Participatory Organizational and Technological Innovation in Fragmented Work Environments

Abstract

In this contribution we are addressing issues of participatory processes to the development and introduction of computer applications in non-traditional work environments. The background is provided by the case descriptions of two quite different work environments with network features. According to the characteristics of these work environments we propose participatory measures for organizational-technological innovation including participatory design (PD). The suggestions we are offering are different for the two work environments; and they differ in part from common PD suggestions. There is reason to assume that common PD suggestions are suited only for a special sort of organization. Hence, we argue for an extension of the PD repertoire to encompass more forms of organizations.