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Policies on Union Representation in US Multinationals in the UK: Between Micro‐Politics and Macro‐Institutions

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  • Anthony Ferner
  • Phil Almond
  • Trevor Colling
  • Tony Edwards

Abstract

This paper examines the policies towards unions and collective representation in US multinationals in the UK. It uses detailed case‐study data to argue that the dominant ‘ideological norms’ of anti‐unionism in the US business system shape, but do not determine, the behaviour of US multinational subsidiaries in the UK. Within the structural constraints determined by such factors as sector, subsidiary policy and behaviour towards unions are the outcome of the complex interaction of the contrasting ‘macro‐institutional’ forces of home and host business systems, and how these are filtered through the perceptions and interests of actors at different levels of the multinational. The resulting ‘micro‐politics’ generates a complex and evolving pattern of union relations and non‐unionism in US subsidiaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony Ferner & Phil Almond & Trevor Colling & Tony Edwards, 2005. "Policies on Union Representation in US Multinationals in the UK: Between Micro‐Politics and Macro‐Institutions," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 43(4), pages 703-728, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:43:y:2005:i:4:p:703-728
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2005.00480.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peter J. Buckley & Peter Enderwick, 1985. "The Industrial Relations Practices of Foreign-owned Firms in Britain," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-349-06819-7, December.
    2. Nick Wailes & Gaby Ramia & Russell D. Lansbury, 2003. "Interests, Institutions and Industrial Relations," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 41(4), pages 617-637, December.
    3. Peter B. Doeringer & Edward Lorenz & David G. Terkla, 2003. "The adoption and diffusion of high-performance management: lessons from Japanese multinationals in the West," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 27(2), pages 265-286, March.
    4. T. Dickson & H. V. McLachlan & P. Prior & K. Swales, 1988. "Big Blue and the Unions: IBM, Individualism and Trade Union Strategy," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 2(4), pages 506-520, December.
    5. Anthony Ferner & Phil Almond & Trevor Colling, 2005. "Institutional theory and the cross-national transfer of employment policy: the case of ‘workforce diversity’ in US multinationals," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 36(3), pages 304-321, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Marginson & Paul Edwards & Tony Edwards & Anthony Ferner & Olga Tregaskis, 2010. "Employee Representation and Consultative Voice in Multinational Companies Operating in Britain," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 48(1), pages 151-180, March.
    2. Tony Edwards & Kyoungmi Kim & Phil Almond & Philipp Kern & Olga Tregaskis & Ling Eleanor Zhang, 2025. "Forgotten globalizing actors: towards an understanding of the range of individuals involved in global norm formation in multinational companies," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 56(2), pages 273-299, March.
    3. J. Ryan Lamare & Patrick Gunnigle & Paul Marginson & Gregor Murray, 2013. "Union Status and Double-Breasting at Multinational Companies in Three Liberal Market Economies," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 66(3), pages 696-722, May.

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