Participative Organizational Communication

This book is an explorative study of the importance of participative communication conducted at one South African organization. The influence of the external democratic environment on the internal organizational environment is discussed within the broad parameters of the open systems approach. The new labour legislation in South Africa, the new Labour Relations Act (NLRA), emphasizes democratic principles and values. Participative management is emphasized as a management style that should be encouraged. Access to information and employee participation in organizational operation are indicated as key components in the move towards more participative organizational environments. The renewed importance of an organizational context that supports worker participation processes emphasizes the need to investigate how a participative environment can most effectively be established. Information sharing and participation in decision-making require effective communication structures and an environment that supports and encourages employee involvement. Effective communication in participative organizational contexts with specific focus on South Africa is explored.