What are Chinese Unions Doing? Explaining Innovation & Change in Grassroots Unions

What are Chinese Unions Doing? Explaining Innovation & Change in Grassroots Unions PDF Author: Youqing Fan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
China's economic transition has, on the face of it, presented the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and its affiliated “grassroots” branches with a crisis similar to that experienced by unions in many other countries in the same period. Not only did membership decline, but the penetration of union organization fell dramatically. This crisis has typically been viewed as a symptom of the inherent weakness of Chinese unions in a state corporatist system. Over the last decade or so, however, the ACFTU, as well as grassroots movements, have sought to reinvigorate union organization and to realign its role in the workplace. In this paper, we report on case studies of grassroots unions innovations focused on both improving working conditions and developing a stronger represe ntational role. These developments, we suggest, present a puzzle: namely, how have Chinese unions managed to develop a more representational role associated with autonomous union movements, but in a systems where formally they remained subservient to the Party-State? This paper argues that this apparent puzzle can be explained by the role that grassroots unions play in supporting rank-and-file workers through representational functions. This role, we suggest, has created space for more autonomous action.

What are Chinese Unions Doing? Explaining Innovation & Change in Grassroots Unions

What are Chinese Unions Doing? Explaining Innovation & Change in Grassroots Unions PDF Author: Youqing Fan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
China's economic transition has, on the face of it, presented the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and its affiliated “grassroots” branches with a crisis similar to that experienced by unions in many other countries in the same period. Not only did membership decline, but the penetration of union organization fell dramatically. This crisis has typically been viewed as a symptom of the inherent weakness of Chinese unions in a state corporatist system. Over the last decade or so, however, the ACFTU, as well as grassroots movements, have sought to reinvigorate union organization and to realign its role in the workplace. In this paper, we report on case studies of grassroots unions innovations focused on both improving working conditions and developing a stronger represe ntational role. These developments, we suggest, present a puzzle: namely, how have Chinese unions managed to develop a more representational role associated with autonomous union movements, but in a systems where formally they remained subservient to the Party-State? This paper argues that this apparent puzzle can be explained by the role that grassroots unions play in supporting rank-and-file workers through representational functions. This role, we suggest, has created space for more autonomous action.

Union Revitalisation in the Chinese Context?An Evaluation of Unions in the Post-reform Era

Union Revitalisation in the Chinese Context?An Evaluation of Unions in the Post-reform Era PDF Author: Youqing Fan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 346

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Book Description
This thesis explores the question of whether union revitalisation/renewal theories can explain the union innovations underway in Chinese state-corporatist context. Chinese unions traditionally act as a 'two-way transmission belt' between the Chinese Communist Party and workers. As economic reform has progressed, however, this transmission belt role has been significantly compromised. A series of innovations were subsequently initiated by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and its regional offices to rebuild their transmission belt role. Rank-and-file activists have also sought to initiate changes from the bottom up. These developments, it is argued, can be viewed as analogous to union revitalisation initiatives that have been well researched in the Western countries. The thesis commenced with a review of union revitalisation/renewal literature, which revealed that there is no common definition of union revitalisation/renewal, and that researchers have identified divergent 'pathways' towards revitalisation/renewal. Moreover, revitalisation patterns appear to vary systematically among different national institutional contexts. The thesis makes a significant theoretical contribution by offering a synthesis of this literature and proposing a unified definition of union revitalisation/renewal, which incorporates the dimensions of union goals, organisational capacities and tactics.The thesis also explored the state-corporatist context where the official Chinese unions have evolved and operated. This context is argued to have produced a particular 'logic' of Chinese unionism which form an basis for understanding any revitalisation pattern that might be evident in China. This thesis explores this question using a multiple-case study method. Four union innovation cases in six Chinese cities were investigated. The study empirically examined the goals, organisational capacities and tactics of unions associated with these innovations drawing on documentary evidence, interviews with key informants (union officials, managers and workers), and direct observations. The thesis concludes that although these innovations resembled the characteristics associated with union revitalisation theories, they displayed some Chinese characteristics as well. However, there was considerable variation between those cases where innovation was initiated as a 'top-down' process by high level unions, compared with those innovations initiated as 'bottom-up' initiatives from activists. Nonetheless, all cases demonstrated that Chinese union innovations have primarily been directed towards re-establishing the transmission belt logic associated with unions prior to economic reform, which has constrained unions from actively addressing workers' collective interests and compelled them to act in ways intended to maintain political and social stability. This study also suggests that the 'bottom-up' initiatives demonstrated a more genuine prospect for Chinese union revitalisation. However, such circumstance will only be achieved when: workers actively push the unions to reform themselves to represent workers' collective interests; local Party-State endorses workers' demands; and upper level unions came down to represent workers' collective demands. Although this research has limitations in terms of the number and scope of the cases and interviewees investigated, it does contribute to union revitalisation literature in extending its scope to the unions in state-corporatist context. Furthermore, the thesis is also innovative in enriching the study of Chinese unions by identifying the particular conditions for the unions to fulfil their collective worker representation role.

Workers and Change in China

Workers and Change in China PDF Author: Manfred Elfstrom
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108831109
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 253

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Book Description
Rising labour unrest is changing Chinese governance from below; Elfstrom shows that this is occurring in unexpected and contradictory ways.

The Emerging Industrial Relations of China

The Emerging Industrial Relations of China PDF Author: William Arthur Brown
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107114411
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
An authoritative and accessible account by insiders of the tumultuous changes in the contemporary labour relations of China.

Game Changers in Labour Law

Game Changers in Labour Law PDF Author: Frank Hendrickx
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
ISBN: 9041199543
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 283

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Book Description
The renowned international labour law scholars contributing to this incomparable volume use the term ‘game changers’ to refer to evolutions, concepts, ideas and challenges that are having, or have had, major impacts on how we must understand and approach labour law in today’s global economy. The volume derives from an international conference organized by the Institute for Labour Law at the University of Leuven, Belgium in November 2017. This initiative is pursued in the spirit and with the methods of the late Emeritus Professor Roger Blanpain (1932–2016), a great reformer who continuously searched for key challenges in the world of work and looked as far as possible into the future, engaging in critical reflection and rethinking the design of labour law. While seeking to identify the main game changers, the authors explore new pathways and answers which may help to understand and shape the future of work. This is the 100th of Kluwer’s Bulletin of Comparative Labour Relations, a series Professor Blanpain launched nearly fifty years ago. The contributors address, and reflect on, such vital issues and topics as the following: – the ‘gig’ economy; – core labour law values; – freedom of association; – non-standard employment; – the rise of the service sector; – employment and self-employment; – the European Pillar of Social Rights; – app-based work; – algorithms as controls in the workplace; – collective bargaining rights and the right to strike; – the role of temporary employment agencies; and – termination of the employment relationship. There are also chapters devoted to specific issues in France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Estonia, China and the United States. Roger Blanpain consistently reminded us that labour relations are power relations. Although this book shows that the power balance is tipped towards employers in today’s world, what is nevertheless very clear is that labour law can play a crucial role in re-enlivening equitable outcomes, fairness, decent work and social justice in our contemporary and future societies, and that academia can help to understand, guide and shape that future. For this reason, this book will be invaluable to professionals in labour relations, whether in the academic, policy or legal communities.

Making Of An Economic Superpower, The: Unlocking China's Secret Of Rapid Industrialization

Making Of An Economic Superpower, The: Unlocking China's Secret Of Rapid Industrialization PDF Author: Yi Wen
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814733741
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
The rise of China is no doubt one of the most important events in world economic history since the Industrial Revolution. Mainstream economics, especially the institutional theory of economic development based on a dichotomy of extractive vs. inclusive political institutions, is highly inadequate in explaining China's rise. This book argues that only a radical reinterpretation of the history of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the West (as incorrectly portrayed by the institutional theory) can fully explain China's growth miracle and why the determined rise of China is unstoppable despite its current 'backward' financial system and political institutions. Conversely, China's spectacular and rapid transformation from an impoverished agrarian society to a formidable industrial superpower sheds considerable light on the fundamental shortcomings of the institutional theory and mainstream 'blackboard' economic models, and provides more-accurate reevaluations of historical episodes such as Africa's enduring poverty trap despite radical political and economic reforms, Latin America's lost decades and frequent debt crises, 19th century Europe's great escape from the Malthusian trap, and the Industrial Revolution itself.

Global Trends 2040

Global Trends 2040 PDF Author: National Intelligence Council
Publisher: Cosimo Reports
ISBN: 9781646794973
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
"The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic marks the most significant, singular global disruption since World War II, with health, economic, political, and security implications that will ripple for years to come." -Global Trends 2040 (2021) Global Trends 2040-A More Contested World (2021), released by the US National Intelligence Council, is the latest report in its series of reports starting in 1997 about megatrends and the world's future. This report, strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, paints a bleak picture of the future and describes a contested, fragmented and turbulent world. It specifically discusses the four main trends that will shape tomorrow's world: - Demographics-by 2040, 1.4 billion people will be added mostly in Africa and South Asia. - Economics-increased government debt and concentrated economic power will escalate problems for the poor and middleclass. - Climate-a hotter world will increase water, food, and health insecurity. - Technology-the emergence of new technologies could both solve and cause problems for human life. Students of trends, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists and anyone eager for a glimpse into the next decades, will find this report, with colored graphs, essential reading.

Routledge Handbook of Chinese Business and Management

Routledge Handbook of Chinese Business and Management PDF Author: Jane Nolan
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 0429829191
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 414

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Book Description
This handbook, representing the collaboration of 36 scholars, provides a multi-faceted exploration of Chinese business and management. The volume represents an ‘inside-out’ perspective, offering local knowledge and experience, in conjunction with an ‘outside-in’ approach, presenting measured and sensitive observations from an outsider’s perspective. The handbook’s approach is organised around five key themes: Cultural and institutional contexts for business in China Management, including digital marketing and entrepreneurship Work and employment, covering gender and trade unions in the workplace Human resource management and human resource development in Chinese businesses, including multinational corporations in the UK Business and economic overviews, revealing the impact of guanxi relations and networks on Chinese business and management Revealing major recent developments in Chinese business and management alongside an appreciation of the unique historical, institutional, and cultural context of Chinese business and management, this book is a must-read for scholars, students, and educators of Chinese business and theory, and business in Asia.

Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Culture and Local Development

Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Culture and Local Development PDF Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
ISBN: 9264009914
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
This publication highlights the impact of culture on local economies and the methodological issues related to its identification.

Grassroots Innovation Movements

Grassroots Innovation Movements PDF Author: Adrian Smith
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 131745118X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
Innovation is increasingly invoked by policy elites and business leaders as vital for tackling global challenges like sustainable development. Often overlooked, however, is the fact that networks of community groups, activists, and researchers have been innovating grassroots solutions for social justice and environmental sustainability for decades. Unencumbered by disciplinary boundaries, policy silos, or institutional logics, these ‘grassroots innovation movements’ identify issues and questions neglected by formal science, technology and innovation organizations. Grassroots solutions arise in unconventional settings through unusual combinations of people, ideas and tools. This book examines six diverse grassroots innovation movements in India, South America and Europe, situating them in their particular dynamic historical contexts. Analysis explains why each movement frames innovation and development differently, resulting in a variety of strategies. The book explores the spaces where each of these movements have grown, or attempted to do so. It critically examines the pathways they have developed for grassroots innovation and the challenges and limitations confronting their approaches. With mounting pressure for social justice in an increasingly unequal world, policy makers are exploring how to foster more inclusive innovation. In this context grassroots experiences take on added significance. This book provides timely and relevant ideas, analysis and recommendations for activists, policy-makers, students and scholars interested in encounters between innovation, development and social movements.