Papers presented by Florencia Costantini since 2019

2025 Atlanta, Georgia

"Business Strategies in Response to Labor Market Crises: The Sociedad Protectora del Trabajo Libre in 1930s Argentina"

Abstract:

This paper examines the unemployment management strategies adopted by firms during periods of crisis, focusing on the case of the Sociedad Protectora del Trabajo Libre (SPTL), an employers' organization active in Argentina. In the context of a profound economic recession and growing social unrest during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the SPTL emerged as a significant player, not only providing social security services but also working to mitigate labour conflict through structured temporary employment schemes and discouraging strikes. This study posits that these corporate interventions represent a precursor to Business Social Responsibility (BSR), as they introduced a “corporate solidarity” approach in response to social crises, addressing the need for stability and control. Utilizing a historical analysis grounded in documentary sources from the Society's archives and period press reports, we investigate the SPTL's proactive role in regulating the labour market and addressing unemployment. The methodology merges a business history framework with socioeconomic perspectives to gain insight into how this organization fostered social support networks and managed the labour force. This research connects with social history studies by exploring the socioeconomic repercussions of these business strategies and their contribution to cultivating a culture of corporate responsibility during times of crisis. This analysis challenges conventional interpretations of BSR by revealing that, in historical contexts, “corporate solidarity” was primarily motivated by the desire to reduce social unrest rather than altruistic intentions. Furthermore, it asserts that these historical practices provide valuable lessons for contemporary business policies during crises, indicating continuity in the implementation of containment strategies and social support to effectively manage unemployment and maintain social stability.

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