Spaces of possibilities: workers’ self-management in Greece
Abstract
This article focuses on the process of workers’ self-management brought about by a wave of experimentation with alternative organizational forms taking place in Greece since the beginning of the current financial crisis. The discussion is supported by empirical evidence from qualitative fieldwork conducted in three workers’ collectives. Drawing on the findings of my research, I argue that the members’ values and everyday practices give shape and meaning to their aspirations of creating a space that not only critiques the existing forms of work but also puts into practice other possibilities that give emphasis to reciprocal relationships and prioritize collective working, egalitarianism and autonomy. I also argue that their established consensus-based decision-making models, far from representing a state of agreement, allows—within collectively determined boundaries—the creation of a space where diverse opinions flourish rather than being suppressed.This encourages the development of more inclusive models of participation and the construction of rule-creating rather than rule-following individuals.
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Biographies
George Kokkinidis is a Lecturer in Management at Leicester Business School, De Montfort University. His research areas turn around the wider field of organization studies and critical management studies. His current research interests and projects mainly focus on alternative forms of organization and organizing, social movements and networks, the organization of space and commoning. Further to his main research interests, some of his previous and recent projects also cover the organization of resistance, employees’ attitude to work and identity work. Address: Leicester Business School, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK.
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Article first published online: February 17, 2014
Issue published: November 2015
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