Instrumental Rationality and European Integration: Transfer or Avoidance of Industrial Relations Institutions in Central and Eastern Europe?

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Vickerstaff ◽  
John E.M. Thirkell
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
European Integration ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Instrumental Rationality

scholarly journals Crisis and opportunity: Varieties of capitalism and varieties of crisis responses in Estonia and Slovenia

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Feldmann
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Varieties Of Capitalism ◽  
Wage Bargaining ◽  
Progressive Politics ◽  
Social Council ◽  
Crisis Responses

A growing literature has analysed capitalist institutions in Slovenia and Estonia, two countries often viewed as representing very different varieties of capitalism in Central and Eastern Europe. Slovenia has been unique in the region, given its highly centralized wage bargaining and the importance of corporatist institutions, notably the tripartite Economic and Social Council; it is thus an exception to the general pattern of weak unions and ‘illusory corporatism’ across the region. By contrast, Estonia is commonly viewed as a prime example of a liberal market economy, in which industrial relations are decentralized. This article analyses how these distinctive institutional configurations have shaped the two countries’ responses to the global economic crisis beginning in 2007–2008. It explores whether these institutions have undergone changes as a result of the crisis, and also seeks to identify lessons from this experience for the future prospects for corporatism and tripartism, and also for the revitalization of trade unions and progressive politics in Central and Eastern Europe more generally.

The Community Trap: Liberal Norms, Rhetorical Action, and the Eastern Enlargement of the European Union

2001 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Schimmelfennig
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
European Integration ◽  
Bargaining Power ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
The State ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eastern Enlargement ◽  
Bargaining Process ◽  
Rhetorical Action

The decision of the European Union to expand to Central and Eastern Europe is a puzzle for rationalist intergovernmentalism. This approach to the study of European integration accounts for most of the preferences of the state actors and many characteristics of the intergovernmental bargaining process but fails to explain why it resulted in the opening of accession negotiations. I introduce the mechanism of rhetorical action in order to show how the supporters of enlargement succeeded in overcoming the superior material bargaining power of their opponents. Through the strategic use of arguments based on the liberal norms of the European international community, the “drivers” caught the “brakemen” in the community trap and, step by step, shamed them into acquiescing in Eastern enlargement.

Laboratories of the new Europe: trade unions, employee interest representation and participation in foreign investment enterprises in central and eastern Europe

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-591
Author(s):  
Eckhard Voss
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
New Member States ◽  
Interest Representation ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Foreign Investment Enterprises

This article examines a number of aspects of the industrial relations practices of foreign investors in central and eastern Europe, focusing on trade union structures, employee interest representation, and consultation and social dialogue at the company level. Based on evidence from selected companies in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, the paper argues that the experiences of multinational companies with regard to employee interest representation and shop-floor trade unionism should be regarded as ‘laboratories of learning processes' which are not only having an impact on the ongoing transformation of industrial relations and corporate cultures in the new Member States but also on the whole of Europe, most notably the future shape of institutionalised employee participation.

scholarly journals Global Access and Local Support to the Processes of European Integration in Central and Eastern Europe Through Global Networking

1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Dusan Soltes
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
European Integration ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Local Support ◽  
Global Access

Global Access and Local Support to the Processes of European Integration in Central and Eastern Europe Through Global Networking

Looking for European solutions. Trade unions in Central and Eastern Europe striving for cross-border solidarity

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-323
Author(s):  
Jan Czarzasty ◽  
Sławomir Adamczyk ◽  
Barbara Surdykowska
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Common Interest ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Uncertain Future

This article deals with the dilemmas faced by trade unions from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in the context of their relations with western European (EU-15) unions and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The issue of cross-border solidarity is re-examined, taking into account its historical meanings as well as current developments under the pressures of globalisation and EU integration. The article analyses key factors affecting East–West trade union relations – different views within the ETUC, discontinuities in European social dialogue, challenges faced by European works councils and the uncertain future of transnational company agreements. Major dilemmas CEE unions cope with vis-à-vis their western counterparts are outlined. The question of how to achieve a common interest platform for trade unions from Central and Eastern Europe and from western Europe is raised, followed by a suggestion that ‘downward convergence’ in industrial relations is bringing the two regions closer.

Industrial relations in Central and Eastern Europe

2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lothar Funk ◽  
Hagen Lesch
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Industrial Relations
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