The Social Dimensions Of Employment

Institutional Reforms in Labour Markets

Edited by Antonio Argandoña, Professor of Economics, and Economics and Ethics Chair, IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain and Jordi Gual, Deputy Director General, Head of Research, Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona - ‘la Caixa’, Spain

2002 176 pp Hardback 978 1 84376 070 2

Hardback £72.00 on-line price £64.80

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Description
‘The merit of the book is that in just 150 pages it takes up the fundamental debate on the continued tension between the economic and the social dimension of employment. . . the volume is to be applauded for its achievement in posing the right questions necessary to discuss the social dimension of employment. Rather than providing definite and simplistic answers it guides the reader through the “state-of-the-art” and the relevant academic debates within labour and welfare economics and institutional economics.’
– Klaus Schömann, Transfer

The contributions to this timely volume explore the social implications of labour market reforms, and assess the complex relationship between the economic and non-economic aspects of labour institutions. The authors ascertain that labour market systems have important social dimensions, including social benefits and effects on psychological well-being and on social relationships. They go on to argue that the evaluation of reforms should take into consideration this social impact.

The book examines the requirements for increased flexibility in contractual associations whilst maintaining social protection and job security. Using new utility criteria, guidelines for evaluating labour market and social protection system reform policies are recommended.

Contents
Contents: Introduction: The Social Dimensions of Employment. Institutional Reforms in the Labour Markets 1. The Welfare State and Employment 2. Can Reform of the Employment Relationship Help Create Jobs? 3. The Social Dimensions of Labour Market Institutions 4. Recent Trends in Occupational Segregation by Gender: A Look Across the Atlantic 5. Well-being at Work Index Contributors: A. Argandoña, A. Atkinson, S. Bentolila, O. Bover, R. Caminal, J.J. Dolado, F. Felgueroso, J. Gual, J.A. Herce, J.F. Jimeno, D. Marsden, A. Oswald, L. Toharia

Further information

‘The merit of the book is that in just 150 pages it takes up the fundamental debate on the continued tension between the economic and the social dimension of employment. . . the volume is to be applauded for its achievement in posing the right questions necessary to discuss the social dimension of employment. Rather than providing definite and simplistic answers it guides the reader through the “state-of-the-art” and the relevant academic debates within labour and welfare economics and institutional economics.’
– Klaus Schömann, Transfer

The contributions to this timely volume explore the social implications of labour market reforms, and assess the complex relationship between the economic and non-economic aspects of labour institutions. The authors ascertain that labour market systems have important social dimensions, including social benefits and effects on psychological well-being and on social relationships. They go on to argue that the evaluation of reforms should take into consideration this social impact.

The book examines the requirements for increased flexibility in contractual associations whilst maintaining social protection and job security. Using new utility criteria, guidelines for evaluating labour market and social protection system reform policies are recommended.

It is argued that policy evaluations should consider whether social benefits are compatible with the increased flexibility demanded by the marketplace, taking into account the complex social and cultural rules which affect human behaviour, and the fact that individuals are concerned with issues such as fairness, status and the well-being of their fellow citizens.

Policymakers involved in government, international institutions, professional associations for social work and labour relations, unions and employer federations will find this book to be a useful and fascinating read. It will also be of great interest to academics involved in labour economics, industrial relations and industrial economics.

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