MANAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

(HRM602)

Tutorial One
1. How do industrial relations and HRM differ in terms of perspectives and analytical focus?
Industrial Relations (IR) is focused on a broader perspective in which it looks into the
employers, employees, management and other factors that affect people at work. This means
it looks into the relationships that come about due to interactions in and out of the workplace.
IR ensures there are procedures in places to work out various conflicts that may arise from
differing opinions whilst also encouraging participation from workers in decision makings.
Human Resource Management (HRM) aka Labour Management is focused on the level of
the Organization; that is the links between the workers and the employer. Understands that
the effective management of the workers is vital to the organization’s overall performance
and so it is concerned with issues such as Recruitment, Selection, Pay, Performance, Training
and Development etc.
2. According to Marxist, state is the agent of capitalist, where it plays an integral role in
protecting those who own means of production. Critically examine why the State only tends
to protect the owners of production, why not the working class?
“State is the agent of Capitalist...” – Capitalists are those that use their wealth to invest in
trade and industry for Profit, owners of production are capitalists therefore because of the
capitalist economic system protection is given to those that garner profits and contribute to
the economy or the economic growth of the Country.
3. Examine the key features of the unitary theory within the context of a developed/developing
country?
Unitary Theory
- Common purpose and/ or goal
- Conflicts are temporary- a result of poor management and communication
- Unions are not necessary and are seen as intruders
- Expects loyalty from the employees
Developing Country like Fiji- Private firms have capable Human Resource Departments to
look after and compensate their workers and promote harmony and unity in the workplace
through team bonding activities. Training and Development is done to continuously better
the qualities of the workers to ensure the organizational goals are met.
4. Compare and contrast between unitary & pluralist theory? Provide examples to support your
answer?
Unitary Theory sees the organization as a unit; an integrated and harmonious system that
has a common purpose or goal. It expects loyalty from its employees and looks at Unions as
intruders and competitors for the loyalty of their workers. Conflicts in this perspective are
seen as temporary and disruptive which is a result of poor management and communication.
Eg. Private Sector firms are now looking at their workers as one big team that is aimed at
achieving organizational success and so emphasis has been placed on various teams bonding
and reward programs- benefits and other perks to ensure that workers are motivated, loyal
and feel a sense of belonging to their employers and the organization.
Pluralist Theory is assumed to be made up of powerful subgroups- management and trade
unions with differing opinions and interests therefore conflicts between workers and
management are seen as inevitable and normal. Management is more about persuasion and
coordinating rather than controlling and enforcing. Unions are recognized as employee
representatives for their rights and interests.
Eg. Most Public Sector firms in Fiji follow this perspective in which opinions are heard and
if conflict arise Trade unions or various other institutes are available to resolve any issues
between the firms and their workers. The State or government has set up policies to ensure
that the rights of workers are protected and heard.
5. Critically analyze the key features of Radical theory?
Radical Theory or perspective focuses on the conflicts of employment relations that is due to
the structure and nature of society. Workers are seen as owners of Labour while Employers
are the owners of capital or production that the State plays a role in protecting its interests
over the working class. However this theory recognizes Unions and believes that trade unions
are a natural response to the issue of the exploitation of workers by capital.
6. Examine the main features of Pluralist theory in relation to one of the developed or
developing country?
Pluralist Theory
- Recognizes Trade Unions.
- Conflicts are inevitable due to differing opinions and interests.
- Firms made up of different interest groups with no one dominating the other.
- States protects public interest.
Developing countries like Fiji have Trade unions or other unions for employees that will deal
with issues on the employees’ behalf, such as Fiji Teachers Union and Fiji Nurses
Association. Public Sector Companies are made of different groups of people- religion or
culture.
7. What is one major similarity between pluralist theory and radical theory? Give examples to
support your answer.
Pluralist and Radical Theories both recognizes the need for Unions with conflicts between
the management and workers being inevitable due to issues like different interests and
 opinions or difference in social classes and the unfair treatment of workers in terms of Pay or
benefits etc.
8. Discuss the key features of Dunlop’s IR theory. Provide example to support your answer?
Actors- those involved in IR such as employers, employees, unions and/ or institutions that
are there to protect and represent interest and opinions and the state & other agencies.
Context- Technological aspects (changes or updates in technological advancements)
Budgetary and Market constraint (working within the economic framework/ difference in
structure between the private and public sectors)
Locus of Power (power distribution outside IR)
Ideology of the System- Beliefs; the Ideas of what and who an actor is & ideas of what each
actor has of what and who other actors are.
9. Based on the four theories, which approach do you consider more practical to the real work
life situation and why?
Unitary Theory perceives that despite the one common goal aspect of this perspective,
Employees would be taken care of and that there would be transparency in the organization
so that workers would know the objectives, aim and interests to be in line with the
organization. Workers would have better compensations and a sense of belonging as the
firms would try to ensure the loyalty of the workers through pay, bonuses and perks.

Pluralist Theory – the different opinions of employees will be respected & heard and
Unions are available to fight for the rights of workers in case of conflicts, disputes or
grievances. A more easy going and open ended working environment.