More Efficient Civil Services in Times of Economic Recession and Beyond: Can a Flexicurity Approach Help?

Kuperus, Herma and Rode, Anita. (2010) More Efficient Civil Services in Times of Economic Recession and Beyond: Can a Flexicurity Approach Help? EIPAScope, 2010 (1). pp. 15-22.

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Abstract

Every country in Europe is aware of the dangers that globalisation, demographic change, workforce ageing and other worldwide challenges can potentially bring to their doorstep in the near future. At the same time there are a lot of challenges that need to be solved right now and right here, for example actions to be taken to overcome the economic downturn. How can policy makers deal with both issues? This article examines the possibilities of the flexicurity approach being used to deal with such public administration dilemmas. It describes how the implementation of flexicurity components in public administrations in European Member States is linked to the main tendencies in their restructuring processes and their response to the current economic crisis. A difference is thereby made between short-term reactions and long-term strategy to enhance a new balance between flexibility and security in public administrations in Europe. Next, a preliminary positioning of the Member States on the flexicurity scale is presented with regard to the contractual arrangements for their national public administrations. Finally, main labour market trends and conclusions for the future are drawn.

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