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The Effects of Firm Size on Job Quality: A Comparative Study for Britain and France

Author

Listed:
  • Alex Bryson

    (University College London, National Institute of Social and Economic Research and Institute for the Study of Labor)

  • Christine Erhel

    (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Centre d’Economie de la Sorbonne, CEET)

  • Zinaïda Salibekyan

    (CNAM, LIRSA, CEET, LEST)

Abstract

Using linked employer–employee data from two comparable surveys this article examines the links between non-pecuniary job quality and workplace characteristics in Britain and France – countries with very different employment regimes. The results show that job quality is better in Britain than it is in France, despite its minimalist regulatory regime. The difference is apparent for all dimensions of job quality (skill development, training participation, job autonomy, job insecurity, work-life balance and relations between employers and employees), except skills' match to a job. Firm size is negatively associated with non-pecuniary job quality in both countries but in France the association is confined to only the largest firms. Internal Labour Markets (ILMs) are associated with higher job quality in France, but not in Britain.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Bryson & Christine Erhel & Zinaïda Salibekyan, 2017. "The Effects of Firm Size on Job Quality: A Comparative Study for Britain and France," DoQSS Working Papers 17-08, Quantitative Social Science - UCL Social Research Institute, University College London.
    • Handle: RePEc:qss:dqsswp:1708
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pubali Chakraborty & Kanika Mahajan, 2023. "Scaling Up to Decrease the Divide: Firm Size and Female Employment," Working Papers 103, Ashoka University, Department of Economics, revised 05 Feb 2025.
    2. Milan Andrejić & Milorad Kilibarda & Vukašin Pajić, 2022. "Job Satisfaction and Labor Fluctuation: A Case Study in the Logistics Sector in Serbia," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-15, July.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions

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