From ‘Welfare Capitalism’ to ‘Market Capitalism’; a Comparative Review of Trends Towards Employment Flexibility in the Labour Markets of Three Major European Societies

This paper focuses on trends towards employment flexibility or numerical flexibility in the manufacturing sector. A careful distinction will be made between policy and actual practice, and the analysis will focus on both management and the state. As policy statements in relation to labour markets have made large claims about the positive impact of market de‐regulation on the level of employment, some assessment of the impact of new practices will be attempted. Impact will be assessed both in quantitative terms and in terms of the changing nature of employment.