Linda Hantrais

Contextualization in cross-national comparative research

The aim of this contribution is to provide researchers involved in quantitative and qualitative cross-national comparative projects with a rationale and practical guidance for analysing socio-economic phenomena in relation to their institutional and socio-cultural settings. The paper tracks the shift in cross-national comparisons in the social sciences away from universalistic culture-free approaches to culture-boundedness, which has placed the theory and practice of contextualization at the nexus of cross-national comparative studies. It draws on a wide range of multinational and interdisciplinary studies to address a number of recurring questions, covering the selection of appropriate contextual frames of reference, the impact of the researchers own cultural traditions, issues of equivalence of concepts and interpretation.

Family policy matters : responding to family change in Europe

Understanding the changing family-policy relationship Reacting to population decline and ageing Reacting to family diversification Reacting to the changing family-employment balance Reacting to changing welfare needs Legitimacy and acceptability of policy intervention in family life Impact of policy on family life Responding to socio-economic change.

Exploring Relationships between Social Policy and Changing Family Forms within the European Union

This article examines critically the linkages posited between social policy and changing family forms in European Union member states since the 1960s. While lower fertility rates, changing family patterns, population ageing and the rapid growth in womens economic activity can be shown to provoke policy responses, evidence for a causal impact of policy on demographic behaviour and for the diffusion of policies between countries is inconclusive. The article argues that policy environments are shaped by a complex array of factors, which may appear, in certain configurations, to be conducive to family building or to the development of particular family forms.

Women’s Choices in Europe: Striking the Work-life Balance:

The article presents evidence from interviews in France, Spain and Poland to explore how individual actors make choices about their work-life balance. It shows that choice is a complex, contingent, and relative concept, which is both facilitated and obstructed by public policies and working regulations. Despite differences in national and sub-national policy contexts, institutional and cultural norms and expectations, the article draws the conclusion that family-friendly issues need to be mainstreamed and that the concerns of families should be added to those of the state, trade unions and employers on the agenda for negotiating work-life balance. It is also argued that the focus and scope of industrial relations need to be rethought to take account of the gendered nature of employment relationships.

A comparative perspective on gender and accountancy

Different theoretical approaches have been used to examine the process of assimi-lation of women into professional occupations. A Franco-British comparative study of womens incorporation into accountancy is used to test the explanatory value of different bodies of theory. The research suggests that the integration of women into the profession may have progressed further in France than in Britain, and that the process is influenced by societal characteristics. Differences in the relationship between training, the role of professional associations, organiza-tional structure and the public policy environment are shown to affect womens choices and career opportunities.

Comparing Family Policy in Britain, France and Germany

In a context where the employment model of welfare is dominant family policy has remained an area of limited and indirect competence for the European Community. Comparative analysis of Britain France and the Federal Republic of Germany as examples of EC member states with different socio-cultural traditions and policy styles shows the limitations of theories about universalism convergence and harmonisation of family structures and policies. Compared with Britain and Germany the family policy making style in France is more explicit visible coherent and legitimate. Its objectives are overtly pronatalist and it would seem to have had a stronger direct socio-economic impact. (EXCERPT)

Combining methods: a key to understanding complexity in European societies?

ABSTRACT Large-scale European research programmes have provided an impetus for social science researchers to co-operate more closely not only across national and cultural boundaries but also across disciplines and research paradigms. Attempts to make sense of diversity have led to a blurring of the traditional methodological divide between quantitative and qualitative paradigms, opening up new perspectives and creating opportunities for synergy and complementarity. The paper draws on examples of the methods used in a cluster of European projects and networks in the field of family and welfare to illustrate the epistemological and practical problems raised when applying multi-methods approaches to research into European societies. It argues that, once these problems have been overcome, by combining methods within and across projects, researchers can expect to gain a deeper understanding of social phenomena in different national settings and develop new insights into complex issues.

Central and East European States Respond to Socio-Demographic Challenges

The political and economic upheavals of the 1990s in Central and Eastern Europe were reflected in socio-demographic changes that presented major challenges for governments. Birth rates fell steeply and social divisions intensified, while population ageing was held in check by low life expectancy. Social protection systems underwent radical reform, as attempts were made to meet criteria for EU membership. This paper examines how socio-demographic change and ensuing social problems were experienced in candidate countries. It analyses the policy responses of governments and explores some of the issues being raised in the context of enlargement for EU member and applicant states.

Evidence-based policy: exploring international and interdisciplinary insights

The relationship between international evidence, politics and policy is never straightforward. Politicians sometimes cite comparative findings from social science evidence collected and analysed by international organisations to support policy proposals without sufficient understanding of contextual factors. The media may exploit data from such studies to highlight national policy successes and failures. Academic literature on evidence-based policy is often more interested in identifying policies that work than in investigating the reasons why policy solutions might, or might not, be effective if transferred to other regions. This article explores some of the issues involved by examining the relationship between evidence producers and users in different institutional settings, drawing on case studies in health and social policy to illuminate the complexities of the policy process. In considering possible conditions for successful policy learning across time and space, the authors stress the critical need to take account of socioeconomic, political, cultural and disciplinary contexts.

Methodological pluralism in international comparative research

This article explores the costs and benefits of combining and integrating different research methods both within and across paradigms in international comparative research. It reviews the reasons for the supposed incompatibility between different epistemologies and associated methodologies. Drawing on examples from international projects, it examines the various ways in which methodological pluralism can be exploited to extend the scope of comparative studies. Although combined methods may not be a panacea in international comparative research, the author suggests that they can provide a fruitful approach for researchers seeking to capture more fully the complexity of the objects under study.