EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION

Examine Range of Alternative Methods of Involving Employees in Decision Making and Discuss the Benefits and Challenges That These Might Present For an Organisation

Examine Range of Alternative Methods of Involving Employees in Decision Making and Discuss the Benefits and Challenges That These Might Present For an Organisation



Introduction

Employees' involvement can be defined as a process that allows employees to participate in the decision making process of an organisation. In the United Kingdom, the process of employee empowerment has been adopted according to the practical needs of organisations. In the United Kingdom, employees' involvement in decision making is related to the traditional 'hire em and fire em' philosophy.

In the modern age, empowerment is a solution to the traditional problems of bureaucratic organisations. In traditional and bureaucratic organisations, the focus of managers is on the attainment of production objectives. In these organisations, managers often ignore the creativity of employees.

It is increasingly becoming evident that the success of organisations depends on its managers and employees. The current business environment is changing the traditional command and control of human resource management to a strategic approach.

Discussion

There are diverse arguments that support or reject the idea of employee empowerment. According to a few researchers, empowerment results in organisational change. On the other side, another group of researchers believe that empowerment reduces the control and authority in an organisation. Employee empowerment is necessary because organisations are confronting a gamut of external and internal challenges. The challenges have increased the level of competition. The internal challenges confronted by organisations include employee retention and motivation (Suominen et al, 2011, pp. 4).

The 1980s and 1990s have witnessed a considerable increase in the adoption of the concept of employees' empowerment. There is a disagreement among researchers regarding the actual purpose of this empowerment. According to one school of thought, the actual purpose of employees' empowerment is to increase the commitment of employees. On the other side, another group of researchers believe that the purpose of employees' empowerment in the United Kingdom is to improve the flexibility of the labour market.

When discussing the importance of involving employees in decision making, it is important to analyse whether it should be done at the managerial or non-managerial level. According to a research, empowerment must be given to employees who operate close to the market. It is because these employees are actively involved in the business process.

The idea of empowering non-managerial employees has been opposed by certain arguments. According to these arguments, the empowerment of non-managerial employees cannot result in the effectiveness of business operations. It is because decision-making requires these employees to possess certain skills and experiences. These employees need to develop problem solving and managerial skills to participate in the decision making process. Researchers who oppose the idea of employees' involvement in decision making believe that in order for employees to participate in the decision making process, they need certain skills. According to diverse studies, empowerment must not be given to every ...