chapter 8
....................................................................................................................................................HRM AND THE
WORKER
LABOR PROCESS
PERSPECTIVES
....................................................................................................................................paul thompson
bill harley
8.1 Introduction
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Ourstarting point for this discussion is that HRM and LPT, as bodies of theory
and research, have some fundamental commonalities of purpose. That is, both are
concerned with the dynamics and regulation of work and employment relations.
Rather than target a straw man or pop management versions of HRM, we aim to
focus on the growing body of work which utilizes empirical and theoretical
analyses to develop an informed understanding of key issues such as what HRM
means in terms of concrete practices, their drivers, and implications for workers,
managers, and organizations. As will become clear in the course of the chapter, we
take issue with a number of the key claims made by scholars of HRM, but we
nonetheless recognize that there is a growing body of work which deserves serious
consideration if we are to continue to develop and reWne our understanding of the
regulation of work and employment.