The Structuring of Labour Markets

This theoretical and empirical investigation into the issues of labour market segmentation is an important contribution to labour market studies. It develops the theory by making a comparative study of the steel and construction industries in Italy. It investigates how and why workers with similar characteristics are treated differently in different segments of the labour market. The study demonstrates that the structure of jobs, employment conditions and the rules governing recruitment, training, career structure and workforce mobility are determined by market conditions for the product, industrial structure and current technology. The author then shows with a wealth of empirical evidence that these factors alone are not sufficient to explain the structure of labour markets. The social interaction of employers, workers, and unions within this economic and technological framework is an important element. Readership: labour economists; sociologists; specialists in industrial and labour relations; economic historians.