bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editing a Normal Science Journal in Social Science
Authors: Freeman Linton C.
Published: January 2010

Editer un journal de science normale dans les sciences sociales : Cet papier mets en évidence quelqu'unes des différences entre les journaux de "science normale" dans des disciplines telles que la physique et la chimie, et des "sciences non-normales" dans des disciplines de sciences sociales. L'article montre qu'un journal, Social Networks, ressemble plus à un journal de science normale qu'un journal typique des sciences sociales. L'auteur montre que les propriétés de sciences normales de la recherche sur des réseaux sociaux sont engendrées par l'utilisation des images graphiques et des modèles mathématiques, et la disponibilité d'ordinateurs capables d'analyser des ensembles de données à structures relativement complexes.
Brève Sociographie du Second Congres De L'AFS- Bordeaux Septembre 2006
Authors: Boudesseul Gérard
Published: January 2010

Brief Socio-Graph of the Second AFS Congress in Bordeaux in September 2006: In January 2005, the BMS published three different articles using four different methods to analyze the abstracts of presentations at the First Congress of the Association Française de Sociologie (AFS). Here a preliminary analysis with two différent methods is done of the abstracts of presentations made at the Second Congress of the AFS.
Quelles temporalites travaillent les entretiens biographiques retrospectifs ?
Authors: Demazière Didier
Published: January 2010

What Temporalities Are at Work in Retrospective Biographical Interviews?: Open and indepth biographical interviews are material which can take into account the temporalities of individual trajectories. But that contribution answers to epistemological, theoretical and methodological conditions very different from those that govern the use of closed questionnaires and precoded chronological agendas. Discursive material, as such interviews, is highly specific. The interviewee is the principal source of information sélection, the recounted episodes are presented from a subjective point of view, and the recounted events are interpreted. Thus the temporality of biographical accounts cannot be disassociated from the narrative process. On the other hand, the intrigue construction of one's personal history presupposes the production of a temporal framework. The latter is at the same time a construction of coherence and a construction of perspective conceming the account of a trajectory. It is intelligible at the crossing points of chronological chains of events (the articulation of séquences coherently constructed) and temporal résolutions (exits from séquences that are part of the perspective). This grammar is tested against a corpus of accounts of entering the labor market made by youths with few academic qualifications. It is schematized as four temporal forms called destiny or vocation, repetition or fatality, opportunities or projects, rupture or mourning. Each of these four forms covers various trajectories from the point of view of social status and position which are worked over, compared, interpreted during the interview. Finally, by showing how narrative production necessarily implies the construction of a temporal form, this proposed procedure calls for a plurality of sociological or scientific categorizations of biographical time adapted to the characteristics of the empirical material analyzed.
Interviewer and Respondent Survey Quality Effects in a Cati Panel
Authors: Lipps Oliver
Published: January 2010

Effets synchrones et longitudinaux sur la qualité des panels CATI des interviewers et des répondants : C'est en particulier dans les enquête par panel que les effets de la perte de répondants, de l'apprentissage par les répondants, et de l'expérience des interviewers jouent un rôle crucial en ce qui concerne la qualité des données. Nous examinons de manière synchrone et longitudinale pour la même enquête trois indicateurs de qualité. Dans l'analyse synchrone, nous comparons la qualité des données dans l'échantillon d'origine non-renouvellé avec celle d'un échantillon qui l'a été, les deux étant sondé dans la même vague. Pour la même vague, une enquête des interviewers a été faite, fournissant des données sur leur démographie sociale, leurs attitudes envers des enquêtes, et leur estimation de la charge de travail, nous permettant ainsi d'estimer l'effet des interviewers. L'analyse longitudinale permet l'analyse des effets de l'apprentissage par les répondants par rapport aux indicateurs de qualité en considérant les mêmes répondants dans plusieurs vagues. Le Panel Suisse des Ménages - une enquête CATI représentative de la population résidentielle suisse - fournit une base de données idéale pour modéliser puisque l'affectation des interviewers est au hasard pour toutes les vagues et dans chacune. Ce plan évite la confusion possible avec d'autres effets dus aux affectations non aléatoire telles que les affectations par quartiers où les meilleurs enquêteurs traitant les cas les plus difficiles. Pour séparer les effets des interviewers, des répondants et des vagues, nous utilisons des models multi-niveaux croisés.
The International Conference on Methodology of Longitudinal Surveys (MOLS), 12-14 July 2006
Authors: Lynn Peter
Published: January 2010

La conférence internationale sur la méthodologie des enquêtes longitudinales : Du 12 au 14 juillet 2006, à l'université d'Essex, Peter Lynn, avec le « UK Longitudinal Studies Centre » et l'« International Association of Survey Statisticians » (IASS), a organisé la conférence internationale sur la « Methodology of Longitudinal Surveys » (MOLS 2006). Le BMS a rassemblé des matériaux des sites Web de MOLS 2006 et de l'« International Statistical Institute », dont l'IASS est une section, pour constituer ce compte-rendu de la conférence.
Un quart de siècle de méthodologie- L'emergence du longitudinal, des réseaux et de la statistique textuelle
Authors: Boudesseul Gérard
Published: January 2010

A Quarter of a Century of Methodology - The Emergence of Longitudinal Analysis, Social Networks and Textual Statistics: Using the titles, abstracts and key words (in French) of the 318 articles in the BMS, issues 1 to 99, the author analyzes this corpus with hierarchically ascending and descending classification programs and with factoral correspondence analysis. With the results of these three methods, he describes in detail five major thematic classes: Survey Situation, Longitudinal Analysis, Social Network Analysis, Theoretical Debate and Textual Analysis. Their interrelationship and évolution over time is also described.
Le lLexique mobilisé lors de trois congrès de sociologues : Permanence et sensibilité a la conjoncture
Authors: Boudesseul Gérard
Published: January 2010

The Vocabulary Mobilized over Three Sociology Conferences — Permanence and Sensitiveness to the Current Situation: The Association Française de Sociologie (AFS) held its third congress in Paris in April 2009 and its 1,051 abstracts of presentations have been analyzed by two different text analysis programs in the BMS, n. 102. Here, the author used two others programs- Alceste and Multiple Correspondence Analysis - to analyze those same abstracts and to compare the results with those of the 2004 and 2006 AFS congresses analyzed by the same programs.
Géeometrie et langage La Structure des modèles en sciences sociales et en sciences physiques
Authors: Shinn Terry
Published: January 2010

Geometry and language: the structure of models in social sciences and in physical sciences. The first part argues that in physical sciences models are essentially based on visual or reified geometry while in the social sciences, models are often based on language constructions and, in particular, metaphors. The second part examines in detail the relationship between research in the physical sciences and in the social sciences, specifically according to their ontological reference to the models they use. Everyday language is the physical sciences is analyzed as well as three theories of metaphor. The author develops the idea that in the social sciences, there is a deterministic relationship between metaphoric models and social ontology.
Types of Inadequate Interviewer Behaviour in Survey Interviews; Their Causes and Effects 1
Authors: van der Zouwen Johannnes , Dijkstra Wil
Published: January 2010

Types de comportements non adaquats de l'intervieweur lors des entretiens d'enquête: leurs causes et leurs effets. Les auteurs présentent un modèle de l'interaction entre l'intervieweur et l'interviewé lors d'un entretien dans le cadre d'une enquête. Sur cette base théorique, des enregistrements d'entretiens d'enquêtes ont été réalisés et analysés, décelant quatre types de comportements non adaquats: l'adapatation des questions à l'interviewé par l'intervieweur; le manque d'attention de la part de l'intervieweur, le choix de la réponse effectuée par l'intervieweur "de la part de l'interviewé"; des sous-entendus de l'intervieweur pour faire clarifier la réponse de l'interviewé. Ces différents types sont analysés à fond, montrant que c'est surtout le dernier qui biaise les résultats d'enquêtes par entretiens.
Classification Model
Authors: Jackson David J. , Woodbury Max A. , Manton Kenneth G.
Published: January 2010

The Discrete GOM Model at a conceptual level is a model with enormous theoretical appeal as a psychometric model. While it was initially developed as a solution to problems posed in medical classification, social scientists should be quick to realize its many potential applications. This is especially true for sociologists who have been captivated by the intuitive appeal of typological theories, but have been limited by inadequate methodological tools. The GOM models have a number of interesting statistical properties and have proved to be an effective theoretical and data analysis tool in a number of disciplines. The true value of the GOM model will be known by the capacity to make theoretical and practical sense out of data.

This paper provides an introduction to GOM Analysis in terms of a heuristic analogy and a concrete sociological example of a two pure type model of parental values. The primary emphasis is on providing a conceptual perspective, rather than a detailed mathematical and statistical specifications.
Introduction a l'utilisation du logiciel d'Inference bayésienne sur les frequences (IBF2XK)
Authors: Bernard Jean-Marc , Cibois Philippe
Published: January 2010

Introduction to the use of the computer program "Bayesian Inference based on Frequencies" (IBF2XK). With several different examples of frequency distributions, the authors show how to use this microcomputer program of bayesian analysis to answer typical questions of statistical inference that arise in social science research. Examples include inferences from one or two frequency distributions, significance tests, variance from indépendance, and confidence intervals.
Methodological, Statistical and Practical Issues Arising From the Collection and Analysis of Work History Information By Survey Techniques
Authors: Elias Peter
Published: January 2010

Résultats méthodologiques, statistiques et pratiques issus de la collecte et de l'analyse d'informationa portant sur des histoires de carrières en utilisant des techniques d'enquêtes. Ce texte examine les problèmes méthodologiques. statistiques et pratiques rencontrés lors de la collecte et de l'analyse d'histoires de carrlères et de vies. Pour illustrer ces points, on tire l'expérience acquise de données issues du Projet pour le Royaume-Uni sur le changement social et la vie économique, un important programme de recherches socio-économiques patronné par le Conseil pour la recherche sociale et conduit entre 1985 et 1989. On passe également en revue les études à base d'enquêtes sur les données d'histoires de vies et de carrières rassemblées depuis le milieu des années 70. On envisage les applications à venir de ces techniques dans les enquêtes nationales. Ce texte est divisé en trois parties principales. Une première partie examine les raisons du rassemblement d'informations sur des histoires de vies et de carrières. Une seconde partie envisage la méthodologle du rassemblement des données, les problèmes pratiques les plus courants et les techniques utilisées pour y falre face. On y examine également les enquêtes récentes les plus importantes effectuées dans le Royaume-Uni qui ont collecté des données sur des histoires de vies et de carrières. La troisième partie est orientée vers la manipulation des données et l'analyse statistique, en focalisant l'attention sur les difficultés particulières des données d'histoires de vies et de carrières.
The Use of Capture-Recapture Methodology To Estimate and Describe Covert Populations: an Application To Female Street-Working Prostitution in Glasgow
Authors: Leyland Alastair , Barnard Marina , McKeganey Neil
Published: January 2010

Utilisation de la méthodologie capture-recapture pour estimer et décrire des populations cachées: une application dans l'étude des prostituées de Glasgow. Utilisation de la méthode de capture-recapture pour estimer et décrire des populations clandestines: application à l'étude de prostituées de Glasgow. Le but de l'étude est d'estimer l'effectif de la population des prostituées de Glasgow et ainsi, en utilisant les données recueillies sur le taux de séropositivité, d'estimer le degré d'extension et le risque d'exposition au SIDA dans la population considérée. Organisation: des interviews de rue sont réalisés en utilisant un schéma d'entretien non-directif pendant 53 nuits réparties sur une durée de 7 mots. Un identificateur unique (réalisé à partir des initiales et de la date de naissance) est obtenu de chaque femme chaque fois qu'elle est observée travaillant. Un échantillon de salive fournie par la femme est analysé pour détecter la présence d'anticorps. Lieu de passation: les principales rues "chaudes" de l'agglomération de Glasgow (Ecosse). Participants: 206 prostituées travaillant dans la rue: des échantillons de salive furent demandés à 197 d'entre elles (96%) et 159 (81%) en fournirent. Principaux résultats: un taux de séropositivité de 2,5% (au seuil de confiance de 95%: 0,7% - 6,3% pour N=159) peut être associé à une estimation de la taille de la population sur 12 mois de 1147 ce qui permet d'estimer à 29 le nombre de femmes séropositives travaillant dans les rues de Glasgow sur une période d'un an. Cette population peut être subdivisée en un groupe de 30 "permanentes" et un groupe plus important qui peut cesser le travail et être remplacé en nombre égal au taux approximatlf de 19 par semaine. Conclusions: il est possible, non seulement d'estimer l'effectif d'une population clandestine mais aussi, par le recueil et l'analyse de données longitudinales, d'identifier des sous-groupes dont le comportement diffère du reste de la population.
Intensité de liaison et masse d'information des tableaux de contingence: deux problèmes de mesure en analyse des données
Authors: Michel Frédéric
Published: January 2010

Link Strength and Volume of Information in Contingency Tables - Two Problems of Measure in Data Analysis. This article presents on-going work concerning the unhealthy use of certain statistical measures. It flrst of all proposes a tool for measuring the internal correlation within a large dimensional contingency table in order to be able to compare other similar table in this framework by using a cœfficient whose values are between 0 and 1. The article then studies the information contained in a table which would correspond to the situation of statistical independence between variables during correspondence analysis. Using the hypothesls this quantity of Information should be taken into account before a correspondence analysis, the article then proposed a tool for measuring that volume of information that sociologists usually do not treat as such.
Un Exemple D'Articulation De Methodes D'Analyse Qualitatives Et Quantitatives Sur Des Entretiens Semi-Directifs: Les Representations Du Handicap
Authors: Giami Alain , Korpès Jean-Louis , Lavigne Chantal , Scelles Régine
Published: January 2010

Linking Qualitative and Quantitative Methods of Analysis Applied to Semi-Structured Interviews: Representations of Handicap. This article presents an exploratory process in methodological research to link the use of computer data processing with a qualitative analysis of categories in a sample of semi-structured Interviews. After presenting the theoretical basis for the analytical grid, and the problems encountered in its application to qualitative material, the authors explain their use of a data base which allows processing the categories with the help of a data segmentation and classification software (AC2). This analysis was carried out secondarily on the catégories established by the researchers in order to produce a more precise representation of the way the different variables were organised, by pinpointing their discriminating power. This automatic method is used as a complementary tool for systematising results obtained with the qualitative method and to support interprétations based on exhaustive consideration of these catégories.
Survey Nonresponse, Measurement Error, and Data Quality; an Introduction
Authors: van der Zouwen Johannes , de Leeuw Edith D.
Published: January 2010

Non-réponse d'enquête, erreurs de mesures et qualité des données - Une introduction. Dans cette introduction, on montre le lien entre les cinq articles sélectionés pour ce numéro spécial sur la non-réponse d'enquête et les erreurs de mesure, avec trois indicateurs importants de qualité des données d'enquête: la représentativité, l'exhaustivité, et l'exactitude. Les retombées pour la pratique des enquêtes et la recherche méthodologique sont discutées et une vue générale des efforts de recherches semblables est aussi présentée.
The Challenge of (Longitudinal) Intra-Organizational Social Network Research (in the Netherlands)
Authors: van de Bunt Gerhard G.
Published: January 2010

Le défi de la recherche (longitudinale) d'analyse des réseaux sociaux intraorganisationaux (aux Pays-Bas). Quelques problèmes sont discutées sur la collecte des données pour une étude des réseaux sociaux dans des organisations. Ce travail est basé sur l'expérience personelle de l'auteur dans un hôpital de médecine générale aux Pays-Bas. La conclusion la plus importante est que le facteur majeur dans le succès d'une telle étude est la construction de la confiance entre les répondants et le chercheur. Cela coûte du temps, de l'énergie et de la patience, mais l'effort est payant. D'autre part, les réactions des employés de l'hôpital sont résumées et le sujet de l'anonymat est discuté.
The Relation Between Quantitative and Qualitative Social Research
Authors: Halfpenny Peter
Published: January 2010

La relation entre recherches sociales quantitative et qualitatives. A partir d'une caractérisation schématique de l'historique du débat sur les méthodes de recherche sociale qualitatives et quantitatives. un argument en six points est présenté. Les six points se centrent sur: (1) les multiples paradigmes à la disposition des chercheurs, chacun caractérisant les données et l'explication de manières radicalement opposées: (2) la variété de démarches de recherche dans la collecte et la construction de données sociales: (3) le point important que ce ne sont pas les paradigmes qui entrainent les manières de faire, ni non plus vice versa: (4) les similarités entre données qualitatives et quantitatives dans la mesure où toutes les deux sont extraites ou construites à partir de la richesse du vécu. (5) quoi que la nature des données doive être adaptée au paradigme encadrant la recherche, les procédures de production de telles données sont illimitées; et (6) comment la confusion arrive quand on suppose que des paradigmes et des procédures tombent nécessairement dans des catégories logiquement cohérentes et mutuellement exclusives. Des liens sont tracés entre ces six points et les arguments récents de Hammersley et Smaling. La conclusion est que cet argumentaire en six points permet aux chercheurs d'être plus imaginatifs dans leurs choix de méthodes.
Robust Strategies for Application of Cluster Analyses
Authors: Andes Nancy
Published: January 2010

Stratégies robustes pour l'application d'analyses classificatoires. Dans cet article. l'analyse classificatoire est employée pour identifier et décrire des regroupements sociaux et économiques homogènes basés sur des régions géographiques en Alaska comme exemple d'une société en transition. Des types de contextes sociaux sous-jacents et institutionnels sont Identifiés et comparés en utilisant plusieurs méthodes de classification. Les analyses sont faites sur une base de données de caractéristiques empiriques sur vingt-trois lieux de recensement en Alaska (équivalents aux comtés américains classiques) pour analyser leur structure de fond. L'auteur examine ensuite les classes résultantes pour leur validité propres et leur netteté empirique.
MG132 as a proteasome inhibitor induces cell growth inhibition and cell death in A549 lung cancer cells via influencing reactive oxygen species and GSH level
Authors: Yong Hwan Han  , Woo Hyun Park
Published: January 2010

Carbobenzoxy-Leu-Leu-leucinal (MG132) as a proteasome inhibitor has been shown to induce apoptotic cell death through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we evaluated the effects of MG132 on the growth of A549 lung cancer cells in relation to cell growth, ROS and glutathione (GSH) levels. Treatment with MG132 inhibited the growth of A549 cells with an IC50 of approximately 20 μM at 24 hours. DNA flow cytometric analysis indicated that 0.5 ∼ 30 μM MG132 induced a G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle in A549 cells. Treatment with 10 or 30 μM MG132 also induced apoptosis, as evidenced by sub-G1 cells and annexin V staining cells. This was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; Δψm). The intracellular ROS levels including O2•- were strongly increased in 10 or 30 μM MG132-treated A549 cells but were down-regulated in 0.1, 0.5 or 1 μM MG132-treated cells. Furthermore, 10 or 30 μM MG132 increased mitochondrial O2•- level but 0.1, 0.5 or 1 μM MG132 decreased that. In addition, 10 or 30 μM MG132 induced GSH depletion in A549 cells. In conclusion, MG132 inhibited the growth of human A549 cells via inducing the cell cycle arrest as well as triggering apoptosis, which was in part correlated with the changes of ROS and GSH levels. Our present data provide important information on the anti-growth mechanisms of MG132 in A549 lung cancer cells in relation to ROS and GSH.
The Anzac Legend and the Battle of Bardia
Authors: Stockings Craig
Published: January 2010

Most countries have national myths that are usually based on inspiring narratives, concepts, or images about their collective past. Many are tied to military conflict. The purpose of this article is to investigate the obscuring potential of national mythology on interpretations of military history. It aims to do so with a focus on the influence of the Australian ‘Anzac legend’ in shaping conventional understanding of the battle of Bardia, North Africa, 3—5 January 1941. Bardia was the first significant engagement planned and fought by an Australian formation in the Second World War and thus the first battlefield test in that war of the Anzac myth, itself born at Gallipoli in 1915. To date a flawed Anzac-oriented tradition of interpretation has substituted for real answers to the question of how the Australians could have achieved so much against the Italian garrison at Bardia, at so little cost, against what seemed to be such tall odds. From the very beginning national mythology influenced, and is continuing to influence, the proper assessment of military history.
Transformation, EU Membership and Labour Relations in Central Eastern Europe: Poland — Czech Republic — Hungary — Slovenia
Authors: Kohl Heribert , Lecher Wolfgang , Platzer Hans-Wolfgang
Published: January 2010

The article starts by emphasising the differences between the Central and East European countries in terms of their labour relations traditions, providing a brief characterisation for four CEECs, with Slovenia identified as the country in which the participatory tradition is strongest. Subsequent sections identify similarities and differences in terms of collective labour law and labour relations at enterprise and supra-enterprise level. At enterprise level the article provides examples of co-operative relations between trade unions and works councils (Slovenia), a dual system of interest representation imposed by government without trade union support (Hungary), political duplication of representation structures (Poland), and the tendency to retain former representation structures (Czech Republic). Similar differences emerge with respect to tripartism, which remains underdeveloped in all countries, again with the exception of Slovenia. The relative weakness of the social partners, and in particular their fragmentation, are shown to be a problem for the candidate countries on their path towards EU accession. Here the European social partners, in particular the ETUC and UNICE, and also European works councils in firms with subsidiaries in eastern Europe should do more to promote social dialogue in the CEECs.
Security in a flexible economy: toward a third age for work and welfare links?
Authors: Salais Robert
Published: January 2010

This article considers the transformation of the world of work and its interrelationship with changes in the social regulation of work and social security. The implications of the contradiction between a greater emphasis on autonomy and skills at work and the exclusionary effects of greater selectivity in recruitment are discussed. It is argued that we are witnessing a move to a ‘third age’ of work and social protection, in which qualitative and participatory aspects come to the fore, alongside aspects of the ‘social question’ more typical of earlier ‘ages’ — alleviating poverty and reducing unemployment. In conclusion the article considers the role of the European Union in addressing the resulting challenges.
Pacts for employment and competitiveness in the airline sector
Authors: Arrowsmith James
Published: January 2010

The air passenger transport sector in the EU is in the process of transformation due to liberalisation, privatisation and increased competition. In a context of heightened uncertainty, the major companies have followed a dual approach of qualitative competition based on service, and cost-cutting; the latter has strong implications for employment, as labour costs are the key variable cost under their control. Various forms of PECs have been pursued in order to manage this process, reflecting the high level of dependency of companies on their staff. The prospects for PECs in the future are strongly related to the domestic institutional frameworks for collective bargaining, as well as the scale of proposed change, but it is likely that in general some form of understanding will be necessary to manage the process of change.
Employment and competitiveness as challenges for collective bargaining: a global perspective
Authors: Ghellab Youcef , Kelly Peggy
Published: January 2010

This article explores the changing focus of collective bargaining within the context of the global drive for competition. The first section describes how the main items on the agenda for collective bargaining have shifted from income distribution to means of promoting and protecting employment and competitiveness, and explains how mass unemployment and precarious employment have pushed employment security to the top of the collective bargaining agenda. Technological change, the increasing globalisation of the economy, the formation of regional economic groupings, and the intensification of competition between firms in the product market have all contributed to the pressure on collective bargaining institutions to improve competitiveness. The second section examines innovative approaches to dealing with the issues of employment protection, creation and competitiveness by highlighting the collective bargaining experiences of a number of countries outside of the European Union.
Financial participation: seeking a European consensus
Authors: O'Kelly Kevin P.
Published: January 2010

In this introduction the issue coordinator provides a backdrop to the subsequent articles, tracking the increasing interest in the topic of financial participation by employees and explaining some of the key issues thrown up, especially for workers and unions, by such schemes.
Risks and opportunities of energy market liberalisation for a regional energy supplier
Authors: Streb Klaus Dieter
Published: January 2010

This article describes the successful transfer to competitive energy markets by a former local public utility in Germany. The conditions necessary to meet this challenge successfully, in particular the consultation and proactive approach of the workforce and trade unions, but also innovative business strategies, are set out. The article shows that competition can be used by companies providing public services to rid themselves of the constraints they had under public ownership.
Workers' representation at company level in CEE countries
Authors: Stanojevic Miroslav , Gradev Grigor
Published: January 2010

Current workplace relations in central and eastern European candidate countries are strongly influenced by the legacy of fragmented workers’ interests and at best undeveloped semi-autonomous forms of collective interest representation. In addition, most trade unions have been unable to develop adequate strategies to cope with the pressures of radical marketisation and to forge collective identities. In this environment the mechanical implementation of social dialogue institutions could trigger opposition from the trade unions, conflicts between unions and works councils in companies where autonomous trade unions exist, and even serious damage to the unions. The social dialogue institutions will only have the desired effects in CEE companies if they are developed on the basis of trade unions that have been strengthened, or even, in the case of non-unionised companies, created. This article draws on empirical research into the operation of trade unions and works councils in the CEE countries, in particular Hungary and Slovenia.
Trade unionism and immigration: reinterpreting old and new dilemmas
Authors: Cachón Lorenzo , Valles Miguel S.
Published: January 2010

The social and economic changes that have taken place since the mid-1980s in Spain and other southern European countries have paved the way for their emergence as new countries of immigration. Trade unionism in these countries has had to face this new situation at a time of great changes in the world of employment and this has posed new challenges for union structures. This article reports on recent empirical research into Spanish trade unionists’ attitudes towards immigrant workers within this new context. A research method first used in other European countries is employed here to give a fresh perspective to dilemmas highlighted in previous studies and to suggest possible solutions.
The concept of ‘flexicurity’: a new approach to regulating employment and labour markets
Authors: Wilthagen Ton , Tros Frank
Published: January 2010

This article deals with the new policy concept of ‘flexicurity’ in view of the emerging flexibility-security nexus currently faced by the European Union, national governments, sectors of industry, individual companies and workers. On the one hand there is a strong demand to make labour markets, employment and work organisation more flexible. At same time, an equally strong demand exists for providing security to employees – especially vulnerable groups – and for preserving social cohesion in our societies. Policy-makers, legislators, trade unions and employers’ organisations have a strong need for new theory-inspired policy models and concepts that promise to reconcile these goals of enhancing both flexibility and security that at first sight seem incompatible. This article discusses the origins, conditions and potential of ‘flexicurity’ as policy or strategy at various levels of industrial relations. It also outlines a research agenda.
The difficulty of reconciling flexibility and security in Spain: the paradigmatic case of part-time work
Authors: Dal-Ré Fernando Valdés
Published: January 2010

The level of part-time employment in Spain tripled during the period 1984–93. The increased prevalence of part-time work reflected an employment policy during that period and beyond that aimed to establish maximum flexibility in the use of fixed-term contracts, whether fulltime or part-time. Part-time work was, and still is, to some extent, associated with a high degree of employment-related precariousness. This article examines the successive and not always consistent measures which since April 1994 have been adopted by the social partners and the government in order to improve the quality and security of part-time work. It assesses to what extent these measures have achieved their objectives.
After enlargement: preconditions and prospects for bargaining coordination
Authors: Marginson Paul , Traxler Franz
Published: January 2010

EU enlargement, by extending the boundaries of Europe's single market, calls for a reconsideration of the preconditions and prospects for transnational coordination of collective bargaining. Collective bargaining still remains nationally-based, but after enlargement two features are prominent. First, there is the extent of the gap in labour costs between the old and new Member States. This is providing powerful incentives both for the movement of capital eastwards (relocation of production sites) and for movement of self-employed workers westwards (displacing local labour). Secondly, there is now a group of countries with single-employer bargaining systems: multi-employer bargaining is no longer the EU norm. The resulting pressures are reinforcing developments in sectoral agreements, such as ‘hardship clauses’, which themselves undermine the vertical coordination on which successful cross-border coordination must rest. This paper analyses the implications of these developments and concludes that sector-based cross-border bargaining coordination remains trade unions' best available response to pan-European market integration; that differentiated approaches are required as between sectors; that unions need to develop effective means of coordination across companies within sectors; and that, under single-employer bargaining regimes, boosting union organisation and hence the coverage of collective bargaining is paramount.
Mainstreaming gender at the social partner negotiating table in Europe
Authors: Grünell Marianne
Published: January 2010

This article analyses the current status of gender mainstreaming in collective bargaining in 17 EU countries and Norway. It examines the preconditions for including gender mainstreaming in collective bargaining, as well as within the internal practices of the trade union and employers' organisations. Gender mainstreaming is on the agenda of the union confederations in all 18 countries studied. Employers' confederations tend to integrate gender mainstreaming into their practices to a lesser extent, placing emphasis on matters such as diversity policies and preferring individual tailor-made solutions rather than general rules. Nevertheless, gender is mostly mainstreamed into collective bargaining at a national level. In 14 of the 18 countries studied, collective agreements address the issue of reconciling work and care responsibilities, a central element of the mainstreaming strategy. Although not explicitly categorised as such, the provisions agreed upon are in line with the employability and adaptability pillars of the pre-2003 European Employment Strategy. There is therefore evidence that gender is starting to be mainstreamed and that the male breadwinner model is being questioned within organisations.
The posting of workers in the German construction industry: responses and problems of trade union action
Authors: Kahmann Marcus
Published: January 2010

Over the last two decades, in a number of EU Member States labour migration in the construction industry has predominantly taken the form of the posting of workers. This article traces the responses of the German construction union IG BAU to this phenomenon. To this end, it distinguishes between three levels of action: relations with the state, relations with employers and autonomous action. It shows that the union's efforts have concentrated on the first two levels. IG BAU's steps to include migrant workers into its ranks have been taken only cautiously. While the union has achieved a number of successes in terms of regulating the labour market, limits of these policies have become apparent. There are signs that IG BAU has reacted to these limits by developing more inclusive organisational policies, notably by founding the European Migrant Workers Union.
Posted workers in France
Authors: Lefebvre Bruno
Published: January 2010

This contribution presents ongoing research that sets out to assess for the first time the situation of the foreign workers, from Europe and beyond, who work in France, in various economic sectors, as a result of the operation of networks of subcontractors. It appears that neither the legal framework nor the obligations of the foreign firms employing these workers are clear, in terms either of relations with government departments or of the legal arguments that may legitimately be invoked for the settlement of disputes. Trade unions, citizens' associations, locally elected officials and civil servants alike are strikingly ill-prepared to deal with this new phenomenon of the movement of workers in Europe.
Targeting individuals and specific groups of employees: an emerging trade union challenge
Authors: Björkman Hans
Published: January 2010

Trade unions are facing problems in attracting young and well-educated people and this challenge is increasing as educational levels are rising. In many cases, a perceived increase in individualisation has resulted in trade union recruitment strategies which are increasingly oriented towards the needs of individual members. Starting from a brief discussion on individualisation and the use of market orientation methods in a trade union context, this article aims to describe how Sif, a major Swedish union, has developed a strategy that targets individuals and specific member groups. Reflecting on lessons learned from the strategy development process, the article concludes with a discussion on alternative strategies for the development of a service portfolio and recruitment activities targeting individuals and specific groups of employees.
The relevance of the exit option: the challenge for European trade unions of post-Fordism, internationalisation of the economy and financial market capitalism
Authors: Hoffmann Jürgen
Published: January 2010

This paper examines the links between restructuring of production (post-Fordism), Europeanisation/globalisation of the economy and changes in the financial markets (financial market capitalism). It describes how, at European level, the greater scope for capital to relocate away from existing systems (labour markets, nation states), i.e. to make use of the ‘exit option’, dramatically shifts the balance of power between employees/trade unions and capital to the benefit of the latter. At the same time the paper also identifies the natural limits of the exit option that could offer trade unions scope for action.
Employee involvement in restructuring: are we able to determine the price?
Authors: Pulignano Valeria , Kluge Norbert
Published: January 2010

This article examines the role of employee involvement in industrial change at European level. It has been argued that employee participation constitutes an important pillar of the European social model promoted by the Lisbon strategy in 2000. The article explains why employee participation is important for responding to international competition. It assesses the extent to which a model of employee involvement and participation that manages change in a socially responsible way is already in place in Europe. This is addressed by appraising the strengths and weaknesses of European trade unions in setting up spaces for cross-border activities. Some elements that may enhance the level of cross-national union coordination are also indicated.
Older employees in Europe between ‘work line’ and early retirement
Authors: Bosch Gerhard , Schief Sebastian
Published: January 2010

The European Union has set ambitious aims concernin the employment of older persons. In March 2001 the Stockholm European Council agreed on the aim of increasing the employment rate of the EU population aged 55–64 to 50%. This article uses data from the European Labour Force Survey 2006 to analyse the employment rates of this age group in the EU-15. In most EU countries only highly qualified men aged 55–64 have an employment rate over 50%. The low skilled and women in particular are rarely employed over 55 years of age. The authors conclude that ending early retirement policies is not sufficient to increase their employment rates. Drawing lessons from the EU countries with the highest employment rates for older employees (Sweden and Denmark) they identify five major additional areas of action.
CSR and corporate governance in Austria
Authors: Angerler Eva , Liegl Barbara
Published: January 2010

This article deals with the political discourse on corporate social responsibility in Austria and presents two organisations that represent social partner organisations and NGOs promoting CSR, although they focus on different topics and elements of CSR. Standardisation, transparency and credibility are important aspects in a broad range of CSR initiatives. Codes of corporate governance are cited as an example of the problems faced when introducing voluntary instruments in the CSR context. Although many different organisations are participating in the CSR debate and have launched various initiatives, companies have not implemented holistic CSR measures aiming at sustainable development to a significant degree.
Finance as a driver of privatisation
Authors: Huffschmid Jörg
Published: January 2010

This article discusses the accumulation of private financial assets and the pressure on public budgets as powerful drivers of privatisation. Financial investors are the central actors in this process, which is developing within a framework of increasingly finance-led capitalism. Financial investors are the main beneficiaries and strong promoters of the worldwide move towards pension system privatisation. With financial assets growing as a result of upward income redistribution and pension reform, traditional institutional investors are finding it difficult to generate attractive profits for their clients, and this calls for financial innovation. The activities of innovative financial investors have a twofold impact on privatisation and privatised sectors: (i) private equity firms are opening up new areas for the privatisation of public assets and services, and (ii) the ‘shareholder activism’ of hedge funds is making it increasingly difficult to meet public service obligations in privatised sectors. The EU is not countering, but rather stimulating and supporting these developments. To avoid further destabilisation and social polarisation, social resistance and political intervention are necessary, in both financial markets and public services.
Financial capitalism and private equity – a new regime?
Authors: Watt Andrew , Galgóczi Béla
Published: January 2010

This introductory article reviews the key issues involved in the debate about the financialisation of the economy. It briefly describes a number of key features at the level both of national economies, such as the growth of the financial sector, and of individual firms, such as changes in the way profits are used. It discusses their interrelationships with outcomes such as increasing debt levels and rising inequality. The article then focuses on private equity, describing its business model, charting its rise in Europe, and reviewing the available evidence on the performance of the firms taken over by private equity funds and the pay, conditions and job prospects of the workers they employ. The article concludes by considering the implications of the current financial and economic crisis for the possible future development paths of financial capitalism.
Analysis of existing voluntary agreements on information and consultation in European multinationals
Authors: Krieger Hubert , Bonneton Pascale
Published: January 2010

The article tries to give a brief overview of 35 agreements on European Works Councils (EWCs) with a comparative perspective. It shows a huge variety, some weaknesses and many sophisticated provisions. The Directive opens the door for positive negotiations and a practice, which should be based on partnership, trust and co-operation. Article 9 of the Directive stipulates: "The central management and the European Works Council shall work in a spirit of co-operation with due regard to their reciprocal rights and obligations". However, experience tells that one cannot legislate for "partnership", "trust" and "co-operation". Even the "all-mighty European Union" cannot do this. The intend for co-operation has to be based on the free will of management, unions and employee representatives. Without this intent for partnership and co-operation, it will be difficult to find an agreement and to put any agreement into an effective practice. Therefore both sides should be aware that the success of an EWC in the medium term depends on processes, structures and concrete experience with each other, which are indusive for partnership, trust and co-operation.
Italian trade unionism in the 1990s in the European context
Authors: Regini Mario
Published: January 2010

This article suggests that the bad times may be over for European trade unionism, and that Italy's trade unions look well placed to lead a possible renaissance.

The traditional union member - a male manual worker with a secure job - remains a vanishing breed; but the new-style flexible workforce still needs the protection and the services that unions can provide.

A more pragmatic, less ideological approach by unions may persuade this workforce that union membership has something to offer. It may also persuade managers that if they want to compete on quality, rather than just cost, unions can play a role in stimulating workers' involvement in the company.

Italy's unions take this kind of approach. They operate in a system with a strong sense of social partnership, but no tight regulatory framework. Bargaining is local, intense, and gets results. Other countries please copy?
European Monetary Union and employment: two sides of the same coin
Authors: Schubert Ludwig
Published: January 2010

According to the Maastricht Treaty (Article 109j), the third stage of European Monetary Union (EMU) is to begin on 1 January 1999 at the latest. With the arrival of the third stage the exchange rates of the participating countries' currencies will be fixed once and for all and a single European currency will be created. The plan is that all national coinage and banknotes should then be converted into coins and banknotes in the single European currency during the first half of 2002.

The decision as to which of the European Community countries fulfil the necessary conditions for the introduction of a single currency (including the convergence criteria contained in Article 109j) is to be taken at the beginning of 1998. The remaining Community member countries will be allowed into the European Monetary Union at a later date, as and when they individually succeed in meeting the requirements to this end (according to the regulations laid down in Article 109k, §2).

The public debate on European Monetary Union conducted in the run-up to this decision is welcome. To some extent, it is making up for the lack of a detailed public discussion before conclusion of the Maastricht Treaty. However, the debate should be conducted not on a basis of false allegations and under the camouflage of economists' jargon but using sound and relevant arguments.2 This paper sets out to make one such contribution.