Offshoring and the new insecurities: towards new types of ‘white collar consciousness’ in Germany in globalised working environments

Abstract

This paper looks at the effects of the globalisation and economisation strategies of IT companies on the work experiences, consciousness and ‘interest orientations’ of highly-qualified employees in the field of software development and services. Drawing on a range of qualitative research projects, the authors explore the ways in which the interest orientations of white-collar workers in the IT industry have changed. They conclude that a new insecurity is emerging concerning work content and job stability even on the part of these highly-qualified employees. They mostly ascribe this to the pressures of internationalisation and, more specifically, to the offshoring strategies of companies. As a result, the traditional ‘focus on contribution’ of highly-quaified workers is being eroded. This change in interest orientation is complex and partially contradictory. Nevertheless, there is a distinct tendency toward a new employee orientation among these white-collar workers. It remains to be seen in what direction this orientation will develop and, more specifically, what forms of action will emerge in pursuit of these perceived interests.