Dados is one of the most widely-read social sciences journals in Latin America. Created in 1966, it publishes innovative works, originating from academic research, by Brazilian and foreign authors. Edited by IESP-UERJ, it aims to reconcile scientific rigor and academic excellence with an emphasis on public debate based on the analysis of substantive issues of society and politics.
Dados vol. 51 n. 3 Rio de Janeiro 2008
Abstract
The article analyzes trade union action that seeks to influence processes of technological and organizational innovation in companies in Brazil. The System for Monitoring Collective Bargaining, under the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Economic Studies (SACC-Dieese), was used to analyze collective bargaining clauses (1990- 2005) that deal with innovative processes. Interviews were held with leaders of unions belonging to the SACC-Dieese, seeking to understand what actually occurred following formal agreement to the clauses. We observed that the agreed-upon terms were not enforced in practice, revealing that the trade unions' influence in innovative processes was merely 'apparent'. The article seeks to demonstrate that the limited success of Brazilian trade unions in affecting technological and organizational innovations has been due not only to external constraints, but also to the unions' own limitations in formulating and interacting with technical and organizational changes.
Keywords: work, innovation, unions
DOI: 10.1590/S0011-52582008000300003
Brazilian trade unions' stance towards technological and organizational innovations
Português do Brasil
Español