1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910818786203321

Autore

Green Francis

Titolo

Demanding work : the paradox of job quality in the affluent economy / / Francis Green

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Princeton : , : Princeton University Press, , [2006]

©2006

ISBN

0-691-11712-8

1-4008-4943-8

Edizione

[Course Book]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (252 p.)

Disciplina

331.25/6

Soggetti

Quality of work life

Job satisfaction

Work - Social aspects

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (pages [203]-218) and indexes.

Nota di contenuto

Assessing job quality in the affluent economy -- The quality of work life in the "knowledge economy" -- Late twentieth-century trends in work effort -- Accounting for work intensification -- Workers' discretion -- The wages of nations -- Workers' risk -- Workers' well-being -- Summary and implications for policy on the quality of work life.

Sommario/riassunto

Since the early 1980's, a vast number of jobs have been created in the affluent economies of the industrialized world. Many workers are doing more skilled and fulfilling jobs, and getting paid more for their trouble. Yet it is often alleged that the quality of work life has deteriorated, with a substantial and rising proportion of jobs providing low wages and little security, or requiring unusually hard and stressful effort. In this unique and authoritative formal account of changing job quality, economist Francis Green highlights contrasting trends, using quantitative indicators drawn from public opinion surveys and administrative data. In most affluent countries average pay levels have risen along with economic growth, a major exception being the United States. Skill requirements have increased, potentially meaning a more fulfilling time at work. Set against these beneficial trends, however, are



increases in inequality, a strong intensification of work effort, diminished job satisfaction, and less employee influence over daily work tasks. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Demanding Work shows how aspects of job quality are related, and how changes in the quality of work life stem from technological change and transformations in the politico-economic environment. The book concludes by discussing what individuals, firms, unions, and governments can do to counter declining job quality.