The Employment Relationship, Control and Strategic Choice in the Study of Industrial Relations

Abstract

This paper outlines an approach to the study of industrial relations which is centred on three elements—the employment relationship, control and strategic choice. The paper suggests that the employment relationship is an appropriate focus for the study of industrial relations and explores its economic, legal and social dimensions. The parties' motivations are characterized in terms of seeking control over the relationship and the paper discusses various aspects of control, consent, conflict and co-operation which are all found within the operation of the employment relationship. Finally, a framework for an analysis of the parties' exercise of strategic choice is proposed to introduce a dynamic perspective to the approach.