Major External Shocks to Labour–Management Relationships

This chapter reviews the extant research on key labour-management issues arising from major external shocks. This chapter focusses on two major shocks: the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a generally unanticipated shock with transformative effects for the world of work, and climate change, which is not unanticipated but involves uncertainty for organizations. With a particular interest in the quality of work, the chapter presents a research agenda to further examine management and workers’ attitudes, priorities, strategies, and practices regarding the ongoing implications of COVID-19 and the consequences of climate change. Such a research agenda is essential given predictions that major external shocks are expected to increase in frequency.