WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Lucio Baccaro, Jonas Pontusson

Economic growth after Fordism: new approaches to comparative political economy

Abstract

In this article we investigate how national political economies responded to the erosion of the demand-driven growth model of the post-war period. Our analytical approach concentrates on the relative importance of different components of aggregate demand, in particular exports and household consumption, and on the dynamic relations among the “demand drivers” of growth. We illustrate this approach by comparing patterns of economic growth in Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK over the period 1994-2007. Our discussion emphasises the fact that export-led growth and consumption-led growth have different implications for distributive conflict. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Frank Bandau

Storming Labour’s last strongholds: The political right’s attack on the Ghent system in Sweden and Denmark

Abstract

The Nordic countries have long been considered a paradise for trade unions, having shown ability to stem the tide of union decline basically due to their Ghent systems of unemployment insurance. But over the last two decades, the Ghent effect seems to have lost some of its power as labour unions have no longer been spared from substantial membership losses. The article shows that well-directed legislative changes to the Ghent system introduced under right-wing governments contributed substantially to the decline in union membership in the two Scandinavian Ghent countries; Sweden and Denmark. While the deliberate erosion of the Ghent system substantially lowered union density in Sweden, the unions’ membership losses in Denmark partly resulted from decoupling unions from unemployment insurance. The reforms were especially disastrous for the blue-collar confederation LO. While the Swedish unions can rely on the help of the Swedish Social Democrats in “repairing” the Ghent system, the Danish unions will have to find other ways to attract workers. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Olaf Struck

Problems of the labour market integration of refugees

Abstract

In the past, migration flows have contributed to the stratification of the German labour market. Recent migration exceeds the scale of the previous immigration and so the question arises: Will the integration of the new immigrants into the labour market succeed? Based on the categories of research into the conditions of successful labour market integration, we examine the ways in which the German labour market can accommodate the immigrants and how the process is currently being achieved. In principle, there are good opportunities to achieve a high level of labour market integration through active education, labour market and reception policy. This article clarifies the necessary measures. However, in the past two years considerable problems have also become apparent in the process of suitably introducing the necessary qualification measures. This increases the risk of an underclass in the labour market, with refugees being absorbed into the precarious segment of the labour market which is linked to a permanent lack of participation opportunities for the migrants and costs for the welfare state. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Anne Busch-Heizmann, Timothy Rinke

The impact of firm structures on the earnings of women and men. Results of the Linked Employer-Employee Survey of the Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP-LEE)

Abstract

Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) and the 2011 implemented Linked Employer-Employee Survey (SOEP-LEE) the article examines the efficacy of firm policies which are assumed to foster equality of opportunities for women and men. For this purpose, the associations between these firm structures and the average earnings of female and male employees are analysed. The results show that the average earnings of the respondents benefit from binding formalisation measures, and that this is the case especially for female employees. However, examining other variables, the analyses reveal no effect of less-binding formalisation measures. Concerning firm-specific policies for balancing family and work, the analyses indicate that measures on working (time) flexibility have relatively high chances of reducing inequalities in the earnings whereas other results are surprising, for example that childcare measures favour men more than women. The empirical results are discussed in terms of the “flexibility stigma” and of arguments relating to neo-institutionalism. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Malte Lübker, Thorsten Schulten

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2018: Consumer price developments dampen real wage gains

Abstract

In January 2018 new minimum wages came into forceacross a large number of countries, in part they entailed substantial gains for employees. In the European Union, the dynamic growth trajectory of previous years continued with a median increase of 4.4 %. However, the recent uptick in consumer prices implies more modest real gains of 2.8 % (compared to 5.1 % in the previous year). The driving force behind this trend is particularly rapid minimum wage growth in a number of member states in Central and Eastern Europe. Starting from a substantially lower level, minimum wages in these countries continue to close in on those in Western Europe, in particular when differences in purchasing power are taken into account. The WSI Minimum Wage Report analyses these developments and places them within the context of the current political debate around a European minimum wage policy. In addition to the recent push in this direction by the French President Macron, a European framework for minimum wages has also been endorsed by the political parties CDU, CSU and SPD in their preliminary negotiations towards a governing coalition. The report concludes that in Germany, with its comparatively low minimum wage levels, there is still need for action to achieve living wages. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Thorsten Schulten, WSI-Tarifarchiv

The German Collective Bargaining Round 2017: Subdued increase in real wages

Abstract

The current annual collective bargaining report of the WSI Collective Agreement Archive contains a comprehensive analysis of the 2017 bargaining round and gives an overview of the demands and results as well as a calculation of the annual wage increases. In 2017 collectively agreed wages grew on average 2.4 % in nominal terms. As the inflation rate was 1.8 % there was only a small 0.6 % increase in real wages. In 2017 the DGB affiliated trade unions concluded new agreements for about 8.7 million employees. At the same time a further 10.7 million employees received wage increases on the basis of collective agreements which were concluded in 2016 or even earlier. In the light of the positive economic framework conditions, more expansive wage deals are expected in 2018. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Jan-Paul Giertz, Robert Scholz

Strategic HR-management without a designated director of human resources?

Abstract

The long-term success of a company depends to a considerable extent on the qualifications, motivation and propensity to innovate and cooperate of the employees. Company strategy cannot be developed independently of human resources. It is therefore remarkable that in many companies personnel matters are handled below board level or as a cross-departmental responsibility. This has led to a debate on the declining importance of human resources management. The article, based on data from a research project examining the Mitbestimmungsindex (codetermination index), examines whether the feared loss of the significance of human resources’ departments is also empirically verifiable and discusses their role in the light of the growing demands for participation on the side of the employees and the significance of strategic personnel work. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Jürgen Glaubitz

Predatory competition in the German retail trade: on the backs of the employees

Abstract

Large concerns with enormous market power dominate competition in the German retail trade. Fierce predatory competition is taking place, based largely on price wars, opening times and the expansion of premises. Digitalisation serves to intensify this war of competition and and induces far-reaching structural change. The deregulation of the labour market has caused the displacement of hundreds and thousands of full-time jobs and accelerated the increase in precarious employment. This competition is being increasingly carried out at the expense of the employees in retail; after a stressful working life they are faced with the threat of old-age poverty. One reason for this situation is the dramatic exodus from collective agreements. Since the year 2000 when employers terminated their support for the Declaration of the General Applicability of Collective Agreements (AVE) there has been extensive erosion of the collective agreement structure and a drastic reduction in collective bargaining coverage. This article outlines the predatory competition in the retail trade, the far-reaching consequences for the employees and offers starting points for political countermeasures. more... (in German) 

 
WSI-Mitteilungen 2/2018

Jörg Wiedemuth

Argument for the general application of collective agreements

Abstract

Until today the knowledge of the significance of the mechanisms of the general application of collective agreements: AVE (Allgemeinverbindlicherklärung von Tarifverträge) remains largely with a small group of experts: it is those responsible for collective wage agreements in the trade unions, in employers’ associations, officials in the employment and labour ministries and scientists who deal with this subject. In view of the increasing significance of this subject, the article argues on the one hand for a wider debate on the AVE, to generally awaken more interest amongst employees and within public politics. In addition, cornerstones for a manageable general application of collective agreements are outlined. more... (in German)