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Abstract

This paper briefly describes and explains a research trajectory that spans 25 years and provides some pointers for future research. Three sets of studies are addressed and organised thematically. The theme of the first research program is industrial conflict and accommodation, and the settings include strike-prone industries in Britain and Australia in the decade, 1973–83. The second set of studies addresses the theme of globalisation and the impact of multinational corporations on workplace relations. Relevant settings include countries in Africa, Europe and especially Asia in the period, 1994–2002. The third research program has the informational economy as its theme. This includes an emphasis on computer technology, services and knowledge work. The research focus is on workplace relations in customer-contact service firms, and in new industries such as biotechnology and software development that are particularly dependent on innovation.

Keywords

MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS WORKPLACE RELATIONS GLOBALISATION INFORMATIONAL ECONOMY CODES OF LABOUR PRACTICE KNOWLEDGE WORK SERVICE WORK

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Workplace Relations: Past,Present and Future

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