Previous events: reports
- Managing change in EU cross-border mergers and acquisitions
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions organised a company network seminar on November 29–30, 2007, hosted by Santander at its corporate headquarters in Madrid, Spain. In intensive discussions over the two days, 32 representatives from companies, trade unions, universities, research organisations and the European Commission discussed the management of change in EU cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M& A). The context was set by a presentation from Roderick Meiklejohn from the European Commission’s Directorate General of Economics and Finance, giving the latest evidence of trends in M&A in Europe. This was followed by detailed presentations of their M&A strategies by representatives of Air France / KLM (France, Netherlands), Impress (Netherlands, UK), Danske Bank / National Irish Bank (Denmark, Ireland), Schneider Electric (France) and Santander /Abbey (Spain, UK)
- Managing diversity in the workplace: competitive advantages for companies
- EMCC Anticipatory Workshop - Feeding Europe: The future of the European food and beverage industry
- The role of competence and qualification development in fostering workforce mobility
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions discussed the role of competence and qualification development in fostering workforce mobility. The seminar was held in Thessaloniki on 9-10 November 2006, and was organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC) in cooperation with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP). The introductory presentations summarised the policy context and the results of recent research on mobility in Europe. The second part of the seminar highlighted initiatives undertaken at European and national level aimed at promoting the transparency and recognitions of qualifications of employees. The final session discussed the implications of these policy objectives for employers and employees. Four companies – Electricité de France Group (France), the Bank of Cyprus (Cyprus), Telefónica S.A (Spain) and Neorion Syros Shipyards (Greece) – presented their approach to the competence development and mobility of their employees.
- How to succeed as an SME in the internal market: Innovation strategies for cross-border business
In a seminar organised for members of its company network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions discussed the challenges faced by SMEs when operating across European borders and the role that innovation can play in facilitating this process. The seminar was held in Berlin over 28-29 June 2006, and was organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC) in cooperation with the Confederation of German Employer Organisations(Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände, BDA); it also had the institutional support of the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME). Four small and mediums-sized enterprises (SMEs) - Flemming & Pehrsson GmbH (Germany), Somati ( Belgium), Novol ( Poland) and Teltronic (Spain ) - presented their experiences of innovation and internationalisation, on the basis of which participants discussed the issues and challenges that European SMEs are facing.
- Economic development agencies: Fostering business champions
In a seminar organised for the members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions discussed the role of economic development agencies (EDAs) in fostering business champions. The seminar was held in New Lanark, Scotland (United Kingdom), on 21-22 March 2006. Four EDAs - from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland and Estonia - offered an insight into their strategies for fostering business champions and economic development. Three of the EDAs were joined in their presentations by firms that they had supported.
- Business creation as a result of restructuring processes
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions discussed the topic of business creation arising from restructuring processes. The seminar was held at the Foundation’s Conference Centre in Dublin, Ireland on 17-18 November 2005. Some six companies - JT Morgan (UK), Valnalón (Spain), Otto GmbH & Co KG (Germany), Kluwer & Compotex (Netherlands), Pomerania Shipyard Ltd (Poland) and France Télécom (France) - offered an insight into their restructuring procedures, which had led to the creation of start-up businesses and hence succeeded in offsetting negative employment effects. In an active and lively debate, 48 participants from a range of European countries exchanged experiences and knowledge of job creation initiatives as a result of business restructuring processes.
- The future of telecommunications - still in Europe?
Anticipating change in the telecoms sector, and the implications for employment, was the subject of a two-day workshop, organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC) in Montpellier, France, on 26-27 May 2005. Policymakers and representatives from the social partners attended the event, which benefited from significant participation from the new Member States. Led by expert speakers, the participants examined the sector’s key drivers and trends, and looked at scenarios likely to shape future development. Assessing the possible implications for the industry’s structure, as well as for employment and working conditions, the workshop highlighted a number of issues for private and public sector actors.
- Workplace innovation - fostering productivity and quality of work
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored sustainable strategies related to the implementation of new forms of work organisation. The seminar ‘Workplace innovation - fostering productivity and quality of work’ was held in Bologna, Italy, on 27-28 June 2005. Four companies - Volvo Cars Ghent (Belgium), HERA (Italy), the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration (the Netherlands) and Grundfos (Denmark) - presented their company strategies and assessed the experiences they had made in terms of workplace innovations. In an active and lively debate, 48 participants from 15 EU Member States discussed the conditions, impact, limitations and policy implications of changing work systems.
- Fashioning the future: Challenges for the European textiles and clothing sector
Examining the broad trends and drivers of change in the textiles and clothing industry was the subject of a two-day workshop organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC) in Nottingham on 16-17 December 2004. Held at the Nottinghamshire International Clothing Centre (NICC), this workshop was attended by some 30 representatives of the European textiles and garment industry, including the European Commission, national textiles trade associations, university researchers and sector specialists. Scenario techniques were used as a tool to intensify debate on the future of the European textiles and garment industry leading to a greater understanding of the management of change at company level and also to the formulation of recommendations for both regional and EU policymakers.
- Offshore outsourcing of business services
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored corporate strategies related to the offshore outsourcing of business services. The seminar ‘Offshore outsourcing of business services - threat or opportunity?’ was held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 17-18 March 2005. Four companies - Elcoteq-Personalijuht (Estonia), Siemens Business Services (SBS, Ireland), T-Systems (Austria) and ABN AMRO (the Netherlands) - presented their company strategies and an assessment of their experiences with offshore outsourcing. In an active and lively debate, 45 participants from 16 EU Member States discussed the conditions, impact, limits and policy implications of this business strategy.
- Achieving gender balance - strategies for competitiveness
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored corporate practices leading to a better work-life balance for women and men, while also contributing to enhanced competitiveness and human resource management models in European countries. The seminar ‘Achieving gender balance - strategies for competitiveness’ was held in Lisbon, Portugal, on 18-19 November 2004. Four companies from Portugal, Denmark, France, and the United Kingdom (an SME in publishing and printing, a public/private consultancy firm, a multinational of the food and drink sector and a public health authority) presented both professional and personal experiences to an audience of 42 participants from 14 EU countries.
- Business resilience - anticipation as the key to sustainable business success
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored two distinct but related aspects of resilience: ‘anticipatory resilience’ and ‘crisis management resilience’. The seminar ‘Business resilience - anticipation as the key to sustainable business success’ was held in the VNO Management Centre ‘De Baak’ in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, on 2-3 June 2004. Four companies from France, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, representing different sectors (packaging, transport, hotel, pharmaceutical), presented their observations and strategies to an audience of 35 participants coming from 11 EU Member States.
- Driving forward - futures for the automotive sector from a regional perspective
Anticipating change in the automotive sector and the implications for employment was the subject of a two-day workshop organised by the European Monitoring Centre for Change (EMCC) in Warsaw on 23-24 September 2004. Policymakers and representatives from the social partners attended the event with nearly half the participants coming from the new Member States. Led by expert speakers, they examined the sector’s key drivers and trends and looked at scenarios for further development. Assessing the possible implications for the industry’s structure as well as for employment and working conditions, the workshop produced a number of policy recommendations for private and public sector actors at different territorial levels.
- The workplace of the future - managing the challenge of an ageing workforce
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored policies and practices associated with managing an ageing workforce. The seminar ‘The workplace of the future - managing the challenge of an ageing workforce’ was held in Vienna, Austria, on 4-5 March 2004. Three companies from Austria, France and Germany, representing different sectors (steel, electronics, financial services), and the Finnish Ministry of Labour presented their approach and policies to an audience of 60 participants coming from 12 EU Member States.
- Funding the growth of enterprises
Using scenarios to anticipate change in the future of enterprise financing was the subject of a two-day workshop organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC). It was held in Brussels, Belgium on 22-23 October 2003. Various players in the ‘chain’ of enterprise funding - SME owners and managers; business support agencies; and private investors - attended the workshop. They examined a number of key drivers that will influence the availability of enterprise financing over the next 10 years. A number of additional drivers were identified, as were the key characteristics of a survivor SME in these future scenarios.
- Transforming organisations - the importance of leadership and culture in managing change
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored new approaches to leadership, the relationship between leadership and organisation culture and the role both factors play in successfully transforming businesses. The seminar, ‘Transforming organisations’, was held in Madrid, Spain, on 23-24 September 2003. Four companies from Belgium, France, Ireland and Spain presented their company’s approach and experience to an audience of 45 participants from 10 EU Member States.
- Restructuring for growth and job creation
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored company strategies for business growth and how these are related to job creation. The seminar ‘Restructuring for growth and job creation’ was held in Stockholm, Sweden on 11-12 June 2003. Four companies from France, Italy, Norway and Sweden, representing different sectors (pharmaceutical, construction, graphic arts, transport logistics), presented their approach and experience to an audience of 25 participants from eight different EU Member States.
- Managing business internationalisation
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored business practices in the context of companies expanding their operations to new external markets in Europe and elsewhere. The seminar 'Managing business internationalisation’ was held in Brussels, Belgium on 12-13 March 2003. Four companies from Germany, Ireland, Spain and Sweden presented their approach and experience to an audience of 35 participants representing a wide range of stakeholder groups (employers, trade unionists, government representatives, change agents and academics) from 11 EU Member States and acceding countries.
- Future stories - using scenarios to anticipate change
Anticipating change in the graphics and media sector was the subject of a two-day workshop organised by the European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC). Covering a wide range of industries and sub-sectors, from publishing to printing, advertising to broadcasting services, the sector is in a state of continuous transformation. The move from analogue to digital, from tightly regulated employment to freelancers, and from consumers to prosumers is part of the on-going evolution. Some of these trends formed the basis of an exploration of scenario-building techniques and the application of those techniques to company and working realities.
- Responsible management - a total approach
In a seminar organised for members of its Company Network, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions explored company strategies aimed at a total responsibility approach to management. The seminar 'Reponsible management - a total approach' was held in Lyon, France on 15-16 April 2003. Four companies from Finland, France and the United Kingdom presented their approach and experience to an audience of 40 participants representing different stakeholders from companies from 10 EU Member States.
EMCC is a project of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Page last updated: 12 October, 2010