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US Multi-Nationals and the German Industrial Relations System

Author

Listed:
  • Ingo Singe

    (Hamburg University)

  • Richard Croucher

    (Senior Research Fellow, Human Resource Research Centre, Cranfield School of Management)

Abstract

This paper critically reviews literature on the behaviour of US-based Multi National Companies (MNCs) in Germany in relation to the historic institutions of the German labour market: works councils and industry wide collective bargaining. The German system is becoming increasingly company-rather than sectorally centred, and US-based companies have reinforced a wing of German employer opinion seeking to further these developments. Surveys show US-based companies generally accepting works councils and sectoral bargains but case study evidence also shows them seeking to weaken links with parts of the system external to the company. A typology is proposed and it is argued that many US-based companies appear to follow a ?formal compliance/content avoidance dichotomy? tending to exacerbate the system?s existing tendencies towards disarticulation. They also tend to explore all options available to them within the existing system. A research agenda is suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingo Singe & Richard Croucher, 2005. "US Multi-Nationals and the German Industrial Relations System," management revue. Socio-economic Studies, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 16(1), pages 123-137.
    • Handle: RePEc:rai:mamere:1861-9908_mrev_2005_01_singe
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    File URL: http://www.hampp-verlag.de/hampp_e-journals_mrev.htm#105
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sang-Woo Lee, 2010. "A Comparison of the British and the German Industrial Relations and its Implications," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 13(1), pages 167-182, March.
    2. Tüselmann, Heinz-Josef & Cao, Qi & Dörrenbächer, Christoph & Meißner, Heinz-Rudolf, 2020. "Mitbestimmungsverhalten und Arbeitsbeziehungen in ausländischen Unternehmen in Deutschland: Ergebnisse einer vergleichenden Management- und Betriebsräteumfrage," Study / edition der Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf, volume 127, number 444, June.
    3. Johannes Meuer & Marlies Kluike & Uschi Backes-Gellner & Kerstin Pull, 2018. "Using expatriates for adapting subsidiaries' employment modes to different market economies: a comparative analysis of US subsidiaries in Germany, the UK and Switzerland," Working Papers 372, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    4. Anthony Ferner & Jacques Bélanger & Olga Tregaskis & Michael Morley & Javier Quintanilla, 2013. "U.S. Multinationals and the Control of Subsidiary Employment Policies," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 66(3), pages 645-669, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    US Multinationals; Germany; Industrial Relations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General

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