Innovating European Labour Markets

Dynamics and Perspectives

Edited by Peter Ester, General Director, OSA, Institute for Labour Studies and Professor of Sociology, Tilburg University, Ruud Muffels, Professor of Socio-Economics, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Wellbeing, Joop Schippers, Professor of Labour Economics, Utrecht University, Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance and Affiliated Researcher Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute and Ton Wilthagen, Professor of Institutional and Legal Aspects of the Labour Market, Tilburg University, the Netherlands

This book examines innovative theoretical perspectives and novel labour market policy responses to Europe’s changing work demands, employment careers and life courses. It presents creative ideas and recommendations for flexicurity policies at various levels and in different social and economic contexts. The driving factors determining the performance of dissimilar pathways in Europe are identified in regard to their impact on the flexibility/security nexus. Key issues in the current European policy debate are addressed, including how innovative policies are designed in the areas of working time, education, work–life balance, employment relations, retirement and migration, how they are put into practice and what determines their level of success.