Who is Responsible for Effective Participative Decision-Making? Individual and Organizational Obligations

Abstract

Much of the current research on participative decision-making focuses on the increasing need for participative decision-making systems, on the different outcomes associated with different forms of participation, or on the problems associated with poorly managed participative decision-making systems. This paper considers the responsibilities of employees who participate in organizational decision making and the responsibilities of employers who expect to share decision-making tasks. A "Bill of Responsibilities for Employees" and a "Bill of Responsibilities for Employers" are presented. Pitfalls associated with neglecting these responsibilities are discussed.