There are many parallels between participation on the work floor and the environment, more often referred to as citizen participation. It encourages more collaboration and responsibility for all stakeholders.
The sweet spot between randomness and rigidity can be applied in so many cases where humans are involved. Human behavior is so complex, even more when more humans are involved. I think you always have to strive for as many freedom for all people involved, and at the same time strive for some direction where we all should go to. Some rough goals or guidelines just enough to let people be at their best. In your cases above it is the environment that benefits, in organizations it is the work atmosphere. And from that many others benefits can occur.
Cheers, Bas
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