an article by Nathan Wilmers (MIT Sloan School of Management, USA) published in RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences Volume 5 Issue 4 (September 2019)
Abstract
The post–World War II period of wage compression provides a strong contrast to the last forty years of rising inequality.
In this article, I argue that inequality was previously constrained by pay coordination that spanned multiple workplaces. Cross-workplace coordination practices range from multi-employer bargaining agreements to informal employer collusion.
To quantify the influence of these practices on inequality, I draw on establishment-level Bureau of Labor Statistics microdata from 1968 to 1977. Inequality between workplaces did not increase during the 1970s and inequality was lower among workers likely to be covered by cross-workplace coordination.
Unionization, large establishments, and pension provision reduced inequality across workplaces, not only among coworkers within workplaces. These findings indicate that cross-workplace coordination mitigated inequality during the postwar period of egalitarian economic growth.
Full text (PDF 26pp)
Hazel’s comment
Despite this research being based in the USA I believe that it is also relevant to the UK starting as it does by telling us that the inequality gap is growing with the rich getting richer.
Showing posts with label organisations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organisations. Show all posts
Friday, 15 November 2019
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Fostering the human infrastructure of e-research
Rob Procter and Marzieh Asgari-Targhi (Manchester eResearch Centre, Manchester University, UK) and Alex Voss (St Andrews University, UK) published in Information, Communication & Society Volume 16 Issue 10 (2013)
Abstract
Findings from an in-depth study of problems faced by the UK e-Research community – researchers, institutionally-based support services and national e-Infrastructure service providers – as they struggle with the challenges of widening the adoption of e-Infrastructure, exploiting its potential benefits and embedding it into everyday research practices are presented.
The findings show that e-Infrastructure is often seen by users (both current and potential) as complex and challenging. It is also clear that current users often experience frustrations, while potential users may be unaware of its benefits and of how to take the first steps towards exploiting them.
The findings highlight the scale of problems arising from the failure of the human infrastructure – the networks (both formal and informal) of actors essential to effective exploitation of innovations – to develop and keep pace with the technical infrastructure.
The article concludes by discussing a number of interventions that the e-Research community might make in order to re-align the capabilities of the human infrastructure with those of the technical infrastructure.
Abstract
Findings from an in-depth study of problems faced by the UK e-Research community – researchers, institutionally-based support services and national e-Infrastructure service providers – as they struggle with the challenges of widening the adoption of e-Infrastructure, exploiting its potential benefits and embedding it into everyday research practices are presented.
The findings show that e-Infrastructure is often seen by users (both current and potential) as complex and challenging. It is also clear that current users often experience frustrations, while potential users may be unaware of its benefits and of how to take the first steps towards exploiting them.
The findings highlight the scale of problems arising from the failure of the human infrastructure – the networks (both formal and informal) of actors essential to effective exploitation of innovations – to develop and keep pace with the technical infrastructure.
The article concludes by discussing a number of interventions that the e-Research community might make in order to re-align the capabilities of the human infrastructure with those of the technical infrastructure.
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Disability in the Labour Market: An Exploration of Concepts of the Ideal Worker and Organisational Fit that Disadvantage Employees with Impairments
an article by Deborah Foster and Victoria Wass (Cardiff University, UK) published in Sociology Volume 47 Number 4 (August 2013)
Abstract
The adverse employment effects that attach to disability are empirically well established.
They are large and persistent.
This is a conceptual article that investigates the source of this deep and enduring employment disadvantage.
Debate begins by examining the origins of ideas that have shaped approaches to work study and have influenced concepts of what constitutes an ideal worker. Drawing on feminist critiques of organisational analysis that have highlighted the gendered character of processes, practices and values, it explores the relatively neglected position of disabled employees.
With reference to transcripts from four Employment Appeal Tribunals brought under the Disability Discrimination Act, it illustrates how standard jobs, designed around ideal (non-disabled) employees, create a mismatch between a formal job description and someone with an impairment.
We suggest this mismatch is central to the organisation’s resistance to implementing adjustments and also to any radical approaches to include impaired employees in the workplace.
Abstract
The adverse employment effects that attach to disability are empirically well established.
They are large and persistent.
This is a conceptual article that investigates the source of this deep and enduring employment disadvantage.
Debate begins by examining the origins of ideas that have shaped approaches to work study and have influenced concepts of what constitutes an ideal worker. Drawing on feminist critiques of organisational analysis that have highlighted the gendered character of processes, practices and values, it explores the relatively neglected position of disabled employees.
With reference to transcripts from four Employment Appeal Tribunals brought under the Disability Discrimination Act, it illustrates how standard jobs, designed around ideal (non-disabled) employees, create a mismatch between a formal job description and someone with an impairment.
We suggest this mismatch is central to the organisation’s resistance to implementing adjustments and also to any radical approaches to include impaired employees in the workplace.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
British trade unions and the academics: The case of Unionlearn
an article by John McIlroy and Richard Croucher (Middlesex University, UK) published in Capital & Class Volume 37 Number 2 (June 2013)
Abstract
Unionlearn and union learning representatives were developed by the British TUC to match workers with education and training opportunities, strengthen the economy, foster market inclusion and facilitate social mobility. Their contribution to union revitalisation was emphasised.
This article questions whether, with unions confronting global crisis, this is a necessary initiative.
It stemmed from TUC failure to achieve policy goals, institutional needs, consequent acceptance of a lesser role, and the availability of state finance. Claims by academics that it provides influence over state policy and contributes to revitalisation remain inadequately evidenced.
Union resurgence is not immanent.
The way forward is through adversarial grassroots organising and socialist education, not through retooling capital, improving members’ marketability and partnership with a hostile state.
Abstract
Unionlearn and union learning representatives were developed by the British TUC to match workers with education and training opportunities, strengthen the economy, foster market inclusion and facilitate social mobility. Their contribution to union revitalisation was emphasised.
This article questions whether, with unions confronting global crisis, this is a necessary initiative.
It stemmed from TUC failure to achieve policy goals, institutional needs, consequent acceptance of a lesser role, and the availability of state finance. Claims by academics that it provides influence over state policy and contributes to revitalisation remain inadequately evidenced.
Union resurgence is not immanent.
The way forward is through adversarial grassroots organising and socialist education, not through retooling capital, improving members’ marketability and partnership with a hostile state.
Friday, 5 July 2013
Inter-professional education and the idea of an educated public
an article by Richard Anthony Davies (Independent Scholar, Leicester, UK) published in Journal of Vocational Education & Training Volume 65 Issue 2 (June 2013)
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a concern to re-negotiate the relationships been individual professionals working with the same people.
So, for example, healthcare staff are expected to coordinate their activities and ‘work together’. The end point is a collaborating together as a team of professionals often located in the same place. This demand for inter-professional working (IPW) has seen the rise of higher education programmes of study in IPW, now deemed an essential part of undergraduate education for these professional groups. The rationale is laudable, IPW ought to enhance the experience of the client and ultimately improve their outcomes. The two questions I want to raise in this paper are as follows: is inter-professional education (IPE) possible in the sense of an education that seeks to enable IPW, and if it is what form should it take. In pursuing these questions, I seek parallels with MacIntyre’s (1987) ‘idea of an educated public’. In doing so, I argue for an account of IPE and working premised on the development of a limited ‘educated public’ of healthcare professionals. I conclude with a limited specification of what this means in practice.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a concern to re-negotiate the relationships been individual professionals working with the same people.
So, for example, healthcare staff are expected to coordinate their activities and ‘work together’. The end point is a collaborating together as a team of professionals often located in the same place. This demand for inter-professional working (IPW) has seen the rise of higher education programmes of study in IPW, now deemed an essential part of undergraduate education for these professional groups. The rationale is laudable, IPW ought to enhance the experience of the client and ultimately improve their outcomes. The two questions I want to raise in this paper are as follows: is inter-professional education (IPE) possible in the sense of an education that seeks to enable IPW, and if it is what form should it take. In pursuing these questions, I seek parallels with MacIntyre’s (1987) ‘idea of an educated public’. In doing so, I argue for an account of IPE and working premised on the development of a limited ‘educated public’ of healthcare professionals. I conclude with a limited specification of what this means in practice.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Increases in salience of ethnic identity at work: The roles of ethnic assignation and ethnic identification
an article by Etlyn J Kenny (Birkbeck, University of London, UK) and Rob B Briner (University of Bath, UK) published in human relations Volume 66 Number 5 (May 2013)
Abstract
To better understand how ethnicity is actually experienced within organisations, we examined reported increases in ethnic identity salience at work and responses to such increases.
Thirty British black Caribbean graduate employees were interviewed about how and when they experienced their ethnic identity at work.
The findings demonstrated that increased salience in ethnic identity was experienced in two key ways: through ‘ethnic assignation’ (a ‘push’ towards ethnic identity) and ‘ethnic identification’ (a ‘pull’ towards ethnic identity).
We explore how and when ethnic assignation and ethnic identification occur at work, and their relevance to how workplaces are experienced by this group of minority ethnic employees.
The findings suggest the need for further research attention to the dynamic and episodic nature of social identity – including ethnic identity – within organizations, and to the impact of such increases in salience of social identities on behaviour at work.
Abstract
To better understand how ethnicity is actually experienced within organisations, we examined reported increases in ethnic identity salience at work and responses to such increases.
Thirty British black Caribbean graduate employees were interviewed about how and when they experienced their ethnic identity at work.
The findings demonstrated that increased salience in ethnic identity was experienced in two key ways: through ‘ethnic assignation’ (a ‘push’ towards ethnic identity) and ‘ethnic identification’ (a ‘pull’ towards ethnic identity).
We explore how and when ethnic assignation and ethnic identification occur at work, and their relevance to how workplaces are experienced by this group of minority ethnic employees.
The findings suggest the need for further research attention to the dynamic and episodic nature of social identity – including ethnic identity – within organizations, and to the impact of such increases in salience of social identities on behaviour at work.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Rethinking public ownership and participation
an article by Andrew Cumbers and Robert McMaster (based in the University of Glasgow, UK) published in On the Horizon Volume 20 Issue 3 (2012)
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to challenge the simplistic formulation of public ownership in terms of centralized planning and state bureaucracy. Instead, drawing on the works of Dewey and Veblen the paper aims to argue that public ownership is a critical aspect of forging progressive change through enhancing democratic participation in economic decision-making.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a conceptual analysis of public ownership types and employs case examples to further illuminate the argument.
Findings
The conceptual analysis challenges the supposition of market superiority in standard economic approaches and in neoliberalism. Drawing from the instrumental valuation principle a wide corpus of public ownership modes can offer the prospect of enhanced democratic participation that challenges existing power structures.
Originality/value
By emphasising the association between ownership and democracy the paper challenges the assumption that markets necessarily offer the only route to democratic participation. It also identifies and challenges the market fundamentalism of standard economic approaches.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to challenge the simplistic formulation of public ownership in terms of centralized planning and state bureaucracy. Instead, drawing on the works of Dewey and Veblen the paper aims to argue that public ownership is a critical aspect of forging progressive change through enhancing democratic participation in economic decision-making.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a conceptual analysis of public ownership types and employs case examples to further illuminate the argument.
Findings
The conceptual analysis challenges the supposition of market superiority in standard economic approaches and in neoliberalism. Drawing from the instrumental valuation principle a wide corpus of public ownership modes can offer the prospect of enhanced democratic participation that challenges existing power structures.
Originality/value
By emphasising the association between ownership and democracy the paper challenges the assumption that markets necessarily offer the only route to democratic participation. It also identifies and challenges the market fundamentalism of standard economic approaches.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Making organisational ethnography
an article by Tony J. Watson, (Nottingham University Business School) published in Journal of Organizational Ethnography Volume 1 Issue 1 (2012)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the “manifesto” for organisational ethnography being put forward in the first issue of the Journal of Organizational Ethnography.
Design/methodology/approach
The author draws upon several decades of personal experience of field research and ethnographic writing, in and around organisations, to suggest ways in which this type of research and publication can be advanced.
Findings
It is wise to see ethnography as much more than a research method; it is a way of presenting research – research which can be carried out using a variety of investigative methods in addition to the essential activity of intensive field research. To work fully within the spirit of ethnography, it is vital to set organisational activities within the broad societal order of which they are part. Ethnographic researchers should consider undertaking “everyday ethnography” (seeking ethnographic insights in the course of their daily lives) as an element of their studies.
Originality/value
The paper provides a clear and bold guide to the nature and practice of organisational ethnography based on extensive research and writing experience in the field.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the “manifesto” for organisational ethnography being put forward in the first issue of the Journal of Organizational Ethnography.
Design/methodology/approach
The author draws upon several decades of personal experience of field research and ethnographic writing, in and around organisations, to suggest ways in which this type of research and publication can be advanced.
Findings
It is wise to see ethnography as much more than a research method; it is a way of presenting research – research which can be carried out using a variety of investigative methods in addition to the essential activity of intensive field research. To work fully within the spirit of ethnography, it is vital to set organisational activities within the broad societal order of which they are part. Ethnographic researchers should consider undertaking “everyday ethnography” (seeking ethnographic insights in the course of their daily lives) as an element of their studies.
Originality/value
The paper provides a clear and bold guide to the nature and practice of organisational ethnography based on extensive research and writing experience in the field.
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