Oriol Barranco

El proceso de trabajo desde las perspectivas de la actividad situada y del conocimiento socialmente

La diversidad de procesos y estrategias empresariales de produccion que se vienen desarrollando en las ultimas decadas tienen su origen y se suelen definir a partir de los cambios en la organizacion y funcionamiento interno y de los factores tecnicos. En este sentido hablamos de cambios y transformaciones de los procesos de produccion. El interes de este articulo se centra en introducir en el analisis de los procesos de trabajo los factores contextuales, sociales y organizativos de la empresa y sus consecuencias mediante una redefinicion del concepto de proceso de trabajo, que permita analizarlo en su situacion real. Para analizar dichos cambios y sus consecuencias, teniendo en cuenta los supuestos macro y microsociologicos que intervienen, creemos que es indicado entender el Proceso de Trabajo (PT) desde las aproximaciones propias de la Actividad Situada (AS) y del Conocimiento Socialmente Distribuido (CSD).

Trade union strategies to enhance strike effectiveness in Italy and Spain

This article analyses union strategies to enhance strike effectiveness in Italy and Spain in the Great Recession. These two countries have traditionally scored very highly in strike activity statistics due to an adversarial industrial relations framework. In both countries, unions have relied upon similar repertoires of industrial action. Even though they are often grouped under the same industrial relations cluster, there are some significant differences, particularly when it comes to union characteristics and power resources. An analysis of trade union strategies regarding industrial conflict and their attempts to enhance strike effectiveness shows how, in spite of similar challenges, the unions in Italy and Spain have followed different paths and fared differently in their attempt to enhance the effectiveness of industrial action.

Squatting Cycles in Barcelona: Identities, Repression and the Controversy of Institutionalisation

Squatting in the metropolitan area of Barcelona is analysed here by distinguishing protest cycles and larger sociopolitical contexts. The authors identify different social movements related to both squatted social centres (SSCs) and housing struggles. Why have SSCs hardly ever been institutionalised? How do SSCs differ from squatting for housing? This chapter examines how specific political opportunity structures shape squatters’ tactics and orientations. In particular, three relevant contexts are highlighted—legislative changes, global mobilisations, and the emergence of social movements at the national level. In addition, the authors discuss how state repression narrowed the political opportunities for squatting.