The Dynamics of Legitimacy in Integrative Bargaining Over Restructuring

Bibliographic Data

ID21334446
AuthorsChristopher J Mclachlan (0000-0002-4867-9409, Queen Mary University of London London UK, corresponding author), Mark Stuart (0000-0003-4962-6496, University of Leeds Leeds UK), Robert Mackenzie (0000-0001-9902-8182, Karlstad University Karlstad Sweden)
Year2025
Publication date2025-12-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueIndustrial Relations A Journal of Economy and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0019-8676 • E-ISSN: 1468-232X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/irel.70019
OpenAlexW4417026273
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited31

This paper demonstrates the dynamics of legitimacy in integrative bargaining over restructuring. Through a case study of SteelCo, we show that cognitive legitimacy is essential to the identification of integrative potential, which interacts with pragmatic and moral legitimacy as bargaining evolves. Our findings also reveal the two‐way interrelationship between legitimacy and bargaining: just as legitimacy impacts the bargaining process, the conduct and outcomes of bargaining impact legitimacy. Our analysis highlights the risk integrative bargaining presents for unions, as it can involve not a single act of compromise but a gradual weakening of resources predicated on their moral legitimacy among workers

Bargaining power · Compromise · Dynamics (music) · Legitimacy · Restructuring · Conflict Management and Negotiation · Labor Movements and Unions · Social Policy and Reform Studies