Hmmm. I don't think it takes brain surgery to figure out people are happier when they own a piece of the pie (landowners vs owning land, Voltaire, etc) - and obviously this means more when you are working in a small group that can see results or achieve goals creatively and together. This article really only address three divisions of labor - internet software service, defense providers and investment banks. Which, at last check, combined employeed only 20% of the entire US workforce. To get into a larger, meaninigful discussion on a subject that is studied across the world, you would have to understand the dynamics of laborers, unions, operations and management. It's not as simple as saying "If you build it, they will come". And, it's real hard to feel sorry for white collar employees working for eBay, Google and Microsoft when 10% of our country struggles to stay relevant at the poverty line. It should be noted, that I've been both a successful start-up founder and a big business employee.
I cite the comment above mine, haven't we all written a term paper like this in college, titled "Utopia in the Workplace?". Paul, you should tour the John Deere manufacturing plant in Illinois to see a large company, with the "old school" top down management style - and try to figure out why that place is thriving. Or the Kitchen Works in Elmira. Or the Soy Convertors in Iowa. On and on.
I cite the comment above mine, haven't we all written a term paper like this in college, titled "Utopia in the Workplace?". Paul, you should tour the John Deere manufacturing plant in Illinois to see a large company, with the "old school" top down management style - and try to figure out why that place is thriving. Or the Kitchen Works in Elmira. Or the Soy Convertors in Iowa. On and on.