Employee Relations: An International Journal

Alan Williams

1994 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459410073951

Looks at human resource management (HRM) and in particular how it is used in Mexican literature. Also examines the Thatcherite approach, with regard to declining international competitiveness, in seeking labour market reforms to try and realign competitiveness from Asian economies. Labour market flexibility (LMF) and strategic human resource management (SHRM) are posited as having strategic roles in off‐setting employers′ attempts to discard traditional means of collective labour market regulations.

Ian Brough

1994 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459410073960

Evidence indicates that the distribution of performance‐related pay (PRP) schemes among manual workers is limited and has increased at a much slower rate than with non‐manual workers. Case study evidence from firms with manual PRP schemes is used to investigate this. A successful PRP scheme for manual workers is likely to demand a very careful introduction. Successful operation of a manual PRP scheme is only likely if the organizational culture changes at the same time, or if it is part of a wider process of performance management.

Philip James

1994 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459410073979

Reviews current and proposed European Union requirements relating to workforce consultation and considers their implications for present British systems of employee representation. Attention is drawn to several areas – transfers of undertakings, collective redundancies and health and safety at work. A number of potential difficulties associated with trade union representation under proposed European legislation are also highlighted. More generally, identifies a clear tension between the philosophy of worker representation embodied in European directives and the union‐based arrangements widely used in Britain.

Alison Balchin

1994 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459410073988

Draws on a small research study undertaken in the retail industry, providing a very timely consideration of the choices and circumstances of those who work on a part‐time basis. Considers the reasons given by workers for choosing part‐time work, the costs involved and the extent to which part‐time workers are aware of these when making their decision. The research considers the role of trade unions in enhancing awareness of legal entitlements in view of the recent House of Lords ruling.

Teresa Holmes; Sue Cartwright

1994 Employee Relations: An International Journal

doi: 10.1108/01425459410073997

The research summarized focuses on the career change experiences of managers and professionals over the ages of 35. An initial pilot study was conducted and formed the basis of a questionnaire which was distributed to a sample of successful and unsuccessful career changers. In addition, a third group of participants were tracked for six months as they pursued a career change. In seeking to identify the key factors predictive of a successful mid‐career change, the research findings suggest that this is linked to three variables. Age itself did not emerge as a major explanatory variable.