Summaries
Responsability and accountability of interme diary organizations
B.F. van Waarden
The debate between the three main political for ces in the Netherlands (liberalism, christen-de- mocracy and social-democracy) about principles of allocation can be described as a simple tricho tomy: state, market and intermediary organizati ons. Proponents of an important role for private intermediary organizations suppose that concerta tion and voluntary self-regulation, independent of state influence, will result in a so-called responsi ble society. However, a discussion of the concepts of ‘responsibility’ and ‘accountibility’ shows that intermediary organizations lack adequate capaci ty for self-regulation, external and internal con trol and control of their menbers’ behaviour. To overcome these shortages, organizations need so me form of public authority, which can only be provided by the state. State influence is also ne cessary to exert democratic control over organiza tions which have gained public authority. Inter mediary organizations cannot function as a prin ciple of allocation without active support by the state.
Labour market policy and regional labour market
M.J.M. Meijs
Referring to the debate on labour market-policies in the Netherlands, the article deals with two ca tegories of change which are of great importance for the future development of demand for labour, namely decline and growth of branches and chan ges in the production concepts of enterprises. It is shown that these changes affect employment and furtermore that the consequences for regions will vary, depending on the specific structure of pro
duction in the regions. In this context a decentra lization of labour market-policy and delegation of authority to the regions implies a ‘necessary ad justment’ to changes underlying the recent and future development of employment. This adjust ment makes it possible to pursue a regional la bour market-policy which reflects the specific ad justment-problems of the region.
After describing the process of segmentation at the level of the regional labour market, the article ends with summing up some conditions which ha ve to be fulfilled before a genuine regional labour market-policy can be effective.
Job growth and regional labour market J.W.M. Mevissen, G.H.J. Homburg
In the past decade several research projects have been carried out to gain insight in the future deve lopment of Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport) and the problems attached to it. Very little attention has been paid to the labour market situation, even though there are indications that a tight labour market situation is arising. Recent research tries to fill the gap.
Departing from developments in four types of air port-related business activities, general characte ristics of the (future) labour market situation are described. It is concluded that on a broad scale la bour market problems do not yet exist, but that they can easily arise. Especially the regional hou sing market and the regional road network limit the supply of labour.
The case ‘Schiphol’ gives some indications of the direction of the forthcoming regional labour mar ket policy.
