What are industrial relations?
Industrial relations describe the relationship between employers and employees, their organised interest groups (employer associations, chambers of commerce, chambers of labour and trade unions), and the state. The study of industrial relations encompasses research on employment relations and collective bargaining between employers and workers at different levels. It also includes the membership and internal workings of employer and worker organisations, and these organisations’ involvement in the development and implementation of public policies through social dialogue.
Why is research on industrial relations important?
Collective wage bargaining and social dialogue can contribute to economic growth, social progress, the improvement of labour standards, and the protection of workers’ rights, but both processes are under pressure as trade unions and employer organisations remain underdeveloped in many places. For example, workers in new forms of work like platform work or migrant workers are less likely to be trade union members, even though their risk of being exploited is particularly high.
Industrial relations research helps companies, workers, their collective organisations, and state actors in identifying and removing obstacles to effective collective bargaining and social dialogue.
What do we offer?
We use qualitative and quantitative methods to work for and with social partner organisations at the sectoral, national, and transnational level on projects including
