ICTs and the Adaptability of Woek Arrangements in the EU

ICT-enabled new ways of working are in general associated with increases in flexibility, and as such are central to the European Employment Strategy. This paper compares the progress individual EU Member States have made with regard to the diffusion of flexibility on labour markets. In order to do so, the authors set up an index model that is in line with the key policy objectives of the European Community, which means using a radically different approach as compared to existing labour market flexibility indices such as the one developed by the OECD. The AWAI (Adaptability of Work Arrangements Index) consists of two elements: one subindex measuring worker-centred flexibility and another one measuring company-centred flexibility. Using a preliminary selection of variables (which is based on a theoretical framework conceptualising the nature of developments in work organisation) for calculation of both of these components, the authors calculated AWAI scores for each of 10 EU Member States. Comparing the results for both sub-indices shows that there are marked differences between both rankings, with some countries performing well in one subindex and below-average in the other. The paper aims to contribute to the development of a more differentiated view at the issue of flexibility of labour markets

Telework - An Overview of Likely Impacts on Traffic and Settlement patterns

” Telearbeit ” umfafit aile Organisationsformen der Arbeit, die in Distanz von der herkômmlichen Arbeitsumgebung, also in der Regel dem Büro bzw. der Fabrik, stattfinden und zur Überbrückung dieser Entfernung Informations-und Kommunikationstechniken (üblicherweise einen Computer, der über ein Modem oder ISDN mit ôjfentlichenoder privaten Netzwerken verbunden ist) nutzen. Telearbeit wird von vielen als eineTelematikanwendung betrachtet, die se hr weitreichende Auswirkungen auf wirtschaftliche und gesellschaftliche Strukturen haben wird. Der Einsatz der Telearbeit kann potentiel l Verkehrsaufkommens reduzieren, die Umwelt entlasten und somit zur Behebungvon aktuellen Problemen von Stadtràumen beitragen. Jedoch werden auch Stimmen laut, nach denen Telearbeit bestehende raumstrukturelle Trends wie Suburbanisierung und zunehmen-der Flàchenverbrauch verstarken kônnte. Dieser Beitrag zieht Erkenntnisse aus der Telearbeitsfor-schung heran, um die wahrscheinlichen ràumlichen Auswirkungen einer weiteren Verbreitung von Telearbeit darzustellen."Telework” comprises all forms of work taking place at a distance from the traditional working environment (the office or factory floor) and making use of telematics (usually, a computer linked to public or private networks via modem or ISDN) to bridge this distance. It is being promoted as one of the most far-reaching innovations originated by the new possibilities inherent in information and communication technologies (ICT). Potentially, telework can have beneficial impacts on today ’s urban systems, because it might decrease traffic volumes and therefore reduce congestion and transport-related emissions. However, some critics argue that the greater locational flexibility that can be achieved through telematics applications might accelerate urban sprawl, increase spoliation of the countryside and lead to even more environmentally problematic individual traffic. This paper looks into results from current telework research to find evidence for likely spatial impacts of telework«Télétravail» comprend toutes les formes de l'organisation du travail qui sont effectuées à dis¬ tance des lieux d'emploi traditionnels comme, en première ligne, le bureau ou l'usine et qui, pour franchir cette distance, se servent des nouvelles technologies de la communication (en général d'un ordinateur lié par modem ou par numéris aux systèmes publics ou privés). Beaucoup de personnes considèrent le télétravail comme une application télématique qui aura des effets de grande portée sur les structures socio-économiques. L'implantation du télétravail peut potentiel¬ lement réduire la densité du trafic, diminuer la pollution de l'environnement et contribuer ainsi à la solution des problèmes actuels des agglomérations urbaines. Pourtant, certaines voix se font de plus en plus entendre constatant que le télétravail pourrait renforcer des tendances spatiales déjà existantes telles que la suburbanisation et le besoin augmentant en superficie. Cet article se sert des connaissances dans le domaine de la recherche du télétravail pour dépeindre les probables effets spatiaux d'une diffusion plus étendue du télétravail.Gareis Karsten, Kordey Norbert. Telework - An Overview of Likely Impacts on Traffic and Settlement patterns. In: NETCOM : Réseaux, communication et territoires / Networks and Communication Studies, vol. 13 n°3-4,1999. Telecommunications in Progress - Geography, Economy and Social Impacts. Research in Germany. pp. 265-286

ABSTRACT ICTS AND THE ADAPTABILITY OF WORK ARRANGEMENTS IN THE EU

ICT-enabled new ways of working are in general associated with increases in flexibility, and as such are central to the European Employment Strategy. This paper compares the progress individual EU Member States have made with regard to the diffusion of flexibility on labour markets. In order to do so, the authors set up an index model that is in line with the key policy objectives of the European Community, which means using a radically different approach as compared to existing labour market flexibility indices such as the one developed by the OECD. The AWAI (Adaptability of Work Arrangements Index) consists of two elements: one subindex measuring worker-centred flexibility and another one measuring company-centred flexibility. Using a preliminary selection of variables (which is based on a theoretical framework conceptualising the nature of developments in work organisation) for calculation of both of these components, the authors calculated AWAI scores for each of 10 EU Member States. Comparing the results for both sub-indices shows that there are marked differences between both rankings, with some countries performing well in one subindex and below-average in the other. The paper aims to contribute to the development of a more differentiated view at the issue of flexibility of labour markets. 1

Influence of grass pellet production on pyrrolizidine alkaloids occurring in <i>Senecio aquaticus</i>-infested grassland

<p>1,2-Dehydro-pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and their <i>N</i>-oxides (PANO) exhibit acute and chronic toxic effects on the liver and other organs and therefore are a hazard for animal and human health. In certain regions of Germany, an increasing spread of <i>Senecio</i> spp. (ragwort) on grassland and farmland areas has been observed during the last years leading to a PA/PANO-contamination of feed and food of animal and plant origin.</p> <p>This project was carried out to elucidate whether the process of grass pellet production applying hot air drying influences the content of PA and PANO. Samples of hay (<i>n</i> = 22) and grass pellets (<i>n</i> = 28) originated from naturally infested grassland (around 10% and 30% dominance of <i>Senecio aquaticus</i>) and from a trial plot with around 50% dominance. Grass pellets were prepared from grass originating from exactly the same plots as the hay samples. The samples were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for PA/PANO typically produced by this weed.</p> <p>The results of the study revealed that PA/PANO levels (predominantly sum of senecionine, seneciphylline, erucifoline and their <i>N</i>-oxides) in hay ranged between 2.1 and 12.6 mg kg⁻¹ dry matter in samples with 10% and 30% dominance of <i>S. aquaticus</i>, respectively. Samples from the trial plot (50% dominance) had levels of up to 52.9 mg kg⁻¹. Notably, the hot air drying process during the production of grass pellets did not lead to a reduction of PA/PANO levels. Instead, the levels in grass pellets with 10% and 30% <i>S. aquaticus</i> ranged from 3.1 to 55.1 mg kg⁻¹. Grass pellets from the trial plot contained up to 96.8 mg kg⁻¹. In conclusion, hot air drying and grass pellet production did not affect PA/PANO contents in plant material and therefore, heat-dried products cannot be regarded as safe in view of the toxic potential of 1,2-dehydro-pyrrolizidine alkaloids.</p