Older Workers and Labour Market Adjustment: The Case of Ansett Airlines. By tracing over 5 years the post-retrenchment careers of former Ansett Airlines employees, the study will advance knowledge of labour market adjustments for mature skilled workers from a global service industry. The work will improve understanding of labour market inequality, marginal employment and the relationship between age, household circumstances and workers' willingness to relocate in search of work. By addressing t ....Older Workers and Labour Market Adjustment: The Case of Ansett Airlines. By tracing over 5 years the post-retrenchment careers of former Ansett Airlines employees, the study will advance knowledge of labour market adjustments for mature skilled workers from a global service industry. The work will improve understanding of labour market inequality, marginal employment and the relationship between age, household circumstances and workers' willingness to relocate in search of work. By addressing two National Research Priorities - the barriers to labour market participation of older workers and the motivations of skilled workers who emigrate from Australia - the project will contribute to the development of labour market policies attuned to the demands of an ageing workforce in a globalising economy.Read moreRead less
Labour Matters: The Recomposition of Trade Union Action in a Globalising Era: Australia and Canada1983-2003. Trade unions are struggling to craft innovative responses to globalisation's pressures, while seeking to shore up their traditional role in 'porous' national economies. We compare Australia with Canada 1983-2003: semi-peripheral countries facing similar pressures from globalisation, but responding differently in governance and trade union action. Labour innovation is set against the backd ....Labour Matters: The Recomposition of Trade Union Action in a Globalising Era: Australia and Canada1983-2003. Trade unions are struggling to craft innovative responses to globalisation's pressures, while seeking to shore up their traditional role in 'porous' national economies. We compare Australia with Canada 1983-2003: semi-peripheral countries facing similar pressures from globalisation, but responding differently in governance and trade union action. Labour innovation is set against the backdrop of changes in employment regulation and employment security. We examine innovation through national and transnational union campaigns that parallel in two countries, to evaluate innovation in Australia. Postgraduate research training in internationally comparative social science methodology is provided and results disseminated in academic, practitioner and public fora.Read moreRead less
Made in the USA?: The Decline of the American Manufacturing Economy, 1950-2008. In a global economy, the decline of manufacturing industries has not just occurred in the U.S. but has also affected other high-wage labor markets, including Australia. As well as throwing light on this process in Australia, this project will show that deindustrialization is a transnational process and that many multinational firms have declined simultaneously in both countries. In a world where factory closings co ....Made in the USA?: The Decline of the American Manufacturing Economy, 1950-2008. In a global economy, the decline of manufacturing industries has not just occurred in the U.S. but has also affected other high-wage labor markets, including Australia. As well as throwing light on this process in Australia, this project will show that deindustrialization is a transnational process and that many multinational firms have declined simultaneously in both countries. In a world where factory closings constantly make headlines, the project also has considerable contemporary relevance in both countries.Read moreRead less
Ethnographies of housing: exploring the role of housing officers in public housing service provision. This research examines the everyday practice of public housing officers working in the Victorian Office of Housing. It aims to analyse the ways that workers exercise discretion, and the patterns of meanings that they construct, through their interactions with clients, departmental managers and other human service providers. It is the first ethnographic study of front-line work in housing servi ....Ethnographies of housing: exploring the role of housing officers in public housing service provision. This research examines the everyday practice of public housing officers working in the Victorian Office of Housing. It aims to analyse the ways that workers exercise discretion, and the patterns of meanings that they construct, through their interactions with clients, departmental managers and other human service providers. It is the first ethnographic study of front-line work in housing services in Australia and builds on comparable work done in the United Kingdom and America. The knowledge generated will inform innovation in public housing services, housing policy debates and emerging programs designed to integrate housing with other human services.Read moreRead less
Working late and the spectre of uselessness: Sustaining labour supply in a globalising economy. A buoyant economy and strong employment growth resulting in unfilled vacancies is frustrating business. Population ageing may exacerbate this, reducing labour supply and consequently industrial output. To assist, the Government is recommending increased employment among older workers. As yet, the evidence base for informing actions is inadequate but points to complex scenarios where older workers may ....Working late and the spectre of uselessness: Sustaining labour supply in a globalising economy. A buoyant economy and strong employment growth resulting in unfilled vacancies is frustrating business. Population ageing may exacerbate this, reducing labour supply and consequently industrial output. To assist, the Government is recommending increased employment among older workers. As yet, the evidence base for informing actions is inadequate but points to complex scenarios where older workers may not necessarily fair well. Better understanding the determinants of their employment and of employer actions would help clarify the role of public policy. Also, understanding how other nations are responding is of strategic importance as this will directly influence the Australian labour market.Read moreRead less
Spatial structure of emerging labour markets in China: a study of social and political institutions in localities. This project will identify factors influencing the structure of emerging local labour markets in China during economic transition. It will (i) measure spatial variations in the degree to which markets for labour have emerged in China; (ii) characterise national, provincial and local influences over the operation of labour markets; (iii) evaluate competing explanations of labour mar ....Spatial structure of emerging labour markets in China: a study of social and political institutions in localities. This project will identify factors influencing the structure of emerging local labour markets in China during economic transition. It will (i) measure spatial variations in the degree to which markets for labour have emerged in China; (ii) characterise national, provincial and local influences over the operation of labour markets; (iii) evaluate competing explanations of labour market transitions; and (iv) evaluate the capacity of Chinese governments to direct economic change in new markets. The project will integrate geographical theory of local labour markets and theories of transition in China, extending and enriching both.Read moreRead less
Working wounded or engaged? Australian work conditions and consequences through the lens of the Job Demands- Resources Model. Australian researchers will participate in high quality theory driven longitudinal research of crucial practical importance nationally and of theoretical importance internationally. Specifically the study will assist in understanding workplace health and productivity in terms of job conditions, demands and resources. It will underscore costly consequences of stressful j ....Working wounded or engaged? Australian work conditions and consequences through the lens of the Job Demands- Resources Model. Australian researchers will participate in high quality theory driven longitudinal research of crucial practical importance nationally and of theoretical importance internationally. Specifically the study will assist in understanding workplace health and productivity in terms of job conditions, demands and resources. It will underscore costly consequences of stressful jobs e.g. depression related workplace productivity loss in dollar terms. Australian governments, unions, and OHS organisations will have access to high quality evidence to: design and evaluate OHS interventions; inform prevention campaigns, policies and practice; benchmark progress at national levels; monitor changing trends; and develop national standards.Read moreRead less
Transition to retirement by adults with chronic disabilities: increasing community capacity. This project will contribute to healthy, productive ageing by people with chronic disabilities. This group are living longer and will retire from their disability-specific supported employment and day program services. They then risk social exclusion, loneliness and associated poor health outcomes. This project will provide training and support to local community groups and voluntary work settings, to in ....Transition to retirement by adults with chronic disabilities: increasing community capacity. This project will contribute to healthy, productive ageing by people with chronic disabilities. This group are living longer and will retire from their disability-specific supported employment and day program services. They then risk social exclusion, loneliness and associated poor health outcomes. This project will provide training and support to local community groups and voluntary work settings, to increase community capacity to support this group to participate actively in and contribute to their community in retirement. This will result in increased participation by this group and improvements in their well-being. Training resources developed by the project will be available to disability service providers nationally.Read moreRead less
Silicosis, Knowledge and Power: Transnational Responses to an Occupational Disease, 1902 to 2005. Silicosis is a global disease which has affected the health of Australian workers and the profitability of Australian companies. Recently, major international mining houses have begun to acknowledge their wider responsibilities, and publish statements on Sustainable Mining. However, poor practices in developing countries continue to shift the costs of production onto labour, thereby under-cutting p ....Silicosis, Knowledge and Power: Transnational Responses to an Occupational Disease, 1902 to 2005. Silicosis is a global disease which has affected the health of Australian workers and the profitability of Australian companies. Recently, major international mining houses have begun to acknowledge their wider responsibilities, and publish statements on Sustainable Mining. However, poor practices in developing countries continue to shift the costs of production onto labour, thereby under-cutting producers who provide safer working environments. This project promises greater understanding of risk assessment and the processes of compensating workplace injuries. In doing so, it will contribute to the work of social movements supporting miners in their struggles for justice.Read moreRead less
Asbestos: The History of a Commodity. This is the first world history of the asbestos industry and its social impact. It investigates key aspects of the mineral's life story in regard to mining, manufacture, medical discovery, labour, social movements, the law and the state. The project is theoretically innovative in linking the distinct bodies of knowledge that flow from each of those sites. It also raises significant questions that cannot be answered within separate disciplines. The result ....Asbestos: The History of a Commodity. This is the first world history of the asbestos industry and its social impact. It investigates key aspects of the mineral's life story in regard to mining, manufacture, medical discovery, labour, social movements, the law and the state. The project is theoretically innovative in linking the distinct bodies of knowledge that flow from each of those sites. It also raises significant questions that cannot be answered within separate disciplines. The resulting book and articles will provide practical tools for those seeking improved working conditions and assist those seeking legal redress for asbestos related disease.Read moreRead less