Trade union responses to participatory management: a case study

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation of trade union responses to participatory management in South Africa. In examining the above question, it seeks to establish whether Weber's notion of bureaucracy and Michels' "iron law of oligarchy" provide a useful theoretical framework for understanding these responses by unions. The thesis also explores the possibilities of worker participation in which unions (and their members) benefit without losing the ability to represent worker's collective interests. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version]