This detailed, comprehensive study on downsizing in Europe is underpinned by cross-national, interdisciplinary empirical research on restructuring management in five European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It contains systematic national comparative overviews, and transversal analyses of more than 30 in-depth case studies, taking into account a broad range of perspectives across professional human resources managers, unions’ representatives, local and national civil servants, social workers and physicians. The authors examine strategic choices and practices in national and local contexts, showing that the practice of restructuring is not as heterogeneous as many previous studies have indicated or predicted. Systematic policy proposals for better economic and social management of restructuring are also prescribed. This team of well-known economists and social scientists have prepared a book that will appeal to consultants and human resource managers and employees, especially in transnational firms, as well as to students in industrial relations, in labour economics, and in sociology. It will also be of special interest to members of the European Commission and policymakers involved in employment and social affairs.

Contents: Introduction (Frédéric Bruggeman and Bernard Gazier) 1. Comparing Processes Across Europe (Bernard Gazier) 2. The Restructuring Process: Towards a Comprehensive Analysis (Dominique Paucard) 3. Innovation: From Employment Protection to Anticipation (Frédéric Bruggeman) 4. Belgium: A Corporatist Regime (Frédéric Naedenoen) 5. France: Law Driven Restructuring (Maxime Petrovski, Rachel Beaujolin-Bellet, Frédéric Bruggeman and Claude Emmanuel Triomphe) 6. Germany: Negotiated Restructuring (Matthias Knuth and Gernot Mühge) 7. The Swedish Model of Restructuring (Ola Bergström and Andreas Diedrich) 8. United Kingdom: Market Driven Restructuring (Sian Moore and Geof Luton) 9. Innovative Restructuring – Learning from Company Experience (Ola Bergström and Andreas Diedrich) 10. Trade Unions – Obstacles or Facilitators? (Sian Moore, Greg Thomson and Geof Luton) 11. Supporting Job Transitions: Employers, Worker Representatives and Agencies (Matthias Knuth) 12. The Territory: An Innovation Laboratory (Rachel Beaujolin-Bellet) 13. Networking: Employers’ Groups (Gelica Dalon and François Pichault) 14. Health Impacts and Innovative Approaches (Thomas Kieselbach and Debora Jeske) 15. Does Europe have Restructuring Policies? (Claude Emmanuel Triomphe) Conclusion: A Capitalisation Approach (Frédéric Bruggeman and Bernard Gazier) Index