Firm democracy

Ing. Festim Uka

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Despite the focus the management model received over the decades, there is still a lack of consensus among managers and scholars on the most appropriate management structure. Besides the conventional approach implemented by organizations, the reduced hierarchy has been another management approach that companies are relying on increasingly. The objective of the thesis was to examine the cause and effect relationship between workplace democracy and company performance in a chosen company. The data was collected using two questionnaires and interviews with managers. The initial aim of the study was to assess the current state of democratic principles in the company. The principles include meaning and vision, dialogue and listening, fair play and honor, openness, responsibility, involvement, co-decision, decentralization, co-ownership and reflection, and assessment. Afterward, the study focused on the effect these principles have on the performance of the company. The examination leads to the conclusion that democratic principles are present in the company, with some variations compared to those in theories, and the utilization of such a management approach has a positive effect on the company performance.

Abstract:

Despite the focus the management model received over the decades, there is still a lack of consensus among managers and scholars on the most appropriate management structure. Besides the conventional approach implemented by organizations, the reduced hierarchy has been another management approach that companies are relying on increasingly. The objective of the thesis was to examine the cause and effect relationship between workplace democracy and company performance in a chosen company. The data was collected using two questionnaires and interviews with managers. The initial aim of the study was to assess the current state of democratic principles in the company. The principles include meaning and vision, dialogue and listening, fair play and honor, openness, responsibility, involvement, co-decision, decentralization, co-ownership and reflection, and assessment. Afterward, the study focused on the effect these principles have on the performance of the company. The examination leads to the conclusion that democratic principles are present in the company, with some variations compared to those in theories, and the utilization of such a management approach has a positive effect on the company performance.

Keywords

Workplace Democracy, Performance, Holocracy, Workers Cooperatives, Sociocracy, Management.

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 24. 7. 2020

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 9. 9. 2020
• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Ondřej Částek, Ph.D.
• Reader: Ing. Petr Smutný, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Economics and Administration

Master programme / field:
Economy and Management / Business Management (Eng.)