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The limitations of the theory and practice of mobilization in trade union organizing

Author

Listed:
  • Jane Holgate

    (Leeds University Business School, UK)

  • Melanie Simms

    (Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, UK)

  • Maite Tapia

    (Michigan State University, USA)

Abstract

Since the publication of Rethinking Industrial Relations in 1998, John Kelly’s mobilization theory has been used by many scholars attempting to understand union organizing – often using specific campaigns to unpack and analyse various elements of the theory that help to explain the success or failure of collective mobilization. In this article the authors review this literature and highlight the major areas of interest from the book – injustice, framing and leadership – and the contribution to industrial relations research. They find that the terms mobilizing and organizing are used interchangeably, which, they argue, is problematic and has led to confusion about what is actually happening in unions. Unpacking the difference between the two terms can help to explain limitations in the way mobilization theory has been used by scholars, and, at the same time, deepen our understanding of why unions have not been particularly successful in reversing their decline despite the ‘turn to organizing’ over the last few decades.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane Holgate & Melanie Simms & Maite Tapia, 2018. "The limitations of the theory and practice of mobilization in trade union organizing," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 39(4), pages 599-616, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:39:y:2018:i:4:p:599-616
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X18777608
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andy Hodder & Mark Williams & John Kelly & Nick McCarthy, 2017. "Does Strike Action Stimulate Trade Union Membership Growth?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 55(1), pages 165-186, March.
    2. Caroline Murphy & Thomas Turner, 2014. "Organising non-standard workers: union recruitment in the Irish care sector," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(5), pages 373-388, September.
    3. Paul Blyton & Jean Jenkins, 2013. "Mobilizing Protest: Insights from Two Factory Closures," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 51(4), pages 733-753, December.
    4. Nancy Brown Johnson & Paul Jarley, 2004. "Justice and Union Participation: An Extension and Test of Mobilization Theory," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 42(3), pages 543-562, September.
    5. Alex J. Wood, 2015. "Networks of injustice and worker mobilisation at Walmart," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(4), pages 259-274, July.
    6. Geraldine Healy & Gill Kirton, 2013. "The Early Mobilization of Women Union Leaders — A Comparative Perspective," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 51(4), pages 709-732, December.
    7. Peter Gahan & Andreas Pekarek, 2013. "Social Movement Theory, Collective Action Frames and Union Theory: A Critique and Extension," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 51(4), pages 754-776, December.
    8. Vidu Badigannavar & John Kelly, 2005. "Why Are Some Union Organizing Campaigns More Successful Than Others?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 43(3), pages 515-535, September.
    9. Donna M. Buttigieg & Stephen J. Deery & Roderick D. Iverson, 2008. "Union Mobilization: A Consideration of the Factors Affecting the Willingness of Union Members to Take Industrial Action," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 46(2), pages 248-267, June.
    10. Ana Lopes & Timothy Hall, 2015. "Organising migrant workers: the living wage campaign at the University of East London," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 208-221, May.
    11. Melanie Simms & Deborah Dean, 2015. "Mobilising contingent workers: An analysis of two successful cases," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 36(1), pages 173-190, February.
    12. Christian Lévesque & Gregor Murray, 2013. "Renewing Union Narrative Resources: How Union Capabilities Make a Difference," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 51(4), pages 777-796, December.
    13. Bob Carter, 2006. "Trade union organizing and renewal," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 20(2), pages 415-426, June.
    14. Christina Cregan & Timothy Bartram & Pauline Stanton, 2009. "Union Organizing as a Mobilizing Strategy: The Impact of Social Identity and Transformational Leadership on the Collectivism of Union Members," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 47(4), pages 701-722, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pratima Sambajee, 2025. "The moral economy of solidarity: A study of the 2017 hunger strike in Mauritius," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(1), pages 96-117, February.
    2. Lorenzo Frangi & Anthony C Masi & Bénédicte Poirier, 2023. "From Unwoven Societal Relationships to a Broad-Based Movement? Union Power in Societal Networks in Quebec (Canada)," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(5), pages 1377-1394, October.
    3. Lorenzo Frangi & Muhammad Umar Boodoo & Robert Hebdon, 2022. "Demobilised or dormant? Exploring pro-strike attitudes among employees who have never joined a strike," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(3), pages 1236-1259, August.
    4. Martin Beirne & Scott Hurrell & Fiona Wilson, 2019. "Mobilising for equality? Understanding the impact of grass roots agency and third party representation," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 41-56, January.
    5. Oriol Barranco & Oscar Molina, 2021. "Continuity and change in trade union frames: Evidence from general strikes in Spain," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 42(4), pages 1232-1253, November.
    6. Jack Fiorito & Irene Padavic, 2022. "Not so exceptional? Prosocial influences on union support among US workers," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(3), pages 1305-1318, August.
    7. Aslı Vatansever, 2023. "The Making of the Academic Precariat: Labour Activism and Collective Identity-Formation among Precarious Researchers in Germany," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(5), pages 1206-1225, October.
    8. Leon Gooberman & Marco Hauptmeier, 2023. "Union Coalitions and Strategic Framing: The Case of the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(5), pages 1226-1243, October.
    9. Sadık Kılıç, 2023. "Rethinking Mobilization Theory for Union Revitalization within the SSA Theory Framework," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(4), pages 1087-1098, August.

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