Swedish trade unions and in-work poverty

A critical approach to industrial relations using Luhmann’s systems theory as framework of analysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl.1857

Keywords:

in-work poverty, Swedish trade unions, industrial relations, Luhmann’s systems theory, normative research

Abstract

This article aims to exemplify how Swedish social partners, especially trade unions, have addressed the issue of in-work poverty in relation to recent and influential changes of the Swedish Employment Protection Act. Applying a methodology where Luhmann’s systems theory is used as a framework of analysis, whereby social partners and trade unions are viewed as organisations that contribute to the production of communication within the autopoietic system of industrial relations. The empirical material analysed for the article, therefore, consists of written communications from Swedish social partners and trade unions, produced during the process of changing and adapting the new the legislation. The analysis shows that Swedish trade unions could be more ambitious and direct in addressing the issue of in-work poverty and that further research on this topic would be useful to assist the trade unions in formulating relevant strategies for the future.

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Author Biography

Ann-Christine Hartzén, Department of business law, Lund University

Ann-Christine Hartzén, senior lecturer at the Department of Business Law. Lund University School of Economics and Management. Email address: ann-christine.hartzen@har.lu.se

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Published

01-10-2024

How to Cite

Hartzén, A.-C. (2024) “Swedish trade unions and in-work poverty: A critical approach to industrial relations using Luhmann’s systems theory as framework of analysis”, Oñati Socio-Legal Series, 14(5), pp. 1253–1271. doi: 10.35295/osls.iisl.1857.