Putting feminist theory to work: Collaboration as a means towards organizational change

This article describes an attempt to use a collaborative action research ap proach to enquire into the gender implications of seemingly neutral organiz ational practices, and thereby bring about change. The methodology draws on both the feminist critique of objective research, and thinking on particip atory and action-oriented research strategies. Working with a work group in a manufacturing plant, a project was devised to establish a self-managing team on the shop-floor, with a view to shifting gendered patterns of work w hile also enhancing performance. Dilemmas of balancing support and challeng e in the collaboration process are discussed, in connection with the gender ing of collaboration. The importance of creating opportunities for feedback , reflection, and the reviewing of deep assumptions in this type of work is highlighted.