Industrial Relations Change in Asia: a Comparative Review

This paper investigates the nature of industrial relations change in Asia. In an examination of several Asian nations, including JApan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, S. Korea, amd Idia, the authors find the following: in countries where the industrial relations is changing as a consequence of two separate influences (democratization and globalization)the nature of industrial relations change has tended towards both an increased centralization at the national level, combined with the adoption of dynamic human ressouce management and flexibility enhancing strategies at the shop floor level. On the other hand, in countries where industrial relations is changing primarly as a response to the pressures of globalization, and in conjunction with changes in economic strategies to compete in the global economy, the direction of change is towards increased workplace flexibility.