility by giving him the authority of decision without approval of his immediate supervisor. The decision can be big or small depending on the degree of power which the company wishes to provide to the employees. Further the employees are supported and encouraged to utilize their skills, abilities and creativity by accepting accountability for their work. This concept usually works when employees are adequately trained, provided with all the relevant information.

17. Stages in Empowering Process STAGE – I Get the basics right by fully using current capability – The idea is to empower people to the fullest extent of their current capability, within the scope of their current job/task. STAGE – II Stretch people beyond their current capability to fulfill their full potential – Enablers act as coaches to stretch people by delegation & empowerment slightly beyond their current limits. STAGE – III Strengthen empowerment by creating commitment throughout the organization – Foundation should be laid for a change of attitude & behaviour in the organization as a whole.

18. Collective Bargaining Collective Bargaining is the process whereby workers organize collectively and bargain with employers regarding the workplace. In a broad sense, it is the coming together of workers to negotiate their employment. In the words of Jucious, “ Collective Bargaining refers to a process by which employers on the one hand & representatives of employees on the other, attempt to arrive at agreements covering the conditions under which employees will contribute & be compensated for their services ”.

20. Features of Collective Bargaining Group Action as Opposed to Individual Action – Workers & managers collectively bargain for their common interests & benefits. They jointly arrive at an amicable solution through negotiations. Flexible & Mobile and not Fixed or Static – It has sufficient flexibility, since no party can afford to be rigid in such situations. It is not a one way street but a give and take process. Bipartite Process – It is a mutual give & take rather than a take it or leave it method of arriving at the settlement of a dispute. Employers and employees negotiate the issues directly, face to face across the table. There is no third party intervention. Continuous Process – It does not commence with negotiations & end with an agreement. It is a continuous process which includes implementation of the agreement and also further negotiations. Dynamic & not Static – The way agreements are arrived at, the way they are implemented, and the mental make up of parties involved keep changing. Power Relationship – Workers want to gain the maximum from management, & management wants to extract the maximum from workers.

23. Types of Bargaining Conjunctive Bargaining – Employers & employees try to maximize their respective gains. Issues like wages & bonus are negotiated under conjunctive bargaining. The principle “my gain is your loss & your gain is my loss” is practiced in conjunctive bargaining. Cooperative Bargaining – Both parties realize the importance of surviving in difficult times & are willing to negotiate the terms of employment in a flexible way. Productivity Bargaining – Worker’s wages & benefits are linked to productivity. If they are able to exceed the standard productivity norms, they will get substantial benefits. Composite Bargaining – Labour not only bargains for wages but also demands equity in matters relating to work norms, employment levels, manning standards, etc.

24. Process of Collective Bargaining Steps involved in the process of Collective Bargaining are : Planning for Negotiations – Employers and employees prepare a plan for discussing the complex issues and the broad range topics. Identifying Bargaining Issues – Different types of bargaining issues are identified during collective bargaining. Conducting Negotiations – Demands of both the employer and employees are determined. Negotiation process continues until the final agreement is obtained. Accomplishing the Agreement – It involves implementing and achieving that agreement. Passing the Agreement – The agreement is examined and converted into a legal contract. Monitoring the Agreement – It is ensured that the agreement is implemented according to the issues mentioned in it.

27. Factors Inhibiting Collective Bargaining in India Weak Unions – Indian unions are marked by multiplicity, inter & intra union rivalry, weak financial position and non recognition. Problems from Government – The regulatory framework covering industrial relations scene is quite tight, leaving no scope for voluntary bargaining. Legal Problems – No attempt has been made by Government to simplify the multifarious laws covering labour management relations. Attitude of Management – Employers do not appreciate the fact that unions have come to stay with almost equal bargaining strength. Employers Uncertainty about Who is the Recognized Bargaining Agent – When there are multiple unions, bargaining with one union may be a tough battle. Statutory Fixation of Conditions of Work – Encouragement is given to wage boards, pay commissions, statutory fixation of other conditions of work and social security measures. Political Interference – Political parties interfere in the smooth functioning of the union.

28. Conditions for Successful Collective Bargaining A favourable political climate – Government should remove all legislative restrictions which hamper collective bargaining. Freedom of association – It can be facilitated by leaving workers & employers free from associations as they please. Employees should be free to form trade unions as they are required to bargain with the employer on equal basis. Stability of trade unions – If a union is weak & unstable, employers will refuse to recognize it or negotiate with it. Union should exercise authority over its members & its membership should be sufficiently stable. Recognition of trade unions – Both employer & employees should give recognition to representative trade unions. Recognition improves industrial relations & this may react favourably on productions. Willingness to “Give & Take” – One side should agree to reduce its demand on one item in return for some concession by the other side. Mutual Recognition & Respect – Management has the right to manage & Union has the right to organize itself & fight for justice. This must be fully recognized and accepted by both sides.

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