Same Same, but Different? Exploring the Effect of Unemployment on the Frequency of Strikes versus Lockouts in Norway between 1909 and 1938

Abstract

This thesis uses newly digitized data on industrial conflict to explore the relationship between the frequency of industrial conflict and unemployment. The data covers Norwegian industrial conflicts and ranges from 1909 to 1938. Unlike the majority of previous research, this analysis separates between strikes and lockouts. What is the relationship between unemployment and industrial conflict in the period? Do employers and unions respond differently to unemployment? These are the question this thesis aims to answer. The thesis explores earlier theoretical and empirical work and discusses arguments for separating the two forms of industrial conflict. The empirical analysis in this thesis indicates that separation is needed as the relationships look to be different for the two forms of industrial conflict. The validity and potential explanations of the different estimates are also discussed.