Social Dialogue and HR Practices in multinational companies

This study that was elaborated by Eckhard Voss from wmp consult in cooperation with Andrea Broughton (Ecorys) examines the interaction between social dialogue practices and human resources management policies in European multinational companies. It looks at the changing role of HRM and its interaction with European Works Councils (EWCs), which can act as a link between different levels of social dialogue. Both HRM functions and social dialogue are under pressure from a variety of trends and dynamics – not least, ongoing technological change. Sharing practices related to the involvement of EWCs in corporate decisions has made a valuable contribution to company operation and culture across the EU. The positive interaction between HRM policies and worker representation structures should help companies and sectors restructure and adapt accordingly, including dealing with the risk of increasing wage inequality and polarisation in working conditions.

The study comprises also four case studies on quite different multinational companies: ABB, Unilever, Danfoss and UniCredit. The case study reports are published in a separate publication. Key research results are available on the Eurofound website in 22 languages.

Andrea Broughton; Eckhard Voss and Ricardo Rodriguez Contreras: Social dialogue and HR practices in European global companies, European Foundation for Living and Working Conditions.