Explains the central ideas, debates and theories of work and offers an overview of the social, political and economic contexts of work illustrated from diverse industrial societies. This book is intended as a reference guide for students in sociology, business studies, management learning about work, employment, organizations and labour markets.
In this book, first published in 1989, the authors have sought to highlight some of the major themes in the study of time and work within separate but related fields of study. A number of common starting points and issues are examined, alongside the various conclusions which different researchers have drawn together. Working together, the four authors have enriched their individual understanding of worktime through exposure to approaches taken by others working within different discipline boundaries. This title will be of interest to students of business studies.
This comprehensive work explores the multifaceted concept of flexibility within various industries and contexts. It begins with an examination of the flexibility debates, highlighting unresolved issues and the implications for organized society. The discussion progresses through themes such as flexible specialization and the determinants of flexible firms, illustrating the evolution of management practices and workplace politics, particularly in Sweden. The text delves into case studies, including production engineering at the Volvo Uddevalla Plant and the changing dynamics of wages and work practices in North America's automobile industry. It also addresses corporate strategy and employee involvement at Ford UK, as well as buyer-supplier relations in the UK automotive sector. Further chapters investigate strategic management decisions regarding subcontracting, technical change in the British clothing industry, and employment relations in the water industry. The book also covers quality and workforce strategies in the European iron and steel industry, the impact of new technology on British coal, and the interplay of working time and industrial relations in British engineering. Additionally, it reflects on human resource management and labor flexibility through cross-national studies in Canada and the UK, and examines workplace flexibility in Canadian hospitals. The work concludes with insights into European policy perspe