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Frontier of control struggles in British and Irish public transport

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Hughes

    (University of Liverpool, UK)

  • Tony Dobbins

    (University of Birmingham, UK)

Abstract

Few contemporary studies of change in industrial relations use Carter Goodrich’s classic concept of the ‘frontier of control’ (FoC), especially in cross-national comparative research. Our study maps FoC struggles in two public transport organizations in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Qualitative methods generate significant insights into complex day-to-day workplace control patterns in these two cases. Despite changes in the frontier of control in both organizations over time, it is observed that employment relations in the Irish case are more cooperative than in the British. The frontier of control still matters, because workplace control regimes shape managerial ability to secure worker consent and are always potentially contestable terrains.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Hughes & Tony Dobbins, 2021. "Frontier of control struggles in British and Irish public transport," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 27(3), pages 327-344, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eurjou:v:27:y:2021:i:3:p:327-344
    DOI: 10.1177/0959680120929137
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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