This analytical report addresses the interesting theme of participation in civil society, exploring the diverse range of activities that constitute active participation. A central part of the analysis involves identifying factors that influence participation, or in other words understanding why...

This report explores the issue of urban–rural differences in Europe according to a number of quality of life domains, namely: income and deprivation; housing; employment and education; work–life balance; access to work, school, family, friends and services; and subjective well-being. It also...

The research topics for 2007 fall within the broader strategic research themes of the four-year programme 2005–2008 and some of them carry forward work from 2006. Equal opportunities is a priority in 2007 in light of the fact that 2007 is the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All....

This report looks at case studies of EWC practice in companies located in four new Member States – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia – in the context of EU enlargement. It investigates the impact of EWC participation on industrial relations in the NMS, considers how EWCs differ...

This report examines quality of life from the unique perspective of the two acceding countries, Bulgaria and Romania. The historical, political, socioeconomic and cultural contexts of these two countries have meant that their experiences are often quite different to those of the EU Member...

KIBS (knowledge-intensive business services) supply information and knowledge products or use knowledge to support their clients’ own knowledge generation and information processing activities. KIBS providers are defined as ‘organisations who rely heavily on professional knowledge ... to...

The knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) sector is a highly dynamic sector, which is constantly growing and rapidly evolving. Given the significance of this sector, it is important to understand what is likely to impact on its development in the future. In order to develop an...

There is evidence to support the case that innovative working time and work–life balance policies can lead to a variety of positive impacts at company level, including enhanced employee performance, reduced absenteeism levels, better recruitment and retention potential as well as greater...

The third Foundation Forum puts forward the question: Competitive Europe – Social Europe: partners or rivals? The question is not here of course viewed from an historical perspective but rather in terms of how the various European social models are currently compatible with competitiveness....

Increased competition, food scares and new consumer trends are among the key challenges facing the food and beverage industry in Europe. While these challenges pose a threat to some companies they can be an expansion opportunity for others. In response to these new challenges, food companies are...