NONPARTICIPATION AND SYSTEM DYNAMICS

Non-participation is currently one of the most pertinent problems conf ronting large organizations. The nonparticipation problem is related t o two untested assumptions made by the conventional wisdom of particip ative management: first, power is assumed to flow from top to bottom r ather than the other way around and, second, participation schemes pro vide sufficient opportunities for worker participation. The sociocrati c organization provides a participative management model derived from system dynamics concepts which challenges both assumptions. Sociocrati c organizations are based on a circle structure, decision making by co nsent, and double linking between circules. The circular and reflexive nature of these organizations appears to open up real opportunities f or participation at all levels.