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Collective Action, Business Cleavages and the Politics of Control: Segmentalism in the Swiss Skill Formation System

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  • Patrick Emmenegger
  • Lina Seitzl

Abstract

Collective skill formation systems have come under sustained pressure in recent years. Scholars observe a fragmentation process, which is the result of changing power relations, putting large training firms in a dominant position. However, so far the literature has examined neither the role of small firms and intermediary associations nor the source of power of the various business actors. In this case study, we ask: If business is pivotal, but divided, who prevails and why? We find that the availability of credible exit options and the ability to act collectively determines the degree of influence of the various business actors.

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  • Patrick Emmenegger & Lina Seitzl, 2019. "Collective Action, Business Cleavages and the Politics of Control: Segmentalism in the Swiss Skill Formation System," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 57(3), pages 576-598, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:57:y:2019:i:3:p:576-598
    DOI: 10.1111/bjir.12426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Culpepper,Pepper D., 2011. "Quiet Politics and Business Power," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521134132, January.
    2. Baethge, Martin & Wolter, Andrä, 2015. "The German skill formation model in transition: from dual system of VET to higher education?," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 48(2), pages 97-112.
    3. Baethge, Martin & Wolter, Andrä, 2015. "The German skill formation model in transition: from dual system of VET to higher education?," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 48(2), pages 97-112.
    4. Thelen,Kathleen, 2014. "Varieties of Liberalization and the New Politics of Social Solidarity," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107053168, January.
    5. Wolfgang Streeck, 1987. "The Uncertainties of Management in the Management of Uncertainty," International Journal of Political Economy, M.E. Sharpe, Inc., vol. 17(3), pages 57-87, October.
    6. Kathleen Thelen, 2009. "Institutional Change in Advanced Political Economies," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 47(3), pages 471-498, September.
    7. Marius R. Busemeyer, 2012. "Business as a Pivotal Actor in the Politics of Training Reform: Insights from the Case of Germany," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 50(4), pages 690-713, December.
    8. Schmitter, Philippe C. & Streeck, Wolfgang, 1999. "The organization of business interests: Studying the associative action of business in advanced industrial societies," MPIfG Discussion Paper 99/1, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    9. Martin Baethge & Andrä Wolter, 2015. "The German skill formation model in transition: from dual system of VET to higher education? [Das deutsche Ausbildungsmodell im Umbruch: zwischen dualem Berufsbildungssystem und Hochschulstudium]," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 48(2), pages 97-112, August.
    10. Baethge, Martin & Wolter, Andrä, 2015. "The German skill formation model in transition: from dual system of VET to higher education?," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 48(2), pages 97-112.
    11. Thelen,Kathleen, 2014. "Varieties of Liberalization and the New Politics of Social Solidarity," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107679566, January.
    12. Culpepper,Pepper D., 2011. "Quiet Politics and Business Power," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521118590, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fleckenstein, Timo & Lee, Soohyun Christine & Park, Jae Hyoung, 2023. "Skills and training in hierarchical capitalism: the rise and fall of vocational training in South Korea," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 124872, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Wilson, Anna & Bajka, Scherwin M., 2024. "Skill provision concerns in the knowledge economy: training firms’ perspective," OSF Preprints qjpz5_v1, Center for Open Science.
    3. Benassi, Chiara & Durazzi, Niccolo & Fortwengel, Johann, 2020. "Not all firms are created equal: SMEs and vocational training in the UK, Italy, and Germany," MPIfG Discussion Paper 20/4, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    4. Wilson, Anna & Bajka, Scherwin M., 2024. "Skill provision concerns in the knowledge economy: training firms’ perspective," OSF Preprints qjpz5, Center for Open Science.
    5. repec:ehl:lserod:115909 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Marius R Busemeyer & Martin B Carstensen & Patrick Emmenegger, 2022. "Orchestrators of coordination: Towards a new role of the state in coordinated capitalism?," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 28(2), pages 231-250, June.
    7. Chiara Benassi & Niccolo Durazzi & Johann Fortwengel, 2022. "Comparative institutional disadvantage: Small firms and vocational training in the British manufacturing sector in comparative perspective," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(2), pages 371-390, June.

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