The Involvement Approach: How Eastern Europe Can Best Build on Western Experience

Tremendous challenges face those charged with reconstructing the economies and workforces of the formerly Communist Eastern European nations. The temptation is great to apply proven Western European and American models to the problem. There are clear dangers in doing so if an attempt is made to “force‐fit” such models on economies and enterprises very different from those in the West. Research and practice in change management principles clearly point to practices, such as high involvement and participation by local workers and managers in rebuilding their own companies, that are essential to success. These may be overlooked, or ignored, in the rush to “fix” Eastern European economies. A balance between a sense of urgency and sound management and leadership practices must be taken. Most important, nothing must be done that undermines Eastern Europeans′ opportunity to practise democratic ideals and be directly in charge of their own density.