As advance of the globalization and the information technology, many countries are confronted with challenges in labour market. Companies require more flexible labour market in order to be adapted to rapid technical change and variable market environm...
As advance of the globalization and the information technology, many countries are confronted with challenges in labour market. Companies require more flexible labour market in order to be adapted to rapid technical change and variable market environment. At the same time, the worker require the employment security because of frequent job turnover, and employment instability. The increasement of flexibility and security in labour market is essential to sustainable economic development. In this context, so-called 'flexicurity' in labour market will be the alternative satisfying these conflicting expectations.
The main purpose of this study is to explore the potentialities of flexicurity in labour market. I try to explain the major changes in labour market structures of contemporary capitalism and the concept and origin of flexicurity. Next, I analyze the applicable conditions by examining its characteristics in the case study of the Netherlands and Denmark.
In flexicurity-relates research, many researchers agree that it is possible to enhance the flexibility and the security of labour market synchronically. But some disagreements exist on the concept of flexicurity. It means that the strategic approach and the way to enhance flexicurity is divergent due to the variety of economic system or the state and institutional forms. Therefore the concept, origin and application of flexicurity could emerge differently on specific conditions and surroundings of individual country.
The case study results are as follows.
In the case of the Netherlands, Basically, the trade-offs of flexiblity-security nexus is certified. Thus the flexicurity focuses on the policy balancing between flexibility and security. The flexibility of labour market is being enhanced by increasing the internal numerical flexibility(working-time reduction) and the external numerical flexibility(the reduce of dismissal protection). And, the security of labour market is being enhanced by increasing income security(high-level unemployment benefit) and combination security(part-time work of female labour force).
In Denmark, the complementary relation on flexiblity-security nexus is main characteristic. Therefore the flexicurity is specialized to high flexibility and high security. The flexibility of labour market is being enhanced by increasing the external numerical flexibility(very weak employment protection). And, the security of labour market is being enhanced by increasing income security(high-level unemployment benefit). Simultaneously, the execution of the vigorous 'active labour market policy' enhances employability of woker, and increases employment security.