"There is an emerging consensus that HRM research should pay greater attention to employee interests and concerns. This paper argues that employee-focused research should examine the prospects for 'employment upgrading' in sectors characterised by poor job quality. Previous research on this topic is reviewed and new case study evidence presented from the dairy processing industry. The findings show that although low-wage, low-skill employment remains prominent, the emergence of differentiation-focused market segments is leading to higher job quality at a number of firms. These findings are consistent with previous research examining the employment consequences of market segmentation. The implications of the study for HRM research programmes are discussed. "

Support: Paper