Labour relations in transition in Eastern Europe

This work explores the complex dynamics of labor relations and management in transitioning economies, focusing on both Eastern and Western contexts. It begins by establishing a general framework for understanding the restructuring of labor relations, examining the evolution of work identity and payment systems in both capitalist and socialist settings. The discussion includes the impact of technical progress and decentralization on socialist economies, alongside the interplay between capitalism, socialism, and business organizations. The text delves into self-management, highlighting case studies from Bulgaria and Poland, illustrating the challenges and realities of implementing self-management in various contexts. It further investigates new management forms and labor relations, featuring Hungary's evolving labor system and collective work organization practices in Czechoslovakia. The transformation of trade union structures is also a focal point, addressing issues of business democracy, current reform trends in Yugoslavia, and the pursuit of autonomy within Hungarian unions. The role of trade unions in fostering participation and navigating technological changes in the German Democratic Republic is critically analyzed. Legal and political restructuring is examined through labor legislation in Bulgaria, industrial democracy in Poland, and the transition to a free market in Romania. The work concludes with reflections on di