German Economic Institute
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Labour and Personnel Economics

This research unit examines how employment is affected by technical progress, globalisation, digital and structural change and how the institutional framework determines the capacity of companies and employees to absorb external shocks.

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The researchers look both at individual companies and the economy as a whole and investigate qualitative and quantitative aspects of employment. They analyse and evaluate how the different actors in the labour market – companies, employees, managers and works councils, unions and employers’ associations, and legislators – react to changes in the economic environment. The work of the research unit extends from economic policy issues and empirical research to the practical implementation of detailed HR strategies.

Sections of the Research Unit

Employment and Unemployment

Our studies show how labour market regulations and external shocks may affect the level of both employment and unemployment. The researchers identify the key drivers that can contribute to increasing labour demand, boosting labour force participation, raising labour mobility and supporting the unemployed to return into employment. In addition, we regularly comment on the current state of employment and its forecast.

Working Conditions

Research in this area reveals how work organisation, skill requirements and the quality of jobs have been changing. In this respect the development of job satisfaction and its determinants is of particular interest to learn how employees evaluate working conditions in a changing environment.

Human Ressource Management Policies

Our research and consulting activities show how companies both have shaped and should adapt work to cope with an increasing need for flexibility while improving employer branding. In addition, establishments are advised and supported in designing and implementing HR concepts, policies and programmes.

Oliver Stettes

Dr. Oliver Stettes

Head of the Research Unit Labour and Personnel Economics

Tel+49 221 4981-697

Mailstettes@iwkoeln.de

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Christiane Flüter-Hoffmann

Christiane Flüter-Hoffmann

Senior Researcher for Human Ressource Management Policies

Tel+49 221 4981-841

Mailflueter@iwkoeln.de

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Andrea Hammermann

Dr. Andrea Hammermann

Senior Economist for Working Conditions and Human Ressource Management Policies

Tel+49 221 4981-314

Mailhammermann@iwkoeln.de

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Holger Schäfer

Holger Schäfer

Senior Economist for Employment and Unemployment

Tel+49 30 27877-124

MailSchaefer.holger@iwkoeln.de

@HSchaeferIW

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Jörg Schmidt

Dr. Jörg Schmidt

Senior Economist for Working Conditions, Employment and Unemployment

Tel+49 30 27877-133

Mailjoerg.schmidt@iwkoeln.de

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Do mixed teams of old and experienced and young and restless employees foster companies innovativeness?
  • Andrea Hammermann / Matthias Niendorf / Jörg Schmidt at IAB Discussion Paper ·
  • External Publications ·
  • 7 March 2019

Age Diversity and Innovation: Do mixed teams of old and experienced and young and restless employees foster companies innovativeness?

In Germany, the labour force is ageing rapidly. At the same time, age heterogeneity within companies is rising. The literature on diversity argues that heterogeneity can have a positive as well as a detrimental effect on team outputs.

Springboard or Dead End?
  • Holger Schäfer ·
  • IW-Trends No. 1 ·
  • 5 March 2019

Fixed-Term Employment: Springboard or Dead End?

The Federal Government is seeking to impose restrictions on the existing statutory vehicles for limiting the term of employment contracts. The justification often offered for this move is that the employees concerned perceive the uncertainty inherent in fixed-term contracts as negative.

Results of the IW Works Council Election Survey
  • Christian Kestermann / Hagen Lesch / Oliver Stettes ·
  • IW-Trends No. 4 ·
  • 5 February 2019

Works Council Elections 2018: Results of the IW Works Council Election Survey

Works councils traditionally have strong support among the workforces they represent. This is shown by the turnout in the 2018 works council elections, as established by a company survey conducted by the German Economic Institute (IW).

The Working Time Wishes of Dependent Employees: A Longitudinal Study
  • Holger Schäfer ·
  • IW-Trends No. 3 ·
  • 5 October 2018

The Working Time Wishes of Dependent Employees: A Longitudinal Study

With what it calls bridging part-time work, the Federal Government wants to make it easier for parttime employees to return to full-time employment. The implicit assumption behind this initiative is that there are many part-time workers whose desire for full-time work remains unfulfilled.

The EU’s Strategy for Promoting Gender Equality between Women and Men (2016–2019)
  • Jörg Schmidt ·
  • IW-Trends No. 3 ·
  • 26 September 2018

The EU’s Strategy for Promoting Gender Equality between Women and Men

This paper examines possible options for refining the indicators in three economic related policy areas of the EU’s strategy for gender equality between men and women (2016–2019). The objectives and measures of the EU strategy are not analyzed, but modifications and extensions of the empirical reporting are proposed.

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