Unit of study_

WORK6018: Comparative Industrial Relations

2025 unit information

This unit provides students with insights into the debate about the effect of globalisation on employment relations by using comparative analysis to identify the range of factors that account for similarities and difference in national patterns of industrial relations. The unit focuses on providing an understanding of the nature of industrial relations patterns in developed and developing market economies and invites students to compare a range of developments across these countries.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Business (Business School)

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. explain the factors which influence national and international systems of industrial relations.
  • LO2. assess the various theories of international and comparative industrial relations and apply these to the countries which are examined during the unit
  • LO3. communicate to others the key features and issues of industrial relations of the countries which you have studied
  • LO4. collaborate effectively as a part of a group to better understand the ‘world of work’ in an internationally comparative context
  • LO5. locate relevant and current reading, data, and research
  • LO6. explain the relevance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to work and industrial relations issues in an internationally comparative context, including SDG #3 good health and wellbeing, #5 gender equity, #8 decent work and economic growth, #10 reduced inequalities, #12 responsible production and consumption, and #16 peace, justice and strong institutions, and other relevent elements of social sustainability including human rights in the workplace.

Unit availability

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Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Intensive April - May 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal evening Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal evening Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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