Will Unionism Prosper in Cyberspace? The Promise of the Internet for Employee Organization

Diamond, Wayne J.; Freeman, Richard B.

doi:10.1111/1467-8543.00247

Cited by 96 publications

(137 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…26-31). Over time, the voice of employees is growing increasingly direct, rather than representative, as industrial relations by-passes intermediate institutions and, instead, management and employees communicate directly and often individually with one another (Freeman, 2001). This tendency builds on the finding of Machin, reported in Table 2, about the difference between new and old workplaces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dinosaurs in Cyberspace?

Ward¹,

Lusoli²

2003

European Journal of Communication

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The diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has led to speculation about the role and health of traditional representative organizations such as trade unions (TUs). The arrival of the Internet has heightened debate about TUs' representative and participatory functions. Some have argued that increasing use of ICTs will further undermine the role of TUs in favour of different forms of participation. Alternatively, there has been interest in the notion of e-unions, where ICTs are harnessed to reinvigorate and modernize union practices. Still further, radicals have argued that ICTs have the potential to decentralize power within hierarchical union structures, enhancing participation. Drawing on content analysis of TUs' websites, a union ICT questionnaire survey and elite interview data, this article examines these scenarios in the context of British unionism.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dinosaurs in Cyberspace?

Ward¹,

Lusoli²

2003

European Journal of Communication

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“…Instead, he argues, unions should learn from free software projects and social networks (see Klotz, 2008). A similar argument was put forward by Diamond and Freeman (2002) in their article on unionism in cyberspace, where they claim that the use of the Internet challenges Michel's "iron law of oligarchy" with regard to the organizational forms of modern unions and enhances union democracy. This is due to the broader access of union members to information on union meetings and policies and members' opportunity to communicate their views about these policies.…”

Section: German Trade Unions Caught Between "Author's Right" and Cultmentioning

confidence: 73%

Knowledge Work and Intellectual Property Rights: New Challenges for Trade Unions

Lücking¹,

Pernicka²

2009

Journal of Workplace Rights

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In a society where knowledge has become the main factor of production, intellectual property rights are an important issue in social conflicts. However, in the current debate about the reform of intellectual property (IP) law, the trade unions are playing hardly any role, although the new regulations have an impact on employed and self-employed workers as well as on the power relationship of labor and capital. This article is intended to provide a theoretical discussion of IP law issues in the context of labor market changes. Using the example of software production, the article raises two questions: What kinds of strategies does management apply to control and exploit knowledge workers? How do software patents and free software practices affect their workplace rights? The article deals with these issues on the European Union (EU) and the national level by focusing on the role and behavior of German and Austrian unions. Although these unions have become increasingly aware of the impact of IP law, they are struggling to find a common position that is fitted to defend the rights of their highly skilled (potential) members. We conclude that unions should refrain from a blind adherence to strong intellectual property rights. They should rather contribute to the creation of a new balance between free access to knowledge and culture and the protection of the individual rights of workers.

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“…With the development of information and communication technologies, the function of bridge task among society and institutions of many traditional organizations like political parties, loses its importance (Diamond,Freeman;2002:569).…”

Section: Is There Any Challange Expecting Traditional Organizations?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The latter favors the view that the opportunity, that a change process whereby union practices are modernized and revived is lived, has emerged (Diamond,Freeman;2002:570). In this context, the terms of "eunion", "cyberunion" are being discussed.…”

Section: Is There Any Challange Expecting Traditional Organizations?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the views which point out that these technologies affect the trade union movement positively, internet and web carry out a bridge task between the workforce, whose individual dimension gets stronger and variety increases, and collective movement and solidarity (Diamond, Freeman;2002:570).…”

Section: Is There Any Challange Expecting Traditional Organizations?mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Turkish Trade Unions and The Internet-Web Use: Challanges And Opportunities For Union Survival

Selamoğlu¹

2006

ISGUC

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Will Unionism Prosper in Cyberspace? The Promise of the Internet for Employee Organization

Cited by 96 publications

References 8 publications

Dinosaurs in Cyberspace?

Dinosaurs in Cyberspace?

Knowledge Work and Intellectual Property Rights: New Challenges for Trade Unions

Turkish Trade Unions and The Internet-Web Use: Challanges And Opportunities For Union Survival

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