Documents Prosser, Thomas 18 results

"A recent upsurge in the incidence of precarious work in Europe necessitates fresh examination of the origins of this trend. On the basis of field research in eight European countries and with reference to theories of liberalization and dualization, the factors that drive precarious work in discrete European labour markets are thus investigated. It is discovered that, while a structural-demographic factor such as non-compliance with labour law is a notable progenitor of precarious work, the deregulatory strategies of public authorities are particularly significant drivers. In conclusion it is asserted that although the theory of dualization helps explain developments in conservative-corporatist countries, in Anglophone and Mediterranean countries liberalization theory is generally more apposite. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries emerge as a hybrid case."

"This article investigates the factors that explicate the implementation of European social partner ‘soft' framework agreements. The implementation of two such agreements, the Telework and Work-Related Stress Agreements, in four countries and two sectors is investigated. Seven hypotheses, primarily derived from the study of generic European ‘soft' law, about the factors that explain the implementation of European social partner ‘soft' law are tested. The article concludes that European social partner ‘soft' law is distinctive from generic European ‘soft' law in that its successful implementation is contingent upon the extent the industrial relations system in which it is implemented is centralized and co-ordinated."

"The article examines the ‘new phase' of the European social dialogue, and its credentials as a system of European tripartism. It is argued that tripartism is notable for four key characteristics, and the presence of these characteristics in a transnational interest representation regime is assessed. Though the ‘new phase' of the social dialogue is found to engage with innovative topics, it also emerges as being marked by peripheral output and piecemeal implementation outcomes. The article's conclusion is thus sceptical, and notes difficulties associated with transnational tripartism and the increasing dilution of the European social dialogue."

"This article examines the impact of financialization on European systems on industrial relations. It assesses two aspects: the growing power of bond markets and the increasing tendency for firms to threaten to ‘offshore' operations. Such processes are rooted in the very logic of financialization and have caustic effects on the integrity of European industrial relations regimes. The article concludes that the threat to European systems of industrial relations is likely to be enduring."

"The EU framework agreements on telework and work-related stress are non-legally binding European social partner framework agreements that were to be implemented in Member States in accordance with national ‘procedures and practices' for social dialogue. In a study of the implementation of the agreements in Denmark and the UK, this article finds that the national ‘procedures and practices' implementation clause was fragile and subject to misinterpretation by national actors, and that the implementation of the agreements added little in terms of substantive effect to policy contexts in Denmark and the UK. "

"The Framework agreements on Telework and Work-related stress present unique challenges to our understanding of the European social dialogue, given that they were the first European inter-sectoral collective agreements to be implemented via ‘soft' means rather than legally binding directives. Their implementation and substantive effects were in practice piecemeal; this implies a retreat of the European social dialogue as a viable means of regulating social Europe."

"The recent centralization of European economic governance raises the question of parallel developments in European social policy. On the basis of an examination of the case of the European social dialogue, the propensity of ‘spill-over' theories to explain developments in the social sphere is considered. The following three potential future trajectories for the dialogue are reviewed: the possibility of the dialogue (1) becoming broader and more redistributive, (2) becoming a means of European Union (EU)-level wage control or (3) remaining in its current form. It is concluded that the status quo is likely to endure and that such a development threatens the integrity of spill-over theories and raises the issue of the dialogue's utility to European trade unions. "

"There is evidence of an emerging Europe-wide ‘insider–outsider' divide. In parallel to the patterns of dualization within national industrial relations systems, ‘core' European countries retain relatively low unemployment and contractual security, while ‘peripheral' countries are increasingly marked by high levels of unemployment and contractual insecurity. I contend that such a system is in the interests of insiders in core countries. As a consequence of the capacity of bargaining regimes in core countries to achieve superior competitiveness, and the tendency for workers in these countries to be relatively indifferent to austerity, divergent outcomes result within the eurozone. In conclusion, I reflect on implications for dualization theory and EU cohesion."