“How has the dark knight risen?” Chronicle of union revitalization from India

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 660-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girish Balasubramanian ◽  
Santanu Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Strategic Choice ◽  
Global South ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Strategic Action ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Internal And External Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to delve into some of the key internal and external factors that led to the choice of specific strategies for union revitalization using the theoretical framework built upon framing perspectives, the strategic action field (SAF), and the strategic choice theory. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a stringent definition and corresponding operationalization of trade union revitalization. The present research has been carried out on a registered industrial union within the context of Global South, specifically in India. Findings Evidence was found for the trade union adopting a mix of strategies for revitalization, namely, union organizing, social movement unionism, and union restructuring. A mix of both internal and external factors identified informed the choice of revitalization strategies. Research limitations/implications Specific limitations include the subjectivity of the inference in spite of taking due precautions, and lack of generalizability of the findings based on a single case study. Practical implications A strong identity, coupled with structural vitality and optimum use of resources enables trade unions to frame the need of a strategy for revival in order to counter the strategic action of employers resulting in union revitalization. Originality/value The theoretical novelty of this research stems from the amalgamation of collective action frames, SAF, and strategic choice framework to understand the union revitalization in the context of Global South.

Once and future purchasing power, the yellow vests and populist economics

foresight ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques G. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Social Mobilization ◽  
Fair Play ◽  
Spontaneous Movement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
Internal And External Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand a spontaneous movement of social mobilization and protest known as the yellow vests and their unrelenting demand for increased buying power. Design/methodology/approach A capsule history of France and the universal struggle for a living wage lead to a post-Marxian process of intensified civic action to support the universal aims of well-being and fair play. Findings The yellow vests appear to be assuming the proportions of an unorthodox labor fraternity, a novel pressure network transcending the usual time-and-money quests of integrated trade unions. Research limitations/implications Little attention is paid to the changing nature of employment, work itself and labor competitiveness. These require further research. Originality/value Internal and external factors are identified, combining to explain the lack of discipline and orderly evolution by both animators and demonstrators.

Organising experience of informal sector workers – a road less travelled

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 798-817
Author(s):  
Girish Balasubramanian ◽  
Santanu Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Collective Identity ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
Union Participation ◽  
Identity Model

PurposeThis paper uses the Social Identity Model of Collective Action (SIMCA) framework of Zomeren et al. (2008) to explain the organising experiences of the informal sector workers engaged in large number in the world's largest shipbreaking industry located in the western Indian town of Alang.Design/methodology/approachA single case study approach was adopted to understand the participation of shipbreaking workers in their trade union and factors that influence their participation.FindingsSense of cohesive collective identity and injustice alongside efficacy considerations have shaped the organising experiences and affected the participation of informal sector workers in their union. The trade union was able to overcome the scourge of invisibility that has been one of the dominant features of informal sector employment.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper treated union participation as unidimensional. Besides, the subjective conceptualization of strengths of perceptions of injustice, identities and efficacy considerations could be a limitation. The paper does acknowledge the gendered nature of shipbreaking but have not actively pursued it as a part of our research.Practical implicationsThe findings of our study are an exemplar for those who intend to organise informal sector workers, especially precarious workers. The empirical findings allude to the role of trade unions in combating the invisibility, which is one of the defining features of informal sector workers through a distinctive, cohesive identity inculcated in those workers.Originality/valueThis paper has borrowed the SIMCA framework to explore union participation. Organising experiences of precarious workers from the developing world provides a contextual and an empirical novelty to our study.

Enhancing the firm’s strategic behaviour

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Behaviour ◽  
Industry Life Cycle ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context Findings Strategic behaviour is shaped considerably by demand-side internal and external factors. Through appropriate investment to acquire and enhance customer-related capabilities, firms can become better positioned than rivals to make effective decisions during along an industry life cycle. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

The influence of internal and external factors on the marketing strategic planning in SNOWA Corporation

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1065-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ebrahimi ◽  
Hamidreza Banaeifard
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Strategic ◽  
Statistical Sample ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
Research Show

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of internal and external factors of SNOWA Corporation on its marketing strategic planning. Is there a relationship between internal and external factors and strategic marketing planning? How severe is this relationship? Design/methodology/approach The present study is an applied research using a descriptive-analytic method. The statistical sample of this research includes 300 personnel of SNOWA Corporation. Data were collected applying a standard questionnaire in a five-point Likert scale. Content validity ratio and content validity index were used to evaluate the content validity of the questionnaire, and a Cronbach’s alpha test was applied to assess its reliability. SPSS Software (factor analysis) and Amos Software (structural equation modeling) were applied to analyze the collected data. Results of this research show that internal and external factors influence the development of its marketing strategic planning. Findings Results of this research show that internal and external factors influence the development of SNOWA marketing strategic planning. Another result of this study is that the severity of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables varies from the viewpoint of the employees of different departments. Practical implications The study will help managers deal with environmental opportunities effectively while formulating corporation strategies. In addition, findings reveal that having vision and mission help managers find a clear way to reach the goals. Originality value This is one of a few papers to provide empirical evidence of the influence of internal and external factors of SNOWA Corporation on its marketing strategic planning. Identification of the external-internal factors used in formulating marketing strategic planning may prove useful for other researchers working in this under-researched area.

scholarly journals Organising to beat the Trade Union Act (2016) voting thresholds: a case study of organising and tactics from the University and College Union

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Richards ◽  
Vaughan Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
College Union ◽  
The University ◽  
Further Development

PurposeA retrospective action-research case study of one branch of the University and College Union (UCU) is used to show how threshold requirements of the Act can be systematically beaten.Design/methodology/approachThe paper responds to calls for “best practice” on how trade unions may react to member voting threshold requirements of the Trade Union Act 2016 (the Act). A broader aim is to make a theoretical contribution related to trade union organising and tactics in “get the vote out” (GTVO) industrial action organising campaigns.FindingsFindings are presented as a lead organiser's first-hand account of a successful GTVO campaign contextualised in relation to theories of organising. The findings offer “best practice” for union organisers required to beat the Act's voting thresholds and also contribute to theories surrounding trade union organising tactics.Research limitations/implicationsFurther development and adaptation of the proposed model may be required when applied to larger bargaining units and different organising contexts.Practical implicationsThe findings can inform the organising practices/tactics of trade unions in relation to statutory ballots. The findings also allow Human Resource (HR) practitioners to reflect on their approach to dealing with unions capable of mounting successful GTVO campaigns.Social implicationsThe findings have the potential to collectively empower workers, via their trade unions, to defend and further their interests in a post-financial crisis context and in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThis is the first known empirical account of organising to exceed voting thresholds of the Act, providing practical steps for union organisers in planning for statutory ballots. Further value lies in the paper's use of a novel first-hand account of a GTVO campaign, offering a new and first, theoretical model of organising tactics to beat the Act.

Internal and external factors effect on the mobile pressure sensors’ performance

Sensor Review ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Semih Dalgin ◽  
Ahmet Özgür Dogru
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Sensor ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
Mems Pressure Sensors

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of internal and external factors on the accuracy and consistency of the data provided by mobile-embedded micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensors based on smartphones currently in use. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, sensor type and smartphone model have been regarded as internal factors, whereas temperature, location and usage habits have been considered as external factors. These factors have been investigated by examining data sets provided by sensors from 14 different smartphones. In this context, internal factors have been analyzed by implementing accuracy assessment processes for three different smartphone models, whereas external factors have been evaluated by analyzing the line charts which present timely pressure changes. Findings The study outlined that the sensor data at different sources have different characteristics due to the affecting parameters. Even if the pressure sensors are used under similar circumstances, data of these sensors have inconsistencies because of the sensor drift originated by internal factors. This study concluded that it was not applicable to provide a common correction coefficient for pressure sensor data of each smartphone model. Therefore, relative data (pressure differences) should be taken into consideration rather than absolute data (pressure values) when developing mobile applications using sensor data. Research limitations/implications Results of this study can be used as the guideline for developing mobile applications using MEMS pressure sensors. One of the main finding of this paper is promoting the use of relative data (pressure differences) rather than absolute data (pressure values) when developing mobile applications using smartphone-embedded sensor data. This significant result was proved by examinations applied with in the study and can be applied by future research studies. Originality/value Existing studies mostly evaluate the use of MEMS pressure sensor data obtained from limited number of smartphone models. As each smartphone model has a specific technology, factors affecting the sensor performances should be identified and analyzed precisely in terms of smartphone models for providing extensive results. In this study, five smartphone models were used fractionally. In this context, they were used for examining the common effects of the factors, and detailed accuracy assessments were applied by using two high-tech smartphones in the market.

French trade union rivalry is likely to intensify

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Movement ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Power Struggle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Subject French trade unions. Significance French trade unions have found themselves at the centre of a continuing and powerful social movement against the labour reform proposed by the government under President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls. However, the strong opposition is not just driven by the content of the reform but also by the power struggle among trade unions which are now split into 'reformist' and 'non-reformist' camps. Impacts The division between trade unions is likely to lead to a radicalisation of the non-reformist unions with violent strikes continuing. The government will be held responsible for the lock-down, which will weaken Hollande's re-election bid further. The labour reform dispute could relegitimise non-reformist trade unions in the long term, complicating future reform attempts.

Introducing innovation in a housing development firm in Malaysia

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohammed Kamaruddeen ◽  
Nor'Aini Yusof ◽  
Ilias Said
Keyword(s):  
Government Regulation ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Housing Development ◽  
Property Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Firm Structure ◽  
Strategic Solution ◽  
Internal And External Factors

Subject area Innovation, privatisation and property development. Study level/applicability Undergraduate and MA level property development courses; modules covering privatisation within undergraduate, MBA and MA level management programmes. Case overview This paper presents the genesis and motivating factors that stimulate a managing director of a housing development (D&B Private Limited Company) to introduce innovation as a strategic solution to the challenges which hinder his firm's growth. The recently launched Ten Malaysian Plan and the Sustainable Programme for Corporate Malaysia are identified as the two stimulating events that triggered the initiation and subsequent implementation of innovation into Design and Build Sdn Bhd. Innovation has been recognized as an endeavor that impacts positively and significantly the performance of the firm that innovates. There was a major focus on factors that enhance innovation of a firm: structure, culture, resources and how to address or react to external factors such as government regulation on innovation, environmental uncertainty and market competition. The quest to be an innovative firm has led to major changes in the structure, culture and review of the firm intangible resources. Coupled with some corporate responsibilities, Design and Build Sdn Bhd has been recognized for its unique performance resulting from the competitive advantage derived from this very idea of innovations. Expected learning outcomes Students are expected to be able: to present a basic understanding of the motivations and driving force behind the housing developer's keen interest to innovate, to present the multiple benefits of adopting innovation in the housing industry, to highlight the internal and external factors which positively influence innovation among housing developers?, to present how housing developers are able to manage challenges facing their companies through innovation. Supplementary materials Teaching notes.

Diversity as job quality: toward the inclusion of trade unions in public procurement of social services

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Orly Benjamin
Keyword(s):  
Social Welfare ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Government Procurement ◽  
Job Quality ◽  
Workplace Diversity ◽  
Organizational Diversity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Path

PurposeWhen union representatives are included in government procurement procedures for contracting-out of social welfare services, organizational diversity is enhanced if the job quality parameter, as reflected in the contract, is improved. Asking how unions are treated in government procurement procedures, this paper discusses an approach to diversity management based on the inclusion of unions.Design/methodology/approachAs part of a broader research project, interviews were conducted with six budget administrators and 16 occupational standards administrators employed by the Israeli ministries of Welfare, Education and Health; and with eight trade union activists. Grounded theory was applied for data analysis, revealing meanings of “trade unions” and “job quality.”FindingsBudgeting administrators manifested diversity resistance by means of only partially supporting trade union demands to enhance job quality. Their power position enabled them to prioritize the profit imperative of service providers; the diverse labor force operating the contracted-out service were consequently denied the ostensible benefits of workplace diversity.Practical implicationsUnionization, and trade union participation in social welfare procurement processes, is a potentially effective path to improving job quality and enhancing workplace diversity. However, more must be done to develop the institutional-level processes that will ensure that this potential is utilized to the full.Social implicationsIncluding trade unions in social welfare procurement processes is a potentially effective path to improving job quality and enhancing workplace diversity. However, specific actions are required to develop the willingness of budgeting administrators to recognize the association between union participation, job quality and the acknowledged benefit of promoting organizational diversity.Originality/valueAn institutional work perspective was used to detail how budgeting administrators involved in public procurement processes resisted diversity by undermining trade union action for job quality. By identifying three social processes deployed to side-track trade union campaigns for improved job quality, this research shows how the power struggle between budgeting administrators and union representatives ultimately undermines workplace diversity.

scholarly journals A problem of embeddedness

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 500-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Brandl ◽  
Alex Lehr
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Autonomous Agents ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Social Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Common Behaviour ◽  
Union Action ◽  
Transnational Trade

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a general micro-theoretical framework that helps to understand the embeddedness of trade unions within the European system of industrial relations, and the consequences of this embeddedness for industrial relations outcomes. First, starting from the paradoxical observation of a trend towards homogeneity within a complex, multi-layered European industrial relations system consisting of heterogeneous and autonomous agents, the paper aims to explicate the mechanisms which produce these similarities. Second, the paper seeks to analyse potential mechanisms for transnational trade union cooperation and, third, it concludes by outlining its applicability as the basis for methodological approaches which enable realistic and policy relevant analyses. Design/methodology/approach This paper is conceptual and focusses on the development of a general micro-theoretical framework which captures European industrial relations actors’ behaviour and outcomes. It integrates theoretical and empirical accounts from differing social science disciplines and from various methodological starting points on trade union action and interaction into one general micro-theoretical framework. Findings Starting from a typology of trade union goals, the authors show how various social mechanisms lead to interdependencies between trade unions and review empirical evidence for their consequences. The authors, then, identify a set of motives for transnational cooperation that would allow outcomes that are in line with trade union objectives. Originality/value Against the background that previous studies on trade union action and cross-national interaction have paid less attention to the puzzling stylised fact that industrial relations outcomes are mimicked by heterogeneous and autonomous agents actors in different countries, the authors address this research gap by developing a novel general micro-theoretical framework for the analysis of transnational trade union action and interaction in order to better understand the underlying causal mechanisms for the common behaviour and outcomes of autonomous actors.

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