scholarly journals Moral economy, solidarity and labour process struggle in Irish public transport

2019 ◽  
pp. 0143831X1989123
Author(s):  
Emma Hughes ◽  
Tony Dobbins ◽  
Doris Merkl-Davies

This article empirically applies Knut Laaser’s integrated conceptual framework, combining Sayer’s moral economy (ME) theory with labour process theory (LPT), to examine how two rival Irish unions engaged with an uneven moral economy and consciously sought to build collective worker solidarity during a dispute over competitive tendering and marketization. Using qualitative data from a case study of BusCo in Ireland’s public transport sector, the article enriches sociological understanding of trade union solidarity, and how it is engendered, contested and experienced.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 7033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Cartenì ◽  
Ilaria Henke ◽  
Clorinda Molitierno ◽  
Luigi Di Francesco

Sustainability can be defined as the capacity to satisfy current needs without compromising future generations. Sustainable development clashes with the transport sector because of the latter’s high fossil fuels usage, consumption of natural resources and emission of pollutant and greenhouse gases. Electric mobility seems to be one of the best options to achieve both the sustainability goals and the mobility needs. This paper critically analysed weaknesses, strengths and application fields of electric mobility, proposing a real case application of an e-mobility bus fleet in Sorrento peninsula (Italy). The aim and the originality of this research was to propose a public transport design methodology based on a “strong sustainability” policy and applied to a real case study. To be precise, the renewing of the “old” bus fleet with a diesel plug-in hybrid one charged by a photovoltaic system was proposed, aiming to both improve environmental sustainability and perform an investment return for a private operator in managing the transport service. The proposed case study is particularly suitable because the peculiar morphology of the Sorrento peninsula in Italy does not allow other types of public transport services (e.g., rail, metro). Furthermore, this area, rich in UNESCO sites, has always been an international tourist destination because of the environment and landscape. Estimation results show that the new e-mobility bus service will be able to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions up to the 23%, with a financial payback period of 10 years for a private investor.


2018 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 77-86
Author(s):  
Giuseppe T. Cirella ◽  
Carole Mtizi ◽  
Felix O. Iyalomhe

Our research investigates current challenges faced in southern Africa’s public transport sector and proposes a possible solution to overcome these challenges. Using South Africa and Zimbabwe as case studies, we identify shared challenges experienced in both countries for which a universal solution may be adopted. It was found that these challenges could mostly be attributed to government actions. We propose a need for better integration of social outcomes within public transport policy at the strategic, tactical and operational levels throughout the region. Moreover, we suggest that technology-driven solutions can be introduced in the public transport realm, amongst other solutions, entailing a universal cashless payment system coupled with GPS technology.


IMP Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten H. Abrahamsen

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a conceptual framework and a methodology for researching business interaction. Design/methodology/approach The paper briefly presents what business interaction is from an international marketing and purchasing perspective. It then discusses some epistemological and methodological challenges that this understanding implies, particularly concerning the time (when) and space (where) dimensions of interaction, the unit of analysis when researching interaction (who interacts), how the actors explain or make sense of interaction (why they interact), and the way in which (how) they interact. The paper subsequently introduces a conceptual framework that enables analysing interaction on the principal dimensions of time (the past, present, and the future) and space (actor, dyadic, and network level), and the ascription or explanation of these dimensions by the actors involved. Findings This framework is then applied to interview data from an empirical case study that demonstrates its methodological as well as practical application as a research technique. The paper ends with a discussion on how this framework can enhance the understanding of business interaction as researchers. Originality/value The data collection and analysis technique represents a novel way to collect, systematise, and analyse qualitative data that will hopefully add to the understanding of business interaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1062-1078
Author(s):  
Pedro Mendonça ◽  
Dragoș Adăscăliței

This article examines how pressures stemming from the structure and dynamics of supply chains shape employment relations at the workplace level. Using qualitative data from two organisational case studies operating within the same supply chain, it highlights that supply chains can constrain or enhance trade unions’ capacity to organise and mobilise. Supply chain rationalisation is found to be a key determinant in the reconfiguration of labour and labour process with significant consequences for working conditions. However, trade unions can also use supply chain structures to effectively mobilise and defend the interests of their constituents. The article finds that trade union effectiveness develops against the articulation of an agenda that goes beyond the workplace and transcends organisational boundaries. In particular, strategies that rely on building coalitions and lobbying different actors across the supply chain are found to be effective and contribute to better working conditions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Carter ◽  
Howard Stevenson

Early attempts to examine the labour process of teaching concentrated on the processes of de-skilling and proletarianization and were largely ignored. Subsequent attempts to amend the approach have had similarly limited impact. This article examines the restructuring of teachers’ work during the last Labour government under the auspices of ‘workforce remodelling’, a policy intended ostensibly to reduce workload pressures on teachers. Rather than this outcome, the result was the further division of labour and increased intensity and control of teachers’ work through the extension of managerial hierarchies within schools. These developments, it is argued, are best captured and explained by an analysis informed by labour process theory. The account is based on the results of two years’ funded research involving extensive interviews with education officials and trade union officers at national and local authority level, and head teachers and other staff in 12 schools located in three contrasting local authorities.


The purpose of this chapter is to explore translucence and the ambient as dimensions of urban visibilities and invisibilities in the context of emergent perspectives on smart cities to enrich understandings. The research literature for translucence and the ambient is explored in terms of urban visibilities and invisibilities in smart cities and regions, enabling the formulation and operationalization of a conceptual framework to guide the investigation in this chapter. Using an exploratory case study approach, combined with an explanatory correlational design, survey and interview responses provide a mix of quantitative and qualitative data for analysis. This chapter makes a contribution to 1) the research literature for translucence and the ambient in smart cities and regions, 2) the surfacing of additional urban elements for understanding 21st century cities, and 3) the evolving of theory through formulation of a conceptual framework for translucence and the ambient in smart cities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Ismail bin Yusof ◽  
Abd Rahman Abdul Rahim

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has faced difficulties in achieving and sustaining at least 70% of its aircraft availability (Av) in order to support its operational requirements. The head start for this research is to discuss with a focus group (FG) which comprise of eight officers and one moderator and supported by observation on the field. The FG highlighted that the low Av was due to the ineffectiveness and inefficiency of the through life cycle support (TLCS) as a result of weaknesses in the acquisition conceptual framework (ACF). Three research questions were put forward; Q1: Why has the RMAF not achieved its aircraft Av as its desired objectives? Q2: How do the RMAF’s present acquisition practices given a significant impact to Av? And Q3: What is the recommended ACF to be used to ensure higher aircraft Av? The mix mode method (quantitative and qualitative) data collection was used. The literature review focused on critical success factors (CSFs) in terms of acquisition, terms and definition, and present practices in the Royal Malaysian Army (RMA), the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), the Malaysian public sector, the Department of Defence of the United States of America (DoD USA), the Ministry of Defence of United Kingdom (MoD UK) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Based on the CSFs from the literature review, a preliminary ACF I was developed. The RMAF case study had focused on Type A, Type B, Type C and Type D aircraft. Data on aircraft status for FY 2011 to 2015 was gathered from the Air Support Command Headquarters (ASHQ). The survey was achieved through 16 self-administered structured questionnaires which are close-ended involving 120 out of 150 respondents from the Worker Group (WG). The interviewer collected qualitative data using 21 semi-structured questionnaires with open-ended answers on 20 respondents from the Management Group (MG). The survey and interview results were presented in a matrix table and categorized in accordance with themes and their relationships. Based on the results of the case study, the preliminary ACF I was modified to ACF II. Then, ACF II was validated by four experts who comprise of two senior officers and two senior managers from the aviation industry. After validation, the ACF II was modified to ACF III (final) and was proposed for implementation. Three project objectives were put forward. Objective 1: To identify the cause of low Av. 


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