How Institutions Affect Job Quality: Sales Jobs in Comparison

Abstract

In spite of globalization, differences in national-institutional structures remain intact. Contrasts may be drawn between different national training systems, and settings of wage bargaining. In this paper we investigate the effects of different training and wage bargaining institutions on labour market outcomes in the UK and Germany by examining how retail sales assistants in retail firms compare in terms of pay, skills and work organisation. Although profound differences still exist, we expect observed institutional change in Germany to bring pay and working conditions for German retail sales assistants closer to those in the UK in future.