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Institutional Logics and Low Skills: The Case of the Private Security Sector in Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Soon Joo Gog

    (SkillsFuture, Singapore)

  • Johnny Sung

    (Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore)

  • David N Ashton

    (University of Leicester, UK)

Abstract

This article introduces the concept of institutional logics to provide a more adequate understanding of the interaction between firms and the institutions within an economy that impact on skills and pay. We argue that the most prominent institutionalist approaches suffer from a number of major weaknesses that have contributed towards the failure of policy initiatives derived from them. We then demonstrate how developments in relational sociology offer the promise of remedying these deficiencies. The case of the private security services sector in Singapore, which has suffered from low skills and low pay, is then used to illustrate how this new approach, highlighting the institutional logics of the sector, can provide a more productive approach to policy in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Soon Joo Gog & Johnny Sung & David N Ashton, 2018. "Institutional Logics and Low Skills: The Case of the Private Security Sector in Singapore," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 32(6), pages 1029-1043, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:32:y:2018:i:6:p:1029-1043
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017017719830
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    References listed on IDEAS

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