Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of the course students should understand the connections between the nature and organisation of work and workplace reform; be able to analyse an organisation and propose relevant measures to improve efficiency and equity at the workplace; understand the role of employee participation and unions at the workplace level; be familiar with the nature and development of theories relating to the labour process; understand the development of enterprise bargaining and its potential value to an organisation and the society.
Synopsis The focus of this subject is the relations between employees and managers at the workplace level. This rests on the foundation of a study of theories of work, management, and unions in developed economies. A particular emphasis of the subject is on current Australian developments in workplace reform. Topics included are the contract of employment; sociological theories of work, workplace union organisation and behaviour, skill formation, employee participation in management, enterprise bargaining and workplace reform, productivity measurement and benchmarking.
Assessment Written (assignment 3000 words): 30% + Tutorial paper and participation: 10% + Examination (2 hours): 60%