Working Paper

"Sustainable Work: Country Study on Discourses, Policies, and Actors (non-accessible PDF)" by Dario Azzellini*, Oktober 2021

Abstract: 
Sustainable development is the political goal of the EU and its member states. Reduction of greenhouse gases, energy and mobility transition are daily topics. Greenhouse gas neutrality is to be achieved in Europe by 2050 at the latest, and the federal administration in Germany is to be climate-neutral by 2030. Not only production and consumption will change massively as a result, but also gainful employment and the labour markets. But even if the United Nations proclaims humane and development-promoting, sustainable work as a goal, there is already a limited penetration of the topic in Europe. The working paper examines the perspectives on sustainable work in nine European countries. It becomes clear that sustainable work is hardly explicitly addressed. The social organization of work, other forms of work or value orientations are rarely addressed. Technology rsp. their uses, on the other hand, play a central role. The role of public employment services remains limited to programmes of ecologically oriented vocational training.
*Dr. Dr. Dario Azzellini, Academic Unit for Development Studies, Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), Zacatecas, Mexico and Department of International and Comparative Labor, ILR School, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA,dario(at)azzellini.net

Labour Market Integration of the Long-term Unemployed von Sebastian Brandl* and Thorsten Braun**, August 2022 (Accessible version of the working paper, deviations, e.g. page numbers, to the non-accessible version are possible)

Abstract:
The working paper deals with the implementation of the paradigm shift towards labour market integration especially of the long-term unemployed, which has been noted in many European countries. Labour market integration refers to integration into subsidised and non-subsidised, largely regular employment relationships in private companies, administrations, and non-profit organisations. This working paper is based on two exploratoryjob centrecase studies in Denmark and Germany. In an extension of Lipsky's perspective of street-level bureaucracy-this paper examines the role of street-level organisations in their implementation of the new policy. Focusing on Berkel's organisational context,’ the paper examines the strategic, organisational and personnel factors and steps towards implementation in job centres. In Denmark, the paradigm shift is moving towards a comprehensive, not entirely smooth, and, depending on the job centre ,varying realignment of integration work from a social services approach to a more business one. In Germany, the approach is only implemented indirectly through funding programmes as well as the Participation Opportunities Act, and mostly inspecial teams. At the same time, however, ‚a process of policy decentralisation’ can be observed, which is filled by varying degrees of ‚professionalisation of integration work at local level. In this respect, management decisions are of considerable importance, not only for the services provided but they also frame the discretionary decisions made by integration specialists. One particular case outlined a comprehensive transfer of the organisational discretion to the integration specialists. Strategies and experience as well as constellations and orientation within management in the job centreshave a considerable influence on the implementation and practice of the new policy at local level. As confirmed after speaking with Brodkin, the street-level organisations are ‚de facto policy makers’ through their management decisions.

* Professor of Occupational Sociology and Social Policy, HdBA Campus Schwerin, sebastian.brandl(at)hdba.de
** Associate Professor, VIA University College – Society and Social Work, Aarhus, thbr(at)via.dk 

"Institutional Barriers to the Uptake of Child Supplement" by Deborah Jackwerth-Rice, 2023

Abstract:

The child supplement (KiZ) is a family-related benefit which can be claimed together with housing allowance so as to raise a low-income household over the basic security level and to avoid a need for assistance under § 9 of the SGB II (Social Act). In addition to financial assistance, this also includes exemption from childcare fees and access to education and integration benefits. However, low-income families are often unaware of their entitlement to KiZ or find the application process too much. This does not only have individual reasons but is often made worse by the complex system for processing benefits, which can be 'impenetrable' for families. This working paper takes a closer look at the institutional barriers in the uptake of child supplement. In particular, it examines the application process, the interdependency of other social benefits, the difficult conditions for access to benefits after no longer receiving unemployment benefit and the lack of places to go when legal advice on such benefits and how they correlate to each other is needed. The working paper is based on the results of concomitant research on the project "KiZ+" (2020-2022) conducted by the PHOENIX Beschäftigung und Bildung e.G. in collaboration with the Baden-Württemberg East and West Family Benefits Office.

"Self-assessment of competence in workplace learning through standardised measurement" by Nathanael Opitz and Ralph Conrads, 2023

Abstract:

The working paper examines the range of possibilities when assessing skills within the concept of workplace-based learning by way of learning process support. This is discussed based on individual learning support provided by the National Employment Agency. Internal training for employees of the National Employment Agency and job centres, this has been offered as an informal, individual workplace-based form of further training since 2012. The latter is necessary to be able to react to the challenges of a working world in continual transformation (digitalisation, demographic change, heterogenisation of employment history, internationalisation, etc.). There is a gap between what is now required of employees and the traditional methods of further education. New formats have to be developed to meet the demands on both an individual and organisational level.
Individual Learning Support (ILS), which is important in this respect, encourages active learning and has a constructivistic approach. The study presented here in concomitant research on ILS examines changes in skills as well as satisfaction with learning processes, and uses an experimental design (the Solomon four-group design). The concomitant research survey is made up of various topics and applies the five-step Likert scales. The validity, reliability and consistency of the skills assessments are presented in more detail, as are the effects of the intervention on the various study groups.
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the theoretical postulates underlying the article using a 16-factor scale structure. In addition, the competency scales can be plausibly assigned to second-order competency dimensions (technical, methodological, social and personal competencies). The reliability coefficients of the scales are good to very good. Differences between participants from the central induction programs (EAP for newly hired employees or those changing jobs in various fields such as job placement or controlling) and from the Professional Counseling certificate programme in further academic education (ZP; mostly experienced career counsellors who are aiming for a higher job classification) are also of interest here. A discussion of the findings and certain effects (ceiling/self-assessment effect) as well as the restrictions of the research design concludes the paper. The findings show that the survery concept is viable, displays consistent results, and can be transferred to other further education formats in educational controlling programmes.

"Climate Policy and the Future of Work" by Franziska Schmitt, 2024

Abstract:

The impact of climate-policy targets on the labour market has received very little attention in employee-oriented job placement and counselling practices up to now. Following on from this deficit, this paper addresses the question of how climate-policy targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions affect employment in selected sectors in Germany, and what the consequences are for work placement. After analysing the content of current studies on employment effects of the climate-policy targets,interviews led by experts were conducted to establish the consequences for employment services. The studies point towards job losses related to climate policy in the energy sector, the automobile industry as well as in the trade, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles. At the same time, the demand for workers is growing in the building industry, mechanical engineering and in transport-related services, where existing shortages will continue to grow in the future. As a result of this, employment agencies are encouraged to keep adapting their knowledge of the effects of climate policy-related changes in the labour market so as to provide more targeted advice on further education and to adequately promote a change in sector, region, company or profession. The results of the survey could lead to specific recommendations for German employment services. The approach to a model solution for general, everyday placement is a result of this, which, alongside specific activities, highlights networking partners who support the implementation of the recommendations in practice. Continued research could further expand this approach and increase practical relevance.

"Sustainable behaviour among students with different personality types" by Ian Grondey, 2024

Abstract:

Vocational training is a pivotal institution for shaping personality, gaining increasing significance within the context of the sustainability debate. Being able to integrate sustainability into working life by way of professional action offers a considerable opportunity to generate sustainable behaviour in society more effectively. However, despite the numerous positive aspects of sustainability, there are groups of people who are critical of this issue, who see some kind of threat in the sustainability movement and who do not appear to behave in a sustainable way.

It is the goal of this research to establish what influence dual training locations and trainee personality types have on the shaping of sustainable behaviour.

To answer these questions, guided interviews with six students, three college lecturers and three trainers were conducted. A documentation analysis of the relevant regulatory instruments was also carried out, and with the help of the BFI-2, the various personality types of the students were identified. The interviews and regulatory tools were evaluated using qualitative structured content analysis.

The analyses showed that the students barely change their sustainable behaviour by being in the dual study system and that where they studied only displayed minimal differences which hardly extend over the scope of their studies. However, it did also show that the structure of dual study system is especially suitable for the demands of sustainable behaviour as, methods which are adapted to individual students, can, depending on the location, be used. According to the results, this individual approach is necessary as different personality types require different methods for students to be motivated to behave sustainably.

The results show that methods tailored specifically to a person can reveal considerable potential to behave sustainably. For this reason, it is advisable to finetune this approach by carrying out further research.

"Experiences of Discrimination Among Displaced People in Germany: A Comparative Study of Arabian and Ukrainian Refugees" by Evelyn Wladarsch, 2024

Abstract: 

The project was concerned with experiences of discrimination among displaced people, who fled to Germany. In the qualitative research approach interviews were conducted with Arabian and Ukrainian refugees and distinctions between these two groups were delineated. Our starting point was the assumption about an existing ethnic hierarchy in Germany, which positions various groups to specific positions and which is re-produced through racial prejudices and discrimination. This happens not only from the (German) majority towards (migrant) minorities, but also between the diverse groups with migration background. This inter-migrant dimension turned out to be salient in our study.
It appeared that Arabian and Ukrainian refugees make very different experiences: in terms of position assignment by the German host society, their strategies of self-positioning and their positional demarcation towards other migrant groups. This goes along with divergent experiences of discrimination.
These two escape waves within a short time period (around 2015 and 2022), from geographically and culturally different regions of origin, have the potential to re-configure the ethnic hierarchy in new ways. The concept of conviviality – understood as art of living together in and with differences – was used as a possibility to grasp social togetherness beyond assimilation and hierarchization; finally, and as perspective prospect, potentials of convivial practices were identified in the empirical data.

"New Ways of Cooperation between Employee and Employer Services and the Role of Integration Professionals (NWCEE)" by Sebastian Brandl* Thorsten Braun** and Michaela Schulze***, 2024

Abstract: 

This working paper presents findings from case studies on new cooperation formats between employee and employer professionals in local employment services in Denmark, Austria and Germany. In particular, it looks how the professionals cooperate, how their work is changing and what support is available to them.

In all three countries, it is clear that the previous division of labour and organizational separation of professionals and their formalised communication are perceived as a hindrance. Nevertheless, the established differentiation is only partially withdrawn. An organizational merger only takes place in individual cases, usually in project teams. Mutual understanding is initiated mainly by means of (cooperation) projects, usually job fairs or communication formats. The physical proximity of the specialists also strengthens cross-departmental exchange. This not only improves data quality and mutual information, but also creates an understanding of the tasks, working methods, customers and restrictions of the other side. Mutual recriminations are reduced and a more holistic view of the work process and the requirements outside one's own area of work becomes possible.

* Professor of Occupational Sociology and Social Policy, HdBA Schwerin campus, sebastian.brandl(at)hdba.de

** Associate Professor, VIA University College – Society and Social Work, Aarhus, thbr(at)via.dk

*** Professor of political sciences focusing on labour market policies and their tools, HdBA Campus Schwerin, michaela.schulze(at)hdba.de