Employment relations and public services 'modernisation' under Labour

摘要

Purpose - To introduce the papers in the special issue. Design/methodology/approach - Provides a brief review of the papers. Findings - The papers cover a broad variety of human resource topics and the range of separate public services, including the impact of performance indicators on HRM practices in the NHS; the impact of Government policy on employment relations in the Fire Service; the use of 360° appraisal systems to improve performance management in the civil service; the impact of "best value" reviews upon HR in local government; the outcomes of new "partnership" relationships between management and unions in a local authority facing a "best value" review; and experimentation with job re-design in the NHS. Originality/value - Provides a summary of the perspectives considered within the issue.