Debates articles

Theoretical and policy debates in employment relations 

Format and length: Original articles, 3,000-5,000 words.  

Review process: Desk review by the editor or the associate editors, then double-blind review. Reviewers must be notified that submissions are not standard research articles and will be assessed for their value as short form “debates articles”. 

Scope: RI/IR invites contributors to submit articles reflecting on theoretical or policy issues of broader interest in the field of employment relations. Departing from a standard research article format, contributors are invited to reflect on:

• a specific concept, paradigm or theory in employment relations; 
• or employment relations practices at the micro-level, critiques of structures and governance; 
• or broader reflections on labour policy or regulatory reform. 

We will consider a broad range of topics and disciplines that reflect the diversity of the field. These include submissions that speak to issues in labour relations, public policy, human resources management, labour law, sociology of work, occupational health and safety, political economy, psychology, and other disciplines and areas of academic scholarship. Researchers are encouraged to contact the editor before preparing their submission to confirm fit with the mission, purpose, and quality standards expected from this type of submission. 

Evaluation criterion: 

• Quality and novelty of the contribution 
• Touches a cutting-edge topic or matter of debate in employment relations 
• Capacity to advance theoretical or policy knowledge in employment relations