An analysis was undertaken of the self-perceived role of administrative office managers in participative management. The primary purpose of the study was to enable office educators to develop relevant instructional programs based on current practices found in the business world. Data were compiled from 132 usable questionnaire responses returned by the randomly selected sample of 250 administrative office managers. Factors studied were: sex, age, number of years in present position, number of subordinates, level of education, major in college, previous work and supervisory experience, and frequency and percentage of response for managerial activities. Characteristics having the greatest influence on the extent to which participative management is being utilized are age and sex of the administrative office managers. Background factors having significant influence are military experience, military officer experience, other office experience, and number of subordinates. It was also concluded that both managers and office employees need training in developing a participative atmosphere. Implications for business education teachers include the increasing need for preparing students to assume roles in decision making activities and encouraging the utilization of appropriate training materials. (MW)