Promoting Effective Consultation? Assessing the Impact of the ICE Regulations

Terry, Michael; Parker, Jane; Hutchinson, Susan; Hall, Mark; Purcell, John

Abstract

Drawing on evidence from longitudinal case studies in 25 organizations, this article examines whether information and consultation (I&C) bodies established in the context of the UK's Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 have been the vehicle for effective consultation, based on objective criteria. Assessed against the regulations' default provisions that require I&C concerning strategic business issues and major organizational change, a substantial minority of participating organizations were categorized as 'active consulters', while a majority were 'communicators'. The differing trajectories of I&C primarily reflected internal organizational dynamics, particularly management's approach to consultation. Beyond providing the catalyst for managerial moves to introduce I&C, the influence of the statutory framework proved largely peripheral. © John Wiley & Sons Ltd/London School of Economics 2011.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: May 18, 2011
• Journal: British Journal of Industrial Relations
• Print ISSN: 0007-1080
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-8543
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 355-381
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2011.00870.x
• Keywords: consultation, ICE
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/961936
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8543.2011.00870.x
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Article first published online: 28th June 2011
• Contract Date: Nov 15, 2016