Historical reflections on today’s Frames of Reference: insights from collective contracting in China (1949-1956)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study re-examines the Frames of Reference (FoR) concept in Employment Relations/Industrial Relations (EIR) studies, challenging its efficacy in the face of shifting world of work and advancing its development by leveraging historical accounts. Utilizing the case of collective contracting in China (1949–1956), we scrutinise its embedded values and approaches via Bray, Budd and Macneil’s Frames of Reference on Co-operation. Our findings suggest that these FoRs offer a more potent analytical lens compared to Fox’s trichotomous frames, underscoring the resonance of consultative unitarism and collaborative pluralism in state-owned and private sectors, respectively. While emphasising the importance of innovative constructs and terminology in contemporary EIR discourse, we advocate for greater attention to power dynamics within future FoR frameworks. Furthermore, this research affirms the vital role of historical insights in developing and refining FoR constructs. We encourage future research to integrate historical accounts further, promoting both horizontal and longitudinal comparisons, and enhancing theory generation in EIR. This study thus contributes to FoR literature by elucidating potential dimensions for future development and underscoring the enduring relevance of historical insights.