Scrutinizing Polarization: Patterns and Consequences of Occupational Transformation in the Swedish Labour Market

This book scrutinizes polarization in Sweden, identifying patterns and variations in labour market transformation and exploring the consequences in terms of jobs, income, prestige, unionization, and employment security, as well the effects on different social groups. Through a series of empirical studies, it sheds light on changes in the occupational structure and the ways in which these changes interact with other societal trends, such as increased temporary employment, rising migration and decreased unionization, whilst also exploring changes in the evaluation of occupations and attitudes towards trade unions. Drawing on distinctly sociological perspectives, it shows how transformations in society and the labour market have affected conditions for individuals, and considers whether these changes reinforce existing inequalities occasioned by polarization, or create new ones. Scrutinizing Polarization considers whether and how the Swedish labour market has polarized - and if so, what this means for individual employees and labour organizations. It will therefore appeal to scholars with interests in the sociology of work and professions, social inequalities and labour market transformations.

Ylva Ulfsdotter Eriksson is Professor of Sociology at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Thomas Berglund is Professor of Sociology at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.