Sociology

Industrial relations define the existing relationship between employees and employers. Industrial relations however encompass a wider scope of relationships since it also looks into the triangular relationship between employers, employees, and the government. It presents the wider view of the relationships in the industrial players and the government. Industrial relations have been important for continued existence of a strong workforce representation which has ensured that workers issues are taken care of. However, the nature of industrial relations has been changing with time owing to the emerging trends in labor management. From strong labor movement of the first half of twentieth century, most countries have witnessed the formation and growth of the human resource management which is acting as the main intermediary body between the workers and the management.
A review of the earlier industrial relations shows that there was uniformity in geographical industrial relations. The nature of representation in most countries was almost alike although it differed with the nature of industries. However, this has changed over the years and current research shows that industrial relations greatly vary with localities. There has been a great change in local representations which has been due to the changing nature of economy and industrial growth. Industrial relationship is greatly changing especially with advent of modern technology which has overturned means of communication.

Research findings shows that there is a changing nature of industrial relations which vary with geographically with locations. Some localities have more representation than others while others are well organized by others. Some localities have shown a greater pattern in industrial alignment compared to other localities. This has been contributed by different factors. One of the main factors that have contributed to this changing pattern of industrial relationship has been realignment in industrial growth and development. For example in Britain it has been observed that there is difference in industrial representation between localities with traditional industries like textile and others compared to localities which have modern service oriented industries.  This means that difference in occupation in different localities brings about difference in industrial relations since industrial relations adopted in one industrial occupation may be quite difference from that adopted by another industrial locality.  It has been established that different organizations accommodate labor practices in different localities and hence adopt different labor management programs to suit labor practices in each locality. This has also been contributed by the advent of modern technologies which influences means of communication.  There are other social factors which have contributed to differences in industrial relations in localities. It has been shown that social class in a particular locality is also a factor determining industrial relations. There are different interconnections between class and community which affect industrial relations. Social structure, including gender relations have been found to be other social factors which influence industrial relations in a given locality.

The changing nature of industrial relations has a lot of effects on development of local economies. As can be understood in the history of industrial relations, the power of workers representation has a lot impact on industrial growth and the local economy.  Local areas which have had strong representation have been able to develop strong industrial base and hence improvement of local economies. However, the current patterns may end up altering the composition of local economies. For example in local areas where service industries are established, they may have long term effects on manufacturing industries and workers representation.  The erosion of power of workers representation my have a negative effects on local economies since the purchasing power of employees may decline due to lack of effective representation to fight for increased salaries.