From Online Gatherings to Industrial Relations...

From Online Gatherings to Industrial Relations Actors: A Framework for Understanding the Impacts of Digital Labour Groups

Abstract

ABSTRACT Digital labour groups (DLGs)—online groups focusing on labour issues—are emerging as new actors in employment relations. While existing research documents various aspects of DLGs' activities, there is limited understanding of their impact on industrial relations (IR) or how an impact is achieved. To address this, we drew on the synergy of mobilization theory, connective action and network analysis perspectives to review the literature on DLGs. We identified a framework consisting of three core factors—actions, dynamics and statics—shaping DLGs' potential to become impactful IR actors and three typical pathways through which DLGs impact IR: grassroots DLGs entering IR, grassroots DLGs influencing IR and IR entities leveraging DLGs. This reveals how specific configurations of the three factors influence the capacity of DLGs to have an institutional impact. The study enhances theoretical understanding of digital collectives, extends the applicability of traditional IR theories to new contexts and offers practical advice for stakeholders navigating a digitalizing world of work.