ABSTRACT
Theories of trade unions operating at a global or international level have an extremely sparse literature. This chapter provides a few steps towards filling the research void by drawing on neo-functionalist models of sub-global integration and institutional theories of national trade union organization to posit a theory of regional trade union development and behaviour. Much of the industrial relations literature fails to distinguish between the organizational characteristics and primary objectives of different types of trade union. It is with the theoretical interpretation in mind that one can start to make sense of the development and behaviour of regional trade unions operating in the Asia Pacific. The predominant form of globalization in the Asia Pacific conditions sub-global regional trade unions like Asia Pacific Regional Organization to function in a particular way. On the argument presented, it is only then that regional trade unionism in the Asia Pacific will move beyond its ideological concerns.
