The British Journal of Sociology
Volume 53 No 1 March 2002
pages 107-126
Abstract
The disorganization thesis concentrates upon globalization and market dynamics, which are believed to trigger the breakdown of any kind of institutional structures. The diversity of capitalism approach, by contrast, places much emphasis on the persistence of distinct paths of national economies. Referring to comparative data from the OECD and other sources it is shown that some variables indicate a robustness of national styles of capitalism. Others hint at resemblance: eg there is a striking synchronization of the overall and sectoral wage development, there is a significant decrease in industrial disputes, and the class composition tends to become more similar. A move beyond the disorganization thesis and diversity of capitalism approach is suggested. Special attention should be paid to the profound impacts of transnational institutions and knowledge carriers in the form of experts and guidelines.
Keywords: Economic organization, industrial relations, wages, work, social class
Raimund Hasse
Department of Sociology University of Aachen, and
Håkon Leiulfsrud
Department of Sociology and Political Sciences NTNU, Trondheim