Flexibility and security: an asymmetrical relationship?
Table of contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................5
1. Definition of concepts and typology of flexicurity ........................................................9
1.1. What does “flexicurity” mean and what it does not mean ....................................................9
1.2. Types and possible combinations of flexibility and security ............................................10
2. Implications of various forms of flexicurity combinations ............................................17
2.1. Implications for workers ............................................................................................................17
2.2. Implications for companies and organisations .......................................................................18
2.3. Implications for welfare regimes...............................................................................................20
3. The rationale behind flexicurity policies.......................................................................21
3.1. The challenges of globalisation and the Lisbon strategy ......................................................21
3.2. From job security to employment security..............................................................................22
3.3. Managing change and social risks .............................................................................................27
4. The EU flexicurity agenda: in search of the appropriate policy mix that balances
flexibility and security ................................................................................................29
4.1. The key components of the EU flexicurity strategy..............................................................29
4.2. Four typical pathways to flexicurity ..........................................................................................32
4.3. Compensating mechanisms and trade-offs ............................................................................34
5. Not a “one-size-fits all” model...................................................................................37
5.1. An “ideal type” of a flexicurity system: the Danish model .................................................37
5.2. Learning from the others ...........................................................................................................40
5.3. Ardent supporters, reluctant followers and the front of rejection ...................................... 45
6. The national context and its impact on the configuration of flexicurity
policies through a comparative approach of 4 different countries: Denmark,
the Netherlands, Spain and Greece..............................................................................51
6.1. The socio-economic context .....................................................................................................52
6.1.1. Structure of the economy .....................................................................................................52
6.1.2. Welfare regimes ..................................................................................................................57
6.1.3. Education and skills ...........................................................................................................60
6.2. The process of social concertation...........................................................................................62
Page • 7