Alternative Forms of Work Organisation: Cost of Improvements in Labour Conditions and Productivity in Western Europe

In the highly developed industrial societies of the West, several major social aspirations advanced by workers, which still appeared unattainable at the beginning of this century, have been fulfilled; foremost among these are adequate incomes, and a high degree of leisure and social security. Demands now appear to be turning towards new goals. What goals? But more important still is to know what vision of a better working world is apparent behind the new desires. In any event, interest is being concentrated even more clearly on one particular demand, namely for the adaptation of work and forms of work to changing human requirements. This demand is furthered by public discussion and dominates all others. This has led to reflection on the new design of work and its content, in order to arrest and counteract the seemingly implacable process of division and fragmentation of work. Alternative forms of work organisation seem capable of meeting this desire for qualitative improvement of working conditions, for greater quality of life at the workplace. Will it prove possible to make work more meaningful and thereby to open up greater prospects for self‐fulfilment in work? Does this also produce a greater degree of job satisfaction? Is job satisfaction perhaps even the fourth great social aim of our century? Is the current which impels these ideas finally leading to a new industrial revolution, based on social principles?