Understanding industrial relations and social dialogue in Europe requires structured information and reliable sources. A wide range of European and national institutions produce research, databases, and documentation on working conditions, collective bargaining, labour policies, and European social dialogue. Although the academic field of industrial relations first emerged in the UK (Beatrice and Sidney Webb) and then the United States in the 1920s, it took root in Europe after the Second World War. Below is an overview of several authoritative sources providing insights into the future of work.
1. Eurofound: The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
As one of the oldest EU agencies (1975), Eurofound conducts extensive research on industrial relations, working conditions, and living conditions across Europe. Eurofound offers various accessible resources, including its podcast, European Restructuring Monitor, and European Industrial Relations Dictionary (currently unavailable). The agency also monitors restructurings through its European Network Correspondents, such as IR Share in France. Eurofound also monitors regulations implemented after crises through its Policy Watch, covering topics such as the climate crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as Minimum wages across EU Member States. Its research varies from ageing workforces to social policies.
Find an example of a Eurofound publication here on the unemployment and minimum income benefits across Europe.
2. ETUI: European Trade Union Institute
The research and training center of the European Trade Union Confederation offers a range of publications from academic journals to newsletters, country factsheets, and podcasts. The institute works, among others, on topics such as democracy at work, climate change, and trade union renewal. It often organises events on current topics such as AI or future vocations. ETUI has several platforms, including databases on European Works Councils, cross-border company mobility, and Wikilabour. Worker Participation is a unique platform dedicated to the role of workers in company decision-making processes. The site provides detailed information on European Works Councils, board-level representation, worker representation and participation, such as information and consultation, collective bargaining and co-determination across all EU countries.
3. ILO: International Labour Organization
The ILO is the world’s leading authority on labour standards and social dialogue. The tripartite agency of the UN brings together member states to develop international standards and policies. Its databases and publications also cover Europe extensively, including data on collective bargaining coverage, union density, and employment trends. In addition to its publications, the ILO also organises events and partnerships.
4. OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The OECD regularly publishes comparative reports and policy briefs on social dialogue and industrial relations. Their studies cover both EU member states and the wider global scope. For instance, the OECD/AIAS database on Institutional Characteristics of Trade Unions, Wage Setting, State Intervention and Social Pacts (ICTWSS) provides comprehensive and comparable information on the evolving nature and scope of collective bargaining in OECD and EU countries (find the latest report here).The organisation also organises events and publishes news.
5. European Journal of Industrial Relations
The SAGE Publications Journal has been providing English peer-reviewed papers for 30 years. The journal publishes articles from a range of disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches. It is a valuable source for academics and policymakers alike.
6. Econstor
Managed by the Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, Econstor provides open-access research papers and publications. Many of its collections set the focus on European labour markets, collective bargaining systems, and social policies. Its open-access model makes it a practical choice for researchers, students, and professionals seeking freely available material on industrial relations.
7. IR Share
Based in France, IR Share is both a research body and a partner of Eurofound’s Network. It provides in-depth case studies and reports on industrial relations, with a special focus on France and Europe. Its document archive, IR Doc, is an extensive collection of European Works Council agreements and European labour law texts. This makes it particularly useful for HR professionals, legal experts, and researchers interested in European-level collective bargaining and transnational company agreements. The company also provides training courses and two English and French clubs for European Works Council members.
8. National sources:
In addition to EU-wide institutions, national organisations also play a central role. For example, Dares in France publishes reports on employment trends, working conditions, and industrial relations. Similar institutions in Germany, Italy, Spain, and other European countries provide detailed national-level insights that complement EU-wide data.
Dares
The Directorate for Research, Studies, and Statistics (Dares), is an administrative public service which published analyses, studies, and statistics on employment, and social dialogue in France. The Directorate notably publishes the statistical profiles of sectors and employee representatives bodies, as well as base salaries and employment trends.
Hans-Böckler Foundation
The German Trade Union Foundation focuses its research on collective bargaining, unions, and co-determination. The Foundation comprises four institutes: the Institute for Economics and Social Sciences (WSI), the Institute for Macroeconomics and Business Cycle Research (IMK), the Institute for Co-determination and Corporate Governance (IMU), and the Hugo Sinzheimer Institute for Labour and Social Law (HSI). The foundation publishes reports and policy briefs, as well as events, a newsletter, and figures, facts, and infographics.
Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini
In Italy, the Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini publishes magazines and research series on labour policy and social dialogue. The foundation also provides training and consultancy services.
Others:
Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs, Ecorys, ...
