Three dimensions of group work: Cooperation,participation and autonomy at German workplaces

We have carried out a representative survey among more than 1,600 workers, salaried employees and civil servants in industry, services sector and public service asking about types of cooperation in the work process. We have been able to identify eight different work organizations which can be described by the three dimensions of cooperation, participation and autonomy. In all, 6.9% of German employees work according to the organizational principle of group work. However, it is possible to distinguish very different types of group work regarding the group members' opportunities for autonomy and participation.This article is based on a research report written by Matthias Kleinsschmidt and Ulrich Pekruhl: Kooperative Arbeitsstrkturen and Gruppenarbeit in Deutschland. Ergebnisse einer repräsentativien Beschäftigtenbefragung. IAT Strukturberichterstattung 01, Gelsenkirchen 1994.