Democracy and worker representation in the management of change

Lessons from Kurt Lewin and the Harwood studies

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9890871
AutoresJohn F Desmond (University of St Andrews, autor de correspondencia), John Desmond (University of St Andrews), Fiona Wilson (0000-0003-2267-4578, University of Glasgow, autor de correspondencia)
Año2019
Volumen72
Número11
Páginas1805-1830
Fecha de publicación2019-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHuman Relations (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0018-7267 • E-ISSN: 1741-282X
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0018726718812168
OpenAlexW2905186633
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas70

This article revisits the famous Harwood studies overseen by Kurt Lewin to include the neglected union perspective that differs markedly from conventional accounts. We explain this discrepancy as arising from unitarist and pluralist views, which assume very different understandings of organization. The researchers framed the Harwood organization from a unitarist perspective as monolithic, assuming its members are bound by allegiance to a common cause represented by management. This helps explain their relative indifference to unions and framing of concepts in a manner conducive to management that was incomprehensible from a union perspective. From this we contend that the Harwood studies are best understood as a cautionary tale against the assumption of a monolithic view that equates the interest of management with that of the organization. This is especially relevant given the dominance of a unitarist perspective across several fields of organization today, when management are argued to be increasingly authoritarian and union membership in several countries approaches an all-time low. Recognizing that organization is a balance struck between partially conflicting interests represents a more ethical stance to forestall accusations of partisanship and manipulation and to build towards the establishment of a fairer and more sustainable workplace for all

Allegiance · Authoritarianism · Democracy · Dominance (genetics · Economics · Epistemology · Framing (construction · Perspective (graphical · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Sociology · Employment and Welfare Studies · History · Labor Movements and Unions · Law · Management and Organizational Studies