03495 - Economic and Working Sociology

Learning outcomes

Students should acquire capacities to interpret the current transformations of the economy, work, employment, welfare, and labor market policies from a comparative perspective.

Course contents

Week 1 The Economy as a Social Institution

This introductory section presents the fundamental themes of economic sociology by examining the relationship between the economy, institutions, and social change. Drawing on both classical authors and contemporary perspectives, we will explore how economic processes are always embedded in cultural, political, and social dynamics.

Weeks 2–5 Varieties of Capitalism and Comparative Political Economy: The Growth Models Perspective

This section examines the varieties of capitalism and comparative political economy through an analysis of the main European models: Northern European, Continental, Anglo-Saxon, and Mediterranean capitalism. Particular attention is devoted to issues of economic growth, competitiveness, social inclusion, and inequality.

The section also includes student presentations on the growth models perspective, focusing on transformations in growth regimes and welfare policies in advanced capitalist economies.

Student presentations:

• Baccaro, L., & Pontusson, J. (2016). Rethinking Comparative Political Economy: The Growth Model Perspective. Politics & Society, 44(2), 175–207.
• Hassel, A., Palier, B., & Avlijaš, S. (2020). The Pursuit of Growth: Growth Regimes, Growth Strategies and Welfare Reforms in Advanced Capitalist Economies. Stato e Mercato, No. 1, pp. 41–77.

Week 6 The Labour Market as a Social Institution

This section examines the labour market as a social institution, exploring its nature, functioning, and regulatory dynamics. It focuses on internal labour markets and labour market segmentation, highlighting differences in employment opportunities, employment protection, and working conditions across contemporary economies.

Weeks 7–8 Gender Inequalities and Forms of Instability in the Service Economy

This section explores gender inequalities and the new forms of instability that characterize the service economy, with particular attention to women's labour market participation, changes in labour demand, and the spread of flexible and precarious forms of employment.

The section also includes two student presentations. The first examines processes of gender segregation in contemporary labour markets, analysing the mechanisms that contribute to their persistence and the main theoretical approaches developed within the sociology of work. The second investigates the extent to which the expansion of publicly funded childcare services can increase women's labour market participation by supporting the continuity of mothers' careers, as well as the effects these policies may have on gender inequality both between women and men and among women themselves.

Student presentations:

• Blackburn, R. M., Browne, J., Brooks, B., & Jarman, J. (2002). Explaining Gender Segregation. British Journal of Sociology, 53(4), 513–536.
• Scherer, S., & Pavolini, E. (2023). Equalizing or Not? Public Childcare and Women's Labour Market Participation. Journal of European Social Policy, 33(4), 436–450.

Weeks 9–10 Emerging Phenomena of Contemporary Capitalism: Platforms, Algorithms, and Labour Control

This section examines some of the emerging features of contemporary capitalism, with particular attention to the role of digital platforms, algorithms, and new forms of labour control in the platform economy. The course begins with a theoretical introduction to these topics, followed by student presentations on algorithmic labour and labour conflict in platform work. It concludes with in-class discussions and case study analyses focusing on Deliveroo, Uber, and crowdwork and gig economy platforms.

Student presentations:

• Rosenblat, A., & Stark, L. (2016). Algorithmic Labor and Information Asymmetries: A Case Study of Uber's Drivers. International Journal of Communication, 10, 3758–3784.
• Wood, A., & Lehdonvirta, V. (2021). Antagonism Beyond Employment: How the "Subordinated Agency" of Labour Platforms Generates Conflict in the Remote Gig Economy. Socio-Economic Review, 19(4), 1369–1396.

Case studies (in-class exercise):

• Deliveroo and food delivery riders in Italy
• Comparative analysis of digital labour platforms:

1. Uber 
2. Amazon Mechanical Turk and Upwork

Readings/Bibliography

Burroni L. (2016), Capitalismi a confronto. Istituzioni e regolazione dell'economia nei paesi europei, Bologna, Il Mulino

Reyneri E. (2017), Introduzione alla sociologia del mercato del lavoro, Bologna, Il Mulino. Capitoli: I. Natura e struttura del mercato del lavoro. II. La nuova partecipazione al lavoro delle donne. VI. La domanda di lavoro nella società dei servizi. - VII. Flessibilità del lavoro e occupazioni instabili. - IX. Gli immigrati in un mercato del lavoro segmentato.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures, classroom exercises, and student presentations. Active participation will be encouraged through group discussions and case study analyses designed to foster learning and provide a deeper understanding of the topics covered throughout the course.

Assessment methods

Student learning will be assessed through two examinations: one held midway through the course and the other at the end of the course. Each written examination will last two hours and will consist of three open-ended questions designed to assess students' understanding of the main theoretical concepts, their ability to apply these concepts to the analysis of economic and labour-related phenomena, and their appropriate use of disciplinary terminology. The use of books, notes, and electronic devices is not permitted.

The examination reading list is the same for both attending and non-attending students and is specified in the Reading List/Bibliography section.

Attending Students

For attending students, the final grade will be based on:

• 60%: Final written examination
• 40%: Coursework completed during the semester, including case study analyses, contributions to class discussions, and student presentations.

Assessment of coursework will take into account the quality of the analysis presented, the ability to connect theoretical perspectives with empirical evidence, presentation skills, and participation in group activities.

Non-attending Students

For non-attending students, the final grade will be based exclusively on the final written examination (100%), following the format described above.

Teaching tools

Videos, essays, and articles not included in the texts, but significant for the topics covered in class.
Slides and other teaching materials will be available to the students in electronic format on the Virtuale platform. Username and password are reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Rizza