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The unlikely success of coordinated bargaining in a liberal market economy: The case of Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Valentina Paolucci
  • William K. Roche

Abstract

This paper challenges the prevailing view of the negative impact of collective bargaining decentralisation on trade unions in liberal market economies. It uses quantitative and in‐depth company cases from four major sectors in Ireland, to explain how unions have effectively established bargaining coordination following the global financial crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentina Paolucci & William K. Roche, 2024. "The unlikely success of coordinated bargaining in a liberal market economy: The case of Ireland," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(2), pages 141-161, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:55:y:2024:i:2:p:141-161
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12420
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. William K. Roche & Paul Teague & Denise Currie, 2023. "Leadership and innovation by professionals: The changing face of public workplace conflict resolution in Ireland," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(4-5), pages 401-422, July.
    2. McCarthy, W. E. J. & O'Brien, J. F. & Dowd, V. G., 1975. "Wage Inflation and Wage Leadership: A Study of the Role of Key Wage Bargains in the Irish System of Collective Bargaining," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number GRS79.
    3. William K. Roche & Paul Teague, 2015. "Antecedents of concession bargaining in the Great Recession: evidence from Ireland," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(5-6), pages 434-445, November.
    4. Bjarke Refslund & Jens Arnholtz, 2022. "Power resource theory revisited: The perils and promises for understanding contemporary labour politics," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(4), pages 1958-1979, November.
    5. Paul Marginson & Franz Traxler, 2005. "After enlargement: preconditions and prospects for bargaining coordination," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 11(3), pages 423-438, August.
    6. 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.
    7. Thelen,Kathleen, 2014. "Varieties of Liberalization and the New Politics of Social Solidarity," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107679566.
    8. Thelen,Kathleen, 2014. "Varieties of Liberalization and the New Politics of Social Solidarity," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107053168.
    9. Patrick Gunnigle & Jonathan Lavelle & Sinéad Monaghan, 2013. "Weathering the storm? Multinational companies and human resource management through the global financial crisis," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 34(3), pages 214-231, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vincent Jerald Ramos & Edgar Antonio Suguitan, 2025. "The Incomplete Leap: On the Transition From Union Registration to the First Collective Agreement," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(3), pages 189-203, May.

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