Globalization In Australia

Words: 1647
Pages: 7

In the age of globalisation it is an undeniable fact that the barriers of communication, distance and technology are rapidly deteriorating. What this is also resulting in, is a dramatic change in the way that many business’s are conducing their operations. What is also a generally accepted premise, is that the relationship between the employer and the employee is one that contains an inherent power imbalance, working in the favour of the employer. The primary way in which employees are able to advance their economic and social interests is through exerting some degree of economic coercion on their employers, through the means of industrial action. Industrial action in turn, is only effective if the action is the concerted action of a number …show more content…
This paper will focus on the way in which the Australian regulatory system has facilitated the building of relationships between employees, their union organisations and the employers in the context of industrial action. When viewed through the contextual lens of globalisation with an international perspective, this paper will demonstrate that, the restrictions placed upon workers and unions in taking industrial action are neither adequate nor appropriate for the context in which contemporary employment relationships are …show more content…
These barrier breakdowns have created the essence of a global community in which the paradigms of time and space no longer present barriers to business reaching customers in opposing parts of the world. This has resulted in the business dimension, by necessity, having to revolutionise the way in which they conduct their operations in order to remain competitive. Examples evident in Australia can be seen through the decisions of both the Holden and Ford motoring companies, previously iconic Australian staples in the manufacturing industry, making the economic decision to move their manufacturing operations offshore, as there is no longer a competitive advantage to the, in a global market community to have such a business continuing in Australia. The issue presented from the labour regulation point of view, is that the narrative of the new economy is creating opportunities for the growth of the economy which have not been previously available. Likened to the industrial revolution, organisations are being given the opportunity to conduct business’ in the most efficient manner possible. The problem presented with this, is that globalisation is presenting employers with power, to which employee’s have no corresponding recourse. As has been discussed in the introduction, the primary way in which employees are