Economic of Social Regulation of Global Workforce
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with a conceptual and analytical framework for understanding the main trends and problems affecting the regulation of labour in a context of intensified economic internationalisation. In so doing, the course introduces the basic concepts for the analysis of employment relations and their regulation, while at the same time focussing on key issues currently debated in employment relations research. The course also aims to address the impact of labour market institutions on economic performance, especially in the framework of the EU and the EMU and with particular attention to the shift from a Keynesian to a monetarist macro-economic regime.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will acquire knowledge and develop in-depth understanding of the systems of employment relations, the challenges they are exposed to and their current transformations, as well as the effects of these changes on patterns of labour market inequalities and economic performance. Students will learn how to critically apply such knowledge to the analysis of recent developments in labour and employment relations across Europe, the US, Japan and Australia. They will also acquire the ability to use the specific terminology of employment relations research and to critically examine employment relations issues.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
Topics will include:
1. an introduction to the main theoretical perspectives on comparative industrial relations
2. the characteristics and the role of industrial relations actors, including unions, employers and the state
3. the methods of industrial relations and their transformation over time
4. recent trends in industrial relations systems both at the national and at the global level
5. the implications of different institutions of industrial relations for employees and their organisations, as well as for macro-economic performance and inequalities
6. some aspects of the changing context in which industrial relations take place.
1. an introduction to the main theoretical perspectives on comparative industrial relations
2. the characteristics and the role of industrial relations actors, including unions, employers and the state
3. the methods of industrial relations and their transformation over time
4. recent trends in industrial relations systems both at the national and at the global level
5. the implications of different institutions of industrial relations for employees and their organisations, as well as for macro-economic performance and inequalities
6. some aspects of the changing context in which industrial relations take place.
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary competences are required
Teaching methods
Lectures, presentation by students and discussions in class on the proposed texts
Teaching Resources
A complete syllabus will be made available at the beginning of the course on the Ariel platform, together with a detailed reading list for attending students. The "weekly syllabus" will include a list of readings sub-divided for each topic/teaching week.
Readings for "non attending students" are the following. However, please, agree the reading list with Prof. Dorigatti in advance before the exam. Lecture slides are also additional material, but cannot substitute the readings.
Required readings
Comparative Industrial Relations: Dimensions, perspectives and theories
Wright. et al. (2021). Introduction: Internationally comparative approaches to studying employment relations. In International and Comparative Employment Relations. Global Crises and Institutional Responses. London: SAGE, pp. 1-27 (Chapter 1).
Doellgast, V. et al. (2021). Conclusions: Globalisation, Crises and institutional Responses. In International and Comparative Employment Relations. Global Crises and Institutional Responses. London: SAGE, pp. 1-27 (Chapter 1).
Trade unions and labour representation
Hyman, R. and Gumbrell McCormick, R. (2020). Collective representation at work: institutions and dynamics. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 215-238 (Chapter 11).
Ibsen, C. L., & Tapia, M. (2017). Trade union revitalisation: Where are we now? Where to next?. Journal of Industrial Relations, 59(2), 170-191.
Employers and employer organisations
Traxler, F. (2008), Employer organizations. In The SAGE Handbook of Industrial Relations. London: SAGE, pp. 225-240.
The state
Meardi, G. (2014), The state and employment relations, in The Oxford Handbook of Employment Relations, Oxford University Press: Oxford, pp. 617-636.
Howell, C. (2021), Rethinking the role of the state in employment research for a neoliberal era, Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 74(3): 739-772.
Collective bargaining
Doellgast, V. and Benassi, C. (2020) Collective bargaining. In Handbook of Research on Em-ployee Voice, Edward Elgar, pp. 239-258 (Chapter 14)
Marginson, P. (2015) Coordinated bargaining in Europe: From incremental corrosion to frontal assault? European Journal of Industrial Relations, 21(2): 97-114
Conflict at work and strikes
Gall, G. and Hebdon, R. (2008) Conflict at work. In The SAGE Handbook of Industrial Relations, London: SAGE, pp.
Corporatism, concertation and social pacts
Molina, O., Rhodes, M. (2002). Corporatism: The Past, Present, and Future of a Concept. Annu-al Review of Political Science 5:305-331
Baccaro, L. (2014). Similar Structures, Different Outcomes: Corporatism's Resilience and Transformation (1974-2005). Review of Keynesian Economics, 2(2): 207-233.
Industrial relations models and their evolution
Pedersini, R. (2014). European industrial relations between old and new trends. Stato e Mercato. 102: 341-368
Baccaro, L., & Howell, C. (2017). Arguing for Neoliberal Convergence, in Baccaro, L., & How-ell, C., Trajectories of neoliberal transformation: European industrial relations since the 1970s, pp. 6-25, Cambridge University Press.
Meardi, G. (2018), Economic Integration and State Responses: Change in European Industrial Relations since Maastricht, British Journal of Industrial Relations, 56(3): 631-655
The outcomes of industrial relations
Godard, J (2020) Work and employment practices in comparative perspective. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 117-138 (Chapter 7).
Mc Govern, P. (2020) Job quality, work intensity and working time: the experience of work In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 117-138 (Chapter 7).
Pedersini, R. and Dorigatti, L. (2021) Industrial relations and inequality: The many facets of a crucial relationship, Transfer 27(1): 11-27
Appelbaum, E. and Schmitt, J. (2013) Employment relations and economic performance. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 132-154.
The changing context of industrial relations
Kuruvilla, S. (2020) Globalization and employment relations. In Comparative Employment Re-lations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge (Chapter 3)
Marginson, P. (2020) Regional regulation: the EU, In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge (Chapter 12)
Degryse, C. (2016). Digitalisation of the economy and its impact on labour markets. ETUI: Bruxelles.
Industrial relations at transnational level
Fichter, M. (2020), International regulation. Standards and voluntary practices. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge (Chapter 13)
To these texts, three country cases from the following books need to be prepared (the selection of the cases needs to be agreed upon in advance with Prof. Dorigatti).
Bamber, G. et al. (2021) International and Comparative Employment Relations: Global Crises and Institutional Responses. London: SAGE
Frege, C. and Kelly, J. (2020) Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge.
Readings for "non attending students" are the following. However, please, agree the reading list with Prof. Dorigatti in advance before the exam. Lecture slides are also additional material, but cannot substitute the readings.
Required readings
Comparative Industrial Relations: Dimensions, perspectives and theories
Wright. et al. (2021). Introduction: Internationally comparative approaches to studying employment relations. In International and Comparative Employment Relations. Global Crises and Institutional Responses. London: SAGE, pp. 1-27 (Chapter 1).
Doellgast, V. et al. (2021). Conclusions: Globalisation, Crises and institutional Responses. In International and Comparative Employment Relations. Global Crises and Institutional Responses. London: SAGE, pp. 1-27 (Chapter 1).
Trade unions and labour representation
Hyman, R. and Gumbrell McCormick, R. (2020). Collective representation at work: institutions and dynamics. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 215-238 (Chapter 11).
Ibsen, C. L., & Tapia, M. (2017). Trade union revitalisation: Where are we now? Where to next?. Journal of Industrial Relations, 59(2), 170-191.
Employers and employer organisations
Traxler, F. (2008), Employer organizations. In The SAGE Handbook of Industrial Relations. London: SAGE, pp. 225-240.
The state
Meardi, G. (2014), The state and employment relations, in The Oxford Handbook of Employment Relations, Oxford University Press: Oxford, pp. 617-636.
Howell, C. (2021), Rethinking the role of the state in employment research for a neoliberal era, Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 74(3): 739-772.
Collective bargaining
Doellgast, V. and Benassi, C. (2020) Collective bargaining. In Handbook of Research on Em-ployee Voice, Edward Elgar, pp. 239-258 (Chapter 14)
Marginson, P. (2015) Coordinated bargaining in Europe: From incremental corrosion to frontal assault? European Journal of Industrial Relations, 21(2): 97-114
Conflict at work and strikes
Gall, G. and Hebdon, R. (2008) Conflict at work. In The SAGE Handbook of Industrial Relations, London: SAGE, pp.
Corporatism, concertation and social pacts
Molina, O., Rhodes, M. (2002). Corporatism: The Past, Present, and Future of a Concept. Annu-al Review of Political Science 5:305-331
Baccaro, L. (2014). Similar Structures, Different Outcomes: Corporatism's Resilience and Transformation (1974-2005). Review of Keynesian Economics, 2(2): 207-233.
Industrial relations models and their evolution
Pedersini, R. (2014). European industrial relations between old and new trends. Stato e Mercato. 102: 341-368
Baccaro, L., & Howell, C. (2017). Arguing for Neoliberal Convergence, in Baccaro, L., & How-ell, C., Trajectories of neoliberal transformation: European industrial relations since the 1970s, pp. 6-25, Cambridge University Press.
Meardi, G. (2018), Economic Integration and State Responses: Change in European Industrial Relations since Maastricht, British Journal of Industrial Relations, 56(3): 631-655
The outcomes of industrial relations
Godard, J (2020) Work and employment practices in comparative perspective. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 117-138 (Chapter 7).
Mc Govern, P. (2020) Job quality, work intensity and working time: the experience of work In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 117-138 (Chapter 7).
Pedersini, R. and Dorigatti, L. (2021) Industrial relations and inequality: The many facets of a crucial relationship, Transfer 27(1): 11-27
Appelbaum, E. and Schmitt, J. (2013) Employment relations and economic performance. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge, pp. 132-154.
The changing context of industrial relations
Kuruvilla, S. (2020) Globalization and employment relations. In Comparative Employment Re-lations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge (Chapter 3)
Marginson, P. (2020) Regional regulation: the EU, In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge (Chapter 12)
Degryse, C. (2016). Digitalisation of the economy and its impact on labour markets. ETUI: Bruxelles.
Industrial relations at transnational level
Fichter, M. (2020), International regulation. Standards and voluntary practices. In Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge (Chapter 13)
To these texts, three country cases from the following books need to be prepared (the selection of the cases needs to be agreed upon in advance with Prof. Dorigatti).
Bamber, G. et al. (2021) International and Comparative Employment Relations: Global Crises and Institutional Responses. London: SAGE
Frege, C. and Kelly, J. (2020) Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy. London: Routledge.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment for attending students
Class participation (10%) + class presentation and analysis of research article (20%) + mini-essay (70%)
Analysis of research article/country case
Attending students will present in class their analysis of one research article connected to the topics discussed during the course (see references in the schedule of lectures) or of one country case of a national industrial relations system (chosen among those analyzed in the books Bamber et al. 2021 and Frege and Kelly 2020), and they will write a report (around 1,000 words) on this analysis. The report has to be submitted by the deadline indicated for each exam session. Indications on the content and the structure of the analysis are reported in the document "Analyzing a journal article or a country case" posted on Ariel.
List of possible national cases: US, UK; France, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Italy, France, Denmark, South Korea.
Mini-essay
Attending student are asked to write one mini-essay (around 3,000 words each) in which they discuss one research problem emerging from the topics discussed in class. The essay topi needs to be agreed upon in advance with the lecturer. The essay's objective is to assess students' ability to collate and organise a wide variety of sources to address a specific debate and to encourage analysis/reflection upon key theoretical/conceptual dimensions of the discipline, whilst relating theory to processes and practices.
Essays will be evaluated on the basis of the clarity of the presentation of the topic, the capacity to draw on different resources to discuss the topic and to critically present concepts and theoretical perspectives, and of the appropriateness of the terminology you use.
The mini-essay should be submitted by email on the dates of the exam session, with the exception of the first exam session (mini-essay due on 13 April). Please, remember to enroll in the exam session in due time, otherwise I will not be able to register your vote.
Assessment for NON attending students
Sit-down exam (60 min) with open-ended questions on the reading list reported above (please, agree the reading list with Prof. Dorigatti in advance before the exam, especially with regards to the three country cases that need to be prepared).
Written answers are evaluated according to the following criteria: ability to respond in a focussed way to the question; capacity to provide a clear and exhaustive answer; proper utilisation of the relevant concepts; capacity to re-elaborate in an original and critical manner what the student has learnt. The final grade is in 30s and is communicated automatically through the registration system.
Class participation (10%) + class presentation and analysis of research article (20%) + mini-essay (70%)
Analysis of research article/country case
Attending students will present in class their analysis of one research article connected to the topics discussed during the course (see references in the schedule of lectures) or of one country case of a national industrial relations system (chosen among those analyzed in the books Bamber et al. 2021 and Frege and Kelly 2020), and they will write a report (around 1,000 words) on this analysis. The report has to be submitted by the deadline indicated for each exam session. Indications on the content and the structure of the analysis are reported in the document "Analyzing a journal article or a country case" posted on Ariel.
List of possible national cases: US, UK; France, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Italy, France, Denmark, South Korea.
Mini-essay
Attending student are asked to write one mini-essay (around 3,000 words each) in which they discuss one research problem emerging from the topics discussed in class. The essay topi needs to be agreed upon in advance with the lecturer. The essay's objective is to assess students' ability to collate and organise a wide variety of sources to address a specific debate and to encourage analysis/reflection upon key theoretical/conceptual dimensions of the discipline, whilst relating theory to processes and practices.
Essays will be evaluated on the basis of the clarity of the presentation of the topic, the capacity to draw on different resources to discuss the topic and to critically present concepts and theoretical perspectives, and of the appropriateness of the terminology you use.
The mini-essay should be submitted by email on the dates of the exam session, with the exception of the first exam session (mini-essay due on 13 April). Please, remember to enroll in the exam session in due time, otherwise I will not be able to register your vote.
Assessment for NON attending students
Sit-down exam (60 min) with open-ended questions on the reading list reported above (please, agree the reading list with Prof. Dorigatti in advance before the exam, especially with regards to the three country cases that need to be prepared).
Written answers are evaluated according to the following criteria: ability to respond in a focussed way to the question; capacity to provide a clear and exhaustive answer; proper utilisation of the relevant concepts; capacity to re-elaborate in an original and critical manner what the student has learnt. The final grade is in 30s and is communicated automatically through the registration system.
SPS/09 - ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Dorigatti Lisa
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Dorigatti LisaProfessor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 10.00-13.00, in person or remotely (on MS Teams)
Room 11, second floor (Conservatorio side)