ABSTRACT
The selection, appointment and career development of managers and supervisors in western industrial enterprises is a process carried out through a variety of mechanisms. However, although ability to secure the support of subordinates may be a criterion for some managerial positions, the election of managers by the workforce is extremely rare and would generally be regarded as incompatible with the rights of ownership and managerial control. On the other hand, in socialist countries the party organisation has played a leading role in the appointment and promotion of managerial cadres through the mechanism of the nomenklatura system. Recently however, there has been a significant increase in the use of the electoral mechanism for managerial appointments in some socialist countries. In Bulgaria the Labour Code of 1986 included provisions for elections and competition for both worker representatives on plant councils and for the holders of managerial positions – directors, departmental managers and brigade leaders (Labour Code 1986). In September-October 1986 these provisions were put into operation in all industrial enterprises in Bulgaria and elections by secret ballot were held for 5,000 plant directors and 50,000 brigade leaders as well as representatives on plant councils and other bodies.
