The Flip Side of Organized Decentralization: Company-Level Bargaining in Denmark

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Flip Side of Organized Decentralization

T2 - Company-Level Bargaining in Denmark

AU - Ilsøe, Anna

PY - 2012/12/1

Y1 - 2012/12/1

N2 - The Danish collective bargaining system is often considered a good example of organized decentralization. It has been characterized as a centralized decentralization suggesting a reproduction of sector-level bargaining relations at company level. A recent survey on company-level bargaining in the Danish industrial sector confirms this hypothesis with regard to the experiences of local managers and shop stewards. However, part of the survey also questions whether the reproduction will continue in the future. Small- and medium-sized enterprises and their employees tend to miss out on the mutual benefits obtained through company-level agreements. Furthermore, shop stewards often find it difficult to gain employee support during negotiations, which jeopardizes their bargaining relations with management.

AB - The Danish collective bargaining system is often considered a good example of organized decentralization. It has been characterized as a centralized decentralization suggesting a reproduction of sector-level bargaining relations at company level. A recent survey on company-level bargaining in the Danish industrial sector confirms this hypothesis with regard to the experiences of local managers and shop stewards. However, part of the survey also questions whether the reproduction will continue in the future. Small- and medium-sized enterprises and their employees tend to miss out on the mutual benefits obtained through company-level agreements. Furthermore, shop stewards often find it difficult to gain employee support during negotiations, which jeopardizes their bargaining relations with management.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0007-1080

VL - 50

SP - 760

EP - 781

JO - British Journal of Industrial Relations

JF - British Journal of Industrial Relations

IS - 4

ER -