Record Details

The Knowledge Society and High Performance Workplace Systems: Enhancing 'Worker Voice'

Labour, Employment and Work in New Zealand

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Title The Knowledge Society and High Performance Workplace Systems: Enhancing 'Worker Voice'
 
Creator Cochrane, Bill
Law, Michael
 
Description This paper focuses on an aspect of the 'Future of Work ·. The introduction of high performance workplace systems (hpws) is, in genera/terms, consistent with the bro ad thrust of the 'knowledge society’ debate. The central thesis holds that the introduction of hpws has the potential 10 enhance 'worker voice, ‘especially in the context of a 'third way' political environment that fosters a more tripartite approach to industrial relations. The paper draws on several pieces of research, each of which has its own methodological approach. The discussion of the 'knowledge society’ debate and the 'third way' political context draws on policy analyses undertaken by Law and Piercy. The body of the paper is based on a survey by Law of union members engaged in a hpws in a large NZ daily factory. That research involved focus groups and a postal survey. Qualitative (write-in) responses were further analysed using a dynamic coding system developed by Law. The findings are consistent with the (US) work of Black and Lynch. With some qualifications, the introduction of hpws has enhanced worker participation. Active union involvement was a positive factor. For a proportion of union members, the introduction of hpws has had positive off-site effects.
 
Publisher Victoria University of Wellington
 
Date 2004-12-13
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Peer-reviewed Article
 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier https://ojs.victoria.ac.nz/LEW/article/view/1255
10.26686/lew.v0i0.1255
 
Source Labour, Employment and Work in New Zealand; 2004: Labour, Employment and Work in New Zealand
2463-2600
 
Language eng
 
Relation https://ojs.victoria.ac.nz/LEW/article/view/1255/1057