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Flexible working in Europe

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  • Brewster, Chris
  • Mayne, Lesley
  • Tregaskis, Olga

Abstract

This research paper analyzes and reports upon the current practice of flexible working amongst organizations in Europe: focussing on current developments in the use, by employing organizations, of parttime workers and a range of contractual variations (temporary work; fixed-term contracts etc). The analysis draws heavily, though not exclusively, upon a substantial, independent database of organizational level questionnaire responses covering all sectors of the economy in 14 European countries. We provide evidence that across Europe there is a substantial amount of flexible working and that there has been a continuing increase in its use. It is argued that these developments have considerable, as yet little understood, implications for policy makers, individuals and employers.

Suggested Citation

  • Brewster, Chris & Mayne, Lesley & Tregaskis, Olga, 1997. "Flexible working in Europe," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 133-151, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:32:y:1997:i:2:p:133-151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chris Brewster, 1995. "Towards a ‘European’ Model of Human Resource Management," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 26(1), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Danièle Meulders & Luc Wilkin, 1987. "Labour market flexibility :critical introduction to the analysis of a concept," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/57880, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    3. Wolfgang Streeck, 1987. "The Uncertainties of Management in the Management of Uncertainty," International Journal of Political Economy, M.E. Sharpe, Inc., vol. 17(3), pages 57-87, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gail Pacheco & Bill Cochrane, 2015. "Decomposing the temporary-permanent wage gap in New Zealand," Working Papers 2015-07, Auckland University of Technology, Department of Economics.
    2. Chung, Heejung, 2008. "Do institutions matter? Explaining the use of working time flexibility arrangements of companies across 21 European countries using a multilevel model focusing on country level determinants," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Labor Market Policy and Employment SP I 2008-107, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    3. Eva Nagypal, 2001. "Fixed-Term Contracts in Europe: A Reassessment in Light of the Importance of Match-Specific Learning," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 0110, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    4. Stephan Tontrup & Christopher Jon Sprigman, 2022. "Self‐nudging contracts and the positive effects of autonomy—Analyzing the prospect of behavioral self‐management," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), pages 594-676, September.
    5. Donatella Cavagnoli, 2008. "Innovation and the Role of Habits: A Conceptual Analysis," Working Papers 2008.03, School of Economics, La Trobe University.
    6. repec:ilo:ilowps:362346 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Bill Cochrane & Gail Pacheco & Chao Li, 2017. "Temporary-Permanent Wage Gap: Does Type of Work and Location in Distribution Matter?," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 20(2), pages 125-147.
    8. PUDARUTH Sharmila & JUWAHEER Thanika Devi & NUNKOO Robin & VENCATACHELLUM I, 2017. "Non Standard Work Practices And Its Impact On Children Development, Family Functioning And Health And Safety Concerns In A 24/7 Economy," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 12(2), pages 155-175, August.
    9. Alison J. Glaister & Yipeng Liu & Sunil Sahadev & Emanuel Gomes, 2014. "Externalizing, Internalizing and Fostering Commitment: The Case of Born-Global Firms in Emerging Economies," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 54(4), pages 473-496, August.
    10. Ilona Kovács, 2009. "Work and citizenship: crises and alternatives," Enterprise and Work Innovation Studies, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, IET/CICS.NOVA-Interdisciplinary Centre on Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, vol. 5(5), pages 37-58, November.
    11. Jan Druker & Richard Croucher, 2000. "National collective bargaining and employment flexibility in the European building and civil engineering industries," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(6), pages 699-709, December.
    12. Huiying Luo & Xiaohui Liu & Aiqi Wu & Xiaotong Zhong, 2021. "Is it possible to escape? Local protectionism and outward foreign direct investment by Chinese privately-owned enterprises," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 1499-1524, December.
    13. Simon C. Parker, 2010. "Contracting Out, Public Policy And Entrepreneurship," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 57(2), pages 119-144, May.
    14. Luca Pieroni & Fabrizio Pompei, 2008. "Evaluating innovation and labour market relationships: the case of Italy," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 32(2), pages 325-347, March.
    15. A. Arrighetti & E. Bartoloni & F. Landini & C. Pollio, 2019. "Exuberant proclivity towards non-standard employment: evidence from linked employer-employee data," Economics Department Working Papers 2019-EP02, Department of Economics, Parma University (Italy).
    16. Lars W. Mitlacher, 2005. "Temporary Agency Work, the Changing Employment Relationship and its Impact on Human Resource Management," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 16(3), pages 370-388.
    17. Elisabeth Duetschke & Sabine Boerner, 2009. "Flexible Employment as a Unidirectional Career? Results from Field Experiments," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 20(1), pages 15-33.
    18. Gospel, Howard., 2003. "Quality of working life : a review on changes in work organization, conditions of employment and work-life arrangements," ILO Working Papers 993623463402676, International Labour Organization.
    19. Bellmann, Lutz & Hübler, Olaf, 2015. "Are Working Time Accounts Beneficial for German Establishments?," IZA Discussion Papers 9583, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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