“Decent Work” in the Port Industry- Resilience of Social Dialogue: A Scope Study with Related Analysis

This paper endeavors to review the literature in a conceptual and practical mode with reference to the research work on workplace on a select area viz., labour relations practices at the ports and identifies the importance of theoretical analysis to support workplace social dialogue. The paper is explorative in attempting to provide theoretical imperatives of social dialogue at the waterfronts as institutional framework in the light of democratization of labour-management relations at the ports. The paper has underscored the significance of the institutional framework of Social Dialogue at the port to provide trade unions and other stakeholders with an opportunity to expand the benefits of port reforms, and labour-management relations, beyond the scope of collective bargaining. Further, the paper explores conceptual understanding of Research Methodology in workplace study. In particular, it engages with the epistemological issues surrounding the adoption of a particular method of doing research. This and the epistemic of research method are discussed along the conceptual framework.