Why varieties of power resources matter

In recent years, discussion of labour power resources in industrial relations have enlarged the spectrum of what counts as a power resource, detecting ever new types. This chapter argues for a theoretical frame that can justify the implications of such varieties beyond a mere descriptive taxonomy. Such a framework needs to propose explanations for both the causes and effects of such variety. With illustrations from recent research, it raises propositions on the conditions in which the type of resources, rather than the simple volume of (any) resources matters for explaining differential outcomes. It then applies such framework to the case of sectoral collective bargaining during the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy, to show that in different circumstances, and at different levels, different power resources matter more. These cases point at the possibility of classifying power resources into discrete types, with effectiveness that is level- and issue-specific.