Toward better theory on the relationship between commitment, participation and leadership in unions

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to give a critique of the extant literature on union commitment and participation in order to develop remedies to identified weaknesses

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a critical assessment of extant literature.

Findings

A number of critical deficiencies exist in the literature to which remedies are proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The remedies need testing through empirical research.

Practical implications

Future research needs to have different research foci and questions.

Social implications

With a reorientation of future research on union commitment, participation and leadership, unions may be better able to benefit from academic research in the area.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that a reorientation of future research on union commitment, participation and leadership will allow more incisive and more robust contributions to be made to understanding unions as complex social organisms.

Citation

Gall, G. and Fiorito, J. (2012), "Toward better theory on the relationship between commitment, participation and leadership in unions", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 33 No. 8, pp. 715-731. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437731211280794