Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T19:57:28.151Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Role of Unions in Sociotechnical Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Marian Baird
Marian Baird*
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

In 1980 Dr F. Emery published a paper discussing the design of socio-technical systems for ‘greenfield sites’. In his paper Emery argued that a new and different paradigm of work, which is based on ‘co-operative, symmetrically dependent relations’, is more easily introduced into ‘greenfield sites’ and that ‘most matters can be negotiated beforehand with trade union officials’ (1980:19&21).

In this paper the author explores the use of socio-technical design in a greenfield plant, and its application in an old, or brownfield plant of the same company. The socio-technical approach is embodied in the new production model being introduced, which is called a high commitment work system Of specific interest is the role of unions in the sites. Two questions are addressed in this respect. Are unions involved in the design and implementation of the socio-technical system? What are the implications for the future of the unions in these two sites?

Type
Research Article
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , June 1995 , pp. 94 - 104
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1995

Footnotes

*

This paper was presented at the International Colloquium on Organisational Innovation and the Sociotechnical Systems Tradition held in Melbourne May 26, 27 1995.

References

Akhtar, S., Tan, D., Taylor, V. (1994) ‘Organizational Commitment Strategies, HRM Practices and Ethical Issues’, AIRAANZ Conference, Sydney.Google Scholar
Baird, M (1995) ‘Opportunity and Innovation in Industrial Relations: A Twin Study of Greenfield Sites in the United States of America and Australia’, AIRAANZ Conference, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Emery, F (1978) The Emergence of a New Paradigm of Work, Centre for Continuing Education, Australian National University.Google Scholar
Emery, F (1980) ‘Designing Socio-technical Systems for “Greenfield” Sites’, Journal of Occupational Behaviour, Vol 1, pp 19–27.Google Scholar
Guest, D., Rosenthal, P. (1992) ‘Industrial Relations in Greenfield Sites’, Centre for Economic Performance Industrial Relations Conference, London School of Economics.Google Scholar
Herod, A (1991) ‘Local Political Practice in Response to a Manufacturing Plant Closure: How Geography Complicates Class Analysis’, Antipode, 23: 4, pp 385–402.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kochan, T.A., Katz, H.C., McKersie, R.B. (1994) The Transformation of American Industrial Relations, ILR Press, Ithaca, New York.Google Scholar
Mathews, J (1994) Catching the Wave, Workplace Reform in Australia, Allen and Unwin, St. Leonards, Sydney.Google Scholar
Ogden, M (1993) Towards Best Practice Unionism, Pluto Press and Australian Fabian Society, Leichardt and Melbourne.Google Scholar
Walton, R.E. (1980) ‘Establishing and Maintaining High Commitment Work Systems’, in Kimberley, J.R., Miles, R.H. Associates (eds), The Organizational Life Cycle, Jossey-Bass, California, pp 208–291.Google Scholar