National institutions and employers' age management practices in Britain and Germany: path dependence and option exploration

Article


Muller-Camen, M., Croucher, R., Flynn, M. and Schroeder, H. 2011. National institutions and employers' age management practices in Britain and Germany: path dependence and option exploration. Human Relations. 64 (4), pp. 507-530. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726710396246
TypeArticle
TitleNational institutions and employers' age management practices in Britain and Germany: path dependence and option exploration
AuthorsMuller-Camen, M., Croucher, R., Flynn, M. and Schroeder, H.
Abstract

We pursue a comparative analysis of employers’ age management practices in Britain and Germany, asking how valid ‘convergence’ and ‘Varieties of Capitalism’ theories are. After rejecting the convergence verdict, we proceed to ask how far ‘path dependence’ helps explain inter-country differences. Through 19 interviews with British and German experts, we find that firms have reacted in different ways to promptings from the EU and the two states. Change has been modest and a rhetoric-reality gap exists in firms as they seek to hedge. We point to continuities in German institutional methods of developing new initiatives, and the emerging role of British NGOs in helping firms and the state develop new options. We argue that ‘path dependence’ offers insight into the national comparison, but also advance the idea of national modes of firm option-exploration as an important way of conceptualizing the processes involved.

Research GroupEmployment Relations group
PublisherSage
JournalHuman Relations
ISSN0018-7267
Publication dates
PrintApr 2011
Publication process dates
Deposited23 Apr 2010
Output statusPublished
Additional information

Published online first on 8 March 2011.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726710396246
LanguageEnglish
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https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/828xw

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