Sustainable Work in Europe brings together a strong core of Swedish working life research, with additional contributions from across Europe, and discussion of current issues such as digitalisation, climate change and the Covid pandemic. It bridges gaps between social science and medicine, and adds emphasis on age and gender. The book links workplace practice, theory and policy, and is intended to provide the basis for ongoing debate and dialogue.

New technologies and the growing flow of information create new conditions for individuals who use these technologies in the work place. The existence and application of modern IT systems can result in new forms of work, tasks that have actually emerged as a result of modern computer and other systems. This second Work Life 2000 Yearbook contains the proceedings of European workshops, organised by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life. These workshops illuminate many different aspects of working life in many nations.

This book takes a critical view on corporate practice, governmental action and the general approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. It draws on experience from the Workplace Innovation movement and argues that, as with motherhood and apple pie, it is hard to oppose CSR, with a community of well-meaning people. It is however necessary to challenge the foundations on which it is based.

Many accounts of CSR assume a consistent model of capitalism around the world. It is suggested that capitalism can be given a human face, as companies adopt programmes which go beyond the minimum legal requirements. This builds on traditions of optional corporate philanthropy. However, without changing the underlying working of the company, only cosmetic changes are made. In the author's words: "lipstick is applied to the capitalist pig."

It can be a mistake to read too much into "Responsible Management," when the culture of management is designed around irresponsibility. Companies have developed elaborate schemes of outsourcing, in an environment of limited liability. This cannot easily be overcome through gestures. This book seeks to engage readers and to provoke thoughts. It can be angry and polemical, but it points a finger directly at ongoing superficial developments.

In the emerging new collaborative economic order, innovation is achieved by an integrated process of collaboration between policymakers, business and society. Often, the focus for this collaboration is at a regional level. Creating Collaborative Advantage examines the trends in innovation policy that reflect this new thinking and regional focus. This book develops the view that collaboration is one of many ways of organising a competitive economy. It asks how, when and where collaboration is a meaningful way of organisation. It explores collaboration at business level, business networks between companies, and a wider collaborative coalition between business and public authorities. It is not a manual, a 'how to do it', because there is no single straightforward universal model to replace current orthodoxy on economic development, but it will enable people to learn. The contributors to this unique book have been involved with the implementation of some of the most outstanding examples of collaborative approaches, it therefore gives an outstanding picture of diversity, inbuilt comparisons and contrast, and debate between the cases. The co-authors give their understanding of these issues, but the book tries to establish some common understandings and bring the concept of collaboration to a larger audience, and to increase interest in a field which requires further exploration. Policy makers, advisers and administrators at all levels of government, those involved in research and development, and business leaders and educators, will find this book invaluable, together with readers having an academic interest in the subject of innovation.

This book illustrates how applied social scientists and their research are integrated with stakeholders and practitioners in a local/regional setting, and how knowledge development is a mutual concern, made in, and dependent on, ongoing dialogue. Focusing on the Agder region, the southernmost region in Norway, researchers and contributors question what impact the changing economic environment will have on applied researchers around the world. Applied research is seen as a vital part of the infrastructure for economic and social development, in the Agder region and beyond. The chapters are divided into four parts: the spatial dimension of knowledge development; understanding regional practice; explaining regional practice; influencing regional social practice. A useful resource for both policy makers and researchers, the book helps readers reflect on the type of mutual competence building that applied social science research implies, and depends on, in a regional knowledge development process. It represents a voice on how to understand the development of the knowledge society at regional and global levels.

In the emerging new collaborative economic order, innovation is achieved by an integrated process of collaboration between policymakers, business and society. Often, the focus for this collaboration is at a regional level. Creating Collaborative Advantage examines the trends in innovation policy that reflect this new thinking and regional focus. This book develops the view that collaboration is one of many ways of organising a competitive economy. It asks how, when and where collaboration is a meaningful way of organisation. It explores collaboration at business level, business networks between companies, and a wider collaborative coalition between business and public authorities. It is not a manual, a 'how to do it', because there is no single straightforward universal model to replace current orthodoxy on economic development, but it will enable people to learn. The contributors to this unique book have been involved with the implementation of some of the most outstanding examples of collaborative approaches, it therefore gives an outstanding picture of diversity, inbuilt comparisons and contrast, and debate between the cases. The co-authors give their understanding of these issues, but the book tries to establish some common understandings and bring the concept of collaboration to a larger audience, and to increase interest in a field which requires further exploration. Policy makers, advisers and administrators at all levels of government, those involved in research and development, and business leaders and educators, will find this book invaluable, together with readers having an academic interest in the subject of innovation.

New technologies and the growing flow of information create new conditions for individuals who use these technologies in the workplace. The existence and application of modern IT systems can result in new forms of work, tasks that have actually emerged as a result of modern computer and other systems. This first Work Life 2000 Yearbook contains the proceedings of European workshops, organised by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life. These workshops illuminate many different aspects of working life in many nations.

New technologies and the growing flow of information create new conditions for individuals who use these technologies in the work place. The existence and application of modern IT systems can result in new forms of work, tasks that have actually emerged as a result of modern computer and other systems. This third Work Life 2000 Yearbook is pan-European in nature, and provides the researcher with valuable source material relating to the EU's response to the changing working environment.

New technologies and the growing flow of information create new conditions for individuals who use these technologies in the work place. The existence and application of modern IT systems can result in new forms of work, tasks that have actually emerged as a result of modern computer and other systems. This third Work Life 2000 Yearbook is pan-European in nature, and provides the researcher with valuable source material relating to the EU's response to the changing working environment.

This book is about people and skilled work. There has been much turmoil in the business environment about how to best manage the balance between people and technology, at a time when pressures for cost reduction are ever greater. Our argument is that people are central to business success, and the appropriate use of technology should support their needs. This is not always easy in practice. We work in a period when change occurs in ever-shortening cycles. Black-and-white solutions may seem attractive, but the long-term consequences are rarely advantageous. A new system is required, build ing on lessons from the past. Human-centred systems build upon core skills of the workforce within a rich, emancipatory environment, utilising the benefits of tech nology. Change can be embraced to achieve competitive advantage and mutual benefit. The three authors are, respectively, engineering director of an inno vative international manufacturing company; analyst for an inter national merchant bank; and university business school professor. The book is intended to offer a new synthesis of theory and practical experience, derived from recent British and European collaborative pro grammes. We are grateful to our colleagues and families for their tolerance during the writing of this book. Even human-centred books impose pressures on busy people. Old Windsor, Brighton and Kingston, June 1995 A.A. R.K."

Recent and well-publicised disasters have highlighted the fact that organisations of all kinds - from healthcare to aerospace - are critically dependent on Information Technology systems. The prevention of catastrophic I.T. failure is now an essential part of management.
In this thought-provoking guide for executives and managers Richard Ennals argues that the critical factor is not technology, but people and communication.

The language of business and management, and of infor mation technology, is being employed across all sectors of economic and social activity. In recent years computers and information technology (IT) in general have moved from being a scarce resource to being a more generally available commodity, without a corresponding increase in understanding of how the new generation of tools can be used. IT is available on individual desktops, supporting decision making and communication, but often conven tional organizations have failed to adapt, individuals lack competence and confidence, and senior managers lack both the strategic insight to develop appropriate strategies and the humility to accept that they need to learn. As each sector, whether business, education, public sec tor management or the community and voluntary sector, realizes that the potential of IT is not being exploited to the full, calls are issued for the development of new "hybrid managers," a term coined to describe the gap in understanding and competence that is to be filled. The two editors work in the hybrid field of business information technology, which is a melting pot of ideas and experience from numerous traditional disciplines. The pace of change is such that no one individual could ever be abreast of all technical and business develop ments, but the field is now sufficiently mature for us to identify certain underlying issues and principles, and areas of research for the coming years."

Artificial Intelligence and Human Institutions argues that successful applications of artificial intelligence are possible only within an understanding of human institutions and the limitations of technology. Products of artificial intelligence research are becoming widely available to non-specialists using low-cost computer systems, but there has been a lack of communication between re- searchers and community groups. Taking the "weak AI" position, the book explores the way insights and tools from artificial intelligence can be valuable in coming to terms with real world problems. Drawing on the author's extensive practical experience in AI research and research management, the book brings together case studies from the fields of education, training, business, engineering, defence, health, and community work, and suggests future directions. This book deals with advanced concepts of artificial intelligence for non-specialist readers, while providing an introduction to state-of-the-art developments. It seeks to use AI concepts to illuminate the practical and theoretical concerns of institutions and organisations, opening up possibilities for new areas of collaborative work, and revealing new sources of references and ideas. This is the latest title in the Artificial Intelligence and Society series and will be of interest to lecturers and students in AI, education, social and political sciences, and business studies.

Coping with the Future has been written in response to widespread international awareness that the future is not predictable. In political and economic terms, we are in unknown territory, with daily developments around Brexit and the Trump Presidency, and "Kodak moments" in business. On the other hand, business leaders demand certainty, which is not available. This book redefines the nature of modern business. In contrast to recent trends, it has a focus on human-centred manufacturing and on decision-making which goes beyond a focus on short-term profit. The liberal capitalism of the USA and the UK is not the only current variety of capitalism. Business is not just about managers, but requires participation and engagement by workers. Since the financial crash of 2008, there has been much talk about the need for fresh approaches to business, but little has changed. This book pulls together current research and practice and poses new questions based on case studies. There is no one simple best way, but an uncertain future can be addressed, drawing on diverse past experience and cases. The book addresses an intended audience in business and universities, including business schools, around the world. The debate takes a broader approach, involving research in the social sciences and approaches from philosophy. The world has always been unpredictable, but we have allowed ourselves to be comforted by convenient myths. It is time to wake up.

Coping with the Future has been written in response to widespread international awareness that the future is not predictable. In political and economic terms, we are in unknown territory, with daily developments around Brexit and the Trump Presidency, and "Kodak moments" in business. On the other hand, business leaders demand certainty, which is not available. This book redefines the nature of modern business. In contrast to recent trends, it has a focus on human-centred manufacturing and on decision-making which goes beyond a focus on short-term profit. The liberal capitalism of the USA and the UK is not the only current variety of capitalism. Business is not just about managers, but requires participation and engagement by workers. Since the financial crash of 2008, there has been much talk about the need for fresh approaches to business, but little has changed. This book pulls together current research and practice and poses new questions based on case studies. There is no one simple best way, but an uncertain future can be addressed, drawing on diverse past experience and cases. The book addresses an intended audience in business and universities, including business schools, around the world. The debate takes a broader approach, involving research in the social sciences and approaches from philosophy. The world has always been unpredictable, but we have allowed ourselves to be comforted by convenient myths. It is time to wake up.