English

Oladeinde Olusegun

doi:10.5897/ajbm2014.7617

Abstract

This Paper evaluates the normative assumptions of participation and joint consultation in an Oil Refinery, Nigeria, in the context of work re-organisation. In response to heightened operating challenges in the Oil Industry, Management and Labour in the corporation have adopted a new approach to labour relations in the corporation; Joint Consultative Council (JCC) has emerged as institutional framework to cope with the emerging challenges. However, evidence from the study suggests that these are not without implications for both the workers and the unions. Drawing on extensive in situ observation and ethnographic study of the refinery, in Nigeria, the paper evaluates how the workers re-articulated their interests, as something different from the management’s normative assumptions. This paper explores the impact and implications of new forms of “co-operative” working relations, not only on workers and their lived-work experiences in the corporation, but also on the unions. It provides an evaluation of evidence and empirical findings that offer an understanding of processes and outcomes of “social partnership” in the refinery. The study, which was essentially theory-led analysis and context-based evaluations, drew largely from Labour Process conceptual remit. Key words: Interests mediation, management, social partnership, labour process, workers sense-making. &nbsp

Highlights

In utilizing much of the theoretical strands within labour process analysis, this article accounts for social partnership model, (Lucio and Stuart 2004, 2005, 2007; Oxenbridge and Brown, 2004), in making explanations for ‘actors motives’ of interests, the processes and the assumed benefits of “co-operative relations” in the context of workplace regimes, and organisational restructuring
This Paper evaluates the normative assumptions of participation and joint consultation in an Oil Refinery, Nigeria, in the context of work re-organisation
In response to heightened operating challenges in the Oil Industry, Management and Labour in the corporation have adopted a new approach to labour relations in the corporation; Joint Consultative Council (JCC) has emerged as institutional framework to cope with the emerging challenges

Summary

Olusegun Oladeinde

This Paper evaluates the normative assumptions of participation and joint consultation in an Oil Refinery, Nigeria, in the context of work re-organisation. Drawing on extensive in situ observation and ethnographic study of the refinery, in Nigeria, the paper evaluates how the workers re-articulated their interests, as something different from the management’s normative assumptions. This paper explores the impact and implications of new forms of “co-operative” working relations, on workers and their lived-work experiences in the corporation, and on the unions. It provides an evaluation of evidence and empirical findings that offer an understanding of processes and outcomes of “social partnership” in the refinery.

INTRODUCTION

CONCEPTUAL UNDERPINNING

Research context

Conclusion