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Does profit sharing reduce conflict with the boss? Evidence from Germany

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  • John Heywood
  • Uwe Jirjahn
  • Georgi Tsertsvadze

Abstract

This paper argues that, in general, profit sharing aligns the interests of workers and the firm and that this alignment reduces the extent of conflict between workers and management. This paper also argues that this general result will not carry over to the workers least able to respond to the alignment of interests with greater effort and that it will not apply to supervisors. After describing the German use of profit sharing, we use German data to show that for non-supervisory workers in excellent health, profit sharing reduces conflict but that for those who are not in excellent health and for supervisors, profit sharing does not reduce conflict. We also show that independent from profit sharing, conflict with the boss is greater for the aged and for those not in excellent health.

Suggested Citation

  • John Heywood & Uwe Jirjahn & Georgi Tsertsvadze, 2005. "Does profit sharing reduce conflict with the boss? Evidence from Germany," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 235-250.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:intecj:v:19:y:2005:i:2:p:235-250
    DOI: 10.1080/10168730500080741
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. John S. Heywood & Uwe Jirjahn, 2014. "Variable Pay, Industrial Relations and Foreign Ownership: Evidence from Germany," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 52(3), pages 521-552, September.
    2. C Green & J S Heywood, 2007. "Performance pay, sorting and the dimensions of job satisfaction," Working Papers 584041, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
    3. Jirjahn Uwe & Tsertsvadze Georgi, 2006. "Betriebsräte und Arbeitszufriedenheit / Works Councils and Job Satisfaction," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 226(5), pages 537-561, October.
    4. Fathi Fakhfakh & Andrew Robinson & Aguibou Tall, 2019. "Financial Participation and Collective Conflicts: Evidence from French Firms," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(4), pages 674-703, October.
    5. repec:lan:wpaper:2928 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Colin P. Green & John S. Heywood, 2016. "Don't Forget the Gravy! Are Bonuses Just Added on Top of Salaries?," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(3), pages 490-513, July.
    7. Green, Colin P. & Heywood, John S., 2010. "Profit sharing and the quality of relations with the boss," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(5), pages 859-867, October.
    8. Colin Green & John S. Heywood, 2008. "Does Performance Pay Increase Job Satisfaction?," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 75(300), pages 710-728, November.
    9. repec:lan:wpaper:3175 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. repec:lan:wpaper:3020 is not listed on IDEAS

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