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The Union of the Future: Super‐Unions or Joint Ventures?
Author(s) -
Wlllman Paul,
Cave Alan
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british journal of industrial relations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.665
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-8543
pISSN - 0007-1080
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8543.1994.tb01011.x
Subject(s) - damages , competition (biology) , yield (engineering) , balance (ability) , joint (building) , business , economics , public economics , political science , law , engineering , medicine , architectural engineering , ecology , materials science , metallurgy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , biology
The article looks at effectiveness in union organization. Following Child et al. (1973), it describes the necessary conditions for both administrative and representative effectiveness. Administratively effective unions focus on an organizable job territory, control costs and avoid competition. Representative effectiveness is defined by the degree of employer dependence, the balance of services and the degree of centralization. We argue that the prevailing tendency for concentration through merger often damages representative effectiveness while yielding few administrative benefits. The article concludes by offering a framework for analysis of a range of co‐operative relationships between unions which yield administrative benefits.