The Nordic difference: Job quality in Europe 1995–2010

Authors

  • Tomi Oinas Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä
  • Timo Anttila Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä
  • Armi Mustosmäki Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä
  • Juoko Nätti Department of Social Research, University of Tampere

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19154/njwls.v2i4.2308

Keywords:

Health, working environment & wellbeing, Work/life balance, Labor market institutions & social partners

Abstract

Previous empirical research has pointed out that Nordic countries are distinguished from the rest of Europe in terms of job quality. On the other hand, it has been debated whether, in the longer run, the Nordic welfare state is able to insulate workers from globalization effects. This article investigates whether Nordic countries have retained their advantageous position concerning job quality compared with other EU countries. Empirical analyses are based on the European Working Conditions Survey collected in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010. We use data on employees in the 15 member states of the EU prior to enlargement in 2004 (n = 61,457). The results partly confirm previous findings of high job quality in the Nordic countries. However, there are clear differences between Nordic countries. To be precise, Denmark stands out from the rest of Europe and other Nordic countries with its higher level of job quality.

Author Biographies

Tomi Oinas, Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä

Post-doctoral researcher. email: tomi.oinas@jyu.fi

Timo Anttila, Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä

Docent

Armi Mustosmäki, Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä

Researcher

Juoko Nätti, Department of Social Research, University of Tampere

Professor

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Published

2012-11-30

How to Cite

Oinas, T., Anttila, T., Mustosmäki, A., & Nätti, J. (2012). The Nordic difference: Job quality in Europe 1995–2010. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies, 2(4), pp. 135–152. https://doi.org/10.19154/njwls.v2i4.2308

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 4 (2012): Theme: In Search of the Nordic Model

Section

Articles

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