Varieties of crisis and working conditions: A comparative study of Greece and Serbia

Alexandros Psychogios,Chris Brewster,Leslie T Szamosi,Rea Prouska

doi:10.1177/0959680119837101

Abstract

Greece and Serbia are historically different, yet regionally connected. Their weak institutional foundations and long-term economic turbulence have prevented them from overcoming crises, leading to the institutionalization of adverse working conditions. We focus on the outcomes of the systemic crisis in Greece and the transition crisis in Serbia, using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with managers and employees in small- and medium-sized enterprises in two time periods. We argue that, although the crisis has different origins in the two countries, it has consolidated adverse working conditions. Our research explores the institutionalization of adverse working conditions and offers an understanding of the lived reality of institutions, examining variations in the origins, pressures and outcomes of different types of crises on business practices from an individual perspective.

Highlights

The economic crisis that began in 2008 led to changes in management style and costcutting strategies, worsening the working conditions
We explore the way in which their weak institutional bases and long-term economic turbulence have created an inability to overcome the crisis and led to the institutionalization of adverse working conditions
Our research questions are: how does crisis trigger, or exacerbate, changed working conditions, how permanent are the changes and what will be the effects in countries with weak institutions? We study these questions through the lens of the lived realities of employees and managers in these two contexts

Summary

Introduction

The economic crisis that began in 2008 led to changes in management style and costcutting strategies, worsening the working conditions. Keywords Comparative institutional aspects, crisis, Greece, institutionalization, Serbia, working conditions We explore the way in which their weak institutional bases and long-term economic turbulence have created an inability to overcome the crisis and led to the institutionalization of adverse working conditions.

Results

Conclusion