The Dynamics of Workplace Relations in Small Firms

Abstract

Monders Ram s a senior lecture in the mangment departmetn of birmingham polytechnc england, He has extensive experence f the west midlands clothing sector, having worked in the industry and undertaken research iinthe field. thsi paper explroes thedynamics of workplace relations in small firms. case study materialfrom clothing firms in the West midlands is used to demonstrate that work place relations in small firms are neither harmonius not autocratcs. Even in this msot competitive of ndusttriies it s not simply a question of mangerial autocracy. there is alwasy negotiation of order which, in tthe case of the west mdlands clothiing industry includes thedimesnion of ethnicity. conventional views of the clothing industry which stress the prevalence of tight managerial cnttrol, intensive pace oof woork nad strick discipline are questioned n the light of the case study evidence.

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