The participant observer and groups in conflict: a case study from industry

Between 1969 and 1971, I undertook a participant observation study of a firm in the South of England. During this time, data were collected on relationships between trade union and management parties fram the point of view of inter-group conflict and resolution. Of particular note during this period were events leading up to a strike, and the aftermath of this strike. In 1976, I contacted the firm again, and was given per.mission to conduct a brief follow-up study consisting mainly of interviews with those who in 1970, and/or in 1976, held positions central to industrial relations at the firm. The findings from these two studies comprise the empirical content of Parts I and II, contained in Volume I of this thesis. The chapters comprising Part III of the thesis, contained in Volume II, explore some of the theoretical, methodological, and value issues which arise from the empirical study.