Principles of Organizational Behavior, 3rd Edition

11Use Participation to Share Information and Distribute Knowledge

JOHN A. WAGNER III

Michigan State University

Participation is a process in which decision-making, problem-solving, action planning, or similar activities are shared and performed jointly by hierarchical superiors and their subordinates. To participate, superiors and subordinates work together to identify alternatives, consider preferences, and finalize judgments. Defined in this manner, participation differs from direction, in which superiors follow autocratic procedures and act alone (Wagner, 1982). Participation also differs from consultation, in which superiors ask subordinates for their inputs and opinions but then weigh alternatives and make a final choice on their own (Vroom and Yetton, 1973). Less obviously, perhaps, participation differs from delegation, in which superiors remove themselves and cede complete authority to their subordinates. Whereas participation requires that outcomes reflect needs and interests shared across hierarchical levels, delegation is more likely to allow subordinates the autonomy to act in accordance with personal interests (Leana, 1987).

Social theorists have long suggested that participation influences human behavior by (i) involving participants directly in ongoing processes, thereby securing their commitment to participatory outcomes through the “sense of ownership” stimulated by their personal involvement, or by (ii) providing participants the opportunity to exchange and ...