Flexible Working in Food Retailing A Comparison Between France, Germany, Great Britain and Japan

The book is based on an extensive program of coordinated collaborative international research which aims to provide case-specific data in relation to food retailing nationally and internationally in countries which demonstrate different cultures, economic and social structures and employment systems. The inclusion of Japanese material is of particular interest to those researching working practices in Japan - as there is currently much debate about flexible Japanese manufacturing industry, but little on services such as retailing.

This book makes use of a four country research programme, covering France, Germany, Great Britain and Japan. Investigations and interviews at store, company and individual levels paint a picture of working times in the sector and in each of the countries. The volume provides some explanations for national differences as well as the similarities; supply and demand issues, as well as societal and social backgrounds. Large format food retailing is a major force in each country, employing millions in many different situations and conditions. This book suggests opportunities for retailers and employees to better manage their situations.

Introduction 1. The rise of the large format food store Leigh Sparks 2. Employment in food retailing Leigh Sparks 3. Working time configurations; theory, methods and assumptions for an international comparison Jean Gadrey 4. The organisation of working time in large French food retail firms Christophe Baret 5. The organisation of working time in large German food retail firms Johannes Kirsch, Martina Klein, Steffen Lehndorff and Dorothea Voss-Dahm 6. The organisation of working time in large British food retail firms Paul Freathy and Leigh Sparks 7. The organisation of working time in large Japanese food retail firms Thierry Ribault 8. A societal interpretation of the differences and similarities in working time practices Jean Gadrey and Steffen Lehndorff 9. Societal constraints and strategic room for manoeuvre: what options do firms have for improving employee satisfaction? Christophe Baret

Baret, Christophe; Lehndorff, Steffen; Sparks, Leigh