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Do Unions Cause Job Dissatisfaction? Evidence from a Quasi‐Experiment in the United Kingdom

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  • Ioulia Bessa
  • Andy Charlwood
  • Danat Valizade

Abstract

Unionized workers tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than their non‐union counterparts. Despite 40 years of research that has sought to explain this phenomenon, the causes of this relationship are not fully understood. Drawing on nationally representative panel data from the UK, this study uses quasi‐experimental methods to compare how the job satisfaction of union members and their non‐union counterparts changes in response to an exogenous event. Results suggest that working conditions rather than the behaviour of unions are the more likely cause of union member job dissatisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioulia Bessa & Andy Charlwood & Danat Valizade, 2021. "Do Unions Cause Job Dissatisfaction? Evidence from a Quasi‐Experiment in the United Kingdom," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(2), pages 251-278, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:59:y:2021:i:2:p:251-278
    DOI: 10.1111/bjir.12543
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    2. Tan Fee Yean & Johanim Johari & Khulida Kirana Yahya & Tay Lee Chin, 2022. "Determinants of Job Dissatisfaction and Its Impact on the Counterproductive Work Behavior of University Staff," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, September.
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    4. Adam Seth Litwin & Or Shay, 2022. "What do unions do… for temps? Collective bargaining and the wage penalty," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(2), pages 193-227, April.
    5. Elvis D. Achuo & Simplice A. Asongu & Gildas D. Dinga, 2022. "Addressing the Educational Crisis in Cameroon: Policy Syndromes, Arguments, Views, Theory and Agenda," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 22/097, African Governance and Development Institute..

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