03.PLURALISM & MARXISM

 

INTRODUCTION

PLURALISM

Figure1: Pluralism

Pluralist theory holds that the workplace consists of a diverse range of views, values, attitudes, and behaviors. It implies that there are opposing sources of leadership and connection in organizations where conflict is unavoidable due to competing interests. However, in this setting, disputes are not regarded as undesirable qualities, but rather as beneficial if discovered and managed within institutional responses. Management's function in this case is to mediate between opposing interests and trade unions that are considered legitimate representatives of employees, and they are viewed positively because they assist employees in emphasizing their decision-making authority.

In this method, employment relations stability can be achieved through a series of concessions and discussions between managers and employers throughout the collective bargaining process, in which they meet and discuss important issues affecting both employees and the company. Employee performance, compensation reviews, training opportunities, career paths within the organization, and other positive conditions all contribute to the company's harmony and productivity. Employees regard trade unions as representatives who deal with conflict and disputes through collective bargaining, whereas employers recognize trade unions as part of the labor scene and collaborate with management and employees to limit or settle issues.

According to josephinetransite(2017) the pluralism frame of reference focuses more on compromising and collective bargaining as it recognizes different interests within sub-groups can cause conflict, primarily between the management and trade union. Contrasted to unitarism, pluralism recognize the importance of conflict and negotiation. Cradden (2011) emphasize that companies that utilise this practice values negotiation and coming to an agreeable resolution that benefits both the employees and employers equally. This limits the employer’s authority or any misuse of power toward the employee. A major limitation of this approach is the power and control that managers possess. The significant imbalance of power between capital and labor, effects the employee’s performance toward the company (Adigun 2014). Managers have the authority to propose a solution when conflicts cannot be resolved through negotiation. This emphasizes the primary power belongs to the manager, thus could increase the frustration of employees within a company.

                                    Source: YouTube (2020)

Advantages of Pluralism 

• The pluralist approach recognizes and promotes diversity among various groups, whether small or large, and ensures that they have equal opportunities to participate and protect their interests.

• Everyone here strives to comprehend one another's differences in order to reduce prejudice and discrimination against minorities.

• Different points of view are welcomed in an environment of plurality, so new ideas and ongoing debate open people's eyes to new potential. This generates more inventive thoughts.

• Peace is an essential feature of any kind of community. Pluralism allows people to respect each other's perspectives, beliefs, cultures, and religions without discrimination.

• Democracy is inextricably linked to pluralism. This implies that everyone has a voice and equal rights. Indeed, democracy is an essential feature of plurality.

Disadvantage of Pluralism

• A diverse society is difficult to control since each individual has a unique point of view. This means that individuals will be unable to agree on a wide range of issues, which may contribute significantly to protests.

• Pluralism ignores the reality that certain groups are dominant over others, with the dominant group holding some power and control over the interests of the smaller group.

• Lack of coordination among various cultural groups and difficult implementation process lead to inefficiency and make the system ineffective.

• Pluralism is destroying individualism, and children are taught that they must measure their words for fear of offending others. This hinders their ability to express themselves.

MARXISM

Figure2 : Marxist Criticism

Figure3 : Marxist approach to industrial relations

The Marxist ideology is centered on economic power and society, and class conflict between employers and employees is required and unavoidable for change to occur. This theory examines the organization in terms of class, specifically the working class and the management class, which are inevitably at odds in order to solve certain challenges. According to Karl Marx, a German philosopher, situational conflicts inside an organization allow us to discover new sets of rules, and as a result, a new organization arises from the old ways to new ways of working.

According to Arghaa (2017) Marxism is a by product of a theory of capitalist society and social change. Marxist argue that industrial relation is a relation of clashes between capital and labor. Employer tries to maximize profit by holding surplus value and underplaying workers remuneration. Workers clash for his share in the outcome of wealth because he is the human means in the production, so the most important factor of production.  Employee relations is a continues process of clash between Employer and labor. This clash will finish in the socialist society only, where capital is controlled by labor class. 

Advantages of Marxism 

• Many injustices and inequalities occur as a result of societal class divisions, and as such, Marxism establishes a system of true equality in which everyone shares abundantly in society's resources.

• Marxism supports capitalism. Capitalism is significant because it stimulates competition and innovation, but it also creates monopolies. A monopoly occurs when one corporation dominates the market and controls prices. As a result, Marxism advocated for governmental ownership of businesses in order to abolish monopolies.

• Marxism supports capitalism. Capitalism is significant because it stimulates competition and innovation, but it also creates monopolies. A monopoly occurs when one corporation dominates the market and controls prices. As a result, Marxism advocated for governmental ownership of businesses in order to abolish monopolies.

Disadvantages of Marxism

• Marxism abolishes the concept of private ownership, which means that ownership of private property is limited to those who contribute to the common good by residing in a specific location within the society. This results in a lack of control over where to reside, hence there is no privacy.

• Under Marxism, business primarily serves the government. Thus, monetary incentives, a lack of creativity, and a lack of motivation are frequently found. As a result, it discourages the development of new businesses.

• It could lead to communism. It precludes the idea of a free market because the government sets prices, hence removing free market will. Furthermore, it is feasible in Marxism, which does not foster individuality.

OVERVIEW OF UNIRAISM ,PLURALISM AND MARXISM 

Figure4:Overview of theories

CONCLUSION

There are various approaches on managing relationships in businesses. These include unitarism, pluralism, and Marxism. Various businesses and their respective management take a specific approach to employee relations management.

However, in today's management dynamic world, businesses may opt to use multiple management styles, but in an integrative and collaborative manner. Because of the dynamic of today's economy, the pluralist perspective is the ideal management style because it addresses the majority of the needs of employees and managers. This is because it promotes participatory management.

REFERENCES

Joseph. (2017). josephinetransite. Retrieved March 25, 2024, from osephinetransite.wordpress.com: https://josephinetransite.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/hrm-107-unitarism-pluralism-and-radicalism.

Arghaa. (2017, January 09). Arghaa. Retrieved from Arghaa commited to growth: https://arghaa.com/news/unitary-perspective-of-industrial-relations/186.

Figure1 :     Pluralism   

Figure2 :     Marxist Criticism

Figure3 :     Marxist approach to industrial relations

Figure4 :    Overview of Theories