Publications by subject - General - 2012

This issue contains the following articles: Findings in Figures; Eu-level debate on quality of work; Eurofound explores situation of older workers; News in brief; and Latest publications.

This report is concerned with the development of a quality assurance plan for the 3rd European Company Survey (ECS) detailing the necessary steps both in terms of survey design and quality control of the fieldwork, based on the general framework for quality assurance for Eurofound surveys. Eurofound was advised on the development of tender specifications for the fieldwork of the 2012 wave of the ECS, including the identification of priorities with regard to the actions to be included in the tender specifications for fieldwork, based on an assessment of expected costs and expected quality impact.

This issue contains the following articles: Findings in Figures; Towards a more sustainable quality of work; Eurofound strengthens bonds with the FRA; News in brief; and Latest publications.

This concept paper is an input to ongoing preparatory work for the new four-year work programme of Eurofound 2013–2016. It is based on the outcome of a joint working group between Eurofound and the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA). In addition, the paper includes contributions and recommendation from a high-level expert seminar on relevant issues, which took place in Brussels on 21-22 June 2011.

This report aimed to assess the main dimensions of work attitudes in the European Union and in a selected sample of extra-EU countries, by analysing several data sources in a comparative way. Some preliminary conclusions can be drawn. It seems that countries at different stages of industrial development experience different combinations of preference for work, job characteristics, work ethics and life satisfaction. Developing countries seem to put work before family and leisure time, while assigning a lower overall importance to social life and relational goods. On the other hand, advanced, post-industrial economies seem to assign a higher relevance to social life, while showing a preference for intangible job characteristics, higher levels of life satisfaction and weaker work ethics.

This issue contains the following articles: Findings in Figures; Flexicurity under the spotlight; EU ambassadors visit Eurofound; News in brief; and Latest publications.

This issue contains the following articles: Findings in Figures; Looking ahead - priorities for 2013-2016; Working time during the recession; News in brief; and Latest publications.

This issue contains the following articles: Findings in Figures; Launch of European Year for Active Ageing; Taking stock of east–west migration; News in brief; and Latest publications.

The year 2012 marks the last year of Eurofound’s four-year 2009–2012 work programme Europe at work: Better life and opportunities for all. The drivers of change listed in the four-year-programme – globalisation, technological change, climate change and the demographic challenge – remain, but due to the financial and economic crisis, emphasis has shifted, and the impact of the crisis as well as the issues of stimulating growth and job creation have gained prominence. While continuing to focus on the completion of work under the current 4 year programme, the discussion on the priorities for the next four years will be a key part of Eurofound’s strategic work during 2012.