Work: Quo Vadis? Re-thinking the Question of Work

First published in 1997, this volume is the result of the third Karlstad symposium which aimed to bring together and reflect current empirical trends and theoretical discussions on the questions: what exactly is happening to work and, consequentially, what should happen to work? This book disseminates contributions from seventeen scientists from eleven countries to a wider audience. It should prove stimulating to postgraduates, researchers, policy-makers and others to encourage further work on conditions both at work and on the labour market.

1. Introduction. Jan Holmer and Jan Ch. Karlsson. Part I. Work, Society and Welfare. 2. From Feudal Serfs to Free Agents: The Future of ‘Employment’. Stephen Toulmin. 3. Bringing Work to Life. Ray E. Pahl. 4. Contractualisation, Work and the Anxious Classes. Andrew Sayer. 5. Blaming the Benefit: The Costs of the Distinction between Active and Passive Programmes. Adrian Sinfield. 6. How to Get Rid of Unemployment and Transform Work into Play. Gunnar Adler-Karlsson. 7. The Work Ethic Under Challenge? Knut Halvorsen. Part II. Family and Gender. 8. Gender Relations and Research on Work. Sheila Allen. 9. Negotiations about Family Responsibilities within Dual-Earner Families. Ulla Björnberg and Anna-Karin Kollind. 10. Gender, Segmented Labour Markets, Continental Welfare States and Equal Employment Policies, the Case of Spain. Celia Valiente. 11. Changing Patterns and Practices of (Un)employment and the Swedish Welfare State. Johanna Esseveld. 12. Equality in Education and Work: the Limitations of Liberal Policies. Kathleen Lynch. 13. Women’s Creativity and the Swedish Study Circles. Louise Waldén. Part III. Technology and Organisation. 14. Cultures, Languages, Technologies. Manfred E.A. Schmutzer. 15. New Technology and New Organisation – or – Just New Rhetoric. Elisabeth Sundin. 16. Social Precarisation and Controlled Autonomy. Contradictions within the Changing Production Systems. Béatrice Appay. 17. General Qualification as a Societal and an Individual Need. Knud Illeris.