Meaning and context of participation in five European countries

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the findings of a qualitative cross‐cultural study of participation in managerial decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper theme‐focused interviews were conducted with middle managers in five European countries and the transcripts were analysed using elements of the grounded theory method. In the context of the current study, grounded theory served as a suitable method for detecting both general patterns and country‐specific particularities.

Findings

The findings of the present study suggest that country‐specific models of participation exist which is embedded in broader country‐ and culture‐specific concepts. In addition, decision type, time‐related issues and conflict emerge from the study as the main general context factors influencing managerial choices on the use of participation. The comparison of the current qualitative findings with earlier quantitative research suggests a good match with two of the studies (that investigated participatory behaviour in context) but not the third (that investigated participatory values).

Research limitations/implications

The exploratory character of the study imposes certain limitations on its findings which could be addressed in future research by studying other countries and cohorts and possibly by employing additional or different types of methodology.

Practical implications

The qualitative study findings are of interest to organisations engaging in business relations abroad as well as to individual expatriates in each of the five European countries included in the study.

Originality/value

In contrast to earlier quantitative studies with a similar focus, this research initiative explores the meaning and enactment of participation from a holistic perspective, taking context factors into account and integrating the findings into earlier research.

Citation

Szabo, E. (2006), "Meaning and context of participation in five European countries", Management Decision, Vol. 44 No. 2, pp. 276-289. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740610650247