Part-time management in Europe. The current situation and recommendations for the implementation

Bachelor Thesis , 2014 , 48 Pages , Grade: 2,0

Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous

For decades it has been known now what the future demographic development will be like and what radical impact it will leave on the employment structure of companies. Nevertheless, no proper responses have been made by companies to motivate, on the one hand, the Generation Y employees and, on the other hand, women to take over more responsibility and occupy a management position. One of the most important job specifications for the Generation Y and women, however, is the so called work-life balance, so employers must use work-life balance issues as incentives in recruiting.

As a consequence, this thesis correlates both topics and investigates the applicability of the concept of part-time work on the management level. In so doing, the specific focus on managers was chosen due to the fact that companies have a great interest in forming a lasting bond with this kind of highly qualified specialists and, therefore, are required to take better account of their needs regarding the working time management. Furthermore, reductions in working time at management level can help the labour market to reduce the gender segregation by attracting more women to top positions.

The crux of the thesis will therefore be to investigate the practicability of part-time management and to solve the following question: How does the current situation of part-time managers in Europe look like and what should companies do for a successful implementation?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Definition and explanation of key terms
  • 2.1 Management
  • 2.2 Part-time employment
  • 2.3 Chapter summary
• 3. Current situation in Europe
  • 3.1 Germany
  • 3.2 The Netherlands
  • 3.3 Switzerland
  • 3.4 Rise of Generation Y
  • 3.5 Demand and satisfaction of managerial part-time work
  • 3.6 Chapter summary
• 4. Implementation
  • 4.1 Reasons for exploiting part-time employment
  • 4.2 Best practice example: The German insurance company HUK-Coburg
  • 4.3 Models of part-time work
    • 4.3.1 Job sharing
    • 4.3.2 Cadre model
    • 4.3.3 Reduced working days
  • 4.4 Obstacles of part-time work and corresponding solutions
  • 4.5 Success factors and recommendations
  • 4.6 Chapter summary
• 5. Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis investigates the applicability of the concept of part-time work on the management level. The paper aims to examine the current situation of part-time managers in Europe and derive recommendations for companies to successfully implement a part-time alternative for their management employees. The thesis considers the challenges of the current economic situation, the decline of female managers, and the specific demands of the Generation Y workforce.

• The impact of part-time work on management level
• The current situation of part-time managers in Europe
• The challenges and opportunities of implementing part-time management
• The role of Generation Y in shaping the future of part-time work
• The need for companies to adapt to the changing workforce and create a more inclusive environment

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter introduces the topic of part-time management and its relevance in the context of changing demographics and the rise of Generation Y. It highlights the importance of work-life balance and the potential benefits of part-time work for both employees and companies.
• Chapter 2: Definition and explanation of key terms This chapter defines the key terms used in the thesis, including management, part-time employment, and work-life balance. It provides a theoretical foundation for the subsequent analysis.
• Chapter 3: Current situation in Europe This chapter examines the current situation of part-time management in Europe, focusing on Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It analyzes the trends in part-time employment, the challenges faced by part-time managers, and the factors driving the demand for flexible work arrangements.
• Chapter 4: Implementation This chapter discusses the practical aspects of implementing part-time management. It examines the reasons for exploiting part-time employment, presents best practice examples, explores different models of part-time work, and identifies obstacles and solutions for successful implementation. It also outlines success factors and recommendations for companies aiming to adopt part-time management.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis focuses on the intersection of part-time work, management, and the changing workforce. It explores key concepts such as work-life balance, Generation Y, flexible work arrangements, gender equality, and the challenges and opportunities of implementing part-time management in European companies.

• College: Cologne Business School Köln
• Grade: 2,0
• Author: Jan-Philipp Krämer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2014
• Pages: 48
• Catalog Number: V310576
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668095274
• ISBN (Book): 9783668095281
• Language: English
• Tags: Teilzeit, Teilzeitführung, Management, Part-time, part time;, parttime, führen in teilzeit, part-time management