Abstract

ALVAREZ, Denise et al. Productive reorganization, outsourcing and labor relations in an offshore oil industry in Campos Basin. Gest. Prod. [online]. 2007, vol.14, n.1, pp. 55-68. ISSN 0104-530X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-530X2007000100006.

This paper analyses the correlations between the intensive use of outsourcing and labor organizations on offshore oil platforms in the Campos Basin (Rio de Janeiro). We studied and followed the reported empirical field over the last 10 years in a systematic way. The theorist-methodological referential applied in our research, in which this work can be found, was inspired by Ergonomics of the Activity and the Psycho Dynamic of the Work. In our analysis, two aspects should be mentioned: the tendency of increasing precariousness in a global sense and the possible waste of formal and informal knowledge due to labor collective fraction when we consider the cohesion of this collective as an important element for system reliability. In fact, the increased precariousness of the work contributes to this fraction, and one of the main reasons is the outsourcing criteria which has not advanced much, because of various initiatives of flexible organization connected to restructuring the production sector. This situation has brought consequences to workers' health and safety, suggesting that the outsourcing option as a labor management tool, in a way in which it has been done recently, would not been considered as being severe in terms of the implications.

Keywords : Outsourcing; Productive reorganization; Offshore oil industry; Complex social-technical systems; Labor relations; Health and safety.