European Union's Research Policy and the Social Sciences: Lessons Learnt and Future Prospect for the Western Balkans

in European Perspectives: Journal on European Perspectives of the Western Balkans (2010), 2

Although the social sciences have been shaped by the rise of the modern nation state, until recently they have been confronted with deep transformations that European societies undergo nowadays. Moreover ... [more ▼]

Although the social sciences have been shaped by the rise of the modern nation state, until recently they have been confronted with deep transformations that European societies undergo nowadays. Moreover, they themselves are remarkably influenced by the process of European integration. In this paper, first, an investigation of EU science policies indicates how European frameworks of research specify, restrict and support their role and position within the European Research Area. Second, there are represented results of a comparative analysis of scientific journals in Slovenia and Austria displaying central topics of a growing European stock of knowledge. Third, focused interviews with sociologists in two states show how they actually identify an European dimension of social science. Conclusions are drawn in respect to the expected EU integration of actual and potential candidate countries at the Western Balkans. It is suggested that the EU dynamics of enlargement and integration lead to the negotiation of new boundaries in intellectual knowledge production as well, as manifest in consequences of European research policies, investigated with regard to indicators for scientific development. [less ▲]

Evaluation des Pilotprojekts Schulsozialarbeit in Kärnten. Zwischenbericht der der quantitativen Auswertung

Report (2010)

Reflections and Provisional Results of the EU Impact on the Development of Sociology in the Border Region Slovenia and Southern Austria

in Langer, Josef; Pavicic, Jurica; Alfirevic, Niksa (Eds.) Knowledge Region: The Alps-Adriatic Challenge (2009)

Two Neighbors, One Vision? The Impact of the European Union's Accession on the Development of Sociology in the Common Border Region Slovenia and Southern Austria. PhD thesis, University of Graz.

Doctoral thesis (2009)

This dissertation thesis in the sociology of knowledge investigates the impact of European Union's research policies on the formation of sociology as a scientific discipline. From a comparative ... [more ▼]

This dissertation thesis in the sociology of knowledge investigates the impact of European Union's research policies on the formation of sociology as a scientific discipline. From a comparative perspective, Slovenia and Austria as two small Central European neighbour states and their common border region are taken as a case study, applying a mixed methods design. Based on extensive empirical data analyses with a strong focus on scientific institutions, findings show enabling and constraining effects of opportunity structures given by Europeanization of research policies. Transnational cooperation of scholars contributes to a stock of knowledge more and more known as European sociology. [less ▲]

Social Problems as Reflected by Social Science in Slovenia and Austria

in Social Work and Society (2008), (July), 20

Located at the heart of the European Union, the neighbouring countries Slovenia and Austria have recently underwent deep transformation processes which can be characterised with the concept of ... [more ▼]

Located at the heart of the European Union, the neighbouring countries Slovenia and Austria have recently underwent deep transformation processes which can be characterised with the concept of "Europeanisation" of national societies as well as of its social sciences, specifically sociology. Urgent social problems in both countries, such as unemployment, poverty and social inequalities, prompt the question of how a common problem analysis could be achieved and on the basis of which experiences and interests. Confronted with enormous transformations in European countries, sociology might become an innovative generator of knowledge relevant to the enlightenment - as an European heritage - of its societies and of itself. [less ▲]

Sozialwissenschaftliche und -räumliche Studien

in Scheu, Bringfriede; Autrata, Otger (Eds.) Gestaltung des Sozialen (2006)

Constellations and Mechanisms of Gender Pay Discrimination in Austria

Scientific Conference (2005)

The starting point of this contribution is the ongoing high gender pay gap in Austria. Based on empirical case studies in three professional target groups (food-processing workers, secondary school ... [more ▼]

The starting point of this contribution is the ongoing high gender pay gap in Austria. Based on empirical case studies in three professional target groups (food-processing workers, secondary school teachers, academic engineers) we dealt with the context of wage system and working place practices, in order to provide an analysis of the reasons and the stability of wage discrimination. With the theoretical concepts of relationally, social construction of gender and the gendered substructure of organizations we examined central constellations and mechanisms of pay discrimination in its normative, micro-social and collective dimensions. Special attention has been paid to the issues of gender substructures of organizations. Results provide links for strategies to reduce gender pay discrimination. [less ▲]

Sozialwissenschaftliche Forschung in Österreich: Kärnten

Article for general public (2005)

A European Project Examines the Gender Pay Gap in IT Professions

Article for general public (2003)

A European project of institutions located in Austria, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom investigated wage differences between women and men in three occupations: workers in the ... [more ▼]

A European project of institutions located in Austria, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom investigated wage differences between women and men in three occupations: workers in the food processing industry, secondary school teachers, and engineers with a university degree. In Austria, about 30 workers in 10 companies as well as representatives of the social partners were interviewed and quantitative data were collected in the context of a standardised survey. [less ▲]

Towards a Closing of the Gender Pay Gap: Country Report Austria.

Report (2002)

Austria shows one of the highest gender wage differentials among the European countries; in 1999, Austrian women's average earnings reached only 65 % of that of their male compatriots. This wage gap ... [more ▼]

Austria shows one of the highest gender wage differentials among the European countries; in 1999, Austrian women's average earnings reached only 65 % of that of their male compatriots. This wage gap decreased during the 1980s but again increased in the 1990s, although female employment rates had been rising ever since. In the 2010s, Austria still is among those countries with the highest gender pay gap of the enlarged EU28. This already points to the very main characteristic of the Austrian gender wage gap: Most of the increase of female labour market participation has been realized in part-time jobs, which not only decreases gross earnings but also chances to get promoted, and thus access to better paid jobs. [less ▲]