Comparative Labour and Organisation Studies
The University of Amsterdam’s programme in Comparative Labour and Organisation Studies covers sociological and interdisciplinary conceptions of employment relations, the organisation of work processes and the position of labour in broader society.
The programme has two distinctive features: first, a strong focus on comparative analysis of issues concerning labour and organisation and, second, a special emphasis on processes of integration and convergence of employment relations and organisational policies in world markets.
The programme builds on the increasingly global interplay between questions of economic cost, risk and benefit, corporate policy and management and organisation, as well as on the social and legal regulation of labour processes and business. The way that work is organised around the world varies greatly. Major and ongoing differences continue to exist between Europe, the United States and Asia. Within regions there is considerable variation in the development of the welfare state, the role of employers’ associations and trade unions, and the way in which companies are organised and function. Wage and employment conditions, forms of organisation, organisational behaviour, HRM, job design, the impact of information and communication technologies, and opportunities for developing and learning on the job also vary drastically.
Thanks to the rigorous comparative approach, students gain a thorough understanding of methodologies used by professional analysts. Despite the described differences, there are also clear signs of convergence and integration as national and regional systems become part of world markets. The programme gives students an advanced understanding of such processes and their analysis, and explores issues of European economic and social policy-making. Both the global context and internal European processes are examined, from the start of the market creation process (‘Europe 1992’) and the establishment of the European Monetary Union (EMU) to the issue of the expansion of Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Turkey.
Students in the programme learn about institutional and behavioural patterns and variations, as well as about internationalisation and integration processes in labour markets, organisations and industrial relations. They gain experience in the use of modern techniques of social and economic research and of statistics as used in the fields of labour and organisation studies and social policy research. They develop the ability to integrate theories and concepts from different disciplines in a multidisciplinary, comparative and analytical approach to research and policy problems. They are trained in the ability to conduct and evaluate research and to participate as professionals in multidisciplinary and international research and policy-analysis teams, both in academic and non-academic settings.
The Master’s programme is organised by the ISHSS in close cooperation with the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies (AIAS). AIAS’s activities include running the worldwide ‘wage indicator’ survey, directing the European network for low-wage employment (Lower), participating in the European network of excellence, or ‘Equalsoc’, and drafting the 2008 Industrial Relations in Europe report for the European Commission. Visit the AIAS website for an overview of current activities.
All students in the programme are expected to participate actively in current debates and symposia.
