The role of subjective group memberships and perceptions of power in industrial conflict

Abstract

A survey conducted with university academics (N=187) investigated self-reported behaviour, explanations, social identification and perceptions of power during a period of industrial disputation. The results point to the importance of subjective experience of group memberships rather than overt group memberships in understanding behaviour and perceptions of power during industrial conflict and demonstrate very little support for the idea that industrial action or inaction reflects coerced behaviour.