The world of work is undergoing huge changes as a result of digitalisation. Part of this transformation process involves a growing demand for skilled employees-a section of the workforce that appears increasingly less reliant on the representative services provided by works councils. In the following article, we consider works council's use of ICT tools to re-engage with skilled employees, noting that current institutional and cultural contingencies appear to hinder its employment of ICT tools.

Entsandte Arbeitnehmer stellen kein grundsätzlich neues Phänomen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt dar. Historisch sind , Wanderarbeiter

To optimise protection from fire afforded to the head, an investigation into layering of firefighters' hoods was undertaken. Hoods made from 1 to 4 layers of Kermel/FR Viscose (50 per cent blend) were flame challenged for up to 10 seconds (53 kW m−2 to 85 kW m−2) on a manikin head. Protection was increased with more layers. After four seconds of flame it was predicted that 74 per cent of the head suffered 2° or 3° burns with a 1‐ply hood. This fell to 59 per cent and 45 per cent respectively, when a breathing apparatus mask and helmet were also worn. For a 4‐ply hood corresponding predicted burns fell to 13 per cent, 8 per cent and & 8 per cent. Between 50 per cent to 67 per cent of these reductions occurred using a 2‐ply hood, and 80 per cent with 3‐ply. In conclusion, the most appropriate benefit was gained by adopting a 2‐ply hood. Three or more layers interfered with helmet fitting and communications, and offered little increased benefit.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a specific case of at-home ethnography, or insider research: The German Public Employment Service (BA) commissioned its own research institute (Institute for Employment Research (Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung)) to evaluate the daily implementation of its core management instruments (target management and controlling). The aim of the paper is to explain the challenges faced by the ethnographers and to reflect on them methodologically.Design/methodology/approachAt-home ethnography/insider research.FindingsIn the paper, it is argued to what extent conducting at-home ethnography, or insider research, is like “Walking the Line” – to paraphrase Johnny Cash. When examining a management instrument that is highly contested on the micropolitical level, the researchers have to navigate their way through different interests with regard to advice and support, and become micropoliticians in their own interest at the same time in order to maintain scientific autonomy. The ethnographers are deeply enmeshed in the micropolitical dynamics of their field, which gives rise to the question of how they can distance themselves in this situation. To this effect, they develop the argument that distancing is not so much about seeing what is familiar in a new light, as is mostly suggested in the literature, than about alienating a familiar research environment in order to avoid a bureaucratically contingent othering. It is shown what constitutes a bureaucratically contingent othering and how it should be met by an othering of the bureaucracy. Conclusions are drawn from this with regard to the advice and support required for the bureaucracy and concerning the methods debate surrounding insider research in general.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the method debate with regard to at-home ethnography, or insider research, and particularly addresses organisational researchers and practitioners facing similar challenges when conducting ethnographic research in their own organisation.

Die seit Mitte der 1990er Jahre andauernden Umstrukturierungen der Bundesagentur für Arbeit haben den Vermittlungsprozess im SGB III und damit den Arbeitsalltag von Vermittlungsfachkräften tiefgreifend verändert. Diese Entwicklungen haben nicht nur weitreichende Konsequenzen für Arbeitslosengeld-I-Empfänger/-innen, sondern betreffen das Personal in der öffentlichen Arbeitsverwaltung in neuer Art und Weise. In qualitativen Interviews mit Vermittlerinnen und Vermittlern der öffentlichen Arbeitsverwaltung aus den Jahren 2007 und 2008 zeigt sich, dass die extensive Anwendung von Accountingpraktiken, d. h. der quantifizierten Steuerung von Arbeitsprozessen, ihre Handlungsspielräume verändert und zu einem schwer lösbaren Dilemma führt: Einerseits agieren vor allem arbeitnehmerorientierte Vermittlungsfachkräfte als professionelle Agenten in Beratungsgesprächen mit ihren Klienten und eignen sich auf diese Weise eine angemessene Sicht des Einzelfalls an. Andererseits werden die Entscheidungen der Vermittler kontrolliert und revidiert, wenn sie der organisationalen betriebswirtschaftlichen Logik widersprechen.