APPROACHES TO INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
We have three practical approaches to Industrial relations. Some books have more approaches, like the Gandhian approach and Social psychological approach, but I believe these three universally accepted approaches to IR are as follows:
- Unitary approac
- Pluralistic approach
- Marxist approach
Unitary Approach:
The unitary approach believes in Unity among the workers and the management and bringing together efforts for teamwork and to achieve a common goal. This theory believes that conflicts arise due to improper organizational management. These conflicts are nonpermanent and solved quickly, and that’s why these are temporary. In this, the base of strikes is useless and destructive.
Objectives of the unitary approach:
1. Create a productive, harmonious, and effective environment.
2. Develop a reliable, open communication and fair and transparent work culture among workers.
3. Restrict the role of the tribunal: The unitary approach believes if you increase the involvement of the tribunal, other governments, and trade unions, Then they will never be able to build a trustworthy organization. Negotiating directly with the management rather than involving any trade union or employer association would be best.
Pluralistic approach: This approach is different from the Unitary approach, and in this approach, the ideology believes that Conflict between management and employees is rational and inevitable(compulsory, mandatory). You can take action to prevent the Conflict or settle it. As per this approach, work based only on Unity was only possible.
Ideology in Pluralist Approach:
- The pluralistic approach opposes the unitary system and believes that the trade union must be recognized and be there. Their presence is significant because they protect the interest of employees. Management will handle and resolve any concern with the trade union if it arises.
- This approach suggests that stability in IR comes when the party’s management and union compromise. Both parties comply with each other.
- As per this approach, Conflict is natural, but the best way to resolve it is through Collective bargaining (implementing one side seam of the trade union and on the other side management as a team to communicate with each other and compromise on what will be the possibilities.
Marxist Approach: Like the pluralist approach, the Marxist approach believes that Conflict is inevitable, a common factor in both. Here is a difference between both approaches pluralist belief s that disputes must be in every organization, whether it is a small or big size industry, but the Marxist believes that Conflict arises only in capitalist societies (those organizations which are capitalist means that management tries to exploit the workers and try to take more work for fewer wages. In this type of working condition, conflicts arise. The Marxist approach focuses on society rather than organizational functions.
Marxist approach ideology-
- Trade union act as a means of social change. They work to improve the working condition of the workers.
- In this approach, all strikes are political, not organization related.
- Marxists believe that tribunals, government support, and court are all for management’s interest and always support those in power.
- He believes these legislations, tribunals, and courts always support management rather than workers as per this approach.
