Seminar on Inequality at Work

Rising income inequality is now recognised as a widespread problem in high income countries. While the broad trajectories of national income and wealth inequalities are apparent, little is known about the workplace and institutional dynamics that produce these disturbing trends. Policy debates about inequality primarily focus on government redistribution at the national level, often ignoring that income distributions have become more unequal because of workplace compensation and pay practice shifts. Better understanding and documenting why some firms produce less inequality than others will provide a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that inequality is a naturally occurring process.
 

At this seminar we zero in on the organisational production of inequality asking what factors drive income inequalities within and between workplaces? How do workplaces exacerbate or mitigate the impact of individual distinctions, such as education, gender or immigrant status? The seminar is open to the public and invites all interested parties to join us in discussing this important topic.
 

The seminar is funded by The Independent Research Fund Denmark, the Department of Organisation (CBS) and the Inequality Platform (CBS).

 

Program

13:00-13:45	Diplomats and Diplomas: Social Closure through Educational Networks  Presenter: Lasse Folke Henriksen (Copenhagen Business School) Discussant: Donald Tomascovic-Devey (University of Massachusetts)Producing Inequalities: The Workplace
13:45-14:30	The Great Separation – Workplace Earnings Segregation in 10 Countries Presenter: Olivier Godechot (Science Po)  Discussant: Steffen Brenner
14:30-14:45	Break
14:45-15:30	Workplace Volatility and Gender Inequality: A Comparison of the Netherlands and South Korea Presenter: Zoltan Lippényi (University Utrecht) Discussant: Janine Lesche (Copenhagen Business School)
15:30-16:15	Generation of Earnings Inequalities in Thirteen High Income Countries Presenter: Donald Tomascovic-Devey (University of Massachusetts) Discussant: Niels Ploug (Statistics Denmark)
16:15-17:00	Reception