Cassell, C. and Lee, W.J. orcid.org/0000-0003-2656-4106 (2017) Understanding translation work: The evolving interpretation of a trade union idea. Organization Studies, 38 (8). pp. 1085-1106. ISSN 0170-8406
Abstract
This paper uses data from a longitudinal, seven year, cross-national study to explore the translation of a trade union idea. The aim of the paper is to examine and explicate the nature of the translation work undertaken to translate a trade union idea in a multi-organizational setting. In examining how the idea of the learning representative initiative was translated into the New Zealand context we draw upon a narrative analysis to reveal the complexities of the dynamic and ongoing translation of the idea and identify the nature of the translation work required. As such we contribute to the literature on the translation of ideas firstly by explicating the concept of real-time translation work in a novel empirical context, and secondly theoretically, by drawing attention to the distinctive characteristics of trade union translation work. In doing so we argue that translation work in this distinctive socio-political context requires ongoing vigilance and proprietorship of the idea by trade union actors and that such proprietorship is crucial when translators are coming from subordinate positions. We conclude that when successful, the role of international idea translators may offer some legitimacy to unions in an increasingly globalised world.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License (http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). |
Keywords: | Translation work; Translation; Translation of ideas; Longitudinal; Narratives; Learning; Case study; trade unions |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Management School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 19 Oct 2016 10:13 |
Last Modified: | 26 Oct 2018 12:33 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0170840616670435 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/0170840616670435 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:106109 |
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