The Dynamics of Joint Consultation

Abstract

r 10 DEVISE a social organization of industry acceptable to the majority of those employed in it remains one of the essential > . problems of present-day society. In particular, the making of decisions and the exercise of authority give rise to crucial conflicts. Joint Consultation seeks among other things to establish formal discussion of questions of mutual interest between management and employees and so make decisions more acceptable to the latter. Scientific investigations of its effects 1lpon the social structure of industry have tended to focus upon the organizational setting and structure of the machinery rather than upon its dynamic aspects. This study set otlt to analyse Joint Consultation in a nationalized enterprise not as ar institution with fixed rules to be applied in a predictable fashion, but rather as a social process changing the social system. From December I956 to May I957 an investigation was made into the structure and functioning ofJoint Consultation in the enterprise concerned, including an analysis of the work of several committees. After this, attention was focused on the work of one local committee and its development over a period offour years; minutes of the meetings were analysed and members of the committee were interviewed.