New forms of work organisation and new production systems that mark a decisive break with the Taylorian principles of bureaucracy and division of labour are the foundation on which the competitiveness of modern firms is built. ... The fact that new production methods are not diffused more widely...

This paper addresses the question of how far traditional assumptions about low-skilljobs are still appropriate today. Are we really dealing with activities without any particularskill requirements? How do firms proceed in filling such posts? What role isbeing played in this respect by atypical...

Die Integration des europäischen Marktes hat an Fahrt gewonnen und eröffnet auch kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen bessere Bedingungen für Auslandsgeschäfte. Grenzüberschreitende Koope-rationen erfordern jedoch Vertrautheit mit den Märkten und Kundenbedürfnissen, Regulierungen und...

After 16 years of conservative-liberal rule, a social democratic-green coalition cameinto office in 1998. Though having declared the successful combating of unemploymentthe principal yardstick for his government’s performance, Chancellor Schröder actuallystood back until mid-2001, expecting...

This study focuses on productive activities that are legal in principlebut which are not declared to the authorities. In the debate inGermany various terms are used to describe these activities, themost common being Schwarzarbeit (clandestine employment),Schattenwirtschaft (underground economy)...

The main purpose of the thematic review on adult learning is to understand adults' access andparticipation in education and training and to enhance policies to increase incentives for adults to undertakelearning activities in OECD countries. It is a joint activity undertaken by the OECD...

The extent of low-wage work in Germany is hotly debated. In international comparisons fromthe mid-90s, Germany is often classified as a country with a low wage dispersion. Comparedto the USA and UK, Germany has a relatively equal income structure and a small proportionof low-paid workers (OECD 1996;...

Working time regulation in the era of fordism:• Leading role of trade unions• Strong working time norms(duration/position/distribution)• Flexibility in form of deviations (overtime) possible, buthighly regulated (codet.) and expensive...