EMCC dossiers
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- EMCC dossier on the European textiles and leather sector
Like many other mature industrial sectors, Europe’s leather and textiles sector, has undergone dramatic change over the past 20 years. This EMCC dossier provides an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces driving change in the sector, using a compilation of relevant reports, company case studies and scenarios to give a comprehensive insight into an industry in transition.
- EMCC dossier on the crisis in the steel sector
On 13 February 2003 the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on the crisis in the steel sector and the measures to be taken at Community level. This was against the background of Arcelor's announcement of restructuring plans throughout the group's continental sites. The Parliament calls on the Commission and EU Member States to promote innovation in this sector and to develop new actions aimed at specialisation as well as quality. This EMCC dossier outlines the background to the EP resolution through a series of links providing a wide range of information on the crisis, its developments, as well as some case studies of the sector.
- EMCC dossier on the European railway sector
Since the mid-1990s the railway sector has gone through a period of increasingly rapid change. Much of this is down to a growing demand for transport services, a sustained phase of consolidation due to deregulation and industry reforms, and EU enlargement. This EMCC dossier provides a brief analysis of the trends and drivers of change likely to shape future developments within the sector. It also provides an overview of employment, industrial relations and working conditions in the rail transport sector, highlighting developments in five EU Member States - Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In addition, a series of links to a variety of relevant information sources complements this dossier.
- EMCC dossier on the European textiles and clothing sector
The textiles and clothing industry represents a significant sector of economic activity in world trade and also within the European Union. Due to various pressures for change as a result of consumer developments, technological advances, changes in production costs, growth in retailers’ purchasing power and environmental issues, the European textiles and clothing industry is characterised by being in a state of continuous restructuring and modernisation. Moreover, the dynamics in the industry are currently much influenced by the liberalisation of international trade. These challenges are being faced against a background of relocation of production and activities to low-cost countries, diminishing skilled labour force and ongoing technological change. This dossier examines the current state of the textiles and clothing sector in general, and the specific situation of four leading companies in the field. It examines the role that location plays in textiles and clothing, through an analysis of location decisions and profiles of two major textiles geographical clusters. It also puts forward a number of possible future scenarios for the development of the sector over the next decade.
- EMCC dossier on the European construction sector
Construction is one of Europe’s biggest industries, including the building, civil engineering, demolition and maintenance industries. The sector has an annual turnover in excess of €900 billion and more than 12 million employees in the EU15 alone. This EMCC dossier provides an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces driving change in the sector, using a compilation of relevant reports, company case studies and scenarios to give a comprehensive insight into a sector facing important challenges today.
- EMCC dossier on the European textiles and clothing sector – Additional sources of information
- EMCC dossier on the commerce sector – Additional sources of information
This document lists further sources of information on the commerce sector that may be of interest to the reader.
- EMCC dossier on the energy sector – Additional sources of information
This document lists further sources of information on the European energy sector that may be of interest to the reader.
- EMCC dossier on industrial restructuring
Industrial restructuring is a striking feature of Europe's economic landscape today. There is wide agreement among employees, social partner organisations and policymakers at all levels that the way industrial restructuring is managed can, and must be improved. A rich body of policy initiatives, conceptual material and practical experience is available, identifying the main issues and challenges governing industrial restructuring. This EMCC dossier aims at presenting a selection of relevant data sources in a systematic way. It reveals the principles of, and various approaches to, corporate restructuring. A series of links provide access to a wide variety of relevant information sources.
- EMCC dossier on the European biomedical healthcare sector
Modern biotechnology is one of the key enabling technologies of the 21st century: it could potentially prevent, treat and cure a wide range of diseases. However, the development of biomedical products – especially drugs – is an expensive, long-term endeavour. Thus, the biomedical healthcare sector relies on a wide range of supporting sectors and interacts with public administrations in all phases of the development, manufacturing and selling of a product. In a European policy context, the biomedical sector offers the potential to create a knowledge base that could contribute to Europe’s competitiveness in the global market. This dossier aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces shaping the sector, drawing primarily on recent original Eurofound research. It provides a sector mapping report, company and cluster studies, future scenarios and links to recommends sources of information.
- EMCC dossier on the European food and beverage sector
The European food and beverage sector is faced with an unprecedented number of challenges today, leading to an increase in restructuring activity across the EU. These developments are primarily driven by the need to enhance competitiveness and address local and global changes affecting the industry. This dossier aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces shaping the sector. The information is mainly drawn from recent and original EMCC research, including a sector mapping report, company and cluster studies, future scenarios and foresight work.
- EMCC dossier on the European transport and logistics sector
Transport and logistics are the ‘lifeblood’ of the European economy: levels of growth in transport and levels of economic growth are strongly associated. However, the expansion of transport and logistics activities has resulted in increased congestion on Europe’s roads, cities and ports, undermining the capacity of companies in the sector to reliably deliver goods and services on time, and limiting the possibilities for further expansion. Furthermore, growth in transport has led to rising CO2 emissions, posing a challenge for policymakers who seek to foster economic growth while meeting Europe’s targets for greenhouse gas reductions. These challenges are being faced against a background of uncertainty over rising oil prices, a shrinking labour force and ongoing technological change. This dossier explores the current state of the sector generally, and the situation as experienced by four key companies in the sector. It examines the role that location plays in transportation and logistics, through an analysis of location decisions, and through studies of two major transport clusters. It also presents a number of possible future scenarios for the development of the sector over the next decade.
- EMCC dossier on the European automotive industry
The automotive industry - a pioneer of industrial manufacturing which has weathered the storms of capitalism over the last century - is in crisis as it struggles to keep up with the increasingly rapid changes of the global economy. This EMCC dossier is a compilation of reports, regional and company case studies as well as scenarios, providing an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces driving change in the sector. An ‘interactive map’ showing basic statistics for each country and the main car assembly plants completes the dossier.
- EMCC dossier on the European telecoms sector
In less than two decades, Europe’s telecoms sector has moved from a nation-based industry, monopolised by public telecommunications operators to a free market system, operating on an international scale. The European Commission has played a key role in promoting market liberalisation through its regulatory regime. This EMCC dossier provides an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces driving change in the sector, using a compilation of relevant reports, company case studies and scenarios to give a comprehensive insight into a continuously evolving industry.
- EMCC dossier on the European energy sector
Energy is vital for the continued functioning of industrial economies; as such, it is a sector that will always play a vital role in Europe’s economy. Moreover, the increasing demand for renewable energy sources – in light of rising prices of fossil fuels and growing calls for international action to reduce emissions of C02 – means that Europe’s energy sector, which has the highest level of use of renewable energies worldwide, has the potential to become the leading global player in an energy ‘renaissance’, with huge potential for employment and exports. However, the European energy sector is facing a number of challenges: renewable energy requires massive long-term investments, for which the capital is difficult to find; rising costs of fossil fuels; geopolitical risks; an ageing workforce and a lack of young people entering technical professions. This dossier aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces shaping the sector. It provides a mapping report that gives an overview of the current state of the sector, company and cluster studies that look in detail at current practices, and future scenarios that investigate possible outcomes for the sector out to the year 2050.
- EMCC dossier on the biomedical healthcare sector – Additional sources of information
This document lists further sources of information on the commerce sector that may be of interest to the reader.
- EMCC dossier on the financial services sector
The recent financial crisis has brought to light the serious challenges that the European financial services sector is facing. What are the prospects of a viable, more resilient financial industry emerging from the crisis? To answer this question, we need to look at the economic trends in the banking and insurance industries and examine the results of the debate on the regulation of financial markets. Also, a look at the business models that are applied in the different segments of the financial sector as a response to the crisis can help to map the future of the sector. From the present viewpoint, it appears very probable that different approaches will compete in the near future and there will be no clear decision about which is the superior model. The coming years will be a period of testing at the business level as well as at the level of public regulation.
- EMCC dossier on Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS)
The so-called ‘knowledge economy’ has given way to a whole range of new professional activities and occupations referred to as Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS). This emerging sector is regarded as a fundamental contributor to EU competitiveness, largely due to its key role in providing non-core services to companies across the economic spectrum. Although a relatively young and unknown sector, its contribution to employment and growth across the EU in the coming years is expected to be paramount in the context of achieving the goals of the Lisbon Agenda. This dossier aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces shaping KIBS and draws mainly on recent and original EMCC research, including a sector mapping report, company and cluster studies, future scenarios and foresight work.
- EMCC dossier on the European commerce sector
The European commerce sector faces an unprecedented number of challenges: greater competition, complex supply chains, changing demographics, increased migration, changing consumer and media trends and the difficulty of attracting skilled workers to the sector. In addition, the sector also faces challenges from outside Europe – the emergence of Asian economies and ongoing economic out-performance by the US. However, although these challenges pose a threat to some companies in the commerce sector, for others they can offer the opportunity for expansion and growth: many European retail and wholesale companies are improving competitiveness through acquisitions and mergers, the introduction of new technologies, restructuring, and innovations in product lines and human resources. This dossier aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the trends and forces shaping the sector, drawing primarily on recent, original EMCC research. It provides a sector mapping report, company and cluster studies, future scenarios and recommendations for change.
- EMCC dossier on the transport and logistics sector – Additional sources of information
This document lists further sources of information on the European transport and logistics sector that may be of interest to the reader.
EMCC is a project of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
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