ICTs and the Adaptability of Work Arrangements in the EU

ICT-enabled new ways of working are in general associated with increases in flexibility, and as such are central to the European Employment Strategy. This paper compares the progress individual EU Member States have made with regard to the diffusion of flexibility on labour markets. In order to do so, the authors set up an index model that is in line with the key policy objectives of the European Community, which means using a radically different approach as compared to existing labour market flexibility indices such as the one developed by the OECD. The AWAI (Adaptability of Work Arrangements Index) consists of two elements: one subindex measuring worker-centred flexibility and another one measuring company-centred flexibility. Using a preliminary selection of variables (which is based on a theoretical framework conceptualising the nature of developments in work organisation) for calculation of both of these components, the authors calculated AWAI scores for each of 10 EU Member States. Comparing the results for both sub-indices shows that there are marked differences between both rankings, with some countries performing well in one subindex and below-average in the other. The paper aims to contribute to the development of a more differentiated view on how to measure flexibility of labour markets. It is here presented in an updated version using the latest available data at the end of 2002. Karsten Gareis and Werner B. Korte