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Varieties of organised decentralisation across sectors in Denmark: A company perspective

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  • Trine Pernille Larsen
  • Anna Ilsøe

Abstract

The decentralisation of European collective bargaining has been subject to much research and IR modelling. However, these studies mainly focus on the implications for national and sectoral bargaining institutions and rarely include a company perspective. Based on cross‐sectional representative survey data among managers and shop stewards in Denmark, this paper offers a fresh perspective on the recent decentralisation process. We explore if company‐based bargaining structures are in place and whether local social partners have utilised these bargaining opportunities across distinct sectors after decades of decentralisation. Analytically, we seek inspiration from Visser's (2016) distinct forms of organised decentralisation and combine these with insights from the broader literature on IR and institutional change. We find that bargaining practices and institutions at company level depend on a combination of provisions for company‐based wage bargaining within individual sector agreements and strong union‐affiliated workplace representation.

Suggested Citation

  • Trine Pernille Larsen & Anna Ilsøe, 2022. "Varieties of organised decentralisation across sectors in Denmark: A company perspective," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 368-389, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:53:y:2022:i:4:p:368-389
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Trine P. Larsen & Mikkel Mailand, 2018. "Lifting wages and conditions of atypical employees in Denmark—the role of social partners and sectoral social dialogue," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(2), pages 88-108, March.
    2. Oberfichtner Michael & Schnabel Claus, 2019. "The German Model of Industrial Relations: (Where) Does It Still Exist?," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 239(1), pages 5-37, January.
    3. Harry C. Katz, 1993. "The Decentralization of Collective Bargaining: A Literature Review and Comparative Analysis," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 47(1), pages 3-22, October.
    4. Nils BRAAKMANN & Bernd BRANDL, 2021. "The performance effects of collective and individual bargaining: A comprehensive and granular analysis of the effects of different bargaining systems on company productivity," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 160(1), pages 43-64, March.
    5. Bernd Brandl & Nils Braakmann, 2021. "The effects of collective bargaining systems on the productivity function of firms: An analysis of bargaining structures and processes and the implications for policy making," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(3), pages 218-236, May.
    6. Anna Ilsøe, 2012. "The Flip Side of Organized Decentralization: Company-Level Bargaining in Denmark," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 50(4), pages 760-781, December.
    7. Jens Arnholtz & Søren Kaj Andersen, 2018. "Extra†Institutional Changes under Pressure from Posting," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(2), pages 395-417, June.
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