4th July 2008

Partner Publications - Knowledge Resources

Partner Publications

UKWON benefits from the diverse range of research and practical projects in which its partners and associates are involved.

We have included a carefully selected range of reports and other documents here. These make a valuable contribution to our knowledge and understanding of new forms of work organisation.

Hi-Res 2001-2002

Hi-Res: an EU funded project which analyses emerging practice in European workplaces, drawing on evidence from 120 case studies. The final report is available on the Hi-Res website and project working papers are listed below:

Networking and Interorganisational structures

Globalisation, ICT and technological progress tend to increase market competition, both at national and international levels, inducing each firm to improve its competitiveness. This paper addresses the main issues characterising the process of networking, reasons for supporting and implementing networking practices, and the evolution of such practices.

The Team-Based Organisation

This chapter seeks to examine how, faced with the new requirements from an increasingly global market-place, organisations are changing their business activities to become more flexible and responsive through a team-based approach. It begins with an outline of the origins of teamworking and then examines the reasons why organisations are adopting it. The characteristics and processes of change are then detailed and the conclusions determine the main factors to consider when taking a team-based approach to work organisation.

Knowledge management, innovation and creativity

Knowledge management, innovation and creativity Knowledge management remains high on the policy agenda of companies. Companies hope to improve their operations by introducing such knowledge and innovation programs. Also, at the EU-level, knowledge management is seen as an important item for research. This paper looks into the change processes required to implement knowledge management.

Eleven 'Zones of Organisational Change and Learning'

Successful organisations in the 21st century focus on the ability to do things differently in ways which cannot easily be imitated by competitors.

This paper identifies eleven areas in which change and learning can be developed within organisations; thereby helping them to achieve differentiation from competitors, and in turn increasing the chances of organisational success and growth in the future.

The psychological contract in a changing work environment

The effects of organisation change on factors underpinning the psychological contract are discussed. The immediate and longer term challenges facing management are identified; and the role of organisation justice (fairness principles) as a means to overcome some of the difficulties associated with change management addressed. The paper concludes with a suggestion that partnership might represent a means of developing and sustaining a stronger and more robust psychological contract, thus enabling organisations to meet the future challenges they face.

Partnership

'Partnership' is a fundamental issue in the evolution of change in work organisation since it appears in many guises: as a catalyst to initial action, as an aid to accelerating the pace of change, and as a backdrop to ensuring continuity.

Reflecting on the Hi-Res case studies, this paper explores the drivers for forming partnerships, the processes involved and potential obstacles. The paper concludes by highlighting the future organisational benefits of the partnership approach.

Automating Work: the move to virtual processing

This background paper for the Hi-Res project addresses the efficiencies that can be gained through implementation of workflow management systems. Such systems are increasingly sophisticated, automating many different commercial and governmental activities. The benefits of workflow are described, together with the move to virtual process management [straight-through processing].

High levels of automation require consideration of human resource policies, as eworking becomes the norm. Here attention is focused on the impact of automation on management activities.

Contracts of work in a project-based economy

This article discusses how the increased use of project work will affect the relations between different actors in the economy.

Trends of general organisational transformation are outlined, followed by a discussion of contractual relations. Contractual relations between organisations and customers, and between organisation and individuals are considered, and the impact that the change from one kind of transaction cost to another will have on the preconditions for the logistics, the timing and the location of economic activity.

The Arenas of Organisational Change and Learning

Organisational change is a complex and dynamic process. Consequently, any attempt to analyse change, identify critical success factors or effectively evaluate the impact of change upon either company performance or quality of working life will be flawed.

This paper proposes a model, providing a structure for the analysis of themes and issues which emerged during the Hi-Res project. The model challenges the commonly held assumption of 'best practice', and instead presents a framework in which organisational renewal is inspired and resourced both externally and internally.

Organisational factors in ICT design and implementation

The design of technology and work organisation is often closely connected. This paper addresses organisational factors in ICT design and implementation, outlining organisational challenges and characteristics relating to the use and implementation of new technologies.

Summary of the analysis of four labour-intensive enterprises in Sweden

This paper provides an overview of four case studies of enterprises selected from a sample of labour-intensive industry and service enterprises in the ITPS FLEX-2 database. Two of the enterprises are part of larger grocery chains, Co-op Supermarket in Vetlanda and ICA Kvantum in Akersberga. Both have been more or less forced to make changes to thier work organisation due to computerisation of the purchasing and ordering systems for perishable goods and groceries. The other two enterprises are in the labour-intensive industry sector; Fredricsons Tra - a wholesaler and importer of wood and wood-based products and Jonsson & Paulsson Industry AB, an enterprise working with paint spraying and mechanical engineering. In these two cases, changes have been made to meet increasing customer demand. In turn, these customers are enterprises that work in a later stage of the chain that processes the goods and services produced by the enterprises in the study. All four cases are examples of successful enterprises working in the sectors that are generally characterised by a low incidence of learning. The operations of the selected enterprises are largely based on learning strategies such as the use of IT for internal and external communications, a decentralised work organisation, on-the-job training and learning and co-operation with other parties.

Partners at Work? Hi Res Final Report

EU funded project which analyses emerging practice in European workplaces, drawing on evidence from 120 case studies.

Challenges of Organisational Renewal. UK Inquiry Report -Hi-Res

Report of a one-day Inquiry chaired by Lord Gladwin into different actors’ experiences of organisational change.

Innoflex 1999-2003

An EU-funded project led by The Work Institute at Nottingham Trent University which explores the relationship between performance and quality of working life in European workplaces, drawing on evidence from several initiatives designed to stimulate inter-organisational learning.

Innoflex Report: Better to be Rich and Healthy than Poor and Sick: This report draws on evidence and experience from several European countries to identify the potential for convergence between improved competitiveness and quality of working life.
Innoflex Report: Home and Away: A report which explores findings from nine inter-company learning networks established under the Innoflex project in Eight European countries.
Innoflex National Position Paper :Denmark: Innoflex partners were asked to prepare papers which reflected the current state of thinkg and practice relating to work organisation in their own countries
Innoflex National Position Paper: France: Innoflex partners were asked to prepare papers which reflected the current state of thinking and practice relating to work organisation in their own countries.
Innoflex National Position Paper: Italy: Innoflex partners were asked to prepare papers which reflected the current state of thinking and practice relating to work organisation in thier own countries.
Innoflex National Position Paper: Netherlands: Innoflex partners were asked to prepare papers which reflected the current state of thinking and practice relating to work organisation in their own countries
Innoflex National Position Paper: Spain: Innoflex partners were asked to prepare papers which reflected the current state of thinking and practice relating to work organiisation in their own countries
Innoflex National Position Paper: Sweden: Innoflex partners were asked to prepare papers which reflected the current state of thinking and practice relating to work organisation in their own countries
Innoflex National Position Paper: UK: Innoflex partners were asked to prepare papers which reflected the current state of thinking and practice relating to work organisation in their own countries
Innoflex project: Tools and materials to support new forms of work organisation: Change Conferences: A portfolio of tools and materials were developed within the Innoflex Project and designed to support organisational learning and innovation relating to new forms of work organisation. They are freely available, but the authors would appreciate comments, feedback and an indication of how they are being used in practice. Responses should be sent via the Contact page on this website. Methods include: Change Conferences, Photo Safaris, Change Workshops
Innoflex project: Tools and materials to support new forms of work organisation: Photo Safaris: A portfolio of tools and materials were developed within the Innoflex Project and designed to support organisational learning and innovation relating to new forms of work organisation. They are freely available, but the authors would appreciate comments, feedback and an indication of how they are being used in practice. Responses should be sent via the Contact page on this website. Methods include: Change Conferences, Photo Safaris, Change Workshops
Innoflex project: Tools and materials to support new forms of work organisation: Change Workshops: A portfolio of tools and materials were developed within the Innoflex Project and designed to support organisational learning and innovation relating to new forms of work organisation. They are freely available, but the authors would appreciate comments, feedback and an indication of how they are being used in practice. Responses should be sent via the Contact page on this website. Methods include: Change Conferences, Photo Safaris, Change Workshops

Social Dialogue 2005-2006

Funded by the EU, this project brought together employers organistions, trade unions, policy makers and researchers from twelve EU Member States to explore the role of social dialogue in the development of new forms of work organisation.

The Development of Social Dialogue. Final Report: Funded by the EU, this project brought together employers organistions, trade unions, policy makers and researchers from twelve EU Member States to explore the role of social dialogue in the development of new forms of work organisation. -Heightening the impact of the Lisbon Strategy in securing competitiveness, quality jobs and employability for Europe
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WORK Social Dialogue Summary Report and Practical Guide: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WORK New roles for Social Partners and Policy Makers.This summary report presents the findings and recommendations from a series of Inquiries led by a Panel of “Social Partners” (trade unions and employers organisations) from different EU countries between October 2005 and February 2006.The report highlights the crucial role of trade union stewards, union officials and employers’ organisations in helping policy makers and managers create the conditions for positive and sustainable change.It provides a practical guide, spelling out the implications for each group of the challenges facing Europe, including the need for a new vision and ways of responding effectively.

The European Work Organisation Network (EWON) 1999-2003

EWON was created by the European Commission in 1999 as a result of the EU Green Paper Partnership for a New Organisation of Work. Its aims were to: • identify and analyse new trends in work organisation from which models, methods and processes adaptable in Europe can be developed. EWON will also consider the risks and opportunities of those organisational solutions and analyse the process and difficulties for their introduction; • promote and disseminate new forms of work organisation throughout the European Union; • support and stimulate, through technical information and analysis, all relevant actors, including Social Partners and their follow-up to the Communication; • provide input (on request) to the European Commission; • share, integrate and exchange knowledge across national boundaries, also by establishing relationships with research institutes and other Networks. Despite its abolition in 2003, EWON produced several useful research reports and policy documents

EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation: The Benefits and Impact on Performance: EWON:New Forms of Work Organisation: The Benefits and Impact on Performance - A brief international review of evidence
EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation: Case Studies: EWON:New Forms of Work Organisation: Case Studies - An analysis of 30 case studies from 12 EU Member States
EWON: The Use of ESF Funds in Supporting the Modernisation of Work Organisation: EWON:The Use of ESF Funds in Supporting the Modernisation of Work Organisation - A critical review of policy implementation.
EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation: Government Support Programmes for New Forms of Work Organisation: EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation: Government Support Programmes for New Forms of Work Organisation - A survey and evaluation
EWON: The New Work Organisation in Ireland Programme: EWON: The New Work Organisation in Ireland Programme - A case study of an innovative initiative by the Director of the Progamme
EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation :The Obstacles to Wider Diffusion: EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation :The Obstacles to Wider Diffusion - A survey of obstacles in user and non-user companies
EWON: The Existing Policy Framework to Promote Modernisation of Work: Its Weakness: EWON: The Existing Policy Framework to Promote Modernisation of Work: Its Weakness - A critical reveiw of policy in Europe
EWON: Developing New Forms of Work Organisation: the Role of the Main Actors: EWON: Developing New Forms of Work Organisation: the Role of the Main Actors - A Scenario based account of the contribution which companies, social partners and policy makers can make to securing 'win-win' approaches to work organisation.
EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation and Productivity: EWON: New Forms of Work Organisation and Productivity - A review of the evidence
EWON Newsletter 1: Making a Better Workplace: Ewon published six editions of a regular newsletter targeted at UK audiences
EWON Newsletter 2: Building Partnership for Change: EWON published six editions of a regular newsletter targeted at UK audiences
EWON Newsletter 3: The Impact Of Flexibility Strategies: EWON published six editions of a regular newsletter targeted at UK audiences
EWON Newsletter 4: Psychology and Change , The Key Link: EWON published six editions of a regular newsletter targeted at UK audiences
EWON Newsletter 5: The Challenge for Europe: EWON published six editions of a regular newsletter targeted at UK audiences
EWON Newsletter 6:Finding the Right Tools: EWON published six editions of a regular newsletter targeted at UK audiences

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