Europe has become a dominant frame for the generation, regulation and perception of social inequalities. This trend was solidified by the current economic crisis, which is characterised by increasing inequalities between central and peripheral countries and groups. By analysing the double polarisation between winners and losers of the crisis; the segmentation of labour markets; and the perceived quality of life in Europe, this book contributes to a better understanding of patterns and dynamics of inequality in an integrated Europe.The contributions from experts in the field offer a multi-level perspective. They explore links between objective inequalities and subjective perceptions and frames of reference. They combine the analysis of growing inequalities between different social groups and between central and peripheral countries. Analysis of unemployment and income inequality is based on European-wide micro datasets and the editor argues for both European and national frames of reference for analysis of unemployment and income inequality. Offering new insights on the increasing unemployment and income inequalities in Europe before and during the current financial and Eurozone crisis this is a vital text. Anyone interested in the challenges of social cohesion in Europe will find this book a rich, innovative resource. Contributors include: F. Buttler, M. Heidenreich, C. Ingensiep, S. Israel, J. Preunkert, C. Reimann,

Though the importance for social outcomes of improved local coordination of social and employment policies is widely acknowledged, it has to date been the object of only limited research in comparative welfare state studies. Based on detailed and systematic empirical research in 18 localities across six European countries, this innovative volume begins to redress this imbalance. The novel insights it offers into the complex determinants of effective policy coordination in contrasting national and local contexts will be of great interest to scholars and policy makers alike.' - Daniel Clegg, The University of Edinburgh, UK'This edited volume, based on internationally comparative research, provides a valuable contribution to the growing body of academic literature on the local governance of social and employment policies. Through national case study as well as comparative chapters, the book takes up the challenging task of investigating the complex processes of coordinating various politico-administrative levels, a variety of private and public actors, and diverse policy fields, focusing specifically on how these processes take shape at the local level.' - Rik van Berkel, Utrecht School of Governance, the Netherlands 'Activation has been the latest leit motiv of labour market policies since the Nineties. Activation measures require extensive coordination across levels of government, service providers and administrative agencies operating in different sectors. This volume provides an excellent empirical analysis of six European countries, highlighting the light and shadows of real-world activation experiences at the local level. The authors provide precious insights not only for welfare state scholars, but also for policy makers faced with the challenge of modernizing work and welfare through a more effective governance.' - Maurizio Ferrera, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Italy A central goal of European activation policies is to provide coherent and actively inclusive employment and social services. This book offers new insights on the effective governance and implementation of such policies. Utilizing empirical studies from six European welfare states, expert contributors explore how different institutional contexts influence localized service delivery and how local authorities deal with the associated coordination challenges. Acknowledging that neither decentralization nor provider networks necessarily prevent fragmented service provision, Martin Heidenreich and Deborah Rice illustrate that an understanding of the European budgetary context, as well as individual network brokerage, is vital for a successful integration of employment and social policies at the local level. Timely and engaging, this innovative book will provide new theoretical perspectives and invaluable empirical materials for academics and students in the field of comparative social policy. Policy makers and officials will also appreciate the editors' practical approach. Contributors: P. Aurich-Beerheide, M. Bassoli, T. Berthet, C. Bourgeois, S.L. Catalano, V. Fuertes, C. Garsten, P.R. Graziano, M. Heidenreich, K. Hollertz, K. Jacobsson, S. Mandes, R. McQuaid, D. Rice, K. Sztandar-Sztanderska, K. Tourne Languin, K. Zimmermann

Chapter 8 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license at: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9780815392774 European integration has transformed the social life of European citizens. Daily life and work no longer take place primarily in a local and national context, but increasingly in a European and transnational frame - a process of 'horizontal Europeanisation' which, while increasing the life chances of European citizens, also brings about conflicts among them. This book focuses on processes of Europeanisation in the academic, bureaucratic, professional and associational field, as well as on the Europeanisation of solidarity, networks and social inequalities. Drawing on detailed empirical studies and attending to the reinforcement of centre-periphery structures in Europe, it analyses the dynamics of horizontal Europeanisation processes, highlighting the crucial role of national practices and perceptions in a transnational context, as well as the related conflicts between the winners and losers in this process. As such, it will appeal to scholars of sociology and political science with interests in European integration, social change and social stratification.

The crucial actors of a global knowledge-based economy are multinational enterprises (MNEs). MNEs depend on the embeddedness in an institutional framework; their competitive advantage depends on the cross-border utilisation of regional and national capabilities. The innovativeness of a company is therefore based also on regional innovation systems. Multinational Enterprises and Innovation contributes to a better understanding of the interconnectedness between organisational and regional learning. On the basis of case studies in Germany and France, this volume investigates how MNEs cope with technical, economic and institutional uncertainties by drawing upon the complementary strengths of organisational and regional networks in national and European contexts. The book links two theoretical debates which are currently still largely disconnected -- the debate on learning processes in MNEs and the debate on the regional bases of innovativeness and competitiveness -- answering the question of how the internationalisation of R&D is reconciled with regional competences.

This book examines how and to what extent the European Employment Strategy and the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) on Social Protection and Social Inclusion have influenced national labour market and social welfare policies. Focusing on the implementation of the OMC in different national environments, this book examines how the proposals and targets of the OMC are interpreted and implemented within the context of existing national employment and welfare regimes. At a theoretical level and on the basis of national case studies, the book considers how OMC objectives, guidelines, targets, and recommendations may reshape the domestic institutional framework, how learning and participation of governmental bodies are organized across different hierarchical levels, and how non-state actors may be involved in the formulation and implementation of national reform plans. The authors conclude that the OMC has contributed significantly to both substantive and procedural reforms, in spite of the many institutional barriers to Europeanization in this policy area. Featuring comparative case studies across a number of European states, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of sociology, political science, public policy, and international relations.

The crucial actors of a global knowledge-based economy are multinational enterprises (MNE). At the same time, the competences in the country and even in the region where the headquarters are located still play a crucial role for the localisation of R&D. MNEs depend on the embeddedness in an institutional framework, since their competitive advantage in the world-wide competition depends crucially on the cross-border utilisation of regional and national capabilities. Complementary to transnational networks, the innovativeness of a company is therefore based also on regional innovation systems. Multinational Enterprises and Innovation contributes to a better understanding of the interconnectedness between organisational and regional learning. On the basis of case studies in Germany and France, we investigate how MNEs cope with technical, economic and institutional uncertainties by drawing upon the complementary strengths of organisational and regional networks in national and European contexts. Thus, the book links two theoretical debates which are currently still largely unconnected -- the debate on learning processes in MNEs and the debate on the regional bases of innovativeness and competitiveness. In this way, we try to answer the question how the observed internationalisation of R&D is reconciled with the crucial role of domestic locations and regional competences.

This book examines how and to what extent the European Employment Strategy and the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) on Social Protection and Social Inclusion have influenced national labour market and social welfare policies.

Focusing on the implementation of the OMC in different national environments, this book examines how the proposals and targets of the OMC are interpreted and implemented within the context of existing national employment and welfare regimes. At a theoretical level and on the basis of national case studies, the book considers how OMC objectives, guidelines, targets, and recommendations may reshape the domestic institutional framework, how learning and participation of governmental bodies are organized across different hierarchical levels, and how non-state actors may be involved in the formulation and implementation of national reform plans. The authors conclude that the OMC has contributed significantly to both substantive and procedural reforms, in spite of the many institutional barriers to Europeanization in this policy area.

Featuring comparative case studies across a number of European states, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of sociology, political science, public policy, and international relations.

Contents:
Part 1. Introduction 1. Evolution of Regional Innovation Systems - Emergence, Theory, Challenge for Action. Part 2. Informal and Market-Driven Coordination: Grassroots Between Local and Global Reach 2. The Remarkable Resilience of the Industrial Districts of Tuscany 3. South-East Brabant: A Regional Innovation System in Transition 4. The Catalan Regional System of Innovation: Governing Fast Changes 5. The Regional Innovation System in Ontario 6. From Silicon Valley to Hollywood: Growth and Development of the Multimedia Industry in California. Part 3. Network-Like Governances: Driving Forces, Modes of Cohesion, and Means of Regional Polity 7. The Regionalization of the Finnish Innovation System: Pirkanmaa as a Case in Point 8. Learning in the Village Economy of Denmark: The Role of Institutions and Policy in Sustaining Competitiveness 9. The Production and Innovation Regime of Baden-Württemberg: Between Past Successes and New Challenges 10. Global Clustering and Regional Innovation: Systemic Integration in Wales 11. Industrial Clusters and the Governance of Change: Lessons from North-Rhine Westfalia (NRW). Part 4. The Leviathan Approach: Steering Innovation and Growth in Interregional Contexts by the State 12. Regional Innovation Systems in Japan: The Case of Tohoku 13. Do Regions Make a Difference? The Case of Science and Technology Policies in Québec 14. Regional Innovation Systems and Global Markets: The Midi-Pyrénées Benchmark 15. Innovative Milieu and Cooperative Networks: State Initiatives and Partnership for Restructuring in Singapore. Part 5. Conclusion -- Perspectives
Governance Structures -- Persistency of Collective Orders and the Challenge of Local Learning in a Globalized World. Index.

Contents:
Part 1. Introduction 1. Evolution of Regional Innovation Systems - Emergence, Theory, Challenge for Action. Part 2. Informal and Market-Driven Coordination: Grassroots Between Local and Global Reach 2. The Remarkable Resilience of the Industrial Districts of Tuscany 3. South-East Brabant: A Regional Innovation System in Transition 4. The Catalan Regional System of Innovation: Governing Fast Changes 5. The Regional Innovation System in Ontario 6. From Silicon Valley to Hollywood: Growth and Development of the Multimedia Industry in California. Part 3. Network-Like Governances: Driving Forces, Modes of Cohesion, and Means of Regional Polity 7. The Regionalization of the Finnish Innovation System: Pirkanmaa as a Case in Point 8. Learning in the Village Economy of Denmark: The Role of Institutions and Policy in Sustaining Competitiveness 9. The Production and Innovation Regime of Baden-Württemberg: Between Past Successes and New Challenges 10. Global Clustering and Regional Innovation: Systemic Integration in Wales 11. Industrial Clusters and the Governance of Change: Lessons from North-Rhine Westfalia (NRW). Part 4. The Leviathan Approach: Steering Innovation and Growth in Interregional Contexts by the State 12. Regional Innovation Systems in Japan: The Case of Tohoku 13. Do Regions Make a Difference? The Case of Science and Technology Policies in Québec 14. Regional Innovation Systems and Global Markets: The Midi-Pyrénées Benchmark 15. Innovative Milieu and Cooperative Networks: State Initiatives and Partnership for Restructuring in Singapore. Part 5. Conclusion -- Perspectives
Governance Structures -- Persistency of Collective Orders and the Challenge of Local Learning in a Globalized World. Index.

Multinational companies are crucial actors in a global knowledge-based economy, combining the advantages of global and locally coordinated production and innovation strategies with specific regional and national factors. This book questions how MNCs can best exploit institutionally embedded knowledge, explores the utilization of external institutionally embedded knowledge in corporate innovation processes, and addresses the challenges of embeddedness. The expert contributors draw on managerial, economic, geographic and sociological perspectives to explore the essential roles of regional and national knowledge infrastructures and the cultural and political environment of MNCs. They build upon, update, and extend the discussion on the regional and national embeddedness of MNCs with new country case studies and comparative analyses, focusing on the relationship between innovation in companies and regional studies. Significantly, the book also establishes a link between two important debates that have hitherto been largely disconnected: regional studies and international business studies separately address issues that fall within the scope of the book, but do not provide an integrated analysis of the embeddedness of MNCs. This path-breaking book goes some way to fill this gap in the literature and as such, will prove invaluable to academics, R&D managers, regional policy makers and students with an interest in international business, business economics, regional studies and organization studies. Contributors: P. Ahrweiler, B.T. Asheim, E. Baier, C. Barmeyer, P. Cooke, J.R. Diez, B. Ebersberger, N. Gilbert, J. Guimon, B. Hancke, M. Heidenreich, S.J. Herstad, S. Iammarino, B. Klement, K. Koschatzky, J.-P. Kramer, K. Kruth, E. Marinelli, J. Mattes, R. Narula, A. Pyka, D. Rehfeld, M. Schilperoord, OE. Soelvell, S. Strambach

Die europaische Integration fuhrte insbesondere seit den 1990er Jahren zu einer grundlegenden Transformation der sozialen Beziehungen und der Lebenssituation der Menschen in Europa. Wahrend sich das Leben der Menschen in der Nachkriegszeit vorrangig im Rahmen von Nationalstaaten abspielte, geht die Offnung nationalstaatlicher Raume mit einer zunehmenden grenzuberschreitenden Verflechtung und einer starkeren transnationalen Integration sozialer Interaktionen, Einstellungen und Deutungen einher. Nicht nur Politik und Wirtschaft, sondern auch die europaischen Gesellschaften sind in den letzten Jahrzehnten sehr eng zusammengewachsen. Dieses transnationale Vergesellschaftungsmuster ist eine der Ursachen fur die spezifische Form der Finanzmarkt- und Wahrungskrise, die Europa seit 2008 erschuttert. In diesem Sammelband prasentieren 12 der profiliertesten Europaforscher aus dem In- und Ausland ihre aktuellen Arbeiten zur Krise innerhalb Europas und entwickeln dabei eigenstandige soziologische Perspektiven. "

Bereichsubergreifende Informations- und Kommunikationssysteme sind ein zentraler Pfeiler der aktuellen industriellen Restrukturierungsprozesse. Diese Technologien sind ein Kristallisationspunkt fur neue Formen der System- und Sozialintegration, die auf Vertrauen und Kontrolle beruhen. Die neuen Integrationsmuster werden in langwierigen mikropolitischen und mikrokulturellen Aushandlungsprozessen sozial konstruiert - ein Prozess, der auch von nationalen Arbeits- und Managementkulturen gepragt wird. Auf der Grundlage von elf Fallstudien in der franzosischen, italienischen und westdeutschen Bekleidungs- und Elektronikindustrie konnen expertokratisch-zentralistische und dezentral-partizipative Informatisierungskonzepte unterschieden werden. Die beschriebenen nationalen Muster betrieblicher Steuerungskonzepte konnen durch unterschiedliche Strukturierungsformen technischen Wissens und durch unterschiedliche Muster industrieller Beziehungen erklart werden."

Die Autoren geben einen breiten Uberblick uber Methoden und Ergebnisse der international vergleichenden arbeits- und organisationssoziologischen Forschung gegeben - ein Gebiet, das gerade vor dem Hintergrund der ost- und westeuropaischen Integrationsprozesse in Zukunft noch starker an Bedeutung gewinnen wird. Die siebzehn hier veroffentlichten Originalbeitrage stutzen sich auf massgebliche Untersuchungen und wichtige Debatten im angelsachsischen, franzosischen und deutschen Sprachraum."

Mit dem Einsatz von IuK-Technologien werden in den Unternehmen neue Schranken und Chancen der Nutzung von Arbeitskraft deutlich. Betriebliche Interessenpolitik muss angesichts der systematischen Vernetzung von neuen Technologien einen grundlegenden Wandel vollziehen: von der nachsorgenden zur vorbeugenden Interessenvertretung und von der primaren Orientierung an einer Schutzfunktion zur zunehmenden Ubernahme von Gestaltungsfunktion.Auf der Grundlage von zwolf Betriebsfallstudien zum Einsatz von mikroelektrisch gestutzter IuK-Technologie in mehreren Branchen werden Forschungsbefunde zur aktuellen Diskussion der betriebspolitischen Aspekte sog. "systemischer Rationalisierung" vorgestellt."