Francesco Garibaldo Libros

This book pursues principal aims. First it describes and reviews current concerns in regard to the conditions of labour markets, production organizations, working conditions, and industrial and employment relations. Prominent among these concerns are the crisis in trade unions and in democratic labour market institutions, and the rise of what many critics regard as technocratic administrative powers in the displacement of democratic practices. Furthermore the book explores aspects of the search for socio-cultural innovation in the wide areas of work, industrial, organizational, management, and employment relations. It therefore deals with participatory democratic practices in the world of work and production, with citizenship, social cohesion, wider participation in education and training, as well as with cultural interests in identity, solidarity and non-market values.

This book takes up a critical and realistic perspective on what is happening in China, India and other Asian countries in comparison with Western countries. It avoids hiding problems and difficulties, but communicates a positive message on the possibility to proceed in achieving a better situation. In this perspective the analysis of the public policies is a key point. These policies, in the Eastern as well as in the Western countries show objective difficulties and social contradictions but also that improvement is possible. The initial chapter is completely devoted to a study of China from within. The other topics analysed in the book are related to the social and natural environment’s sustainability: innovation, research and education on the one side and the life of workers on the other; also including the «invisible» people of the informal employment and the economic migrants, especially in Asia.

Participation is a social process, which is basically part of an exchange relationship. Thus, it is principally pluralist and ambiguous in its meaning. As a consequence, the reconciliation of voices needs innovative approaches to support balanced participation experiences. The ambivalent character of participation intends to provide a look at new initiatives in the various fields of workplace participation. Leading international scholars examine the role of institutional contexts for participation, the development of new forms of interest organisation as well as the relationship between organisational performance, participation practices and quality of working life. The contributions are not limited to taking stock of new experiences in the field of workplace participation, but also contribute to designing a new research agenda.

China’s industrial growth has been the unexpected event of the beginning of the 21st century owing to its impact on the entire global economy. The aim of the book is to get a common understanding of China’s economic future and its consequences for Europe based on the situation in three metal sectors chosen as examples, namely steel, shipbuilding, and automotive. That assessment can then serve as a basis for describing and evaluating the importance of the factors enabling Chinese industry to be globally competitive. Finally, this research will endeavour to pinpoint the relevant issues and establish ways of internationally regulating the growth of China’s metal industries, making them compatible with international standards regarding sustainable development and social responsibility.

The aim of interconnecting work organisation, innovation and employment provides a defining approach of the European Union to competitiveness. Although there is evidence of the social and economic benefits deriving from processes of organisational innovation and participation there seems to be a lack of dissemination of new forms of work organisation in Southern Europe. Internationally well-known scholars from France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy try to explain what are the specific obstacles with regard to a broader dissemination of new forms of work organisation in these countries. By doing so they also try to respond to the following more specific questions: What is the role of public policies with regard to the dissemination of new forms of work organisation? How can industrial relations foster processes of organisational innovation? What is the relationship between restructuring processes and new forms of work organisation?

This book is published during a phase of crisis and transformation for the automobile industry across the world; this crisis is particularly acute in Europe and the United States. The book is written especially for the non-specialist with more than a passing interest in the sector, such as experts of other sectors, trade unionists, representatives of the corporate world, policymakers and public managers who deal with industry, commerce and public planning. The authors provide up-to-date information and assessments of what is actually taking place, with particular attention paid to the sub-supply companies. The main focus lies on four European countries, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Italy, each of which is significant for its different experiences. Finally, three important non-European situations, the United States, Brazil and Japan, are examined.