A typology of trade union websites with evidence from Portugal and Britain

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been discussed as an important contribution for revitalising trade unions. Authors stress for instance that Internet is faster, cheaper, and more far-reaching than traditional communication means. Nevertheless, the discussion lacks tools and empirical data that allow us to understand and follow up the changes in phenomena. This article presents a typology to analyse union websites. We also apply this typology by comparing two national cases. The empirical approach was limited to the websites of Portuguese and British trade unions covering civil service. Although not significantly, findings show that British trade unions are taking more advantage of the Internet than those in Portugal; not only do they enable interactivity, but above all promote the website as a sociability space. We believe this typology gives us the opportunity to monitor, diachronically and synchronically, the relation between trade unions and Internet, nourishing a possible new configuration of industrial relations patterns if its adoption is widespread.