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The union default: Increasing union membership by facilitating the experience of unionism and overcoming the role of inertia

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Harcourt

    (Department of Strategy and HRM, Waikato Management School, University of Waikato, New Zealand)

  • Gregor Gall

    (CERIC, Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, UK)

  • Margaret Wilson

    (Faculty of Law, University of Waikato, New Zealand)

Abstract

By understanding both the role of unions as an ‘experience good’ and the place of inertia in contributing to the prevalence of non-unionism, this article suggests that a union default could have a major impact in recruiting new members. Drawing upon a sub-sample of non-union workers in unionised workplaces from a study conducted in New Zealand, the authors show that a significant minority would stay in membership and support a union default. These results have positive implications for understanding how to shape the preferences of non-union workers in union and non-union workplaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Harcourt & Gregor Gall & Margaret Wilson, 2025. "The union default: Increasing union membership by facilitating the experience of unionism and overcoming the role of inertia," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(4), pages 986-1001, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:46:y:2025:i:4:p:986-1001
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X241272968
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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