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Explaining varieties of social solidarity in supply chains: Actors, institutions and market risks distribution in outsourced public services

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  • Anna Mori

Abstract

On the basis of a comparative analysis of market risks (re)distribution between labour and management in public‐service outsourcing in Italy and Denmark, this article examines different cross‐national patterns of social solidarity in similar encompassing and co‐operative employment relations regimes. It seeks to explain why similar inclusive and collaborative systems of public‐sector employment relations are not functionally equivalent in preventing labour inequalities under market‐making pressure, as predicted by the extant literature. The analysis demonstrates that variation between the countries considered was due to three interrelated factors which mutually reinforced each other in either virtuous (Denmark) or (semi)vicious (Italy) circles: (i) the availability of legislative loopholes; (ii) the cross‐sectoral (public/private) organizational structure and strategy of trade unions and (iii) employers’ outward/inward orientation. The findings confirm the capacity of cross‐sectoral public/private dynamics to either build or erode solidarity in inclusive systems, and they highlight the importance of incorporating the strategic agency exerted by unions and public employers as a crucial determinant of the granular differences emerging between similar models.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Mori, 2024. "Explaining varieties of social solidarity in supply chains: Actors, institutions and market risks distribution in outsourced public services," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 62(2), pages 449-479, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:62:y:2024:i:2:p:449-479
    DOI: 10.1111/bjir.12786
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    2. Lisa Dorigatti & Anna Mori, 2025. "The role of trade union power resources in experimenting with ‘buying decent work’: the case of the Italian public procurement protocols," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 31(2), pages 215-232, May.
    3. Anna Mori & Marco Guerci & Giovanni Radaelli & Federica Cabras, 2026. "An old recipe, with a new spice: Union avoidance tactics adopted by organized crime when expanding in new territories," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 47(1), pages 52-77, February.

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