Work Design Practices: Do Trade Unions Make a Difference?

Work design and implementation of various work design practices can be constrained or fostered by various factors, among which trade unions should be considered as an important one. Research conducted among large-sized Croatian companies shows that it is possible to recognize significant differences among union- and non-union organizations regarding the use of innovative work design practices. Independent samples t-test revealed that non-union organizations use flexible working arrangements more extensively than their unionized counterparts. Additionally, traditional job design strategies and teamwork practices are also more represented within non-unionized work setting. Research findings clearly indicate how trade unions have a significant impact on the implementation of different work design practices. In other words, their influence on work design practice should not be neglected.