Active labour market policies and social integration in Germany

Abstract

"This article is about the impact of 'One-Euro-Jobs', a German active labour market programme, on the social integration of unemployed individuals. We examine, first, whether programme participation improves individuals' sense of social integration. Second, we address the mechanisms behind this association by analysing subgroup-specific participation effects. Therefore, we analyse how specific programme features, the quality of interactions with welfare officials, and participants' evaluations of the programme are related to their subjective integration. The analysis is based on the German panel study 'Labour Market and Social Security'. Results from random-effects, fixed-effects, and hybrid random-effects regression models do not indicate a general positive participation effect, but point to some conditions under which the programme can be beneficial. First, One-Euro-Jobs bearing greater similarity to regular jobs in terms of working hours and duration imply stronger participation effects. Second, the quality of social interactions at the local unemployment agencies matters: participants benefit more from One-Euro-Jobs in case they feel well supported. Third, participants are more likely to experience an enhancement of subjective integration if they perceive participation as voluntary and beneficial in social and financial terms." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Gundert, S. & Hohendanner, C. (2015): Active labour market policies and social integration in Germany. Do 'one-euro-jobs' improve individuals' sense of social integration? In: European Sociological Review, Vol. 31, No. 6, p. 780-797. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcv076