Abstract

The paper discusses direct participation and its relationships with institutionalised forms of participation, from representative to economic participation. There is a plurality of practices of direct participation, which must be distinguished from mere managerial involvement. The evolution of participation, the prevalence of one type of participation over the others, as well as the interaction between the different types, depend on the socio-economic context, the industrial relations system, and the transformation of organisational models. In more recent times, direct participation has regained interest, albeit at an operational level and not as a decision-making input at the highest level. The various forms of participation, in particular the direct one, as well as for the management of current activities and for continuous improvement, can play a fundamental role for technological innovation projects. Participation is an essential contribution to the recovery after the pandemic and to cope with the acceleration of technological innovation and ecological transition processes. However, appropriate initiatives are needed, at a contractual and/or legislative level, which link the possible forms of direct participation to the institutionalised ones. Another fundamental prerequisite is the training of both workers and their representatives, and of management and entrepreneurs.