Industrial relations in Korea

This paper sets out to examine the unique industrial relations systems of East Asian developing countries with special reference to Korea. Following the presentation of a framework of analysis, there is an assessment of environmental conditions, the strategy of the main actors and the changes to them arising from the progress of industrialization. Trade union organizations and collective bargaining in Korea are then examined. This involves special reference to an account of major differences between the Korean system and that of Japan. Outcomes of industrial relations and their recent changes are next discussed. Finally, the analysis is concluded with a review of prospects for the future.     

Industrial relations in the next decade

Here the authors discuss current trends in British industrial relations and their likelihood of continuing. The central question is that of the probable consequences for management and unions of the sustained rise in unemployment.     

Industrial relations and the IRJ

Brian Towers reviews the industrial relations changes which have taken place over the last few years and offers an agenda for the discussion of reform. He also discusses the aims of the Industrial Relations Journal in the context of the decision to expand the number of issues per year which makes it possible to increase the number of articles published and add new features.     

Industrial relations and the customer

This article examines the implications for industrial relations of the current enthusiasm for ‘customer care’. It does this by reviewing how the three main industrial relations actors; managers, government and trade unions, have responded to the customer service imperative and by considering some of the implications of a ‘customer focus’ for industrial relations theory.     

Industrial relations of recession

With unemployment reaching record levels and the economy showing signs of long run recession, attention is focused on the implications of this for the future of British industrial relations[1]. The authors examine key issues both nationally and in their local region, the North.     

Industrial relations law commentary

The provisions of the 1982 Act were described in the last IRJ law commentary. In this part, the policies behind the Act are analysed.     

Industrial relations law commentary

The commentary, a new feature of the IRJ, aims to keep readers informed of major developments in the law affecting industrial relations. To set the scene for forthcoming issues, Karl Mackie examines the nature of the legal role in the British industrial relations system.     

Industrial relations in British local government

Local government is at present the subject of much criticism and legislative attention. Unfortunately the debate centres more around emotion than factually based reason. This article presents new survey findings on remuneration and industrial action in the sector which has good and bad news for supporters and opponents alike.     

Industrial relations and the European Community*

The affairs of the European Community reached a major crossroads at the December 1991 summit in Maastricht. This article reviews the attempts of the Community to match the development of the internal market with a social dimension.     

Industrial relations in South-Eastern Europe: disaggregating the contexts

This study critically evaluates industrial relations (IR) in South-Eastern Europe and points towards future practical and research-oriented opportunities in the region. A survey of organizational policies and practices has been used to explore the state of IR in both private and public organizations in this region. Specifically, the data, collected in 2009–2010 (including the latest changes due to the economic crisis), cover 840 different organizations located in Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus. We discuss the development of ‘regional-specific’ IR policies, the ‘importing’ of varieties of capitalism models, the diffusion of the European Union social model and the role of foreign MNCs in changing IR in the region.     

Industrial relations law commentary: proposed changes in the law

Reform of the law dealing with industrial relations was one of the major election commitments of the Conservative Government. In this commentary, Karl Mackie and Ian Hooker analyse the Employment Bill and the Working Paper on Secondary Industrial Action.     

Industrial relations and the construction of the Channel Tunnel

This article looks at industrial relations on the Channel Tunnel construction project. Contrary to many other developments in the industry, industrial relations here followed a pattern of joint regulation, strong trade union organisation, and the restriction of the fragmentation of the labour force into a large number of self-employed individual sub-contractors, known in the UK as ‘the lump’.     

Industrial relations in Northern Ireland: a survey

This survey finds that the legal and institutional framework and industrial relations practice in Northern Ireland have only been marginally affected by civil strife and continue to evolve in line with developments in Britain.     

Industrial relations and society: the Hong Kong case

The transient character of Hong Kong has prevented a stable class structure from crystallising locally. This article examines the industrial relations implications of the structural and normative features, focusing on the future and how its political uncertainties have constrained both the labour administration and the union movement in their choice of policy.     

Industrial relations changes in the Maldives: critical events and actors

This paper analyses recent industrial relations (IR) and political changes in the Maldives. Critical incidents were compiled from interview and document data and analysed using a quasi‐grounded theory approach. The analysis shows that, precipitated by the political events of September 2003, profound democratic and IR changes took place, including the emergence of new IR actors and institutions. However, the outcomes of these changes proved short‐lived as old undemocratic practices were reasserted. The paper highlights the reasons why democratic and IR changes occurred as they did in the Maldives and why they reversed.     

Content aggregation by platforms: The case of the news media

The digitization of content has led to the emergence of platforms that draw information from multiple sources. This paper investigates whether aggregation of content by a single platform encourages users to “skim” content or to investigate it in depth. We study a contract dispute that led a major aggregator to remove information from a major content provider. After the removal, users were less likely to investigate additional, related content in depth, particularly sources that were horizontally or vertically differentiated.