Describe the relationship between management's general approach to labor (i.e., autocratic versus paternalistic) and its labor relations strategy in determining management's attitude toward unions.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Managerial attitudes toward unions are determined by the interaction between their general approach to labor and their labor relations strategy. The general approach to labor may be either autocratic (management sets and enforces rules), or paternalistic (management takes care of employees and focuses on rewarding, rather than punishing, behaviors). The labor relations strategy may be either to accept unions or to avoid unions. Companies that are paternalistic and accepting of unions will emphasize a participatory relationship with the union. Companies that are paternalistic but not accepting of unions will take actions to "substitute" for unions (e.g., involve workers, provide high wages to reduce the need for unionization). On the other hand, companies that are autocratic and pursue a union acceptance strategy will be likely to have an adversarial relationship with the union and workers. Companies that are autocratic and pursue a union avoidance strategy will work toward suppressing unions using legal, and sometimes illegal means.