Predicting Workplace Characteristics. an Inductive Research on the Influence of Country Characteristics on Workplace Characteristics in the European Union

Abstract

Workplace innovation increases the quality of working life and the organizational performance (Oeij e.a., 2012; Kramer e.a., 2008). Moreover, the European Economic and Social Committee (2011) underlines that workplace innovation is essential for the future of Europe. The sociotechnical theory stresses that workplace innovation need to take place by an intervention in the technical system and in the social system (De Sitter e.a., 1997). In the social system, workplace characteristics (e.g. job complexity and job autonomy) influence the quality of working life and the organizational performance (Kramer e.a., 2008). Consequently, workplace innovation needs to stimulate an optimal balance between workplace characteristics. Smith e.a. (2008) show that European countries differ in workplace characteristics.

This research examines, inductively, the conditions which cause different workplace characteristics in European countries. In addition, country level conditions such as welfare regime, union density, participation rate and varieties of capitalism will be used in the analyses. The European Working and Condition Survey will outline the aggregated workplace characteristics in the different European countries.

 

References

De Sitter, L,  den Hertog, J. & Dankbaar, B. (1997). From Complex Organizations with Simple Jobs to Simple Organizations with Complex Jobs. Human Relations 50(5), pp. 498-534.

European Economic and Social Committee (2011). Innovative workplaces as a source of productivity and quality jobs. Brussels: EESC.

Oeij, P., Dhondt, S., Kraan, K., Vergeer, R. and Pot, F. (2012). Workplace innovation and its relations with organisational performance and employee commitment. Lifelong Learning in Europe(4).

Smith, M., Burchell, B., Fagan, C., & O’Brien, C. (2008). Job Quality in Europe. Industrial Relations Journal 39(6), pp. 586-603.

Kramer, E., Kuijper, H. & Van Amelsvoort, P. (2010). Het nieuwe organiseren. Alternatieven voor de bureaucratie. Leuven: Acco.