A cross-national study of social trends in the United States, Germany, France, and Quebec, Convergence or Divergence? is a revealing exploration of the patterns of social evolution in modernized societies. The analyses in this volume are based on the four national profiles already published in the Comparative Charting of Social Change series.

Comprises 11 essays which analyse changes in work life and in working and management practices since the 1970s, and explore future trends. The essays cover the developments and trends which have shaped and promoted change; government, business and trade union initiatives and policies in regard to work organization; practical experiences in restructuring work organization; and work design.

The more I live the more I learn. The more I learn the more I realize the less I know (Alan and Manly Bergman) This book is a slightly revised version of my dissertation thesis "Wages, hours restrictions and employment" accepted in July 2001 by the Department of Economics at Mannheim University. Most of the studies are part of the re search project "Working hours flexibility and employment" (Arbeitszeitjlexi bilisierung und Beschiijtigung) which was conducted at the Centre for Euro pean Economic Research (ZEW) with financial support by the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung. Now that all the work is complete, nothing remains but to thank all the people who supported the writing of my thesis. Firstly, I am indebted to my advisor Prof. Wolfgang Franz, who always furthered my academic work and encouraged me to take opportunities beyond the standard path. His guiding questions and comments were very valuable in gaining an overview of the whole issue. Furthermore, I am especially grateful to Prof. Daniel Hamermesh, my second advisor. I gained tremendously from the fruitful discussions during my stay at the University of Texas in Austin. His encouragement and verve were essential support factors in the completion of my work. Prof. Arthur van Soest and Prof. Franc;ois Laisney both contributed to the technical and methodological standard of my analysis by patiently discussing various model specifications and nerve-racking convergence problems.