Download full text
(191.0Kb)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-412830
Exports for your reference manager
Functional Changes in the Trade Unions. From Intermediary to Fractal Organization?
[journal article]
Abstract
"This contribution deals with developments in German Trade Unionism since the world economic crisis of 2008/09. Internationally, the crisis management of the German metalworkers’ union IG Metall is held in high esteem and regarded as a role model. It seems as if social integrative corporatism ha... view more
"This contribution deals with developments in German Trade Unionism since the world economic crisis of 2008/09. Internationally, the crisis management of the German metalworkers’ union IG Metall is held in high esteem and regarded as a role model. It seems as if social integrative corporatism has emerged triumphant from the crisis. However, appearances are deceptive. It is argued here that we are once again witnessing a functional change in trade unionism. Corporatism is acquiring a new meaning; it must not be equated with corporatism in the era of prosperous post-war capitalism. In societies marked by divided labour markets and expanding precariousness, corporatism generates different outcomes. Trade Unions run the risk of degenerating into mere representatives of pressure groups, aligning themselves with factions of the political and economic élite in order to further special interests. The concept of trade unions as intermediary organisations is no longer sufficient to explain this functional change." (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
functional change; trade union; Federal Republic of Germany; corporatism; IG Metall; crisis; intermediary organization; power; representation of interests
Classification
Sociology of Economics
Working Conditions
Document language
English
Publication Year
2011
Page/Pages
p. 8-48
Journal
International Journal of Action Research, 7 (2011) 1
ISSN
1861-1303
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications