Legacies, conflict and “path dependence” in the former Soviet Union

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 20, Issue 7

Morrison C., Croucher R. and Cretu O.British Journal of Industrial Relations (UK), June 2012, Vol. 50 No. 2, Start page: 329, No. of pages: 23

Analyses management-union-worker relations in a foreign-owned Moldovan clothing factory. Studies of post-socialist industrial relations have focused on explaining labour quiescence, advancing “path dependence” and “Soviet legacy” arguments. Draws attention to strong links between management and unions, and weak relations between the latter and workers. Shows how the union has, in one case, drawn creatively on Soviet legacies to develop strong articulation between itself and women workers. This was part of a wider adaptive strategy within which the union transformed the meaning of previous functions and developed novel ones. Shows the outcome is a well-organized representative union capable of challenging management at the negotiating table, as well as on the shop floor. Opines this seems unlikely to be universal but equally unlikely to be unique.ISSN: 0007-1080Reference: 41AL923

Keywords: Conflict, Factories, Trade unions, Industrial relations, Moldova