ABSTRACT

This paper highlights the contribution of archival data and historical methods to impactful research in industrial relations, the sociology of work, management studies and Human Resource Management. Whilst archival methods are widely used in some of these fields of research, there has also been considerable debate in these fields over the challenges of conducting impactful research using archival data. The paper draws on archival records from the National Archives in the UK to explore the evolving relationship between private temporary employment agencies and the state over the 1980s. The paper highlights how the actions of specific labour market actors, particularly lobbying activities by private agencies, and the changing economic and political climate over the 1980s, impacted on perceptions and attitudes within government towards temporary employment agencies. In doing so, the paper sheds new light on the early evolution of what are now recognised as important dynamics shaping the contemporary employment agency industry.

摘要

本文强调了档案数据和历史方法对劳资关系、工作社会学、管理研究和人力资源管理等有影响力的研究的贡献。虽然档案方法广泛应用于其中一些研究领域，但在这些领域中，关于使用档案数据进行有影响力的研究的挑战也存在相当大的争论。本文利用英国国家档案馆的档案记录来探讨 20 世纪 80 年代私人临时就业机构与国家之间不断变化的关系。该文件强调了特定劳动力市场参与者的行为，特别是私营机构的游说活动，以及 20 世纪 80 年代不断变化的经济和政治气候，影响了政府内部对临时就业机构的看法和态度。在此过程中，本文对现在被认为是塑造当代职业介绍行业的重要动力的早期演变提供了新的视角。