Abstract:
Organisations are increasingly utilising computer based information
systems to manage their employment relations junctions. 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 societv 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.
