Participation and Involvement as part of Buy-in

Some stages of employee participation and involvement in change:

1. i) management directive (communications direction is downwards, ie no discussion, no inputs, etc)
2. ii) consulted (some inputs via discussions, eg focus groups, surveys, interviews, meetings, etc)

iii) negotiating partnership (more inputs and active involvement, etc)

1. iv) some autonomy (some autonomous staff groups involved in pilot/trial runs, etc)
2. v) empowerment (some active involvement from planning through to implementation plus reviewing performance)
3. vi) buy-in (maximum active involvement at all stages of the change process plus responsibility and accountability)

Communication (methods and frequency) is the key to increasing employee participation and involvement.

If communications within the organisation is seen as being one directional and is frequently provided retrospectively, it does not contribute to encouraging staff participation and involvement.

Communication needs to be effective:

"...Employees wishing to be consulted and included in the decision to change processes are likely to become frustrated and quickly disillusioned……As a result, they are likely to see limited communications as unsupportive and the uncertainty is like stepping on their ability to cope with and adapt to change effectively……explaining the reluctance of employees to volunteer their involvement......employees resist becoming involved, even when given the opportunity, as they perceive the environment to be unsupportive or unappreciative of their efforts..."

Taryn Haynes-Smart, 2010

More comments on some stages

Directive

- change imposed from the top

- no significant deviations from the plan allowed

- insignificant involvement of others

- feelings of views of others not taken into account

Negotiation strategies

- management responsible for direction and implementation

- acknowledge that others can have some say in the change

- willing to negotiate with other groups

- accepts minor adjustments and concessions

Participative 

- more flexibility in all stages

- much involvement of others

- emphasise winning hearts and minds

- active involvement leads to increased commitment and enthusiasm

- responsible and accountable

(main source: Taryn Haynes-Smart, 2010)