Delivering Flexibility: Contrasting Patterns in the French and the UK Food Processing Industry

Eve Caroli, Jérôme Gautié (), Caroline Llyod, Annie Lamanthe () and Susan James
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Jérôme Gautié: CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Caroline Llyod: SKOPE - Cardiff University
Annie Lamanthe: LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Susan James: SKOPE - Cardiff University

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Abstract: This article provides a comparative analysis of changes in numerical and functional labour flexibility in the French and the UK food processing industry. Based upon case study data, it explores the interaction between competitive pressures and institutional and regulatory structures and their impact on workplace practices. The findings indicate that, faced with a similar competitive environment, firms in both countries have sought to increase labour flexibility. However, the predominant forms of flexibility vary across the two countries, partly reflecting the characteristics of national labour market institutions. Numerical flexibility dominates in the UK, with high levels of paid overtime and temporary agency work. In contrast, French workplaces rely more on internal functional flexibility while also achieving numerical flexibility through seasonal variations in work schedules and a wide range of short-term employment contracts.

Keywords: flexibility; France; Food Processing; UK (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-06
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Published in British Journal of Industrial Relations, 2010, 48 (2), pp.284-309. ⟨10.1111/j.1467-8543.2010.00792.x⟩

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Journal Article: Delivering Flexibility: Contrasting Patterns in the French and the UK Food Processing Industry (2010)
Working Paper: Delivering Flexibility: Contrasting Patterns in the French and the UK Food Processing Industry (2010)
Working Paper: Delivering Flexibility: Contrasting Patterns in the French and the UK Food Processing Industry (2010)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00502241

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2010.00792.x

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