New Frontiers of Democratic Participation at Work

Michael Gold, Dr, is Senior Lecturer in European Business and Employee Relations at the School of Management, Royal Holloway, University of London.

'...a timely reminder that there can be no "high performance workplace" without further democratisation of organisational decision-making...to be warmly welcomed not only for the particular insights of its contributors, all of whom are highly-regarded, but also for putting workplace "governance" firmly back on the agenda.' Professor Keith Sisson, University of Warwick, UK '... HRM and industrial relations specialists and students, practitioners and trade unionists alike will be fascinated to read about the ways in which trade unions and works councils can be compatible, the challenges posed for trade unions and the new forms of collective bargaining opened up in tackling tricky labour issues such as working time in different European countries, east and west.' Professor Linda Clarke, University of Westminster, UK 'The book describes some of the conditions that have sustained or hindered democratic participation and sheds some light on possible future developments in Europe...has much to offer to trade unionists, managers and researchers and it should be part of any library on employee participation.' Journal of Industrial Relations 'The book provides plenty of food for thought for everyone interested in promoting or contributing to effective forms of social dialogue. It should be of special interest to human resources managers, industrial relations specialists and trade unionists...its value to the ongoing debate on this subject lies in the coherence of its propositions and its deep insights into specific situations.' International Labour Review 'The significance and strength of this volume of essays lie in its political message...The essays in this volume cover a wide range of topics...Democratic participation is the book's political message. Thirteen essays illuminate its extent, potential, and challenges. It is good that the authors argue rather than agitate. It is good also that these contributors, with their well-defended optimism, should give encouragement

• Contents: Introduction: new frontiers of democratic participation at work, Gérard Kester, Edward Zammit and Michael Gold. EU and National Dimensions: EU social policy and developments in worker involvement, Janine Goetschy; European works councils: who benefits?, Michael Gold; The role of economic and social councils in social dialogue, Jacques Monat and Thérèse Beaupain. Sectoral and Company Case Studies: Making sense of democratic participation in the Dutch information and communications industry, Peter Leisink; French and Italian hospitals: the long road towards autonomy, Philippe Mossé; New management systems and worthwhile work: the Swedish experience, Christofer Edling and Ã…ke Sandberg; New concepts in work organization: a case from the Norwegian offshore petroleum industry, Thoralf Ulrik Qvale. Thematic Aspects: Social transformation, self-organization at work and participation in Germany, Helmut Martens; Worker participation in the reduction of working hours in France, Henri Pinaud; Worker participation in negotiating working time in Italy, Anna M. Ponzellini; Worker participation in Central and Eastern Europe: union strategies, Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead; Trade union education and democratic participation: the case of Malta, Edward Zammit, Saviour Rizzo and Joseph Vancell; Index.