Analysis of organizational readiness for implementing participatory management programs in the aviation industry

This study was conducted to explore a potential method of determining the readiness of an air carrier's work force in the implementation of a participatory or total quality management program. The study was conducted at a major airline's hub operation. A random sample was taken from the hub operations' line maintenance organization consisting of aircraft mechanics and maintenance managers.;Two questionnaires were developed to measure the perceptions and commitments of both labor and management. The results of the respondents' data analysis shows that an assessment tool is useful for determining work force readiness as well as identifying the impediments to a proposed change process.