The future of work – what kind of work? Impacts of gender on the definition of work and research methodology

Abstract

This article shows that many political and academic debates on the future of work do not adequately take the gender structure of work into account, and argues that what is needed is not only the incorporation of gender into research, but a different methodological approach. This approach has to improve the dialogue between different scientific disciplines (interdisciplinary) and between researchers and actors in the practical world (cooperation between research and practice). In addition, research has to reflect upon and inspect its prejudices, taking into account that gendered structures are present in every aspect of our lives. This article describes how these ideas were realised through the development of ‘Forschungswerkstätten’ (research workshops) and reports on some experiences from the field. The article concludes by presenting some of the difficulties and perspectives of this approach.

Organisational culture in Romania: The fine line between success and failure for women in academia

“…For this purpose, we have tried in the present research to take into account the following three indicators: professional motivation and satisfaction, balancing personal and professional life, and success and failure in the academic world. Qualitative research encourages the ongoing discovery of problems and takes into account the points of view of the interviewed subjects (Scheele 2005).…”

Studies in ‘Quality’ Part-time Employment

“…We need to move beyond the 'add women and stir' approach (Harding 1995) to labour market analysis and focus on the gendered construction and impact of part-time work for men and women. As Alexandra Scheele has recently argued, most of the political and academic debates on the future of work do not adequately account for the gender structure of work (Scheele 2005). This is particularly true of the analysis of part-time work, which while seen as work for women, rarely problematises the gender contract which underpins it.…”

“…Policy initiatives are most developed in the European Union (EU) countries, and it is in these countries where we find the most advanced research on the quality of part-time work. However, even in the EU, there is more to be done: specifically in distilling a concept of quality that incorporates an understanding of workers as gendered subjects and work itself as gendered (Scheele 2005); using this concept of quality in a comprehensive assessment of part-time employment; and refining policy initiatives that promote high quality part-time employment.…”