Changing industrial relations in the Swedish public sector: New tensions within the old framework of corporatism

Purpose - This paper aims to provide an overview of changes in the context of the Swedish public sector. Design/methodology/approach - It reviews the main literature on the topic and relevant policy texts. Findings - In short, even though the last decade and a half has been a most turbulent period i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The International journal of public sector management 2007-01, Vol.20 (1), p.16-33
Main Author: Thornqvist, Christer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Capitalism
Changes
Collective bargaining
Corporatism
Education
Employees
Employment
Females
Gender
Industrial relations
Industrial relations - Sweden
Labor market
Labor relations
Labor unions
Liberalism
Monetary policy
Neoliberalism
Public sector
Public sector organizations
Strikes
Studies
Sweden
Sweden - Public sector
White collar workers
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:Purpose - This paper aims to provide an overview of changes in the context of the Swedish public sector. Design/methodology/approach - It reviews the main literature on the topic and relevant policy texts. Findings - In short, even though the last decade and a half has been a most turbulent period in the history of the Swedish public sector, with its peak in two great strikes, the framework has remained substantially intact. Swedish path dependency has been so strong that the system has largely survived; it has moved towards 'organized decentralization', but it has not dissolved. It is probable that the end of that move has not yet been seen; the Swedish system is still transforming. Research limitations/implications - It is a general overview of key developments. Practical implications - It is relevant for a discussion of the general trends and dynamic of public sector industrial relations in Sweden. Originality/value - This article manages to take an overview and point to the uncertain development of a new market approach.
ISSN:0951-3558
1758-6666
1758-6666
DOI:10.1108/09513550710722689