Direct and Indirect Participation in Dutch Firms and Hospitals

Abstract

Does shopfloor participation reinforce or thwart the functioning of a Works Council? This question is examined with the aid of data collected in a study about Industrial Democracy in Dutch firms and hospitals. The analysis brings to light a few significant correlations only between indices of direct and of indirect participation. These few correlations suggest that, particularly in hospitals, employees tend to ascribe more influence to a Works Council, the less autonomy and upward influence they have with respect to core activities in their own work situation. In general, in hospitals 'key-persons' and 'rank-and-file' see more eye to eye on these matters than in firms.