EIWO's Theoretical Perspectives

Abstract

Work Package (WP) I is the conceptual core of the EIWO project and informs WPs II-IX by providing theoretical embedding. It will do this initially based on the existing literature (a theory paper suggesting combinations of life course, social risk and regime analysis) and then synthesise the results of the following WPs in an iterative way for publication. EIWO will develop social policy macro indicators and their dynamics and draw on the empirical testing in WPs II-VIII to identify connections with life course, intersectionality and social risk theories. The aim is to develop change strategies to guide the prevention and mitigation of late working life exclusion and inequalities by minimising risks across the life course and smoothing late working life transitions. The policy-related concepts of active ageing and life-long learning will be key reference points for the project and will be discussed further in subsequent working papers. EIWO aims to push the boundaries of knowledge about late working life and its potential for inclusivity and equality via a theoretically driven, gender-sensitive combination of multi-level perspectives. To follow this aim, EIWO takes a life course approach to late working live in the context of demographic and social change in Sweden and Europe. In doing so, EIWO focusses on individual life courses against the backdrop of agency, workplaces, branches, economic conditions and their impact on exclusion and inequality in late working life. It aims to identify perspectives of life course policies promoting to prolong working lives and to avoid the increased selective exclusion and inequality often associated with this development