The governance of service work - changes in work organisation and new challenges for service-sector trade unions

• Autores: Steffen Lehndorff
• Localización: Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, ISSN 1024-2589, Vol. 8, Nº. 3, 2002, págs. 415-434
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The paper describes the diversity and unity of work organisation in service activities. It distinguishes a trend to �service-sector Taylorism� from a contrasting tendency of �professional autonomy', alongside the joint core described by the notion of �market-based governance� of service work, which confronts the individual (service) worker with internalised markets. The new mode of governance has substantial impacts on working conditions. The concluding section discusses the need for a public debate on the shortcomings of service work organisation primarily driven by market forces. Market failures, such as labour shortages in social service activities, should be identified and confronted with a new basic assessment of the value of services and in particular social services. Trade unions may contribute to this debate by developing their own paradigms of good service work.