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Restructuring, Redeployment and Job Churning within Internal Labour Markets

Author

Listed:
  • Robert MacKenzie

    (Karlstad University, Sweden)

  • Christopher J McLachlan

    (Queen Mary University of London, UK)

Abstract

This article explores the phenomenon of recurrent internal redeployment, through a case study of restructuring at a UK based steel firm. While redeployment reflected one of the key functions of the traditional internal labour market at SteelCo, frequent restructuring events meant some workers experienced redeployment on a recurrent basis. For these workers the experience of repeated redeployment was analogous to churning in and out of jobs on the external labour market. Adapting this term to internal organisational processes, the article presents a new way of analysing recurrent redeployment through the formulation of the concept of Internal Labour Market Churn . This new contribution to internal labour market theory highlights problems with human capital development, career progression and in-work insecurity associated with internal churning, which tarnishes the sense of mutual commitment traditionally associated with and engendered by internal labour markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert MacKenzie & Christopher J McLachlan, 2023. "Restructuring, Redeployment and Job Churning within Internal Labour Markets," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 37(6), pages 1480-1496, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:37:y:2023:i:6:p:1480-1496
    DOI: 10.1177/09500170221080389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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