The Changing Culture of a Factory
(Elliot Jaques)

Why Read It?

This book is based on an extensive study of industrial democracy in practice at the United Kingdom’s Glacier Metal Company between 1948 and 1965. The company introduced a number of highly progressive changes in working practice that were ahead of their time and set a pattern for future practice.

Getting Started

The Glacier Metal Company introduced a number of highly progressive changes in working practice, resulting in a form of industrial democracy that was ahead of its time. According to the study, the emphasis was on granting people responsibility and giving them a say in every problem they encountered. The project highlighted the shortcomings of conventional industrial relations practice, and showed that managers should be measured by the long-term impact of their decisions.