New article by German Bender questions global labor market assumptions
25 June, 2025
Dr. German Bender, affiliated researcher at the House of Governance and Public Policy (GaPP) and Harvard University, has had his article "Challenging the Hypothesis of Neoliberal Convergence in Industrial Relations: The Swedish Conundrum" published in the British Journal of Industrial Relations.
In the article, Bender takes a closer look at a widely held idea in labor market research - that different countries are becoming more alike in how they regulate work and employment, moving toward a more market-driven, "neoliberal" model. But Sweden's case complicates that narrative.
By tracing developments in wage bargaining, labor law, and worker representation, the article shows how Sweden has continued to follow a distinct path - one that combines flexibility with strong institutions and collective agreements.
The piece adds a highly relevant and thought-provoking contribution to ongoing discussions about how labor markets adapt (or resist) global pressures.
