摘要：The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of the influence of the external environment on industrial relations. It was found that economical, political and social environments are inextricably linked and that they may influence industrial relations regatively. It was concluded that companies should take cognisance of the impact of the external environment when formulating their industrial relations strategies. Opsomming Die doel van hierdie studie was om die omvang van die invloed van die eksterne omgewing op arbeidsverhoudinge te ondersoek. Daar is bevind dat die ekonomiese, politieke en maatskaplike omgewings onlosmaaklik gekoppel is en grootliks 'n negatiewe invloed op arbeidsverhoudinge kan uitoefen. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat ondernemings hulself van die invloed van die eksterne omgewing meet vergewds by die formulering van hul arbeidsverhoudinge strategiee.
