The aim of interconnecting work organisation, innovation and employment provides a defining approach of the European Union to competitiveness. Although there is evidence of the social and economic benefits deriving from processes of organisational innovation and participation there seems to be a lack of dissemination of new forms of work organisation in Southern Europe. Internationally well-known scholars from France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy try to explain what are the specific obstacles with regard to a broader dissemination of new forms of work organisation in these countries. By...

China s industrial growth has been the unexpected event of the beginning of the 21st century owing to its impact on the entire global economy. The aim of the book is to get a common understanding of China s economic future and its consequences for Europe based on the situation in three metal sectors chosen as examples, namely steel, shipbuilding, and automotive. That assessment can then serve as a basis for describing and evaluating the importance of the factors enabling Chinese industry to be globally competitive. Finally, this research will endeavour to pinpoint the relevant issues and...