The main focus of the research carried out by WSI is on the economic and social implications of developments in society and policy decisions. On the basis of the results of its academic research, the Institute elaborates economic and social policy proposals aimed at overcoming social problems. The research findings and ideas developed by WSI are made available to academics, policymakers and the public at large.

History

As part of the process of rebuilding democratic trade unions after the Second World War, one project was to establish a "trade union centre for economic planning and research". This "Wirtschafts-Wissenschaftliches Institut" (Institute of Economic Sciences - WWI ) was set up in 1946 and thus predates the founding of the German Trade Union Federation (DGB). In 1972 its name was changed to "Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut" (Institute of Economic and Social Research - WSI). The WSI was integrated into the Hans Böckler Foundation in 1995.

Working structures

The WSI forms the research department of the Hans Böckler Foundation - the organ of the DGB responsible for fostering co-determination and promoting research and academic study. It works together with the Foundation"s other departments to the mutual advantage of all concerned.

Cooperation with the advisory department responsible for promoting co-determination enables a fruitful exchange to take place between theoretical and practical aspects of workforce representation. There is also an intensive dialogue on new developments in employment-related academic fields with the department responsible for research promotion. This ensures that there is beneficial internal competition between the two departments with regard to the quality of their research work. A "Scientific Committee" advises the bodies of the Foundation on all matters relating to research and scientific policy. It has a special role in supervising the activities of the WSI and the department for promotion of research.

Key areas of research

The work of the WSI is organised into a number of key areas:

• Economic transformation and employment in the process of globalisation 
• Social polarisation, collective security and individualisation 
• Industrial relations and collective bargaining policy

Economic transformation and employment in the process of globalisation

This key area examines economic transformation against the background of globalisation. Both quantitative and qualitative changes in employment are a principal focus of interest here.

Sub-themes in this area include:

1. Basic elements in a policy of full employment
   Research findings form the basis for economic policy recommendations aimed primarily at serving the interests of employees.
2. The political economy of globalisation
   Regular analyses are made of the competitiveness of the German economy and the policies to promote this.
3. Levels of control in the global economy
   The scope for achieving supra-national political control via coordination instruments, international organisations and transnational structures for industrial relations. The main focus here is on the European dimension.

Social polarisation, collective security and individualisation

This key area of research focuses on the implications for systems of social security and taxation of changes in the world of work and in private lifestyles. Of particular interest are proposals suggesting how labour market, social and collective bargaining policy might be changed in order to take into account different lifestyles and various stages in an individual's career.

Key themes and issues here are:

1. Pluralisation of labour relations
   This involves observation of structural changes in the labour market and their impact on employees. The main focus is on how new forms of working should be organised and existing institutions restructured.
2. The future of social security
   Government social policy faces great pressure to adapt. Through its research the WSI helps identify shortcomings in the regulatory environment and develop reform proposals based on an all-embracing notion of social security. The principal focus of attention here, too, is on comparative European research and the examination of gender-specific issues.
3. Policy on working time
   Research focuses not only on issues relating to a socially acceptable policy on working time (for those in employment), but also on developing models that enhance the status of time spent outside employment (e.g. in the family or on training). Questions relating to distribution are re-examined, taking into account the time dimension.

Industrial relations and collective bargaining policy

This key area of research examines the impact of the changes that industrial relations in Germany have been exposed to for more than a decade.

Central issues in this area are:

1. Company restructuring, industrial relations and trade union organisation
   New industrial relations and their consequences for workforce structures are a focal point in this context, as are the challenges arising from these for representation of employee interests in the workplace and trade union context.
2. The future of the collective bargaining system
   Both trade unions and employers" associations are working towards a modernisation of the system of collective bargaining. The WSI provides information that assists the decision-making process by analysing changes in the system of collective bargaining and assessing their impact in terms of content and practical aspects of implementation in the workplace.
3. European industrial relations
   The development of transnational European industrial relations provides an opportunity to increase the scope for shaping policy on companies, collective bargaining and trade unions in response to the constraints imposed by globalisation. The WSI promotes the development of Europeans Works Councils and the Europeanisation of collective bargaining.

The WSI participates as one of two German partners in the "Eurofound observatories", an information network of highly reputed institutions from all EU countries, coordinated by the Dublin-based European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound). The observatories cover key developments in industrial relations in Europe, economic and social developments that drive change in the European economy and quality of work and employment issues in the EU member states and at EU level.

The service is accessible free of charge via the Eurofound website.

As the principal information centre on trade union policy on collective bargaining, the main task of the WSI Collective Agreement Archive is to track and analyse developments concerning collective agreements. Besides publishing regular status reports on current agreements, the Archive also produces special assessments. The Archive has an internet website providing access to information on specific collective agreements and giving overviews of developments pertaining to collective agreements in all the major sectors. Every year the Archive publishes an analysis of current policy developments relating to collective agreements - the "WSI-Tarifhandbuch".

Research results and expert reports produced by the WSI are published mainly in the academic series "Hans-Böckler-Forschung" produced by "edition sigma rainer bohn verlag" in Berlin (http://www.edition-sigma.de/), but WSI publications also appear in the catalogues of various other publishing houses.

Publications since 1997 can be found in our online-databse of publications

"WSI-Mitteilungen" is a monthly journal providing up-to-date information on the results of research on current issues of relevance to trade unions. It is aimed primarily at the academic and business communities, trade unionists and policymakers.