Industrial relations Explained

Ashly Chole Senior Finance Researcher

Last Updated 23 April 2024

Industrial relations

A multidisciplinary branch of social science called industrial relations focuses on the job relationship. Of the many subfields of business management, one is industrial relations. Employment-related topics not covered by labor and employment legislation are also studied in the context of the employee-employer relationship. An academic field in and of itself, industrial relations is both a business management subject and a separate one. Namely, 'the scientific study of the working circumstances best conducive to attaining maximum production' or 'the study of work organizations and their influence on persons' are two definitions for industrial relations.

Industrial relations is a broad field

Industrial relations is a vast discipline that includes both the analysis of labor unions and management's function in setting up and controlling work groups. In addition, it addresses issues like hiring and development, pay and benefits for employees, workplace drug use, labor-management relations, union organizing campaigns, grievance procedures for resolving disputes between employers and employees, industrial accidents including occupational illness, legal issues pertaining to employment relationships such as age or race discrimination, outsourcing and downsizing, and treason. A framework for comprehending how management might impact employee motivation and performance is provided by industrial relations, which is concerned with both manager and employee conduct. The manner in which labor unions affect workplace procedures is another aspect of industrial relations.

Within the larger topic of corporate management lies the discipline of industrial relations

The multidisciplinary academic discipline of industrial relations focuses on the employment relationship, or more specifically, the intricate interactions between employers and employees, labor unions, employer groups, and the government. The fundamental subject of research in industrial relations is how businesses interact with their workforces through their labor laws. The study of collective bargaining between companies and trade unions—who represent the interests of employees—is another area covered by the field of industrial relations. These subjects, which include labor law and labor market policy, are all included in this discipline.

The phrase 'industrial relations' describes the investigation of the working interaction between employers and workers. The study of collective bargaining between companies and trade unions—who represent the interests of employees—is another area covered by the field of industrial relations. Labor market policy and labor law are only two of the many subjects covered by the area. An academic field called 'industrial relations' investigates how employers and employees interact in the workplace. The phrase 'industrial relations' describes the investigation of the working interaction between employers and workers.

The study of industrial relations includes the examination of all employment-related issues beyond the purview of labor and employment legislation. Employers and workers, who may participate in different ways based on their position within a company, are both essential parties in this process. For instance, managers may have greater influence over choices than people in entry-level jobs, such as unskilled labor. The workplace also includes a wide range of relationships aside from those between employer and employee, including worker organizations, trade unions, collective bargaining agreements reached between them, or even state intervention through legislation governing economic relations between businesses and organizations operating in society at large.

Workplace conflict concerns at the micro- and macro-levels

Studying both micro- and macro-level workplace conflict-related issues is a component of industrial relations. The micro focuses on how people connect with one another inside businesses (such as how managers and employees communicate with one another) and how these interactions impact things like morale, productivity, and other factors. At the macro-level, research is done on the interactions between governments, businesses, and labor unions to determine how an economy is structured and runs.

Conflict in the workplace, often known as industrial relations, may be favorable or unfavorable. When individuals and groups work together to overcome their differences in order to accomplish shared objectives, positive conflict results. On the other hand, negative conflict occurs when one party uses force or coercion to compel the other to agree with them.

There are many distinct facets of workplace conflict that industrial relations can address. Depending on the topic of your research issue and/or study design, it can be researched either from a micro- or macro-level viewpoint. Industrial relations and workplace disputes are terms that are frequently used interchangeably. It's crucial to understand that these two ideas are distinct from one another. The term 'industrial relations' broadly refers to all facets of human resource management inside a business, such as staff productivity levels, manager-employee relationships, and communication.

Benefits of Studies in Industrial Relations

A multidisciplinary branch of social science called industrial relations focuses on the job relationship. Understanding why certain individuals are treated more favorably or unfairly at work than others is the primary goal of IR. Yet, achieving this aim will require extensive research into a wide range of societal topics, such as politics (government), economics (business), history (social development), etc. In the interdisciplinary field of industrial relations, the employment relationship—that is, the intricate interactions between employers and employees, labor unions, employer groups, and the government—is studied. A multidisciplinary branch of social science called industrial relations focuses on the job relationship.