Flexicurity: how can it be conceptualised and measured in a comparative perspective? Ton Wilthagen, Flexicurity Research Programme Ruud Muffels, Department of Sociology Tilburg University, the Netherlands www.tilburguniversity.nl/flexicurity
Mar 16, 2016
Flexicurity: how can it be conceptualised and measured in a comparative perspective?
Ton Wilthagen, Flexicurity Research Programme
Ruud Muffels, Department of Sociology
Tilburg University, the Netherlands
www.tilburguniversity.nl/flexicurity
Flexicurity: high on the policy and academic agenda
The Danish golden triangle – a hit record!
‘Golden triangle' is the latest track released as a single from the album ‘Will see you now‘ by Brighton electro-beats types Caged Baby
Outline of this presentation
1. Views on flexicurity2. Main concerns for policy-makers
and academics3. Research designs and availability
of data4. Current research focus on
flexicurity5. A comparative and longitudinal
approach
Views on flexicurity
• Normative or empirically-oriented concept?
• Flexicurity as a “state of affairs” or as a type of policy?
• If “state of affairs” then flexicurity policies are not necessarily in place
• If flexicurity policies then “state of affairs” may be reached or not (yet)
• Two main strategies: normalization of atypical/flexible work (Netherlands) vs. flexibilization of normal/typical work (Denmark)
Main concerns for researchers and policy-makers• What is flexicurity (exactly)? Definition of
concept, operationalization, indicators etc
• How can flexicurity be pursued and promoted? What are critical (pre)conditions? Need to change psychological and social contract?
• What are the effects of flexicurity policies or systems, flexicurity for whom? Winners and losers.
• Can flexicurity policies/models be ‘transplanted’ to other countries, can countries learn from each other?
• Are there various roads towards flexicurity, flexicurity for all countries? Country size, impact of economic situation, business cycle, macro economic factors
Research designs and availability of data
• Do we have enough data for country-comparisons? Too many countries are insufficiently represented
• Longitudinal data, e.g. for life course approach, are only now being collected and developed
• Social partners and states are important but research should also focus on markets, firm, networks in contributing to flexicurity
• Not enough attention paid to informal systems of flexibility and security.How does informal economy relate to formal economy?
• Theories on flexicurity should be further developed: reflexive labour law, actor-centered institutionalism
• More attention to relationship between inclusion and exclusion in view of flexicurity systems
Figure: Coordination mechanisms and the provision of flexibility and security
Coordination
mechanism
Associationssocial partners collective agreements
Networksof firms, clients, suppliers etc
Hierarchies(individual) firms
Stateat various levels
Marketsincluding submarkets
Crucial condition
for Mechanism
Mutual trust Mutual interests Reflexivity/ good
employership
Legitimacy andenforceability
Scarcityand information
Type of flexibility Provided
- Wage- Functional
- External - Functional- Internal
- External- Internal
- External - Internal- Wage
Type of security provided
- Job- Employment- Combination
- Employment - Job- Combination
- Job- Income- Combination
- Job- Employment- Combination
Current research focus on flexicurity
Aspect team
Policies and preconditions of flexicurity TAGC
Criticial conditions Danish case CARMA, FAOS
Performance of flexicurity systems/regimes WSI, Tilburg, ETUI
Security aspects of flexible work NiederR, WSI, TAGC
Flexicurity across life-course Tilburg, NiederR
Flexicurity in Eastern/Mid EU Tartu, ILO
Application of flexicurity in restructuring LENTIC, Tilburg
Flexicurity older workers Amsterdam/CARMA
Flexicurity new industries Tilburg, LENTIC
Legal aspects/European policy Amsterdam/Tilburg/Maastricht
Principles, concepts, checklists CARMA, Tilburg, CoE, Tartu
TAGC=Tilburg, Amsterdam, Groningen, CARMA team
A grand scheme on flexicurity and its conditions? (too complicated for slide)
regimes
countries
use of
coordination
mechanisms
reliance on
forms of
flexibility
combination with
forms of security
[basic levels] [econ. tide?] [sense of urgency] [architects]
Danish Golden Triangle
Flexible labour market
Generous welfare schemes Active labour
market policy
Main axis
Qualification effect
Motivational effect
Silver Square or Trust Square
FlexibilityActivation policies
Employment security
Social security
Main axis: trust and support
Motivation
Qualification
Active safety net/trampoline
What should be the focus of our policies? Flexicurity policies
security
flexibility
jobsecurity
employment security
Incomesecurity
combinationsecurity
external-numerical
flexibility
Make transitions pay
internal-numerical
flexibility
Optimalize working-time policies
functional
flexibility
Make employabilitywork
flexible or
variable pay
Relate wages to company performance
What should be the focus of our policies? (2)
Make employability work:
Stimulate regional cooperation and coordination among companies, schools and labour market intermediairs
Facilitate training for workers aimed at job outside own company, sector of industry or profession
Improve career guidance structures Proposal: create a “right to career
guidance” (cp. suggestion Luc Sels)