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The Role of Mediation Institutions in Sweden and Denmark after Centralized Bargaining

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  • Christian Lyhne Ibsen

Abstract

This article compares coordinated collective bargaining in Sweden and Denmark after centralized bargaining. Existing theories — power resource and cross-class alliance theory — seem capable of explaining the transition from centralized bargaining to pattern bargaining system. However, they do not explain the internal stability of bargaining coordination once established. This analysis stresses the role of mediation institutions of both countries for solving collective action problems in pattern bargaining by pegging other settlements to the manufacturing labour cost norm. Mediation capabilities, however, differ, which is reflected in more frequent defections in Sweden than in Denmark and thus a more unstable bargaining coordination. These differences have substantive consequences for bargaining outcomes in the two countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Lyhne Ibsen, 2016. "The Role of Mediation Institutions in Sweden and Denmark after Centralized Bargaining," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(2), pages 285-310, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:54:y:2016:i:2:p:285-310
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/bjir.12142
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Teague, 2009. "Path Dependency and Comparative Industrial Relations: The Case of Conflict Resolution Systems in Ireland and Sweden," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 47(3), pages 499-520, September.
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    1. Søren Kaj Andersen & Nana Wesley Hansen, 2019. "The creation and future of the new Danish trade union confederation," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 25(2), pages 229-234, May.
    2. Calmfors, Lars, 2025. "Pattern Bargaining as a Means to Coordinate Wages in the Nordic Countries," Working Paper Series 1517, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    3. Laust Høgedahl & Christian Lyhne Ibsen & Flemming Ibsen, 2024. "Public sector wage bargaining and the balanced growth model: Denmark and Sweden compared," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 30(1), pages 55-75, March.
    4. Wolfgang Günther & Martin Höpner, 2023. "Why does Germany abstain from statutory bargaining extensions? Explaining the exceptional German erosion of collective wage bargaining," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(1), pages 88-108, February.
    5. Di Carlo, Donato, 2018. "Does pattern bargaining explain wage restraint in the German public sector?," MPIfG Discussion Paper 18/3, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    6. Bernd Brandl & Christian Lyhne Ibsen, 2017. "Instability and Change in Collective Bargaining: An Analysis of the Effects of Changing Institutional Structures," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 55(3), pages 527-550, September.
    7. Christian Lyhne Ibsen & Lisa Sezer & Virginia Doellgast, 2023. "Coordination versus organization: Diverging logics of firm cooperation in Denmark and Sweden," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 61(3), pages 526-549, September.
    8. Donato Di Carlo, 2020. "Understanding wage restraint in the German public sector: does the pattern bargaining hypothesis really hold water?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 185-208, May.
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    11. Holden, Steinar, 2019. "A new model for wage formation in Iceland," Memorandum 3/2019, Oslo University, Department of Economics.
    12. William K Roche & Valentina Paolucci, 2026. "Decentralized pay coordination in Europe and the new Irish model," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 32(1), pages 43-70, March.
    13. William K Roche & Tom Gormley, 2020. "The durability of coordinated bargaining: Crisis, recovery and pay fixing in Ireland," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 41(2), pages 481-505, May.
    14. Søren Kaj ANDERSEN, 2024. "Multi‐employer bargaining in Denmark: Interwoven processes of coordination," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 163(4), pages 693-710, December.
    15. Nana Wesley Hansen & Mark Friis Hau, 2024. "Between Settlement and Mobilization: Political Logics of Intra-Organizational Union Communication on Social Media," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 38(2), pages 299-317, April.

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