Ramirez, Matias, Guy, Frederick and Beale, David (2007) Contested resources: unions, employers, and the adoption of new work practices in US and UK telecommunications. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 45 (3). pp. 495-517. ISSN 0007-1080

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Abstract

The pattern of adoption of high-performance work practices has been explained in terms of strategic contingency and in terms of union presence. We compare the post-deregulation/privatization changes in work practice at AT&T, Bell Atlantic and British Telecom. On the basis of these cases, we argue that the choice of new work practices should be understood as a consequence not only of the company's resources or changes in its environment, nor of a simple union presence, but also as a consequence of the practices' effects on union power, the nature of the union's engagement, and the union's strategic choices.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The paper covers the introduction of high-performance work practices in 1 UK and 2 US telecoms companies. The trade unions in all 3 were facing a hostile environment of new levels of competition in their industry, but responded in different ways. Power relations between employer and union were a key factor. Dr Ramirez was the lead author, responsible for all the case studies and literature review, amounting to about 70% of the final paper.
Schools and Departments:	School of Business, Management and Economics > SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit
Depositing User:	Matias Ramirez
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2012 20:15
Last Modified:	08 Oct 2012 11:03
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/25024

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