Are Economic Realities Forcing EC Europe to Abandon Social Democracy in the Workplace?

Abstract

Europe is experiencing a radical economic and political change. Many speculate that this change is forcing Western European companies to abandon traditional social democratic values in the workplace and replace them with a more pragmatic hardened “global value.” To test this possible shift, top executives representing six major European Aircraft Manufacturers were interviewed. This industry was selected both because of its central importance in the New Europe and because it was one of the hardest hit during the current recession. Four clusters of questions were asked: What is your strategic response? How have your Human Resources been impacted? How do EC laws limit you? Do you see a change away from workers welfare? Content analysis was applied to the findings and patterns were plotted. In general, most executives recognized a trend moving away from workers welfare. Among other implications, the New Europe appears to be a great deal less kind than the old.