Modernization or Democratization in Industry? On Power and Subjectivity in the Working Process

From two projects on humanization of work the article presents some essential points on power and subjectivity. Each in its own way, the projects deal with transformation of monotonous work in industry. The first one has a mostly negative angle: obstacles or barriers to change; the other one has a mostly positive angle: human ressources and experiences of progress. Both projects point to dialectics between potentials for change and barriers against change on the shopfloor. They show contraditions and conflicts in processes of change that interferes with established cultures and structures of power.Experiences from these two projects may contribute to discussions on power and subjectivity in the working process, in continuation of the Braverman debate and, more lately, the inspiration from Foucault.