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Rethinking trade union density: A new index for measuring union strength

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  • Anne Metten

Abstract

Although trade union density is the most influential and most commonly used indicator to map trade union strength, comparing between countries and time, the author argues that trade union density is lacking both specificity and comparability. Additionally, many studies on industrial relations neglect developing countries. Therefore, the paper offers a new concept based on a combination of different theoretical approaches that identify determinants of trade union strength involving developing countries. On that basis, the author creates a novel, composite index that is better at capturing trade union strength than previous indices. First evaluations of this collective labour force index, which covers the years 2000 to 2016 in 72 countries, show that it is quite capable of doing so.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Metten, 2021. "Rethinking trade union density: A new index for measuring union strength," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(6), pages 528-549, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:52:y:2021:i:6:p:528-549
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12347
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:ilo:ilowps:485863 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Henry Kaiser, 1974. "An index of factorial simplicity," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 39(1), pages 31-36, March.
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    4. Robert J. Flanagan, 1999. "Macroeconomic Performance and Collective Bargaining: An International Perspective," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 37(3), pages 1150-1175, September.
    5. Lawrence, Sophia. & Ishikawa, Junko., 2005. "Trade union membership and collective bargaining coverage : statistical concepts, methods and findings," ILO Working Papers 994858633402676, International Labour Organization.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ayhan Görmüş, 2024. "The moderated mediation role of the extension in the relationship between union density and bargaining coverage," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 45(3), pages 719-743, August.
    2. Giannakopoulos, Nicholas & Nicolitsas, Daphne, 2022. "Employers' associations and trade unions: co-existence or more?," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1140, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    3. Perone, Gaetano, 2024. "The relationship between labor market institutions and innovation in 177 European regions over the period 2000–2015," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 128-149.
    4. Antti Kauhanen, 2024. "The effects of the decentralization of collective bargaining on wages and wage dispersion: Evidence from the Finnish forest and IT industries," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 62(2), pages 319-334, June.
    5. Lukas Lehner & Paul Ramskogler & Aleksandra Riedl, 2024. "Beggaring Thy Co-Worker: Labor Market Dualization and the Wage Growth Slowdown in Europe," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 77(5), pages 659-684, October.
    6. Alan Eustace, 2024. "Dancing at the crossroads: Lessons from Ireland on collective labour law reform," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(4), pages 303-325, July.
    7. Maryam Dilmaghani, 2022. "The link between smoking, drinking and wages: Health, workplace social capital or discrimination?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(2), pages 160-183, March.

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