Comparative Employment Relations
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
Students will acquire knowledge of the structure of the field of employment relations and the nature of actors involved in this process across different countries, an understanding of the processes involved in employment relations and an overview of the future challenges
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to identify the major actors in the domain of employment relations, analyze their strategies and interests, identify the structural determinants of an employment system, and derive consequences for organizations and trade unions.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The course 'Comparative Employment Relations' (6 ECTS) provides an advanced - although concise - introduction to the broad field of employment and industrial relations in a comparative perspective.
It is composed of two modules, each corresponding to 3 ECTS.
MODULE 1
Aim of the first module is to achieve conceptual and analytical tools for the comparative study of employment and industrial relations, within a broader approach concerning the socio-economic regulation of industrialized democracies.
Topics will include:
- qualitative and quantitative methods for the study of employment and industrial relations;
- studying employment/industrial relations comparatively;
- a multi-level approach to employment/industrial relations;
- an introductory scheme: context, actors, methods, rules.
MODULE 2
Aim of the second module is to focus on trends and problems regarding employment and industrial relations in a number of European and non-European countries in a phase of intensified economic internationalization, to explore recent attempts to develop supranational forms of industrial relations, to discuss problems and challenges in the regulation of labour and employment that are emerging cross-nationally in the globalized economy.
Topics will include:
- patterns of employment/industrial relations in different European and non-European countries;
- European integration and the development of a European level of employment/industrial relations;
- multinational companies and the emergence of supranational/international levels of employment/industrial relations;
- organizing and representing migrant workers;
- the emergence, diffusion and regulation of atypical jobs and new forms of employment;
- the debate on the future of employment/industrial relations mediated collectively.
It is composed of two modules, each corresponding to 3 ECTS.
MODULE 1
Aim of the first module is to achieve conceptual and analytical tools for the comparative study of employment and industrial relations, within a broader approach concerning the socio-economic regulation of industrialized democracies.
Topics will include:
- qualitative and quantitative methods for the study of employment and industrial relations;
- studying employment/industrial relations comparatively;
- a multi-level approach to employment/industrial relations;
- an introductory scheme: context, actors, methods, rules.
MODULE 2
Aim of the second module is to focus on trends and problems regarding employment and industrial relations in a number of European and non-European countries in a phase of intensified economic internationalization, to explore recent attempts to develop supranational forms of industrial relations, to discuss problems and challenges in the regulation of labour and employment that are emerging cross-nationally in the globalized economy.
Topics will include:
- patterns of employment/industrial relations in different European and non-European countries;
- European integration and the development of a European level of employment/industrial relations;
- multinational companies and the emergence of supranational/international levels of employment/industrial relations;
- organizing and representing migrant workers;
- the emergence, diffusion and regulation of atypical jobs and new forms of employment;
- the debate on the future of employment/industrial relations mediated collectively.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites.
Attendance is compulsory.
Students are required to participate actively in all classes and prepare two power-point presentations - on topics chosen together with the responsible of the programme.
Any exception has to be previously discussed with the responsible of the programme.
Attendance is compulsory.
Students are required to participate actively in all classes and prepare two power-point presentations - on topics chosen together with the responsible of the programme.
Any exception has to be previously discussed with the responsible of the programme.
Teaching methods
Teaching will comprise lectures, discussions in plenary sessions and possibly in small groups, power-point presentations by groups of students.
Teaching Resources
General references:
- K. Sisson, 2010, Employment Relatrions Matter, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, available online on Ariel platform.
- G. J. Bamber, R.D. Lansbury and N. Wailes (eds.), 2011, International & Comparative Employment Relations. Globalisation and change, Sage, London
Other references:
- J. Waddington and R. Hoffmann (eds.), 2000, Trade Unions in Europe. Facing Challenges and Searching for Solutions, ETUI, Brussels, Introductory Chapter.
- I. Regalia, 2008, 'Towards multi-level governance in industrial relations: mapping the field', University of Milan, WTW Working paper, 2008/1 (available online on the Ariel platform).
- R. Hyman, Studying Industrial Relations Comparatively (available online on the Ariel platform).
- M. Piore and S. Safford, 2006, "Changing Regimes of Workplace Governance" (available online on the Ariel platform).
- I. Regalia, 2008, "Informal work and new forms of employment in Europe", (available online on the Ariel platform).
- C.M. Frege and J. Kelly, 2003, "Union Revitalization Strategies in Comparative Perspective", (available online on the Ariel platform).
Further material (reports, papers, etc.) will be provided by the responsible of the programme on the basis of need.
- K. Sisson, 2010, Employment Relatrions Matter, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, available online on Ariel platform.
- G. J. Bamber, R.D. Lansbury and N. Wailes (eds.), 2011, International & Comparative Employment Relations. Globalisation and change, Sage, London
Other references:
- J. Waddington and R. Hoffmann (eds.), 2000, Trade Unions in Europe. Facing Challenges and Searching for Solutions, ETUI, Brussels, Introductory Chapter.
- I. Regalia, 2008, 'Towards multi-level governance in industrial relations: mapping the field', University of Milan, WTW Working paper, 2008/1 (available online on the Ariel platform).
- R. Hyman, Studying Industrial Relations Comparatively (available online on the Ariel platform).
- M. Piore and S. Safford, 2006, "Changing Regimes of Workplace Governance" (available online on the Ariel platform).
- I. Regalia, 2008, "Informal work and new forms of employment in Europe", (available online on the Ariel platform).
- C.M. Frege and J. Kelly, 2003, "Union Revitalization Strategies in Comparative Perspective", (available online on the Ariel platform).
Further material (reports, papers, etc.) will be provided by the responsible of the programme on the basis of need.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students' performance in their active participation in classes and assigned tasks (power-point presentations) will be the basis of a preliminary assessment of their learning progress, accounting for about half the final mark.
The final evaluation of their individual work and achievements will be complemented by the results of a written test - comprising three questions requiring short open answers.
In some cases - to be preliminary authorized by the responsible of the programme - the test may be substituted with the preparation of a positional paper.
The final evaluation of their individual work and achievements will be complemented by the results of a written test - comprising three questions requiring short open answers.
In some cases - to be preliminary authorized by the responsible of the programme - the test may be substituted with the preparation of a positional paper.
SPS/09 - ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Regalia Ida
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Regalia IdaEducational website(s)