Academic Year 2018/19
 
Module Code:               BHM 349
 
Module Name:               Employee Relations in Context
 
Module Leader:             Dr. Vidu Badigannavar
 
 
Coursework Title:
 
A 3000 word essay on the following topic:
 
 
Critically examine the role of the State (government) as an actor in employment relations.
 
 
 
 
Task Details/Description:
 
Students are expected to write an essay not exceeding 3000 words on the given essay topic.
 
 
 
Module Learning Outcomes Assessed:
 

1. Demonstrate understanding of basic concepts, theories and perspectives of employee relations
2. Critically evaluate the impact of local, national and global contexts shaping employee relations.
3. Examine the roles and functions of different groups or stakeholders in employment relationship

 
 
 
Presentation Requirements:
 
Word Count: 3000
 
Font Size: 12
 
Line Spacing: Double
 
The word count includes citations within the main body of your essay. However, it excludes the list of bibliographic references at the end of your essay, any tables and graphs.
 
 
Submission Date & Time:
 
14 December 2018 by 12 noon.
 
Assessment Weighting for the Module:
 
Percentage: 100%
 
 
Assessment Criteria
 

1. Ability to engage in a critical review of relevant literature
2. Demonstrate wider reading and ability to engage in independent research which goes beyond lecture materials.
3. Ability to think laterally across topics covered on this module to answer the essay question
4. Argue analytically, logically and coherently.
5. Wherever possible, support arguments with evidence from published sources
6. Cite and/or quote sources of information appropriately in the main body of the essay. Provide full list of bibliographic references at the end of the essay.

 
 
 
Ethical Requirements
 
Students are not expected to collect primary data for this essay. However, if they choose to do so, they will be required to follow the University’s ethical regulations and seek written approval from the tutor.
 
 
Essential Reading for Coursework Task
(if in addition to reading provided in the module outline):
 
Please note that this is not intended as an exhaustive or definitive list of readings for this piece of coursework. Instead, the articles/chapters listed below should be viewed as core or essential readings that may act as a start point as you prepare to tackle this assignment:
 
 
Frege, C. and Kelly, J. (2013) ‘Comparative Employment Relations in the Global Economy’ Routledge, London and New York
 
Williams, S. (2014) ‘Introducing Employment Relations – A Critical Approach’, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
 
Dundon, T. and Rollinson, D. (2011), ‘Understanding Employment Relations’ 2^nd edition, McGraw-Hill, Berkshire, England.
 
Frege, C. and Kelly, J. (2004) ‘Varieties of Unionism – Strategies of Union Revitalization in a Globalizing Economy’ Oxford, Oxford University Press.
 
 
Badigannavar V. (2017) ‘Is Social Partnership the Way Forward for Indian Trade Unions? Evidence from Public Services’ International Labour Review, Vol.156 (3-4): 367-394
 
Badigannavar,V. and Kelly, J. (2012) ‘Do Labour Laws Protect Labour in India? Union experiences of workplace employment regulations in Maharashtra, India’ Industrial Law Journal vol.49 (4): 439-470
 
 
Workplace Employment Relations Survey 2011-12.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-2011-workplace-employment-relations-study-wers
 
 
Website of the Trades Union Congress UK http://www.tuc.org.uk/
 
Website of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) http://www.ituc-csi.org/
 
Website of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) http://www.aflcio.org/
 
China Labour Bulletin http://www.clb.org.hk/en/
 
Solidarity Federation http://www.solfed.org.uk/
 
European Trade Union Confederation http://www.etuc.org/european-trade-union-confederation
 
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) http://www.cbi.org.uk/
 
Involvement and participation association of UK http://www.ipa-involve.com/
 
Institute of Directors www.iod.com
 
Institute of Employment Rights www.ier.org.uk
 
 
This is not an exhaustive list of readings or internet sources. Please do your own independent research in addition to the readings & information sources listed above. Please refer to the module outline/specification for a list of useful journals recommended for this module.
 
 

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hapter 4: Consumption in B2C vs. B2B

Sell2Wales

Wales is a small country. It is characterised by small enterprises and small local authorities, and indeed a small government – the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). Even the cities are small: Cardiff, the capital and largest city, has a population of around 350,000 people. Despite being small, Wales has a strong sense of patriotism, and has a unique culture distinct from the rest of the UK.
This sense of patriotism, of Welshness, has led to a major initiative by the WAG. WAG has set up a system whereby Welsh companies and entrepreneurs can register to be informed of upcoming tenders and contracts for all WAG departments, universities, National Health Service trusts and local authorities in the country. The website acts as a one-stop shop for suppliers and buyers, so that buyers can easily register their requirements and obtain access to a large group of suppliers, while at the same time suppliers can register for automatic email alerts when potentially attractive tenders come up. Even in a small country the total spend by the public sector runs into billions of pounds a year, money which can be crucial to firms in Wales.
In addition, the Sell2Wales site publicises help and events for businesses. WAG offers a business advice service, including mentoring for small firms, and also provides workshops and seminars on topics such as tendering for contracts and supply chain management.
Obviously the site has to be open to companies from anywhere in the UK, and even (at the time of writing) the European Union, but the bulk of companies registered on the site are based within Wales, if only because many of the tenders are for services. Thus much of the money remains within Wales, supporting the Welsh economy.
For example, Kelray Building Maintenance Ltd is a company based in Merthyr Tydfil, a notoriously depressed area which suffers from high unemployment levels. Managing Director Carl Raynes registered with Sell2Wales almost at the outset, and has had many contracts from local authorities for the maintenance of social housing stock. A one-year contract for Torfaen County Borough Council involved Kelray in refurbishing empty houses to provide housing for homeless people, a project which not only earned money for the company but which also provided work for the extra people needed to service the contract. Another example is Ocon Fire and Security Ltd. Ocon was established in 2006, and now employs 27 people in two locations: one in West Wales and another in England. Ocon uses Sell2Wales extensively, and has secured contracts with Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed Powys Police, and Murco oil refinery. The company website says:
For Ocon, the advantage of using Sell2Wales is that the information for upcoming contracts is e-mailed to us every morning instead of our sales team having to chase procurement departments constantly to get information on upcoming tender opportunities. This allows our sales team the time to grow the business in other areas instead of constantly chasing for information on the larger tenders coming up.
The Sell2Wales website allows suppliers to enter keywords and filters so that they only receive relevant information, rather than being bombarded with every tender that comes up. This saves a great deal of time, which for a small company is important because such firms often do not have sufficient staff to dedicate to trawling through large amounts of information. Some businesses are tiny: even microbusinesses comprising one or two people have successfully used Sell2Wales.
From the buyer’s viewpoint, sourcing a suitable supplier could not be easier. All the buyer needs to do is establish the criteria for a tender and post it on the website. Sell2Wales notifies suitable companies, who can then bid. The buyer then simply chooses the company that best fits the specification. Sell2Wales has been a tremendous success, acting as a facilitator for small businesses who may not have the commercial selling expertise that a large firm would have. For a small country with small businesses and small customers, Sell2Wales is the ideal solution.

Questions

1.Why would a buyer use Sell2Wales?
2.What might be the disadvantages of using Sell2Wales, from a supplier’s viewpoint?
3.Why might there be a bias in favour of Welsh companies?
4.Why does WAG offer business advice to small firms?
5.What are the key factors in the success of Sell2Wales?

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