Labor relations - Definition and Overview

The field of labor relations looks at the relationship between management and groups of workers represented by a labor union.

Labor relations is an important factor in analyzing "varieties of capitalism", such as neocorporatism (or corporatism), social democracy, and neoliberalism (or liberalism).

Labor relations can take place on many levels, such as the "shop-floor", the regional level, and the national level. The distribution of power amongst these levels can greatly shape the way an economy functions.

Another key question when considering systems of labor relations is their ability to adapt to change. This change can be technological (e.g., "What do we do when an industry employing half the population becomes obsolete?"), economic (e.g., "How do we respond to globalization?"), or political (e.g., "How dependent is the system on a certain party or coalition holding power?").

See also

• wage drift and wage differentiation, especially with regard to skilled versus unskilled workers.
• inflation
• unemployment
• globalization
• specialization
• service sector versus manufacturing sector
• National Labor Relations Board
• National Labor Relations Act

References

• National Labor Relations Board: http://www.nlrb.gov
• Cornell School of Industrial & Labor Relations: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/
• Iversen, Torben. 1996. Power, Flexibility, and the Breakdown of Centralized Wage Bargaining: Denmark and Sweden in Comparative Perspective. Comparative Politics 28, no. 4 (July): 399-436.
• Jochem, Sven. 2000. Nordic Labour Market Policies in Transition. West European Politics 23, issue 3 (July): 115-(?).
• Thelen, Kathleen. 1993. West European Labor in Transition: Sweden and Germany Compared. World Politics 46, no. 1 (October): 23-49.
• Turner, Lowell. 1998. Fighting for Partnership: Labor and Politics in Unified Germany. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press.