The project introduces a model for the organization of structural and result-oriented direct employee participation by the application of innovative tools in Flemish SME’s. Through the development and use of a digital platform (web app) through which bottom-up direct employee participation is made possible, Werk-ID aims at filling the current gap between forms of top-down direct participation and indirect participation. In doing so, contributing to more involvement, engagement and thus more motivation among co-workers. The project thus tries to formulate an innovative answer to the need of more ‘workable work’ in the Flemish SME landscape.

Employees that deliberate in, and decide on, affairs regarding their working space experience more recognition, appreciation and ownership, in the long term these effects equally contribute to more productivity and eventually more ‘workable work’. Today we can observe that forms of direct employee participation already take place in SME’s. However, these forms are often initiated by the board of the company (top-down) and that with these forms of direct employee participation little to none follow-up is provided to the eventual outcome of the dialogue. Furthermore, forms of indirect employee participation, such as social dialogue, are absent in Flemish SME’s. In turn, more novel forms of direct participation implicate a drastic change in the company structure and are often not accessible or approachable enough.

Werk-ID aims to develop and implement a model, on the basis of previous and own research, that stimulates results-oriented and bottom-up dialogue in Flemish SME’s. The model supposes a structural approach to dialogue between co-workers and employers with a level of flexibility that allows a tailored approach to dialogue in every form of SME. The different phases of the model function through the deployment of an easily accessible webapp. In short, co-workers can plan a meeting to discuss issues regarding different subjects that relate to their functioning at the workplace, participate in other meetings and monitor the result of each meeting.

The project further envisions, through the use of the webapp, to facilitate continuous knowledge sharing between the participating SME’s in the form of an ecosystem where ‘best practices’ and experiences can be shared. In each phase of the research trajectory SME’s are actively involved to improve our model and service provision.

Objectives

Core objective: Development and implementation of an innovative and digitally supported model for direct employee participation in Flemish SME’s.
Fostering of recognition and ownership by structural involvement of the employee.
Contribute to a closer feeling of trust in the workplace
Contribute to a higher problem-solving capacity in the workplace through dialogue that is result-oriented.
Facilitating knowledge sharing between SME’s by establishing a digital learning network or ecosystem of participating SME’s
Contribute to more ‘workable work’ in Flanders.

Ghent University coordinates and executes the project. In doing so, relying on the network and expertise of Vercamst Consult and SevenLemon Boulevard (Service Designers).