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Labor Unrest and Incipient Collective Bargaining in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2016

Sarosh Kuruvilla  and
Hao Zhang
Sarosh Kuruvilla*
Affiliation:
Cornell University, USA
Hao Zhang
Affiliation:
Cornell University, USA
*
Corresponding author: Sarosh Kuruvilla (sck4@cornell.edu)
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Abstract

In this paper, we argue that both labor unrest and collective bargaining are increasing in China. Using McAdam's political process theory, we argue that Chinese workers are striking more and offensively in support of their economic demands. We identify the state's interests in promoting collective bargaining, and through an analysis of union and employers’ organizations, attempt to predict the future trajectory of collective bargaining in China. Using new data about strikes, we confirm our argument that strikes in China are increasing. Based on very limited past and current research, we create a taxonomy of baseline collective bargaining in China against which future developments can be compared.

Keywords

collective bargainingemployment relationsstrikes
Type
Articles
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , March 2016 , pp. 159 - 187
Copyright
Copyright © The International Association for Chinese Management Research 2016 

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