Abstract
Participative management as a function of managers’ self concept and perception of others. The literature indicates a lack of research concerning individual attributes which may predispose an individual towards participative management. In this study the relationship between two such attributes was investigated, namely self concept and perception of others, on the one hand, and propensity for participative management, on the other hand. An instrument, based on McGregor’s theory, was developed to measure perception of others in the work context. Through factor analysis two factors were extracted which respectively measure intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of a person’s perception of others’ attitudes towards work. A random sample taken from 233 supervisors of a public utility yielded 196 usable questionnaires. A significant relationship was found between self concept and perception of others on the one hand, and propensity for participate management on the other hand, using canonical correlation (r=0,601: p<0,01). The finding provides support for McGregor’s theory that a positive view of others leads towards a participative management style.