This article is based on an institutionalist approach. More exactly, the article is an extension of the “Varieties of Capitalism” analysis. The “Varieties of Capitalism” researchers distinguish two distinct economic and social systems which diverge in their institutional organization:...

Implementation of workplace policies-whether through enforcement of laws or administration of programs-raises the question of the interaction between institutions created to carry out laws and the activities of workplace based agents that directly (e.g., unions) or indirectly (e.g., insurance...

We develop a model of manager-employee relationships where employees care more for their manager when they are more convinced that their manager cares for them. Managers can signal their altruistic feelings towards their employees in two ways: by offering a generous wage and by giving attention....

Consistent with the theory that human capital management influences organizational performance and risk, we find that employee relations explain the cross-sectional variation in credit risk. We construct an aggregate measure for the quality of employee relations based on the firm's engagement in...

This paper surveys economic models where cooperation arises in the workplace because individuals' utility functions involve a concern for others (altruism) or a desire to respond to like with like (reciprocity). It also discusses empirical evidence which bears on the relevance of these theories....