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Explaining Implementation through Varieties of Capitalism Theory: The Case of the Telework and Work‐related Stress Agreements
Author(s) -
Prosser Thomas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
jcms: journal of common market studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.54
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1468-5965
pISSN - 0021-9886
DOI - 10.1111/jcms.12514
Subject(s) - capitalism , work (physics) , soft law , soft power , power (physics) , key (lock) , economics , positive economics , industrial organization , sociology , economic system , business , political science , law , computer science , engineering , international law , computer security , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , politics
Despite extensive literature on the implementation of European ‘soft’ law and Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) theory, no existing work has attempted to explain the implementation of soft law with reference to VoC. In this article, on the basis of a study of the implementation of the non‐legally binding European Telework and Work‐related Stress Agreements in four countries, we attempt to address this gap. Four hypotheses are developed, based on key tenets of VoC theory, which aim to explain divergent national implementation outcomes of the agreements. The predictive power of VoC emerges as mixed. Though a hypothesis concerning the propensity of Coordinated Market Economies (CMEs) to implement the agreements via collective agreements is confirmed, evidence for remaining hypotheses is more ambiguous. Implications for theories of soft law implementation and VoC theory are reflected upon in conclusion.