This study examines the labor cost incentive for capital movement in manufacturing within the European Union, a key aspect of the "social dumping" debate in Western Europe. The authors find that the percentage differences in unit labor costs between the more developed and less developed...

The authors use two models from biological science-the evolutionary model of gradual adaptation, and the contrasting punctuated equilibrium theory that posits occasional periods of rapid, fundamental change punctuating longer periods of stability-to define industrial relations system...

The authors investigate whether the New York Times' coverage of strikes and non-strike wage settlements in large bargaining units changed during the 1980s, a time when a "transformation" of industrial relations is said to have taken place. Although the total number of New York Times articles on...

If innovative work practices improve performance, why does the intensity of their adoption vary substantially across establishments? Following a lead suggested by some sociological studies, the authors empirically investigate the role of social networks (ties to other organizations) in the...

Most recent studies investigating pattern bargaining have sought to establish its presence or absence by statistically comparing summary measures of wage levels or growth rates across and within industries. The author of this study argues that a better measure of the existence of pattern...

This study of wage bargaining in the aerospace industry focuses particularly on lump sum bonuses, one-time cash disbursements that generally accompany lower increases in the base wage than were formerly standard. Although such bonuses, which appeared in aerospace companies before they appeared...

A qualitative shift is underway in the nature of labor protest in China. Contrary to prior literature that characterized strikes as being largely defensive in nature, the authors suggest that since 2008, Chinese workers have been striking offensively for more money, better working conditions,...

This article analyzes the performance of the "wage-earner funds" established in Sweden in 1983-collective share-holding funds financed by special payroll and profits taxes. The authors' analysis indicates that although the wage-earner funds generally met the financial objectives set by the 1983...

This study investigates the validity in Japan of union participation models developed in North America. The results of ordinary least squares analysis suggest that members' participation in unions is positively related to many of the same factors in Japan as in North America: for example, length...

The authors develop a 'logic of action' framework to conceptualize the impact of globalization on employment relations (ER) and to predict the trajectory of ER. They argue that the interplay among three different logics of action-the logic of competition, the logic of industrial peace, and the...