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The latter part of the 20th century witnessed remarkable transformations in the workplace, including the emergence of new organizational designs, new technologies, new markets, new workers, and the globalization of production. Changing Contours of Work examines the effects that these (and other) changes have had on workers lives on and off the job and the ability to make ends meet. Using a historical lens, this book reconsiders the notion of a new economy revealing important changes that have transpired, but also enduring practices that developed in the old economy that continue to shape the opportunity divides that exist today. By framing the development of jobs and opportunity in an international comparative perspective, Sweet and Meiksins show the roads taken, and those not taken, and the impact these choices have had on the structure opportunity in American society. Their analysis reveals various opportunity chasms, and the continued importance of class, gender, race, nationality in the shaping life chances. As workers struggle to make a living, they do so in an economy being built on risk and overwork. The recommendation offered in this book of value to consumers, activist groups, employers, and governments - offers clear guidance on the strategies of making the new economy work for all.
Table of contents:
Chapter 1: Mapping the Contours of Work
Scenes from the New Economy
Culture and Work
Structure and Work
Agency and Careers
Conclusion
Chapter 2: How New is the New Economy?
The Old in the New
Class Chasms in the New Economy
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Gender Chasms in the New Economy
When Did Home Become Non-Work?
Women's Participation in the Paid Labor Force in America
Gender Inequalities in Compensation
Socialization, Career Selection, and Career Paths
Interpersonal Discrimination in the Workplace
Structural Dimensions of Gender Discrimination
Strategies to Bridge the Care Gaps: International Comparisons
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Race, Ethnicity, and Work: Legacies of the Past and Problems in the Present
Histories of Race, Ethnicity, and Work
The Magnitude of Racial Inequality in the New Economy
Intergenerational Transmission of Resources
Geographic Distribution of Race and Work Opportunity
Race and Discrimination
Race, Ethnicity, and Work: Social Policy
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Whose Jobs Are Secure?
Risk and Work: Historical and Comparative Views
How Insecure are Workers in the New Economy?
The Costs of Job Loss and Insecurity
Responding to Insecurity: Old and New Careers
Conclusion
Chapter 6: A Fair Day's Work? The Intensity and Scheduling of Jobs in the New Economy
Time, Intensity, and Work
How Long Are We Working? Comparative Frameworks
Working Long, Working Hard
Why Are Americans Working So Much?
Nonstandard Schedules: Jobs in a 24/7 Economy
How Americans Deal with Overwork
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Reshaping the Contours of the New Economy
Opportunity Chasms
The Agents of Change
Conclusion