Key research topics

WSI research covers issues of employment and institutional change in a globalising world, the quality of work as well as questions of redistribution and social security, industrial relations and collective bargaining policy. The focus of labour market related research is on strategies combating precarious employment, collective wages, employee representation and industrial action. Poverty, health and pension policy, as well as gender inequality are research topics of general social concern. A growing number of projects take a European perspective and draw on international comparisons.

WSI: Key research topics : Labour market and working conditions

In recent years, labour market policy has been challenged by huge structural changes, most of all by the increase in non-standard and often also precarious forms of employment. Moreover, quality of work has changed – growing job-related stress being one major example.

Quelle: Karsten Schöne

WSI: Key research topics : Wage policy, collective bargaining and industrial relations

Wage policy, collective bargaining policy and industrial relations have been the main fields of expertise in WSI research and public policy advice for decades.

Quelle: picture alliance/dpa

WSI: Key research topics : Social inequality, social (des-)integration and social policy

Research is concerned with welfare state and social policy changes, structural causes for the increase in social inequality, and the search for possibilities to foster a fairer distribution of life chances.

Quelle: picture alliance/Westend61

WSI: Key research topics : Gender Research

The focus of WSI gender studies is on the job inequality of men and women and ways to overcome it.

Quelle: picture alliance/Bildagentur-online

WSI: Key research topics : Europe and European policies

The research area monitors economic, social and political developments on the European level and evaluates the consequences, risks and opportunities for employees, households, firms and the future of the welfare state.

Quelle: picture alliance/Mandoga Media