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European Works Councils: Identity and the Role of Information and Communication Technology

Nottingham Trent University, UK, michael.whittall{at}soziologie.wi.tu-muenchen.de

Herman Knudsen

Aalborg Universitet, DENMARK, hk{at}plan.aau.dk

Fred Huijgen

Radboud University, Nijmegen, THE NETHERLANDS, f.huijgen{at}fm.ru.nl

This article discusses the conditions for the development of a common identity among employee representatives within European Works Councils and addresses the importance of information and communication technology in this respect. Drawing on case studies conducted at General Motors and Deutsche Post, it is concluded that systematic use of such technology is a necessary condition if employee representatives are to be able to act jointly and in a timely manner across borders when challenged by management.

Key Words: European identity • European Works Councils • ICT • open-source unionism

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European Journal of Industrial Relations, Vol. 15, No. 2, 167-185 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0959680109103605


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Whittall, M. Articles by Huijgen, F. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?