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Most photographs reproduce acceptably on positive microfilm or microfiche but lack the clarity on xerographic copies made from the microfilm. For an additional charge, 35mm slides of 6”x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations that cannot be reproduced satisfactorily by xerography. 8703520 C allaghan, Karen Ann A THEORETICAL A N A LY SIS OF THE DEMOCRATIC WORKPLACE: THE MOVEMENT AWAY FROM AUTHORITARIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION The O h io State University Ph.D. 19 86 University Microfilms International300 N. Z e e b Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 4 8 1 0 6 Copyright 1986 by Callaghan, Karen Ann All Rights Reserved PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this docum ent have been identified here with a check mark V . 1. Glossy p h o to g rap h s or p______ a g e s 2. Colored illustrations, paper or _______print 3. Photographs with dark background_____ 4. 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Other_______________________________________________________________________________ University Microfilms International A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DEMOCRATIC WORKPLACE: THE MOVEMENT AWAY FROM AUTHORITARIAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Karen Ann Callaghan, B.A., M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1986 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Dr. A. Clarke Dr. S. Nagi Dr. J. Behling Adviser Department of Sociology Copyright by Karen Ann Callaghan 1986 VITA July 3, 1957 ...........Born - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1979 ................... B. A., La Salle College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1979-1982 ............. Teaching Associate, Department of Sociology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1981 ................. M. A. , Department of Sociology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1984-Present ........... Research and Program Evaluation Coordinator, Consolidated Youth Services, Inc., Jonesboro, Arkansas FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Social Organization Studies in Sociology of Work and Leisure, Dr. Alfred C. Clarke Studies in Sociological Theory, Dr. Roscoe C. Hinkle Studies in Sociology of the Family, Dr. Elizabeth Menaghan TABLE OF CONTENTS VITA ............................................... ii INTRODUCTION ...................................... 1 CHAPTER PAGE I. THE PHILOSOPHICAL ORGINS OF THE AUTHORITARIAN ORGANIZATION ............... 17 II. THE AUTHORITARIAN ORGANIZATION IN MODERN SOCIAL THOUGHT ............................ 38 III. FORMAL VERSUS SUBSTANTIVE RATIONALITY: A WEBERIAN ANALYSIS OF THE AUTHORITARIAN n c. ORGANIZATION .............................. Zf u IV. AMERICAN MANAGEMENT THEORIES: THE TASK OF ORGANIZING THE WORKPLACE ................. 130 V. WORKPLACE DEMOCRACY: PARTICIPATION IN THE AUTHORITARIAN ORGANIZATION............... 182 VI. WORKPLACE DEMOCRACY: PARTICIPATION IN THE RESPONSIVE ORGANIZATION .... ........ 218 BIBLIOGRAPHY 263 INTRODUCTION In choosing a topic for dissertation research in sociology, or any other field, many factors come under consideration. There are, of course, practical and logistical problems of what is possible for a given student at a given time. The personal interests of the student may also weigh in the decision. But, perhaps the most significant factor influencing the choice of dissertation topic is the idea of contributing a truly original work to the discipline. That is, to accomplish empirical or theoretical research that previously had not received adequate analysis or attention. Every student would like to be able to satisfactorily defend his/her dissertation topic on these grounds, and I would like to begin to do so in this introduction. In succinct terms my dissertation topic is to explore and discuss the theoretical underpinnings of democratic social organization, concentrating specifically on the democratic workplace. This topic was chosen only after I had initiated a preliminary review of the literature while considering an empirical investigation of the influence of workplace democracy on familial relationships. It was, 1 2 indeed, my review of this literature that prompted me to reconsider my original topic. The theoretical and empirical research on workplace democracy is quite diverse. What is referred to here as workplace or organizational democracy is also referred to as worker control, worker ownership, worker participation, industrial democracy, economic democracy, self- determination, and participative management. The differences in terms often indicates a difference in the degree and form of the employee participation in the workplace. However, the terms share a basic, common premise, i.e., the possibility of nonmanagement employees exercising decision-making power within the workplace.^ The broadness of this definition is an indication of the inability of many researchers to decide which conditions actually constitute democratic decision-making or democratic power within an organization. Much of the empirical research in the area of workplace democracy has attempted to measure the effect of participation on worker morale, productivity, and overall attitudes toward work. This research has produced inconsistent and nonconclusive results precisely because of the overall lack of a coherent, systematic definition of what constitutes a democratic social organization. Obviously, this situation demonstrates the need for an extensive theoretical analysis 3 of the assumptions that need to be advanced to proffer a democratic complex organization. One factor which contributes to this paucity of theoretical work is the fact that since its earliest inception in the United States, democratic forms of workplace organization have most often been implemented as a remedy for the problems caused by the various nondemocratic forms of organization. Derber reveals that as early as 1865 the problem of labor vs. management 2 replaced slavery as the major issue of national concern. And, the idea of increased democratization of the workplace was perceived by business and labor leaders alike as a viable solution. Therefore, the theoretical development of the democratic organization has, for the most part, depended on the analysis of the problematic nature of other forms of workplace organization. Since there is little agreement as to what is specifically problematic with a traditional organization there is likewise little agreement as to what theoretical and practical changes would constitute remedial action, i.e., democratization. To significantly improve upon this situation an analysis of ★ the ontological nature of democratic and nondemocratic The term ontology is used here as social ontology, that is, to indicate the very basic, fundamental existence of what is social (order, organization, institutions, groups, 4 forms of complex organizations needs to occur. Certain social scientists have recognized this necessity and point out that in order for workplace democracy to become a viable reality social organization itself is going to have 3 to be conceptualized anew. Traditional concepts of authority, management, organizational goals, efficiency and, of course, power are going to have to be re-thought and not simply modified or expunged. Currently only a few projects bsvs 3 ttGJTip'bscl "to actuslly ^rscoricsptualiss those concepts. The reason for this may relate to the nature of society, etc.) The ontology, or the theory of the nature of the social, consists of the most basic assumptions or definitions of the conditions which constitute its reality or existence. For example, ontology may be idealist or materialist, i.e., basing all social reality on thought or matter. Many other aspects of reality are expressed in a social ontology including the traditional philosophical problem of the relationship of the part