On the basis of the definitions of 30 theorists and researchers in the field of social sciences, the principal aspects of participation in enterprise management are examined. The numerous divergences and contradictions existing between the authors as well as the inflexibility of certain currents of thought are exposed. The foundations for an alternative approach to participation in enterprise management based on the concept of ‘affectation’ are presented in the last part of the paper. © 1981, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.