Managing without a Boss: System 5

Abstract

The need for an authority figure who makes decisions for others in organisations is under scrutiny. Employees are demanding a part in making decisions that affect them. If managers are to move towards a participative method of management they will need a different model. In the 1960s Likert systematically described a total participative management system based on principles that could be applied to any organisation or group, called System 4. An extension of System 4, System 5, is likely to include decision making and leadership. Likert believed that it would be possible for an organisation to move towards System 5 only if its leaders and members understood System 4 principles and were proficient in their application. This is now occurring in American society. The development of a system without a boss may now be realised.

Citation

Gibson Likert, J. and Araki, C.T. (1986), "Managing without a Boss: System 5", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 17-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb053598