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Speaking of Contradiction

Author

Listed:
  • Geraint Harvey

    (University of Birmingham, UK)

  • Peter Turnbull

    (University of Bristol, UK)

  • Daniel Wintersberger

    (University of Birmingham, UK)

Abstract

Whereas McGovern calls for a moratorium on the ever increasing (ab)use of the word ‘contradiction’, principally because scholars of work and employment fail to connect different levels of analysis and/or demonstrate how and why contradiction(s) lead to widespread instability and upheaval, it can be demonstrated how both can be achieved through the ‘system, society, dominance’ framework. In what follows, the empirical focus is on the safety-critical work of airport ground service providers (GSPs), where key elements of the employment relationship embody contradictions that can be traced to the (sub-)system (mode of production) of a Single European Aviation Market (SEAM) that is now dominated by low fares airlines (LFAs). Instead of a moratorium, scholars of work and employment need to reconnect with society and theoretically ground their analysis in a (capitalist) system beset with contradictions between the forces and relations of production.

Suggested Citation

  • Geraint Harvey & Peter Turnbull & Daniel Wintersberger, 2019. "Speaking of Contradiction," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 33(4), pages 719-730, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:33:y:2019:i:4:p:719-730
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017018759204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:bla:jcmkts:v:48:y:2010:i::p:1127-1147 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. McGovern, Patrick, 2014. "Contradictions at work: a critical review," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 45188, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Jill Rubery & Fang Lee Cooke & Jill Earnshaw & Mick Marchington, 2003. "Inter‐organizational Relations and Employment in a Multi‐employer Environment," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 41(2), pages 265-289, June.
    4. Michael Barry & Adrian Wilkinson, 2016. "Pro-Social or Pro-Management? A Critique of the Conception of Employee Voice as a Pro-Social Behaviour within Organizational Behaviour," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(2), pages 261-284, June.
    5. Bob Russell & Chris Smith & Raffaella Valsecchi & Monica Andersson Bäck, 2017. "System, society and dominance effects in the adoption of tele-health: A tri-country comparison," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 38(3), pages 425-447, August.
    6. Malighetti, Paolo & Paleari, Stefano & Redondi, Renato, 2016. "Base abandonments by low-cost carriers," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 234-244.
    7. Alan Dobson, 2010. "Civil Aviation and European Integration: Creating the Seemingly Impossible SEAM," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(4), pages 1127-1147, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

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