Understanding Translation Work: The evolving interpretation of a trade union idea

Catherine Cassell,Bill Lee

doi:10.1177/0170840616670435

Catherine Cassell, Bill Lee

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840616670435

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Abstract

This paper uses data from a longitudinal, seven-year, cross-national study to explore the translation of a trade union idea. The aim of the paper is to examine and explicate the nature of the translation work undertaken to translate a trade union idea in a multi-organizational setting. In examining how the idea of the learning representative initiative was translated into the New Zealand context we draw upon a narrative analysis to reveal the complexities of the dynamic and ongoing translation of the idea and identify the nature of the translation work required. As such we contribute to the literature on the translation of ideas firstly by explicating the concept of real-time translation work in a novel empirical context, and secondly theoretically, by drawing attention to the distinctive characteristics of trade union translation work. In doing so we argue that translation work in this distinctive socio-political context requires ongoing vigilance and proprietorship of the idea by trade union actors and that such proprietorship is crucial in other cases where translators are coming from subordinate positions.

Highlights

There has been an enduring interest within the management and organization literature in the translation of ideas across sectors, organizations and countries (Czarniawska & Sevón, 1996, 2005; Frenkel, 2005a, 2008; Morris & Lancaster, 2006)
In examining how the idea of the learning representative initiative was translated into the New Zealand context, we draw upon a narrative analysis to reveal the complexities of the dynamic and ongoing translation of the idea and to identify the nature of the translation work required
In seeking to contribute to our understanding of the complexities associated with idea translation and to be able to identify what may be different when trade unions are translators, we explore the translation work by the different actors involved in the translation of the learning representative idea from the UK to the NZ context over a seven-year period

Summary

Introduction

There has been an enduring interest within the management and organization literature in the translation of ideas across sectors, organizations and countries (Czarniawska & Sevón, 1996, 2005; Frenkel, 2005a, 2008; Morris & Lancaster, 2006). In terms of understanding how ideas are translated and how the business of translation is conducted and understood, it is useful to consider other forms of organizations to those traditionally researched in the management and organization literature to see what can be learned about translation work in different organizational and field contexts. Blyton, Martinez Lucio, McGurk, & Turnbull, 2001; Turnbull & Wass, 2007) Given this context of globalization, unions are a interesting organizational form under-represented in the literature on the translation of ideas. Drawing attention to the translation work of groups who may be subordinate may offer us the opportunity to explicitly surface complex power relations within the translation process

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