A survey of fast-growing companies found that 80% had instituted employee-participation programs. The 66% that said their programs were either "essential" or "very important" were more optimistic about growth over the next 12 months than the 34% that rated the programs "somewhat important" or "unimportant."
Percentage of companies that rated employee-participation programs --
| Plans for growth | "essential" or "very important" | "somewhat important" or "unimportant" |
| Have plans for major new investments | 64% | 49% |
| Plan to hire more staff | 83% | 69% |
| Are considering acquiring another business | 36% | 25% |
| Expect to increase investment in new-product development | 46% | 33% |
| Expect to increase investment in information technology | 49% | 32% |
Source: "Trendsetter Barometer," Coopers & Lybrand, New York City, August 1994.
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