ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in this book. The book has used the insights of a socio-psychological analysis of union membership attitudes and behaviour as a basis to evaluate the successful transfer of interest institutions and the subsequent transformation of workplace relations on east German shopfloors. It was argued that the current research on the post-socialist transformation in east Germany lacks a micro analysis of the workplace transformation. The book provides insights into the institutionalisation process of the newly transferred interest institutions which neither a macro nor a meso approach can provide on its own. The study revealed highly dissatisfied members who supported the works council and the union, and who were willing to be mobilised by these institutions. East German works councils are essentially a millstone around unions' necks. Socialist legacies were not leading to different attitudes or behaviour. The study highlights an important methodological point on debates about collectivism, instrumentality and unionism.
