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After I first came to study political science via detours, everything else happened relatively quickly afterwards. Working as a student assistant to Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schroeder gave me a broad insight into the variety of topics that we work on here at the Department of Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany at the University of Kassel. The field of labor relations proved to be particularly exciting for me. In my master's thesis, I dealt with the phenomenon of professional trade unions. The success of the Marburger Bund in 2006 also brought the topic to the forefront of academic discussion.

After graduating, I was lucky enough to be able to stay in the field. As a research assistant in a project funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation on the transformation of the trade union landscape through competition between trade unions, I also remained true to my main topic. Last but not least, it made sense to also focus my dissertation project on this topic. From my point of view, the Marburger Bund was not only a particularly interesting case, but also lent itself as an object of study for the background and conditions of a successful transformation of a professional association into a professional trade union.

Transformation from a professional association to an occupational trade union. A case study on the Marburger Bund and the hospital doctors

Since the 1990s, the hospital sector has been undergoing substantial changes. The processes of economization, as a result of government measures to cap costs and introduce competition, are bringing changes not only to the structure of the hospital sector. They also affect employees and their working conditions. Moreover, in recent years, changes have occurred in the collective industrial relations in the hospital sector. In 2005, the physicians' association Marburger Bund (MB) questioned the established actor's constellation and the bargaining structure. So far, DGB-trade union ver.di, a multi-sector union representing all hospital employees, has held a monopoly position. However, the professional association recanted ver.di's authority to negotiate collective agreements and called for independent physician-specific negotiations. During the conflicting enforcement of that claim, the MB transformed from a professional association to an occupational trade union. The present political science case study focuses on that transformation process.

This dissertation takes up the debate about the transformation of the German trade union model as well as the considerations regarding changing state activity in the areas of public interest. On the one hand, the study seeks to ascertain the motive, the occasion, and the process of organizational change of the Marburger Bund towards an independent occupational trade union. On the other hand, the study looks into the current state of the transformation processes and aims to explore the future perspective for the industrial relations in the hospital sector. This dissertation is based on a theoretical construct composed of opportunity structure, resource mobilization theory, and a window of opportunity. The findings are empirically based on a comprehensive evaluation of written sources and materials as well as numerous semi-structured interviews with experts.

This study shows that the transformation process of the Marburger Bund can only be explained through the interaction of opportunity structure, resource mobilization, and a window of opportunity. The resource base consists of the double primary power of the physicians (workplace and labor market power) and the MB's organizational abilities. Additionally, the organization is able to rely on wage policy experience gained in the past. However, the initiative for becoming a trade union started as a bottom-up process by the striking junior doctors at the university hospitals. The changes in the hospital sector and their impact on the working conditions, the job profile as well as the position and status of the physicians all played an important role in the opportunity structure. The behavior of ver.di in the collective bargaining also played a part. Only after the junior doctors had asserted themselves against the regional associations of the MB and the federal management had recognized the arising window of opportunity, did the Marburger Bund place itself at the forefront of the striking physicians. The MB transferred the physicians' primary power to organizational veto power and was able to enforce in 2006an independent collective agreement specifically for physicians.

Two aspects can be highlighted in relation to the future evolution of the industrial relations in the hospital sector: 1. The Marburger Bund is characterized by a dual focus on collective agreements and occupational interests. Nevertheless, its transformation can be considered complete. The MB has established itself as an independent trade union. Despite the competitive labor union constellation, the sector conditions offer potential opportunities for cooperation. 2. it appears that currently there is no risk of further differentiation in the actors' constellation, such as the emergence of an independent trade union for nurses. Finally, the example of the MB clearly shows how demanding it is to implement a successful transformation from a professional association to an occupational trade union. In that respect, the developments in the hospital sector cannot be regarded as an indication for a fundamental change in the German trade union model.

The hospital sector has been undergoing increased change since the 1990s. Economization processes resulting from government measures to cap costs and establish competition are not only changing the structures in the hospital sector. They also have an impact on employees and their working conditions. In recent years, there have also been changes in collective labor relations in the hospital sector. In 2005, the medical association Marburger Bund (MB) called into question the established collective bargaining constellation. This had previously been characterized by the monopoly position of the DGB trade union ver.di, which represented all hospital employees as a multi-sector trade union. However, the professional association revoked the negotiating authority granted to ver.di and demanded independent negotiations on doctor-specific collective agreements. In the course of the conflictual enforcement of this claim, the MB transformed itself from a professional association into a professional trade union. This transformation process is the focus of this political science case study.

The study draws on the debate on the transformation of the German trade union model as well as considerations on the transformation of state activity in public services of general interest. On the one hand, the study examines the motive, the cause and the course of the organizational change of the Marburger Bund into an independent professional trade union. On the other hand, it focuses on the current status of the transformation process and addresses the future prospects for labor relations in the hospital sector. The work is based on a theoretical construct consisting of opportunity structure, resource mobilization theory and opportunity window, which is applied to the transformation process. Empirically, the findings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of written sources and materials as well as a large number of semi-open, guideline-based expert interviews.

The study shows that the transformation process of the Marburg Confederation can only be explained by the interplay of opportunity structure, resource mobilization and opportunity window. The resources included both the dual primary power (workplace and labour market power) of the doctors and the organizational resources of the MB. Last but not least, the association had already gained collective bargaining experience in its history. However, the initiative to unionize the professional association came from the striking assistant doctors at the university hospitals in a bottom-up process. The opportunity structure included in particular the changes in the sector and their impact on working conditions, professional profile and the status and standing of doctors. The behavior of ver.di in the collective bargaining negotiations also played a role. Only after the assistant doctors were able to assert themselves against the state associations and the federal association leadership recognized the window of opportunity that had opened up did the Marburger Bund take the lead among the striking doctors. The MB transformed the primary power of doctors into an association veto power and was thus able to push through independent, doctor-specific collective agreements in 2006.

With regard to the future development of labour relations in the hospital sector, two aspects can be highlighted: 1. the Marburger Bund is characterized by a dualism of trade union and professional policy priorities. Nevertheless, its transformation can be considered complete. The MB has established itself as an independent collective bargaining actor. Despite the competitive constellation of trade unions, however, the industry conditions offer potential opportunities for cooperation. 2. the danger of a further differentiation of the constellation of players, for example through the emergence of an independent nursing union, does not appear to exist at present. Ultimately, the example of the MB clearly demonstrates how demanding the successful transformation of a professional association into a professional trade union is. In this respect, developments in the hospital sector do not suggest a fundamental change in the German trade union model.

"Transformation from professional association to professional trade union. A case study using the example of the Marburger Bund and hospital doctors"

The dissertation was published by Springer Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften in 2012:
Greef, Samuel (2012): The transformation of the Marburger Bund. From professional association to professional trade union, Wiesbaden: Springer VS.
Link to the publication

Review by Jens Flintrop in the German Medical Journal, 109 (42), 19.10.2012, p. 2092.

My interests and research focus on network policy, digitalization, Industry 4.0, social policy and the welfare state as well as trade union and association research.

Current projects

10/2018 - 09/2019: "Right-wing populism and organized civil society: Comparison of development, presence and conflicts of right-wing populist activities in organized civil society spaces", funded by the Otto Brenner Foundation.

Course winter semester 2018/19

  • MA-Seminar: Policy Field Analysis
  • MA project seminar: Local politics and representation of interests - Part 1
  • BA preparatory course: Introduction to political science work

Past courses

Summer semester 2018

  • BA-Seminar: Network policy and statehood
  • BA colloquium

winter semester 2017/18

  • Lecture: Introduction to the political system of the FRG
  • MA seminar: Policy field analysis
  • BA preparatory course: Introduction to working in political science

Summer semester 2017

Summer semester 2016

winter semester 2014/15

Summer semester 2014

winter semester 2013/14

Summer semester 2013

Winter semester 2012/13

Summer semester 2012

winter semester 2011/12

Summer semester 2011

Winter semester 2010/11

Summer semester 2010

Winter semester 2009/10

Summer semester 2008

  • Seminar: Corporatism-Pluralism. Trade Unions and Professional Associations

Winter semester 2005/06

  • Seminar: Political issues of the day

Lectures

  • "Making member unions fit for the future - challenges and prospects", symposium of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Akademie Management und Politik: Ehrenamt (be)leben! Attracting and retaining active members and volunteers for parties and trade unions, Bonn, 08.11.2010.
  • "Professional trade unions: Back to the future? Backgrounds and perspectives of the change in the association and trade union landscape", Working Group on Trade Union Issues, Cooperation Center University and Trade Unions, University of Kassel, 27.10.2010.
  • Panel discussion: "Der Streik der Ärzte, Piloten und Lokführer - Wie steht es um die Zukunft der Industrie- und Branchengewerkschaften?", Fachgebiet Politisches System der BRD, University of Kassel, 05.07.2010.
  • "Neue Vielfalt: Vom Wandel der Arbeitnehmerverbandslandschaft und neuen Akteurskonstellationen in der kollektiven Interessenvertretungspolitik", Workshop AK-NPO (Arbeitskreis Nonprofit-Organisationen), University of Kassel, 21.11.2009.
  • "Entwicklung und Differenzierung der Systeme von Arbeitsbeziehungen in den Dienstleistungen: The case of Deutsche Bahn", CIRAC Université de Cergy-Pontoise/ DFI, Paris, 06.04.2009.
  • "Professional trade unions: Transformation of the association and trade union landscape - background and perspectives", IG Metall Speakers' Forum, Wolfsburg, 14.03.2009.
  • "Die deutsche Gewerkschaftslandschaft im Wandel: Neue Gewerkschaftskonkurrenz am Beispiel des Krankenhaussektors", HBS Workshop: Politik zur Erneuerung der Gewerkschaften, University of Kassel, 02.09.2008.
  • "From corporatism to pluralism? Wandel der industriellen Beziehungen in Deutschland", weekend conference IG Metall Arbeitskreis Arbeitsrecht, Lenzkirch-Saig, 04.07.2008.
  • "Die Linke in Hessen", FES Workshop: Wandel des hessischen Parteiensystems, University of Kassel, 06.09.2007.
  • "Die Linke in Hessen", research colloquium, Burg Ludwigstein, 14.07.2007.

Lectures

  • "Netzpolitik - Ein Politikfeld Version 0.9?", Annual Conference 2014 of the DVPW Section Policy Analysis and Administrative Science "Entstehung und Dynamik von Politikfeldern", Panel 4: "Die Entstehung des Politikfeldes Netzpolitikes", Bremen, 18.03.2014.
  • "Der vorsorgende Sozialstaat im Transformationsprozess - geht das?", INEP conference "Industriegesellschaft gestalten", Walsrode, 14.09.2013.
  • "Tarifpluralität durch Berufs- und Spartengewerkschaften. Backgrounds and perspectives using the example of the Marburger Bund", HBS scholarship holder seminar "Ökonomisierung im Gesundheitswesen", Berlin, 15.06.2013.
  • "Competition from professional trade unions. Backgrounds, handling and future prospects", ver.di Südhessen district board meeting, Darmstadt, 27.11.2012.
  • "The challenge of professional trade unions. Background and future perspectives", AK Strategic Unionism, Kassel, 23.11.2012.
  • "The challenge of trade unions in the service sector. Backgrounds and future prospects", closed meeting of the Hessian ver.di regional board, Gladenbach, 17.08.2012.
  • "New labor competition: How processes of deregulation and privatization affect industrial relations in Germany", 16th ILERA World Congress 2012, Philadelphia, USA, 03.07.2012 (DAAD funded).
  • "Why are professional trade unions successful? The example of the Marburger Bund", District Board Meeting ver.di Nordhessen, Kassel, 16.02.2012.
  • "Bedingungen und Hintergründe des Erfolges von Berufsgewerkschaften", conference "Hände weg vom Streikrecht", University of Kassel, 10.09.2011.
  • "Beruf, Gewerkschaft, Stand und Status", Workshop Strukturwandel der Arbeit - Strukturwandel der Organisationen, HBS, University of Kassel, 18.06.2011.
  • "Berufsgewerkschaften in der Offensive?", Kooperationsstelle Hochschule und Gewerkschaften, ver.di, EVG, University of Kassel, 28.04.2011.
  • "Tarifkonkurrenz: Bedrohung oder Papiertiger?", IG BCE Bezirksvorstand Mittelhessen, Marburg, 15.04.2011.
  • "Vertretung von Arbeitnehmerinteressen im Krankenhaussektor - Akteurskonstellationen und Tarifpolitik im Wandel", 1st GIRA Spring School, Arbeitsbeziehungen in einer entgrenzten Welt, Trier, 21.03.2011.
  • "Organizational policy effects of collective bargaining competition", IG BCE full-time conference, Bad Münder, 12.01.2011.

Lectures

  • "Digitalization of the German economy: In which direction is the development going?", Councelors' Office of Shanghai Municipal People's Government/ FES Conference "The Digital Transformation in China and Germany: Impacts on the Future of Work, Skills Training and Social Security, Shanghai, China, 12.11.2018.
  • "Shaping digitalization: Regulatory perspectives on platform economy and crowdworking from trade unions and employers' associations", NRW-Dialogforum des FGW, Düsseldorf, 30.10.2018.
  • "Crowdworking and platform economy in Germany: Actor perspectives on a new form of work, its regulation and new forms of governance", FES symposium "Digitale Industrie, algorithmische Arbeit, kulturelle Transformation", Bonn, 04.10.2018.
  • "Crowdworking and platform economy in Germany - The trade unions and employers' associations perspective on the future of work, regulations, and new forms of governance", 18th ILERA World Congress 2018, Seoul, South Korea, 26.07.2018.
  • "Mitbestimmung in Deutschland: Erfahrungen, Herausforderungen und Perspektiven", Conference SGB/ SP "Mehr Demokratie für eine zukunftsfähige Wirtschaft", Bern, 09.03.2018.
  • "Verbände und Verbändeforschung im digitalen Zeitalter", conference of the DVPW working group on associations "Quo vadis, Verbändeforschung? Where does German research on associations stand today?", Berlin, 01.12.2017.
  • "Current challenges of democracy", Democracy Conference 2017, Gudensberg, 24.11.2017.
  • "The future of work and its impact on social security", Conference: Global Social Security and Economic Development at XIII International Forum on Social Security, Nanjing, China, 17.09.2017.
  • "Social security in Germany", Conference: Global Social Security and Economic Development at XIII International Forum on Social Security, Nanjing, China, 17.09.2017.
  • "The Labor Unions Perspective on the Platform Economy in Germany", Renmin University-Rudgers University Conference "Sharing Economy and New Types of Work International Conference and the Second Annual Forum of China Labor Science", Beijing, China, 14.07.2017.
  • "A New Labor Market Policy for Work 4.0: Initiatives from Germany", KLI-FES Conference "Work 4.0 and Industry 4.0", Seoul, Korea, 06.04.2017.
  • "Policy initiatives against youth unemployment in Germany", Korean Youth Community Union-FES Discussion Meeting, Seoul, Korea, 04.04.2017.
  • "The Marburger Bund between professional association and sectoral union. Background to the phenomenon of collective bargaining plurality and trade union competition", University of Siegen, 31.05.2016.

Current publications

Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Greef, Samuel/ Schreiter, Benedikt (2017): Shaping Digitalization. Industry 4.0 - Work 4.0 - Regulation of the Platform Economy, International Policy Analysis, Berlin: FES.

Greef, Samuel/ Schroeder, Wolfgang (2017): Plattformökonomie und Crowdworking: Eine Analyse der Strategien und Positionen zentraler Akteure, BMAS Forschungsbericht, 500, Berlin: BMAS.

Greef, Samuel (2017): Net policy - Is a policy field for digital policy emerging? Small series - Digital. Politics. Kompakt., vol. 1, Kassel: kup.

Contact us

University of Kassel
Fachbereich 05 Gesellschaftswissenschaften
Fachgebiet Politisches System der BRD - Staatlichkeit im Wandel
Nora-Platiel-Str. 1
34127 Kassel

Office: Room 3106, Nora-Platiel-Str. 5

+49 561 804-3439

+49 561 804-3464

Email

Consultation hour

Room 3106, Nora-Platiel-Straße 5

Consultation hours:

Please make an appointment by e-mail.

  • Greef, Samuel/ Kiepe, Lukas (2018): Watchdog organizations close to the state, in: FJ SB, 31, (3), pp. 28-37.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Greef, Samuel (2018): Stabilization of the social partnership in the third grand coalition (2013 to 2017)? In: Zohlnhöfer, Reimut/ Saalfeld, Thomas (eds.): Between standstill, policy change and crisis management. An assessment of the Merkel government 2013-2017, Wiesbaden: Springer, pp. 291-315.
  • Greef, Samuel (2018): Zwischen Berufsverband und Gewerkschaft: Der Marburger Bund, in: Spier, Tim/ Strünck, Christoph (eds.): Ärzteverbände und ihrer Mitglieder. Between the Logic of Influence and Membership, Wiesbaden: Springer, pp. 191-216.
  • Greef, Samuel (2017): Arbeitgeberverbände im Spiegel von Zahlen, Daten und Fakten, in: Schroeder, Wolfgang (ed.): Handbuch Arbeitgeber- und Wirtschaftsverbände in Deutschland, 2nd ed., Wiesbaden: Springer.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Greef, Samuel/ D'Antonio, Oliver/ Schreiter, Benedikt/ Kiepe, Lukas (2017): Which welfare state do artists need? In: D'Antonio, Oliver/ Ruß-Sattar, Sabine/ Schreiter, Benedikt/ Schroeder, Wolfgang (eds.): Between wealth and precarity. What kind of welfare state do artists need? Conference documentation - Kassel, June 27/28, 2017, i3, No. 7, Kassel, pp. 6-13.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/Greef, Samuel (2016): Gewerkschaften und Arbeitsbeziehungen nach dem Boom, in: Doering-Manteuffel, Anselm/Raphael, Lutz/Schlemmer, Thomas (eds.): Vorgeschichte der Gegenwart. Dimensions of the Structural Break after the Boom, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, pp. 245-270.
  • Greef, Samuel (2014): Gewerkschaften im Spiegel von Zahlen, Daten und Fakten, in: Schroeder, Wolfgang (ed.): Handbuch Gewerkschaften in Deutschland, 2nd ed., Wiesbaden: Springer VS, pp. 657-755.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/Greef, Samuel (2014): Struktur und Entwicklung des deutschen Gewerkschaftsmodells: Herausforderung durch Sparten- und Berufsgewerkschaften, in: Schroeder, Wolfgang (ed.): Handbuch Gewerkschaften in Deutschland, 2nd ed., Wiesbaden: Springer VS, pp. 121-145.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/Greef, Samuel (2013): Policy analysis by trade unions and business associations in Germany, in: Blum, Sonja/Schubert, Klaus (eds.): Policy Analysis in Germany, Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 197-216.
  • Greef, Samuel (2013): Organizing: mobilizing the grassroots in trade unions, in: Speth, Rudolf (ed.): Grassroots Campaigning, Wiesbaden: Springer VS, pp. 91-111.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Greef, Samuel (2012): Trade unions and the erosion of the civil society base: from solidarity organization to collective bargaining association, in: Fraune, Cornelia/ Schubert, Klaus (eds.): Grenzen der Zivilgesellschaft. Empirical Findings and Analytical Perspectives, Münster/ New York/ Munich/ Berlin: Waxmann, pp. 133-155.
  • Greef, Samuel (2012): Demigods in the labor dispute, in: Die GesundheitsWirtschaft, 6 (6), pp. 60-63.
  • Greef, Samuel/ Kalass, Viktoria (2011): Les relations sociales à la Deutsche Bahn: nouveaux acteurs et évolution des rapports de force sur fond de privatization et de libéralisation, in: Hazouard, Solène/ Lasserre, René/ Uterwedde, Henrik (eds.): Relations sociales dans les services d'intérêt général. Une comparaison France-Allemagne, Cergy-Pontoise Cedex: CIRAC, pp. 85-105.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Greef, Samuel (2011): Nouveaux acteurs de la représentation des intérêts des salariés en Allemagne, in: Hazouard, Solène/ Lasserre, René/ Uterwedde, Henrik (eds.): Relations sociales dans les services d'intérêt général. Une comparaison France-Allemagne, Cergy-Pontoise Cedex: CIRAC, pp. 61-84.
  • Greef, Samuel (2010): Appendix: history - organization - basic data, in: Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Weßels, Bernhard (eds.): Handbuch Arbeitgeber- und Wirtschaftsverbände in Deutschland. A Handbook, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, pp. 483-526.
  • Greef, Samuel (2010): Neue Konkurrenz in der Tarifpolitik - Der Marburger Bund, in: ders./ Kalass, Viktoria/ Schroeder, Wolfgang (eds.): Gewerkschaften und die Politik der Erneuerung. Und sie bewegen sich doch, Edition der HBS 241, Düsseldorf: HBS, pp. 134-145.
  • Greef, Samuel/ Kalass, Viktoria/ Schroeder, Wolfgang (2010): Gewerkschaftliche Erneuerungsdebatte, in: this. (eds.): Trade unions and the politics of renewal. Und sie bewegen sich doch, Edition der HBS 241, Düsseldorf: HBS, pp. 13-17.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Greef, Samuel (2008): Industrial and sectoral trade unions in conflict. Organizational preconditions and realized opportunity structures, in: Industrial Relations, 15(4), pp. 329-355.
  • Schroeder, Wolfgang/ Greef, Samuel/ Reschke, Michael (2008): Die Linkspartei in Hessen, in: Schroeder, Wolfgang (ed.): Parteien und Parteiensystem in Hessen. From a four-party to a five-party system? Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, pp. 184-208.
  • 2005-2006
    Member of the Kassel Student Parliament
  • Since August 2014
    Trade union secretary in the Fundamental Issues and Social Policy department of IG Metall
  • Since March 2012
    Research assistant at the University of Kassel in the Department of Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany, PD Dr. Rudolf Speth
  • 03.02.2012
    Doctorate (Dr. rer. pol.) at the University of Kassel with the dissertation: "Transformation from professional association to professional trade union. A case study using the example of the Marburger Bund and hospital doctors"
  • 2011-2012
    Research assistant at the University of Kassel at the Department of Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany, PD Dr. Rudolf Speth
  • 2008-2010
    Research assistant in the HBS project "Neue Vielfalt: Vom Wandel der Arbeitnehmerverbandslandschaft und neuen Akteurskonstellationen in der kollektiven Interessensvertretungspolitik" at the University of Kassel, Department of Political System of the FRG, Prof. Wolfgang Schroeder
  • 30.09.2008
    Obtained the academic degree "Magister Artium"
    Academic thesis: "Small employee organizations as a challenge for the German trade union model."
  • 2006-2008
    Student assistant at the University of Kassel, Department of Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany, Prof. Wolfgang Schroeder
  • 2005-2006
    Student assistant at the University of Kassel, Dr. Francois Beilecke
  • 2003-2008
    Master's degree program in Political Science at the University of Kassel
    Minor subjects: Intermediate/New History and Computer Science
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