Research in this field centres on the structures of, and trends in, employment and job vacancies at companies, with a particular emphasis on the analysis of demand for skilled and unskilled workers. The spotlight here is on job-specific and qualification-specific aspects, although contractual structures such as fixed-term contracts, companies’ commitment to recruitment, training and professional development, industrial relations, innovation and productivity also have a role to play. The IAB shines a light on the quality of employment, too, with particular attention paid to the work demands associated with the various occupations and forms of employment, the associated pay, job security and job satisfaction, and how individuals subjectively perceive the quality of their employment. Key contextual factors in the analysis include demographic, technological and environmental change, globalisation, and institutional considerations such as minimum wages and the right to collective bargaining and codetermination.
This focus area also conducts the research that generates the data needed to provide answers to these questions. Examples are the IAB Establishment Panel (IAB-Betriebspanel), the Linked Personnel Panel and, in collaboration with the Macroeconomy focus area, the IAB job vacancy survey (IAB-Stellenerhebung). By linking company data with individual data, for example employment statistics for people with disabilities (BsbM) in connection with integrated employment biographies (IEB), both the employers’ and the employees’ perspectives can be taken into account. This research is supported by surveys among newly founded companies and polls on topics that are currently relevant to the labour market.
Analysing findings from company surveys on the relationship between quality of work and economic success will be one of the focus area’s research priorities in 2026. Specifically, the emphasis will be on aspects such as codetermination, corporate social responsibility, and operational performance management. The focus area will also examine which factors influence employee retention at companies with and without family-friendly policies. This will be backed up with analysis of the special aspects of personnel management in smaller businesses.
Against the background of the ongoing transformation of society and the economy, professional training and development will be scientifically evaluated along with instruments such as interim employment companies and labour market hubs The focus area will also examine the extent to which companies are using generative AI. Finally, it will look at the specific labour market opportunities available to selected groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, and refugees. This will include examining the willingness of companies to employ people with disabilities and the degree to which an applicant’s German language skills affect their chances of successfully securing a job.
Activities
Departments
- Research Department Active Labour Market Policies and Integration
- Research Department Labour Market Processes and Institutions
- Research Group Occupations in the Transformation
- Research Department Establishments and Employment
- Research Data Centre
- Statistical Methods
- Working Group Occupations
- Working Group Minimum Wage
- Working Group Quality of Employment
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