Résumés
Abstract
This article reviews the English-speaking literature on Spanish and German industrial relations published in the top 10 journals in this field between 2000 and 2010. The analysis contributes to the ongoing debate about the relevance of industrial relations by establishing the state of the art in research on Spain in comparison to Germany. Following this assessment we then ask whether existing research on Spain is well situated to orient policymakers. The consequences of either normative or normative-free research have largely been overlooked; our discussion expands on two contrasting positions: suggesting a move away from ideology in research (Mitchell, 2001) or recommending normative assumptions as a necessary precondition (Frege, 2007) in the context of Spain.
Our findings reveal a greater convergence in research regarding its restricted multidisciplinary character, its focus on the international level and a strong emphasis on empirical, quantitative work with analysis conducted at various levels. At the same time, some path dependency continues to exist, particularly concerning the active participants in research and the subjects for investigation. The results point to deficiencies in research on Spanish industrial relations.
We conclude by advocating an openly stated, normative base in industrial relations research to guide policymakers in Spain. While an evidence-based approach in policy making is desirable, normative choices are highly consequential and should feature in research in order to avoid a “democratic shock” in Spain.
Keywords:
- industrial relations,
- policy making,
- research pattern,
- Spain,
- Germany
Résumé
Cet article passe en revue la littérature anglophone sur les relations industrielles espagnoles et allemandes, publiée entre les années 2000 et 2010, dans les dix revues les plus importantes du domaine selon le Journal Citation Reports (ISI). L’analyse se veut une contribution au débat concernant la pertinence des relations industrielles en appliquant les règles de l’art sur les recherches portant sur l’Espagne en comparaison de celles portant sur l’Allemagne. À la suite de cette évaluation comparative, nous nous demandons si la recherche actuelle sur le cas espagnol est bien positionnée pour aider les décideurs politiques dans leurs orientations. Les conséquences d’une recherche de type normatif par rapport à une recherche non contrainte par des normes nous semblent avoir été largement surestimées. Notre discussion se développe autour de deux positions divergentes : l’une suggérant de se distancer en recherche de tout cadre idéologique ou normatif (Mitchell, 2001) et l’autre favorisant le recours à des hypothèses normatives comme condition pré-requise pour s’appliquer au contexte de l’Espagne (Frege, 2007).
Nos résultats suggèrent une convergence importante en recherche en ce qui concerne son caractère multidisciplinaire, son niveau actuel à l’international et une forte emphase sur les travaux de nature empirique et quantitatifs et ce, à différents niveaux d’analyse. En même temps, il continue d’exister une dépendance de trajectoire, particulièrement en ce qui concerne les participants actifs en recherche et les sujets sous étude. Les résultats mettent en lumière des lacunes dans la recherche sur les relations industrielles espagnoles.
Nous concluons en plaidant en faveur d’une recherche fondée sur une base normative en relations industrielles et ouvertement avouée pour guider les décideurs politiques en Espagne. Bien qu’une approche fondée sur des données empiriques soit souhaitable en matière d’élaboration de politiques, les choix normatifs portent fortement à conséquence et devraient caractériser la recherche dans le but d’éviter un « choc démocratique » en Espagne.
Mots-clés :
- relations industrielles,
- élaboration de politiques,
- tendances en recherche,
- Espagne,
- Allemagne
Resumen
Este artículo revisa la literatura en inglés sobre relaciones laborales en España y Alemania publicada en las mejores 10 revistas en este campo entre 2000 y 2010. El análisis contribuye al debate sobre la relevancia de las relaciones laborales, estableciendo el estado actual de la investigación sobre España, usando Alemania como punto de referencia. Tras dicha evaluación, nos preguntamos si al día de hoy la investigación sobre España está bien situada para orientar a los responsables de desarrollar políticas. Las consecuencias, ya sea de la investigación con un carácter normativo o no-normativo, han sido en gran medida ignoradas; nuestra discusión se amplía en dos posiciones opuestas: lo que sugiere un alejamiento de la ideología en la investigación (Mitchell, 2001) o la recomendación de supuestos normativos como condición necesaria (Frege, 2007) en el contexto de España.
Los resultados revelan una mayor convergencia en materia de investigación en cuanto a su carácter multidisciplinar restringido, su nivel internacional existente y un fuerte énfasis en el trabajo empírico y cuantitativo con el análisis llevado a cabo en varios niveles. Al mismo tiempo, un cierto grado de path dependency sigue existiendo, especialmente en relación con los participantes de la investigación y los temas analizados. Los resultados apuntan a deficiencias en la investigación sobre las relaciones laborales españolas.
Se concluye abogando por una base normativa abiertamente declarada en la investigación sobre las relaciones laborales para orientar a los responsables de la política en España. Si bien es deseable un enfoque basado en la evidencia para la formulación de políticas, decisiones normativas son muy consecuentes y deben figurar en la investigación con el fin de evitar un “choque democrático” en este país.
Palabras clave:
- relaciones laborales,
- formulación de políticas,
- patrones de investigación,
- España,
- Alemania
Parties annexes
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