Chapter 9: Industrial relations potx

Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X

Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch

Chapter 9

Industrial relations

Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X

Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch

Chapter objectives

• Discuss key issues in industrial relations and the policies and practices

of multinationals.

• Examine the potential constraints that trade unions may have on

multinationals.

• Outline key concerns for trade unions.

• Discuss recent trends and issues in the global workforce context.

• Discuss the formation of regional economic zones such as the

European Union.

The focus of the preceding chapters has been on managing and

supporting international assignments, post-assignment and the

issues in subsidiary operations. In this chapter we:

Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X

Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch

Introduction

• We need to consider some general points about the field of

international industrial relations. First, it is important to

realize that it is difficult to compare industrial relations

systems and behavior across national boundaries; an

industrial relations concept may change considerably when

translated from one industrial relations context to another.

• Cross-national differences also emerge as to the objectives of

the collective bargaining process and the enforceability of

collective agreements.

(cont.)

Use with International Human Resource Management ISBN 1-84480013-X

Published by Thomson Learning © Peter Dowling and Denice Welch

Introduction (cont.)

• Schregle has observed:

“A comparative study of industrial relations shows that

industrial relations phenomena are a very faithful expression

of the society in which they operate, of its characteristic

features and of the power relationships between different

interest groups. Industrial relations cannot be understood

without an understanding of the way in which rules are

established and implemented and decisions are made in the

society concerned.”

(cont.)