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Conflict and control in the contemporary workplace: Structured antagonism revisited

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  • Paul Edwards
  • Andy Hodder

Abstract

The concept of a structured antagonism lying at the heart of the employment relationship is widely cited but also commonly misinterpreted. The paper firstly returns to the origin of the concept to locate its approach to workplace industrial relations. It forms part of labour process analysis, within which its distinct emphasis is two‐fold: a focus on levels of analysis, such that the connections between the underlying antagonism and concrete behaviour can be interrogated; and a preference for comparative analysis, which allows the relevant processes to be identified. In this paper, we apply these themes to contemporary workplaces such as those in the gig economy. Recent research demonstrates substantial empirical and theoretical progress but can be taken further using the above two ideas. A methodological checklist emerges to guide a future programme of research.

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  • Paul Edwards & Andy Hodder, 2022. "Conflict and control in the contemporary workplace: Structured antagonism revisited," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(3), pages 220-240, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:53:y:2022:i:3:p:220-240
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12363
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Grégory Jemine, 2023. "It takes two to tango: Reconceptualizing union power and union effectiveness in a relational perspective," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(6), pages 445-470, November.
    2. Gregor Murray & Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau & Christian Lévesque & Nicolas Roby, 2023. "What makes work better or worse? An analytical framework," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 29(3), pages 305-322, August.

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