This study attempts to examine change to the industrial relations system of Renfrewshire over the last few decades. By focusing on the area's traditional historical reliance on manufacturing industry as a vital contributor for employment in Renfrewshire, the consequences of change and its effect on the area's local industrial relations system provide the main emphasis for our research. In particular, the study adopts the concept of'externality' as a theme, and as an analytical tool for analysis, in order to comment on change experienced by Renfrewshire's distinct industrial relations system. Investigation took the form of a survey of workplace industrial relations in manufacturing small and medium sized establishments in the districts of Renfrew and Inverclyde. The main chapters of this study consider the main institutions of industrial relations support for the Renfrewshire area, such as Employers' Organisations, Trade Unions or ACAS; and the changes which have been seen to occur with regard to these bodies. We contend that an industrial relations parallel to the concept of 'branch factory syndrome' has been witnessed by these institutional bodies in relation to Renfrewshire. The main conclusion of this study is that the system has adapted, in its own way, based on its historical characteristics, especially in respect of workplace organisation. The study identifies four main factors which have a relevance on the changing face of the industrial relations system in Renfrewshire: 1. industrial re-structuring (at macro level) 2. non-unionism 3. national bargaining decline 4. organisation-level rationalisation Finally, some recommendations for further research are made
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:296465 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Sanderson, Michael |
| Publisher | University of the West of Scotland |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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