Industrialization and Labour Movement in South Korea - From Conflict Towards Labour-Management Relations

Purpose: The systemic approach represented by Dunlop inspired the author of this article, which is an attempt to present the changes in industrial relations and the role that Korean trade unions have played in South Korea's economic policy. The reason for writing this article is the belief that the role has been extremely dynamic and has undergone changes over the decades that have corresponded with and reflected the transformation of corporate management styles. The fundamental research objective is to demonstrate the evolving nature of industrial relations, which have evolved from a conflict model to a collective bargaining model. Design/Methodology/Approach: Method of secondary research, analysis of documents and data available in publications on labor relations. The presented data comes from desk research. Analysis of historical data on the development of labour organizations in South Korea. Verification of Dunlop's systemic approach to the analysis of industrial relations. Presentation of changes taking place in industrial relations. Description of the role of Korean trade unions in South Korea's economic policy. Demonstrating the evolutionary nature of industrial relations and transforming the conflict model into a collective bargaining model. Findings: The research justifies the assumption that industrial relations are shaped in close dependence on the relations between workers, employers and state institutions, and that their consequences are reflected in the complex processes of production, exchange of goods and services. According to Dunlop, the industrial relations system consists of four elements: 1) environmental factors affecting the bargaining power in the form of technology, market and legal conditions; 2) relations between workers, trade unions and managers, and government; 3) rules of conduct for resolving conflict situations and 4) the ideology characterising the attitudes of the parties to labour negotiations. Practical implications: The implication of the article is to point out the possibility of comparative analyzes of the development of trade unions. The author points to the universal direction of the evolution of industrial relations as a common element for systemic analysis. The literature reflects South Korea's dynamic and evolving labour relations, characterized by ongoing tensions between economic imperatives and labour rights. Future research highlights the need for inclusive policies that take into account different forms of employment and promoting social dialogue. Originality/value: The text is an innovative combination of the analysis of industrial relations with management concepts and system analysis.