General information
Code: Z5-3221
Period: 1.10.2021 - 30.9.2023
Range on year: 0.25 FTE | 2021
Project leader at FDV: doc.dr. Marko Hočevar
Co-financiers: ARIS
Research activity: Social sciences
Abstract
The research project addresses the changing role of the state in the field of employment policy in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. The project focuses on the economic aspect of the COVID-19 crisis and the specific policy instruments adopted in the field of employment policy, the transformation of relations in the policy networks and the role of state actors in the policy networks in the field of employment policy. The project is based on the comparative case study method (most different systems design). The research will focus on three cases: Slovenia, Portugal and Ireland. These three states have different types of policy networks, different types of market economy, different welfare regimes, different state and economic tradition in the 20th century and have become EU member states in different time periods. Despite these differences, we hypothesise that in all three cases a shift towards statist policy networks in the field of employment policy can be seen. The project’s main aim is, by using empirical and comparative approach, to explain the changing role of the state during the COVID-19 crisis in the field of employment policies in the three selected states. The first comparative case study analysis of the changing role of the state in the field of employment policy in the context of the COVID-19 crisis represents the crucial scientific contribution of the research project. Based on the previous research of the project leader regarding the transformation of the state in the last four decades, the research project explores the impact of the present COVID-19 crisis and the changing role of the state in the field of employment policy by using different methods: comparative case study method; in-depth (semi) structured interviews with key actors in the policy networks in the selected states (representatives of the state, trade unions, employers); focus group (different experts); analysis of available statistical data regarding the public opinion and expectations of the public regarding the role of the state in the field of employment policy (European Social Survey, European Value Study) and data regarding the labour market situation and unemployment rates in the selected states (Eurostat, EU LFS); analysis of laws in the field of employment policy, decisions made by the respective government, and any agreements between the social partners in the three selected states. The research project will fill the gap in the existing literature by focusing on the changing role of the state in relation to economy and society and by analysing specific policy instruments in the field of employment policy, the transformation of relations in the policy networks and the role of the state actors within them.
The phases of the project and their realization
WORK PACKAGE 1: Overview of different approaches addressing the changing role of the state in the field of employment policy in the context of the COVID-19 crisis (M1 – M4)
Objectives: To explore various theoretical and methodological approaches to the understanding of the role of the state during the COVID-19 crisis in the field of employment policy and to develop a comprehensive theoretical and empirical model that will serve as the basis for our field and desk research.
WORK PACKAGE 2: Desk research of the changing role of the state in the field of employment policy (M4 – M11).
Objectives: To analyse the policy instruments adopted by the selected states and the relations within the policy networks.
WORK PACKAGE 3: Field research (M12 – M20)
Objectives: Work carried out in WP 1 and WP 2 will be the basis for this work package. The goal is to conduct in-depth interviews and a focus group in order to obtain in-depth insight about the relations and the role of the state within the policy networks in the field of employment policy during the COVID-19 crisis. We want to explore also the influence of the COVID-19 crisis on the state in general in relation to economy and society in the three selected states.
WORK PACKAGE 4: Synthesis of the results and comparison of the selected states (M21 – M24)
Objectives: To conduct a final synthesis and analysis of the data, collected in the previous WPs and to compare and contrast the selected policy instruments, the changes in the relations in the policy networks and the role of the state within them in the three selected states.
WORK PACKAGE 5: Dissemination of project results (M1 – M24)
Objectives: The objective of this work package is not only to disseminate the research results in the scientific and professional communities, but also to achieve a greater recognition and a more in-depth understanding of the changing role of the state in the COVID-19 crisis in the field of employment policy in the general public. We want to contribute to a greater awareness of the importance of the role of the state in relation to the economy and society and thus increase the scientific and public usefulness of the project’s results.
Research Organisation
http://www.sicris.si/public/jqm/prj.aspx?lang=eng&opt=2&subopt=403&hits=1&id=18768&search_term=Z5-3221
Researchers
http://www.sicris.si/public/jqm/prj.aspx?lang=eng&opt=2&subopt=402&hits=1&id=18768&search_term=Z5-3221
Citations for bibliographic records
http://www.sicris.si/public/jqm/prj.aspx?lang=eng&opt=2&subopt=400&hits=1&id=18768&search_term=Z5-3221
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