Motivation: Labour market institutions are currently considered as the basic condition for high level of economic development. Decreasing income inequalities on contrary are among the main objectives of macroeconomic policy in the European Union (Europe 2020 Strategy), because unequal distribution may result in lower growth and development rates. The research done in the article is consisted with the institutional theory (D.C. North's interpretation). Aim: The main aim of the article is to analyse the relations between labour market institutions and income inequalities. There is also an attempt to answer the question if rigid labour market institutions reduce income inequality in European countries. This article provides a taxonomic analysis of labour market institutions in the EU countries. Data from Eurostat, World Bank, Fraser Institute, OECD are used. The article covers selected years: 2010 and 2016. Results: The countries were grouped according to the level of labour market institutions and in regard to income inequalities. The differences between the members of the groups were analysed between 2010 and 2016. Article ends with conclusions connected with ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The diversity of the labour market in the Visegrad Group countries is presented in the article from an institutional perspective. Institutions such as different tax and transfer policies, employment protection legislation, or active and passive labour market policies can affect not only the effectiveness of the economy from a macro perspective, but they can also be crucial in determining the system of rules and incentives for earning money. The institutional conditions of the labour market directly affect the behaviour of labour market participants, their incomes, and therefore income inequalities. To asses and compare the situation between the Visegrad group countries, a synthetic measure of labour market institutions is calculated. A taxonomic analysis is done to group the V4 countries against other selected European Union countries, which enables the assessment and comparison of similarities and differences across the Visegrad countries. Finally, the trade-offs between a synthetic measure of labour market institutions and income inequalities are analysed. The Pearson correlation coefficient and, additionally, the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient are applied. The analysis is done for 2016, as it was the most recent data available while writing the article. The results from such an analysis can help to answer the question of the state’s role in limiting income inequalities through labour market institutions and to identify the policies which are the most effective in this field.

The aim of the article is the analysis of rules-in-use on an individual as well aggregated level. The taxonomic method, descriptive analysis and critical literature review is used in the article. The European Union countries have been ordered and grouped according to the set of rules in force on the labour market. For a detail analysis, four countries have been selected, one country from each group. The taxonomy method has been used to rank the countries. Descriptive analysis of particular rules-in-use in selected countries is done. The World Bank data, mainly collected within Doing Business project and Mutual Information System on Social Protection, Social Security Programs Throughout the World as the main source of information are used. The article ends with a summary of rules-in-use of selected countries.

Purpose: The article aims to present and discuss associations between the strictness of employment protection (EP) and job satisfaction. It also aims to answer the research question if higher strictness of EP is inversely correlated with lower job satisfaction across the selected European Union-OECD (EU-OECD) member countries. Approach/Methodology/Design: The article's theoretical part discusses the links between the EP and job satisfaction based on studied literature. In the methodological part, EP's analysis with sub-indicators (OECD) and job satisfaction, including cohorts (Eurostat), is performed. EU-OECD countries were grouped into 3 clusters from EP sub-indices' perspective and analyzed using employment protection and job satisfaction characteristics. Besides the taxonomic methods, the Pearson-correlation to identify relationships between EP and job satisfaction was calculated. Findings: Three groups of countries with different strictness of EP were characterized with different job satisfaction levels. The group with the strictest EP reported the lowest level of job satisfaction and conversely. The significant negative Pearson correlation proved this kind of relationship. Practical Implications: The article brings valuable conclusions about the relationships between EP and job satisfaction. The negative significant association between EP and job satisfaction reveals the labor market policy implications towards higher flexibility with a low risk of being unemployed on the labor market to increase job satisfaction. The job satisfaction reported by vulnerable groups on the labor market (such as old and women) is more strongly inversely related to job satisfaction. Originality/Value: The results of the conducted analysis complement the current scientific interest in the field of both: the analysis of overall life satisfaction (psychological well-being in different dimensions of life) and job security (employment protection legislation).

Streszczenie: Jeden z trzech założycieli instytucjonalizmu T. Veblen podkreślał, że system instytucji nakłada na jednostki standardy, ideały i kanony działania. Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja i analiza wybranych instytucji nieformalnych na rynku pracy w Polsce. W artykule wykorzystano podejście zaprezentowane przez D.C. Northa będącego przedstawicielem nowej ekonomii instytucjonalnej, polegające na podziale obowiązujących reguł na formalne i nieformalne. W pierwszej kolejności w artykule przeprowadzono rozważania definicyjne, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem instytucji nieformalnych oraz kultury. Następnie podjęto próbę identyfikacji instytucji nieformalnych na rynku pracy w Polsce oraz dokonano charakterystyki wybranych niepisanych zasad w oparciu o dostępne dane. Podstawę przeprowadzonej analizy stanowią pozycje książkowe, czasopisma, raporty opublikowane w języku polskim i angielskim.