Are trade unions learning?

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-94
Author(s):  
Sabina Siebert
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Human Capital Theory ◽  
Employment Relations ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Partnerships ◽  
Positive Learning Environment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider whether a university‐based conception of learning in the workplace might bridge the differences that separate the critics and advocates of workplace learning promoted by trade unions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the role of work‐based learning in trade unions.FindingsFor trade unions the meaning of workplace learning is a contested area. Critics associate it with a corporate oriented policy of upskilling the workforce, premised on a simplified, firm‐specific notion of the human capital theory. In contrast, advocates of workplace learning promoted by trade unions consider it an opportunity to develop the basic and higher level skills of members while revitalising the movement. This paper proposes a way forward for union involvement in work‐based learning that tackles the concerns of radical trade unionists and fulfils the hopes of advocates, namely to work in collaboration with universities.Originality/valueThe literature on the role of trade unions in promoting workplace learning focuses on the tension between critics who challenge a unitarist and consensual view of learning, and advocates who believe that learning partnerships between employers and trade unions facilitate more conciliatory employment relations and create a positive learning environment for the members. This paper assumes a different perspective by proposing a way forward for union involvement in workplace learning, namely to work in collaboration with universities.

Capital or people – what is the true purpose of education?

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanweer Ali
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Mainstream Economic ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proper Role ◽  
Economic Progress ◽  
True Purpose

Purpose The purpose of this study is to present the book Education, Economy and Society, edited by Salim Vally and Enver Motala (UNISA Press, Pretoria, 2014), which highlights the main concepts introduced and discussed. Design/methodology/approach The study primarily summarizes the critique of human capital theory (HCT) which is developed in the book. This is done using different approaches and is comprehensive in scope. The study also introduces some of the alternative visions of education as presented by the contributing authors. The author of the review also draws on other literature which addresses the same fields. Findings HCT dominates the discourse on the role of education in society, but the concept is hard to measure and evidence of its importance is scant. Despite the criticism of this theory, it continues to dominate the mainstream economic theory. Research limitations/implications The main premise merits more systematic study, ideally drawing on more extensive literature, and extending beyond the confines of any one country. As a review, this study aimed to maintain a focus on this one important collection. Social implications HCT tends to promote a view of education as a tool of material economic progress. This excludes a discussion of social justice and de-emphasizes the role of education in advancing individual fulfilment and in strengthening democratic values. A view of useful human activity outside of production within a corporate environment is also ignored. This book covers all of these ideas. Originality/value This study draws attention to an important book which discusses the proper role of education in economic development and critiques policy making in South Africa. The book is broad enough in scope to be of relevance to educators, academics and policy makers in the developing and developed worlds.

Potentials facilitators of workplace learning in a TPS based company

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1004-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Jönsson ◽  
Tobias Schölin
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Factory Workers ◽  
Empowering Leadership ◽  
Work Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Climate ◽  
A Company

Purpose – In line with the growing emphasis on workplace learning, there has been a tendency to abandon traditional Tayloristic models of work organization in favor of more humanistic, flexible and integrated work systems. This study focusses on facilitators of learning in a company that is based on the principles of Toyota production system (TPS). In this paper, the authors are focussing on one central aspect of the TPS, that is, workplace learning. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of empowering leadership, teamwork, innovative climate as facilitators of learning in this specific context. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaires (focussing on workplace learning, empowering leadership, teamwork and innovative climate) were distributed to 643 factory workers in the company Scania in Sweden. A total of 487 persons answered the questionnaire, which amounted to a response rate of 76 percent. Findings – The result indicates that empowering leadership was the best predictor, followed by teamwork and innovative climate. Originality/value – From this study, the authors can conclude that the already known predictors of learning can also be applied in a TPS setting. The key features in the TPS company constitute a foundation for learning.

Annual hours, workplace partnership and mutual gains: exploring the links

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Ryan ◽  
Joseph Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Collective Bargaining ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Material ◽  
The Creation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the capacity of annual hours (AH) to deliver gains to both workers and management and assesses the role of workplace partnership in three Irish companies that have adopted AH. Design/methodology/approach – Three case studies are compared and contrasted. The case studies were compiled through semi-structured interviews with management and trade union representatives, a survey of 205 workers and secondary material. Findings – The authors find that workplace partnership is not a prerequisite for achieving mutual gains where AH are concerned. The research draws attention to the importance of a mechanism for the creation of gains, in these cases, AH and that such gains can arise from different processes. Mutual gains output is not confined to workplace partnership but can arise from collective bargaining. Originality/value – The paper highlights the importance of comparing case studies so that the role of factors often seen as causal to mutual gains in exemplar cases can be critically evaluated. It also utilises directly workers’ opinions on AH and workplace partnership where typically, representative views of management and trade unions dominate the literature on these issues.

A search for new paths in Chinese industrial relations

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-37
Author(s):  
John Wheatcroft
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Gradual Transition ◽  
Employment Relations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Way

Purpose Collective bargaining (CB) in China is perceived as inadequate, thanks to the lack of trade union independence and representation. However, there are interesting developments in some parts of the country, including Wenling, a massive manufacturing center examined here. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative case study covers all stakeholders, including the government, trade unions, sweater association, workers and employers. Findings This paper examines initially the way that trade unions are constrained by corporatism in China. Increased industrial conflicts could push employers to become the engine of change. It finds that employers endeavor to use CB as a tool to stabilize employment relations and neutralize workers resistance. A gradual transition in labor relations system is on the way. The “Wenling Way” described here could become more widely used and is seen in some quarters as a possible model. Originality/value This paper offers new insights into the under-reported area of Chinese industrial relations.

Industrial relations in France

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo Rehfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Collective Bargaining ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Peak Level ◽  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
Social Regulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strong State

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the actors, institutions and changing rules of the French system of industrial relations (IR). It questions whether the traditional view of the French model as “state-centric” is still adequate. Design/methodology/approach Based on institutionalist IR theories of social regulation and neocorporatism, the paper analyses the evolution of the French IR system from a “State-centric” model to the development of collective bargaining, both at the sector and company level, as well as of tripartite concertation. Findings Initially based on adversarial relations between trade unions and employers, compensated by strong state interventionism, the French IR system has experienced a series of reforms, adopted under the pressure of the unions in the 1980s and mostly under the pressure of the employers’ organisations since the turn of the century. These reforms boosted collective bargaining at the workplace level and tripartite concertation at the peak level. The paper analyses the limits of both developments and explains why a reversal of the hierarchy of norms was imposed in 2016 by law without prior concertation. Originality/value The paper presents an original explanation of the change of the initial French IR model, stressing the importance of power relations and the role of IR experts in the different reform moments.

The changing face of work: insights from Acas

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 670-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Dix ◽  
Sir Brendan Barber
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Employment Relationship ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Employment Relations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Frameworks ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Conflict Handling ◽  
Different Sources

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the evolving role of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) across a 40-year period against a backdrop of changing workplaces and institutional frameworks. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on the statistical and evaluation evidence together with policy commentary and employment relations literature to provide a commentary on the changing world of employment relations. Findings – Two areas have dominated policy concerns over the period: patterns of employment disputes and the question of employment regulation. The paper argues that such a focus has stimulated some dramatic changes in the way disputes manifest in Britain, and at the same time left something of a policy vacuum in relation to the wide challenges and opportunities for improving conflict handling and the employment relationship. Through the prism of Acas’ work the paper identifies some of the enduring features that are common to improving both collective and individual relationship at work. Originality/value – The paper brings together evidence from different sources combined with the unique perspectives of Acas and its service users to draw and provide explanations for aspects of the changing face of the work.

21st century HR: a competency model for the emerging role of HR Analysts

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven McCartney ◽  
Caroline Murphy ◽  
Jean Mccarthy
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Human Capital Theory ◽  
Competency Model ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Business Acumen ◽  
Recruitment And Selection ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeDrawing on human capital theory and the human capital resources framework, this study explores the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs) required by the emerging role of human resource (HR) analysts. This study aims to systematically identify the key KSAOs and develop a competency model for HR Analysts amid the growing digitalization of work.Design/methodology/approachAdopting best practices for competency modeling set out by Campion et al. (2011), this study first analyzes 110 HR analyst job advertisements collected from five countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the USA. Second a thematic analysis of 12 in-depth semistructured interviews with HR analytics professionals from Canada and Ireland is then conducted to develop a novel competency model for HR Analysts.FindingsThis study adds to the developing and fast-growing field of HR analytics literature by offering evidence supporting a set of six distinct competencies required by HR Analysts including: consulting, technical knowledge, data fluency and data analysis, HR and business acumen, research and discovery and storytelling and communication.Practical implicationsThe research findings have several practical implications, specifically in recruitment and selection, HR development and HR system alignment.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the evolving HR analytics literature in two ways. First, the study links the role of HR Analysts to human capital theory and the human capital resource framework. Second, it offers a timely and empirically driven competency model for the emerging role of HR Analysts.

scholarly journals Vulnerable adults in police custody

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8
Author(s):  
Ian Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Police Custody ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vulnerable Adults

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the recent National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) report on the role of the appropriate adult. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the NAAN report and a review of relevant policy and research literature. Findings There to Help 2 highlights that there are still significant gaps in the provision of appropriate adult schemes across England and Wales. These gaps potentially place vulnerable adults at increased risk. Originality/value This paper is a review of recent research.

Overcoming counter-knowledge through telemedicine communication technologies

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 730-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cegarra-Sanchez ◽  
Juan-Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro ◽  
Anthony Wensley ◽  
Jose Diaz Manzano
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Regional Hospital ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Exploration And Exploitation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Knowledge acquired from sources of unverified information such as gossip, partial truths or lies, in this paper it is termed as “counter-knowledge.” The purpose of this paper is to explore this topic through an exploration of the links between a Hospital-in-the-Home Units (HHUs) learning process (LP), counter-knowledge, and the utilization of communication technologies. The following two questions are addressed: Does the reduction of counter-knowledge result in the utilization of communication technologies? Does the development of counter-knowledge hinder the LP? Design/methodology/approach This paper examines the relevance of communication technologies to the exploration and exploitation of knowledge for 252 patients of a (HHU) within a Spanish regional hospital. The data collected was analyzed using the PLS-Graph. Findings To HHU managers, this study offers a set of guidelines to assist in their gaining an understanding of the role of counter-knowledge in organizational LPs and the potential contribution of communication technologies. Our findings support the proposition that the negative effects of counter-knowledge can be mitigated by using communication technologies. Originality/value It is argued in this paper that counter-knowledge may play a variety of different roles in the implementation of LPs. Specifically, the assignment of communication technologies to homecare units has given them the means to filter counter-knowledge and prevent users from any possible problems caused by such counter-knowledge.

Digital forensics and evolving cyber law: case of BIMSTEC countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 744-752
Author(s):  
Sisira Dharmasri Jayasekara ◽  
Iroshini Abeysekara
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Digital Forensics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
Work Done

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of digital forensics in an evolving environment of cyber laws giving attention to Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries, comprising Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan, in a dynamic global context. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a case study approach to discuss the digital forensics and cyber laws of BIMSTEC countries. The objective of the study was expected to be achieved by referring to decided cases in different jurisdictions. Cyber laws of BIMSTEC countries were studied for the purpose of this study. Findings The analysis revealed that BIMSTEC countries are required to amend legislation to support the growth of information technology. Most of the legislation are 10-15 years old and have not been amended to resolve issues on cyber jurisdictions. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to the members of the BIMSTEC. Originality/value This paper is an original work done by the authors who have discussed the issues of conducting investigations with respect to digital crimes in a rapidly changing environment of information technology and deficient legal frameworks.

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