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An Institutional Approach to Trade Unions’ Density. The Case of Legal Origin and Political Ideology

Author

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  • Jacek Lewkowicz

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw; National Bank of Poland)

  • Anna Lewczuk

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw)

Abstract

Which institutions may be important in terms of trade unions’ density and how significant they are? However, trade unions’ status is very different among states, they are still a very meaningful component of labor markets. In this paper we contribute to the debate on the institutions, which may affect the outcome of trade unions in different legal systems. Firstly, we draw on theoretical underpinnings of trade unions’ activity and density. Then, we conduct an empirical analysis of the relationships between trade union density in a particular country, its legal origin and government’s ideology. In this way the paper enriches an underexploited niche in institutional research devoted to labor market issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacek Lewkowicz & Anna Lewczuk, 2017. "An Institutional Approach to Trade Unions’ Density. The Case of Legal Origin and Political Ideology," Working Papers 2017-06, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw.
    • Handle: RePEc:war:wpaper:2017-06
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    new institutional economics; institutions; political economy; trade unions; labor market; legal origin; parties’ ideologies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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