The Union and Its Members A Psychological Approach [Hardcover]

This work explores three key topics in social psychology: the manner in which labor unions shape organizational behavior, a relationship which has been effectively ignored in the literature; the organization of the union itself, a fascinating test case for the organizational psychologist; and the way in which theories and methods of organizational psychology may assist labor organizations in achieving their goals. Since the union maintains unique characteristics of democracy, conflict, and voluntary participation within a larger organization, the authors offer a detailed study of a union's dynamics, including demographic and personality predictors of membership, voting behavior, union commitment and loyalty, the nature of participation, leadership styles, collective bargaining, among other topics. This is the first book to be published in the new Industrial/Organizational Psychology Series. It will be of interest to not only industrial/organizational psychologists in industry, academia, and private and public organizations, but to graduate students in psychology departments and business schools, and to academics and professionals in business and management studying industrial relations.

1. Organizational Psychology and Unions
2. The Structure of Labor Organizations
3. The Unionization Process
4. Union Commitment
5. Union Participation
6. Union Leadership: The Role of the Shop Steward
7. Breakdowns in the Unionization Process
8. Effects of Unions on Organizational Behavior
9. Concluding Thoughts and Challenges

The authors provide a thorough survey of the relevant academic literature and apply that body of knowledge using concepts of organizational psychology. The book substantially extends our understanding of the functions and effectiveness of labor organizations. --Choice

Provides an excellent and cogent summary of research on unions and is a reference that should find a home on the shelf of any scholar l7