Bottom-Up-Feedback as a form of participation: Helpful reflection, risk or wasted time?

Abstract

In times of increasing change and information transparency requirements of individuals increase and they become more mature in addressing their needs. Organizations enhance the involvement of their members in organizational processes through the implementation of participative communication formats. However, democratic formats of communication open a field of tension in fundamentally hierarchically aligned organizations, because there are dependencies and individual affiliations, which could restrain communication. Moreover, to create value out of the processes grounded structures and the commitment of the workforce are necessary. Bottom-Up-Feedback delivers an opportunity to get insights on the reasons of workforce requirements. Relating to an actual research project this contribution to the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. investigates Bottom-Up-Feedback as an opportunity for participation in organizations and discusses challenges and premises for the successful implementation of Bottom-Up-Feedback processes.