Research — Nordic Labour Journal

Special edition: AFI at 60

(Nov 17, 2024) The Work Research Institute AFI in Oslo is 60 years old this year. It has been celebrated by a conference which presented some of the projects AFI researchers are currently working on. Sick leave is a hot political potato in Norway, and what is the true impact of working from home? The Nordic Labour Journal was there when State Secretary Per Olav Skurdal Hopsø openede the cionference and we have also interviewed AFI Director Elisabeth Nørgaard.

Elisabeth Nørgaard: AFI Director hunting for impactful research

(Nov 17, 2024) “It is not always the freshest data that has the greatest impact in research,” says Elisabeth Nørgaard, Director at the Work Research Institute AFI at OsloMet.

The joys of WFH versus the pressure of always answering emails

(Nov 17, 2024) More than half of Norwegian employees have the opportunity to work from home, any time of day or night. But at what price? AFI researchers are looking at how the increased use of home offices impacts the work-life balance.

The Norwegian automated ferry that can be operated as easily as a lift

(Aug 26, 2024) A wide range of new workplaces could become available in the wake of autonomous ferries.

Leaders' lack of knowledge about the Norwegian model threatens competitiveness

(Apr 11, 2024) Anyone who wants to lead a Norwegian business should understand the Norwegian model. But far from all leaders do, according to Ketil Vedøy, who has spent more than 20 years as a top leader within HR and management. He participated at the launch of this year’s Medbestemmelsesbarometer (Joint decision-making barometer) at OsloMet/AFI.

Kick-off for the Future of Work in Vilnius

(Nov 06, 2023) Five Nordic research projects on the future of work recently held a joint kick-off event in Vilnius, Lithuania. NordForsk has provided 15 million Norwegian kroner (€1.28m) in funding. Lithuanian researchers are participating in two of the projects. Åland also has an independent role.

Scarpetta: The OECD has learned a lot from studying the Nordics

(Apr 27, 2023) Stefano Scarpetta is excited when he goes up to the podium at the start of the OECD and Nordic Council of Ministers conference in Reykjavik. "I don't know how you did it, but thank you for the fantastic northern lights that we got to experience last night!"

A new starting point for labour market research

(Jan 28, 2022) The pandemic created a need for new labour market research. NordForsk will soon announce nearly 50 million kroner of funding for future research. This is our starting point as we look at how the Nordic countries coordinate their research programmes.

NordForsk funding labour market research with 50m kroner

(Jan 28, 2022) NordForsk is set to announce close to 50 million Norwegian kroner (€5m) in funding for research on the future of work in the Nordics. The Corona pandemic means the need for research is considerable.

Norwegian researchers' deep-dive into male power structures

(Jan 28, 2022) It started with the question of whether female conscripts are more accepted by male ones if they sleep in the same room. It ended with disclosures of sexual harassment during police training in Norway. Dag Ellingsen led a research project funded by NordForsk which in more ways than one showed the benefits of Nordic research cooperation.

10 year Swedish research programme into the future of working life

(Jan 28, 2022) Green change, globalisation and artificial intelligence are among the changes facing the labour market today and in the future. In 2017, a ten-year-long research programme was launched in Sweden, aimed to better understand and tackle the future challenges facing working life.

Danish foundation supporting more research on welfare states

(Jan 28, 2022) The Rockwool Foundation has shares in a major Danish industrial concern and billions of kroner in assets which help fund research into the welfare state’s challenges. That is the kind of research the Nordics need more of, believes the foundation’s president Elin Schmidt.

Varða in Iceland: a bridge between trade unions and academics

(Jan 28, 2022) Iceland's labour market research institute Varða was set up in February 2020 by The Icelandic Confederation of Labour ASÍ and the Confederation of State and Municipal Employees BSRB. The purpose was to strengthen social and economic labour market research and bridge the gap between academics and the labour market.

Sweden: most casual jobs and lowest work protection

(Jan 28, 2022) Sweden has the highest unemployment levels among the Nordics, and also more casual jobs and lower employment protection levels for those on temporary contracts. An award-winning dissertation shows the consequences deregulation has had for people without permanent employment.

Theme: Nordic Labour Market research

(Jan 28, 2022) NordForsk is funding close to 50 million Norwegian kroner (€5m) for research on the future of work in the Nordics. Here we take a look at some earlier and current projects as well as some of the Nordic research foundations.

Future funding of geological research not so rock-solid

(Jun 29, 2021) The Nordic Volcanological Centre (NordVulk) has secured scholarships for many Nordic geologists to study or do research in Iceland. They have been able to study lava of various ages and, with luck, witness a volcanic eruption. But now NordVulk's funding is no longer rock-solid.

Nordic model well suited for future of work challenges

(Jun 29, 2021) Nordic labour ministers met digitally on 2 June to discuss the final report from the Nordic research project on the future of work. It warns of challenges to the Nordic model, but also concludes it is the best tool in the fight against an unequal labour market.

Even Santa Claus is hit by the Corona crisis

(Dec 10, 2020) The Nordic model is not past its best-before date. On the contrary, it is needed and it has shown its strength during the Corona pandemic. But it faces new challenges, which call for innovative welfare system finance solutions when new forms of employment and new technology disrupt entire sectors.

NMR announces funding for research on Corona measures

(Jun 11, 2020) The Nordic Council of Ministers has set aside DKK 1 million for a research project to look at the effects of the measures in connection with the covid-19 pandemic.

Nordic labour market crisis: Professor sees hope

(Apr 15, 2020) The coronavirus creates a crisis for Nordic businesses and workers, but hope too of a more social and green labour market and society, argues Henning Jørgensen, Professor of labour market policy and co-author of a new book.