Working Lives Research Institute
SMALL is an important European Union funded project under the fifth framework programme examining how workers can be represented within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (from 10 to 150 employees). The project brings together research teams from six member states and two candidate countries chosen for their contrasting industrial relations and legal frameworks.
SMALL has three main objectives. First, to produce a ‘social portrait of European SMEs’ which in turn will enable a comprehensive comparative typology of employee relations in this sector to be developed. Secondly, it aims to increase the current knowledge base by conducting 80 in-depth interviews across six sectors enabling social relations within these firms to be better understood. Finally, it will make specific policy recommendations to the EU with regard to improving the effectiveness of its social measures and disseminate best practice in order to promote the well being of workers in SMEs.
With reference to the development of policy five broad areas will be examined: gender and equal opportunities, occupational health and safety, payment systems, the organisation of work and working hours, and job structures and training opportunities. In particular the research teams will make proposals on these areas regarding enhancing the provision of information for owners and managers of SMEs, and in addition they will outline recommendations on how to improve trade union services to workers in small firms.
The outcomes of the project will include the organisation of an international conference, the dissemination of the project’s findings; policy recommendations both at national and European levels, and the drafting and preparation of an English-language book.
The project team in the UK comprises of Professor Steve Jefferys, Patrick Hayes and Ian Read from the Working Lives Research Institute based at the London Metropolitan University and Gill Kirton from Queen Mary’s College, London University.
SMALL Final Report