Participation, What does it mean? (in Persian)

Participation has been with us since the inception of living in a family. Participation developed in the matrix of religion and, two centuries ago, opend up its way in political systems of European countries. It supported the democratic principle of people's determining their own destiny. Today, participation is considered a necessity for the total development of not only individuals, but also organizations and societies. Japan and West Germany accepted the principle of participation in managenent and stock ownership. Participation in industry helped strengthen the ties of employees with the organization, increase employees' job satisfaction, and improve performance. Employees' Participation in managerment received favorable response and produced successful results. It proved effective in aceptance of change and adapting to it. Research findings supported the idea that participation would decrease the resistance in face of change. Employee share ownership plan (ESOP) started in West Germany and penetrated into other northern countries of Europe. It is now spreading fast in the United States of America. The basic underlying philosophy of participation is the principle of equal value and importance of individuals. Upon this principle in laid the basic components of participation. These components are as follows: 1- Hearing the voice of others, especially those who are placed at the lower ladder of society of organization 2- Feeling the possession of ideas and products 3- Elimination of marginalization 4- Empowering the poor 5- Breaking the culture of silence