THE GROWING ROLE OF LABOR MARKET INTERMEDIARIES ON EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS AND IT’S IMPLICATIONS OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The role of labor market intermediaries has evolved drastically over the past few years and
still evolving due to global competition, selection and placement, legal constrictions,
changes in employee-employer relations and leadership styles combined precipitate a
significant rise in their roles. The continued rise of  labour market intermediaries has
raised more questions than answers questions about their functionality and rationale in the
labour market, and their value to people’s employment notions. Few studies have been
carried out on the emerging trends in work relations, the growing role of labour market
intermediaries and their implications on human resources management. A gap which this
critical review seeks to fill by determining the different relations that exist in the workplace
and their effects on individuals and the management while trying understand traits
characteristics that make them to be who they are for instance; mentors, trailblazers,
communicators, foes, acquaintances and advocates in addition to establishing how labour
market intermediaries carry out their activities in regard to work relations.  Labour
market intermediaries have been in existence for many years under different pretext such
as labor unions, expertise association, and professional licensing boards among others.
Previous studies into work place relations mostly dwelt on their effects on job satisfaction,
employee motivation, employee turnover and retention.