It is not controllable much, it is a feature inherent in the type itself. Centuries ago, types had kern pairs like
Tecast in metal. Today ttf and otf files carry kerning pairs. The font files has kerning values, the job of the device is to correctly show them. Publishers can choose to disable them within the font in CSS3. Publishers can also choose a typeface without kerning pairs but removing them or altering them within the typeface itself won't play well with licences.
The picture I copied only shows different kerning values. In the final product there will only be one of them (I believe third one is the best but it depends on the type designer).
Serifs doesn't matter at all. This is a sans serif:
As you see, kerning there in all books you read. Go to your library and check this pairs: Vo, Te, ll and you will notice it.