Abstract:
Organisations are increasingly utilising computer based information systems to
manage their employment relations functions. Information is shared and
exchanged through internet and intranet sites in virtually all aspects of
employment relations. As access to information and participation in processes is
facilitated or denied, there would appear to be implications for Kerr's notion of
pluralistic industrialism; that is, a type of society in which power (or at least
influence) is shared formally or informally by a number of parties (Kerr. 1983).
By altering the nature of who has access to what information, the internet (and
intranets) may not only cause a shift in power between the traditional key
stakeholders in employment relations but may bring about quite fundamental and
significant changes in the membership of key stakeholders.
The aim of this paper is to identify the critical factors likely to determine the
impact of internet-based employment relations processes upon industrial
pluralism. The access of third parties to information concerning aspects of the
employment relationship in the context of the internet and its associated
technologies is explored. The direct nature of the transaction of information
between management and individuals is seen to potentially and significantly alter
the distribution of power between the parties. The barriers to entry into this
relationship between management and individual employees (or prospective
employees) for unions, government and other interested parties is discussed.
Finally, the implications of e-business for pluralistic industrialism are explored.
