Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a critical examination of industrial relations in Denmark.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is based upon available data and a mixture of Marxist theory and systems theory. The theoretical position is discussed in relation to the academic discourses on the main characteristics of Danish industrial relations and provides a review of the foundation and historical development of the Danish system.FindingsFrom this basis, it is analysed how the stagnation or decline has taken place in recent years regarding representation of workers’ interest as well as the ability of the Danish system to maintain its key importance when challenged by decentralisation, decreasing union affiliation rates, cuts in unemployment insurance and social dumping due to labour migration.Originality/valueIt is an original paper which offers a critical analysis of the institutional decline and increasing inequality that are the result of the liberalist political-economic hegemony.
Highlights
All in all it can be concluded that the free movement of labour and the increased competition for jobs in the Single European Market, as well as problematic pieces of regulation such as the Laval ruling, has made it more difficult for the organised industrial relations parties to keep everybody under the umbrella of “the Danish model”
The stronger competition in the various labour markets – especially building and construction, road transport, agriculture and foresting, and cleaning in hotels and restaurants – may have been an important factor for keeping wage increases down, and the increase in the number of workers working under sub-standard conditions is a challenge to a system which otherwise has proven quite resilient through the era of globalisation
The difference from and may be that during the 1950s and the period following the Second World War workers believed in the progress and the expanding social security of the welfare state
Summary
Citation for published version (APA): Lind, J., & Knudsen, H. General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: www.emeraldinsight.com/0142-5455.htm
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