[markandrewj]

The answer is yes. It has also been well studied (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_democracy). If you want to understand more of the history, look at the IWW, or other resources such as the Chomsky's book A People's History. Usually the idea that it will not work is a capitalist view pushed from the top down onto workers. I.E. You are not smart enough, or you are too lazy, to be productive without a figure of authority making decisions for you. Even the concept of what is considered productive use of time can be a topic of discussion in this regard. Anarchy is largely misunderstood also, it is a philosophy that focuses on the collective making decisions, instead of a central figure of authority.

Ref: Noam Chomsky on Worker Ownership and Markets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RafTFDwImrU

[markandrewj]

Correction,'A People's History'is authored by Howard Zinn. I was thinking about both authors.