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Employment Systems in Transition? A Comparative Analysis of Britain and Australia

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  • Janet Walsh

    (Department of Management and Industrial Relations, University of Melbourne)

Abstract

This paper seeks to broaden the scope of internal labour market analysis by investigating changes in the character of company employment systems in a cross-national context. Taking Britain and Australia as the point of reference, the aim is to ascertain whether there are common trends emerging in the character of internal labour markets despite national variations in employment regulation and labour market policy trajectories. Through an analysis of matched organisations in the banking and postal service industries, as well as macro labour market trends, the study finds that comparable forms of employment flexibility, such as part-time working, have developed in both Britain and Australia. At the same time, however, important divergencies have emerged in the structure of pay, largely due to the distinctive impact of national regulatory systems. It is argued that sectorally specific imperatives, such as competitive and technological pressures, and the state and regulatory frameworks, have been simultaneously influential in the restructuring of employment systems in these two countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Janet Walsh, 1997. "Employment Systems in Transition? A Comparative Analysis of Britain and Australia," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:11:y:1997:i:1:p:1-25
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017097111001
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Siebert, W S & Addison, J T, 1991. "Internal Labour Markets: Causes and Consequences," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 7(1), pages 76-92, Spring.
    2. Nolan, Peter & Brown, William, 1983. "Competition and Workplace Wage Determination," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 45(3), pages 269-287, August.
    3. Harrison, Bennett & Bluestone, Barry, 1990. "Wage Polarisation in the U.S. and the 'Flexibility' Debate," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 14(3), pages 351-373, September.
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