Planning for change: determinants of innovation in U.S. national unions.

A study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of unions that facilitate or hinder innovation. Data were drawn from a number of sources, including a 1990 survey of 275 officials and staff members from 111 American national unions. Results indicate that certain union characteristics, such...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Industrial & Labor Relations Review Vol. 49; pp. 597 - 615
Main Authors: Delaney, John T., Jarley, Paul, Fiorito, Jack
Format: Article
Published: Cornell University July 1996
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Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:A study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of unions that facilitate or hinder innovation. Data were drawn from a number of sources, including a 1990 survey of 275 officials and staff members from 111 American national unions. Results indicate that certain union characteristics, such as environmental monitoring—systematic monitoring by the union of developments that could affect it—and rationalization—good structuring and management of administrative activities—are positively associated with innovative behavior. Furthermore, there is a positive relationship between innovation and the heterogeneity of a union's members.