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Understanding Labour Turnover in a Labour Intensive Industry: Evidence from the British Clothing Industry

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  • Ian M. Taplin
  • Jonathan Winterton
  • Ruth Winterton

Abstract

ABSTRACT The clothing industry is both a quintessential global industry and one that is inescapably labour intensive. Despite more and more production shifting to low wage economies in the past decades, there remains a significant amount of clothing manufacturing in high wage economies. This study examines the drivers of change that are forcing restructuring in one such country and the outcomes of such changes for the organization of production. Because the changes have involved treating workers as a resource to be developed rather than a cost, preventing labour turnover has become a crucial component of this strategic repositioning. In presenting the results of a national survey of UK clothing manufacturers we find that high labour turnover rates persist. We discuss the historical background to this phenomenon and current trends, and then explore the principal variables that might explain these trends. We conclude with a discussion of the outcomes facing firms in this industry and comment on why managers resist comprehensive changes in organizational routines and the effort bargain.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian M. Taplin & Jonathan Winterton & Ruth Winterton, 2003. "Understanding Labour Turnover in a Labour Intensive Industry: Evidence from the British Clothing Industry," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(4), pages 1021-1046, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:40:y:2003:i:4:p:1021-1046
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-6486.00369
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    Cited by:

    1. Ayman Alhmoud & Husam Rjoub, 2019. "Total Rewards and Employee Retention in a Middle Eastern Context," SAGE Open, , vol. 9(2), pages 21582440198, April.
    2. Ngala Lilian Gabriel & Banaga Corazon Tangonan & Shimba Chris Ochieng & Omondi Richard Mc’Otieno, 2020. "Exploration of the Practice of Retention Strategies to Address Employees’ Turnover rate In County Assembly of Kilifi," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 7(9), pages 77-86, September.
    3. Ngala Lilian Gabriel & Corazon Tangonan Banaga & Ochieng’ Chris Shimba & Omondi Richard Mc’Otieno, 2020. "Assessing the Effect of Demographic Variables of Age, Education and Years of Engagement on Employee Satisfaction with Retention Strategies in County Assembly of Kilifi," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 7(10), pages 256-265, October.
    4. J.S. Keshminder & Md Aslam Mia & Mohammad Nourani & Miao Zhang, 2022. "Gig employment in the Malaysian manufacturing industry: a cross‐sectional analysis," Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government, The Australian National University, vol. 36(1), pages 48-66, May.
    5. Liena Kano & Eric W. K. Tsang & Henry Wai-chung Yeung, 2020. "Global value chains: A review of the multi-disciplinary literature," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 577-622, June.

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