Unitarism, Pluralism, Interests and Values

Abstract

Abstract The paper notes that in both management theory and pluralist political theory there has recently been increased emphasis on culture and values. The implication is that the ideas of unitarism and pluralism in industrial relations need to be reconsidered. Traditionally, they have been expounded in terms of interests, and values are significantly different from interests. An emphasis on values rather than interests raises some new problems both for unitarists and pluralists. For unitarists, ‘managing values’ can involve paradox and contradiction. For pluralists, emphasis on values requires a new conception of the process by which differences are reconciled, and may require changes to union structures.