Through a series of empirical studies, the anthology highlights changes in occupational structure and how these changes interact with other societal trends, such as increased temporary employment, migration and declining union membership. It also examines changes in how we value different occupations and attitudes towards trade unions.
With a clear sociological perspective, the book shows how societal and labour market changes have affected people's conditions and examines whether these changes contribute to reinforcing existing inequalities or create new ones.
– This book provides a multifaceted picture of developments in the Swedish labour market, says Tomas Berglund, professor of sociology, who is one of the editors of the book.
– On the one hand, we show that many skilled and well-paid jobs have emerged in recent decades. But on the other hand, low-skilled and low-paid jobs remain. These jobs have become more precarious over time and are increasingly held by people with a foreign background.
The anthology is aimed at researchers interested in working life, social inequalities and labour market transitions. All chapters are freely available online.
Scrutinising Polarisation: Patterns and Consequences of Occupational Transformation in the Swedish Labour Market, Routledge
Chapters and authors:
1. Scrutinising polarisation: An introduction
Tomas Berglund, Ylva Ulfsdotter Eriksson
2. The Swedish Labour Market Model in Transition
Tomas Berglund
3. The Transformation of the Occupational Structure in Sweden
Tomas Berglund
4. Occupational Prestige and Gendered Polarisation
Ylva Ulfsdotter Eriksson, Erica Nordlander
5. Polarised perceptions of occupational prestige?
Ylva Ulfsdotter Eriksson
6. Transmitted inequalities?
The second generation and migration history penalties on the Swedish labour market
Gabriella Elgenius, Denis Frank, Vedran Omanović, Tomas Berglund
7. Work environment trajectories and consequences for trends for sickness absence and occupational disorders
Lotta Dellve, Linda Corin, Hans Ekbrand, Gunnel Hensing
8. Exploring mechanisms behind polarisation
Digitalisation and flexibilisation in manufacturing companies
Anna Hedenus, Erica Nordlander
9. Riding the Waves of Precarity
Understanding the Impact of Platform Work in Food Delivery
Sophie Banasiak, Kristin Jesnes
10. Changes in trade union membership and attitudes to unions in Sweden
Jesper Prytz, Bengt Larsson
11. Occupational Change and Inequality
Tomas Berglund
12. Scrutinising polarisation
A closing
Tomas Berglund, Ylva Ulfsdotter Eriksson
