The Nordic countries have the world's best working life. Unlike in many other countries, global competition has not created inequality, uncertainty, long working hours, standardization and restrictive managerial control. The main reason for this lies in the way interests are expressed and conflicts are resolved. Both employees and employers are well organized and both recognize the interests of the other. Working life develops in a constant interaction between conflict and compromise. This book examines working conditions in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. It explores how these good working conditions are created and maintained. The chapters explain: How work organization is formed How education, training and work place learning give access to the labour market How work is managed in the public sector How precarious work unfolds in the Nordic countries. Work and Wellbeing in the Nordic Countries is addressed to all those who have interest in the quality of working life. It will be of particular use to all students, academics and policy makers working in the fields of social policy, wellbeing, management studies, employment relations, work sociology and work psychology.

Human Development and Working Life - Work for Welfare explores whether the development of human resources at company level can improve individuals' quality of life, company's possibilities of development, and welfare and democracy in society. The book refers to cases where attempts have been made to improve quality of working life and competitiveness of the company. Possibilities and hindrances to combine social improvements and competition in the development of human resources are discussed. During the last 10 years most European countries have increased investments in the development of human resources at work as a vehicle for social development. The public investment in training, rehabilitation and support for innovation has increased; and at the same time the labour market has been deregulated to remove obstacles for flexibility and business development. The aim of the book is to promote knowledge about how to integrate social development and flexibility at the company level.

Human Development and Working Life - Work for Welfare explores whether the development of human resources at company level can improve individuals' quality of life, company's possibilities of development, and welfare and democracy in society. The book refers to cases where attempts have been made to improve quality of working life and competitiveness of the company. Possibilities and hindrances to combine social improvements and competition in the development of human resources are discussed. During the last 10 years most European countries have increased investments in the development of human resources at work as a vehicle for social development. The public investment in training, rehabilitation and support for innovation has increased; and at the same time the labour market has been deregulated to remove obstacles for flexibility and business development. The aim of the book is to promote knowledge about how to integrate social development and flexibility at the company level.

In Scandinavia, work in elderly care is a principal occupation and constitutes an important part of professional care work. Over the last decade, this sector has become a test piece for New Public Management (NPM). It is the area where NPM-inspired rationales and methodologies have been applied to the greatest extent. This book explores the challenges and future possibilities in elderly care from a working life perspective. Researchers from three Scandinavian countries present new studies of the daily work in elderly care, the change of tasks and services, and the reconstruction of a semi-profession. The specific translation of NPM into the Scandinavian context is examined, and how this affects: the meaning and identity of work in elderly care and the possibilities to reconstruct meaning under standardized working conditions * the new ideals of line management of elderly care and the ambiguities between bureaucracy and professionalism * subjectivity and emotions as a decisive element of the work in elderly care * the creation of new professionalism in pockets of the sector * the shifts in valuation of experience-based knowledge and care orientation. The book draws attention to new trends in the sector that may make way for transforming the logic of NPM, and thus points to possibilities that will enrich working life.