Trade unions and employment relations in the context of public sector change

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to study the impact of new types of market‐based management systems in Western European public sector industrial relations.Design/methodology/approachIt reviews the main literature on the topic and relevant policy texts.FindingsIt points to the different dimensions of public sector change in terms of industrial relations and outlines some of the contradictory outcomes and ongoing continuities.Research limitations/implicationsIt is a general overview of key developments.Practical implicationsIt is relevant for a discussion of the general trends and dynamic of public sector industrial relations.Originality/valueIt manages to take an overview of changes in the public sector and point to the uncertain development of a new market approach.