Industrial relations in the EU, Japan, US and other global economies : 2005–2006

In the context of global competition, it is increasingly relevant to look at Europe’s economic development in a wider perspective. This report gives an overview of the main industrial relations developments in the European Union, Japan and the US in 2005 and 2006. It charts the similarities and trends in industrial relations as well as the differences in basic structures and developments between these three major economies. At the same time, it allows for a degree of benchmarking of the EU against its main trading competitors. A second, thematic chapter of the report investigates two elements of the social and economic environment that have gained increasing prominance in the debate on the characteristics and impact of growing global competition: temporary agency work and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While the study mainly covers the EU Member States, Japan and the US, it also includes data on emerging economies, notably Brazil, China and India.