Developing mobility power tactics and strategies: the experiences of Central Eastern European workers in Scotland

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Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this article is to examine the tactics and strategies utilised by Central Eastern European (CEE) migrant workers as they strive to develop their mobility power within the employment relationship and outside of the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach
Data is drawn from three qualitative organisational case studies. In total 70 interviews with migrant workers, managers and HR staff were undertaken. There were also nine focus groups with migrant workers across the case studies.

Findings
Developing mobility power is not straightforward, particularly in the context of hard HRM strategies. The majority of CEE workers across the case studies viewed the employment relationship as temporary; however, people found it difficult to develop the mobility power necessary to leave and move to a better job. This can be attributed to a combination of people's individual subjective factors and employment in occupations with limited structural and associational power.

Originality/value
This article engages with debates concerning the agency of migrant workers. Existing studies have focused upon the way in which migrant workers utilise mobility power to leave unfavourable employers. However, this article builds upon current debates by examining how migrant workers develop their mobility power. There is also consideration of the individual and collective dimensions of power.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)244-258
Number of pages15
JournalEmployee Relations
Volume44
Issue number1
Early online date31 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • migrant workers
  • labour mobility
  • agency
  • European migration
  • mobility power

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