Working in large food retailers in France and the USA: The key role of institutions

Despite numerous similarities between the food retail sectors of France and the USA, there are significant contrasts in the jobs, and in particular the modal job, cashier. Notably, there are differences in pay, productivity and physical working position. Using the concept of 'national-sectoral...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inWork, employment and society Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 588 - 605
Main Authors Askenazy, Philippe, Berry, Jean-Baptiste, Carré, Françoise, Prunier-Poulmaire, Sophie, Tilly, Chris
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published SAGE Publications (UK and US) 2012
Subjects
Economics and Finance
Humanities and Social Sciences
Job quality
Retail
Cashiers
Sector
Societal effect
Labour market
Entry level jobs
Labour process
Wages
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Despite numerous similarities between the food retail sectors of France and the USA, there are significant contrasts in the jobs, and in particular the modal job, cashier. Notably, there are differences in pay, productivity and physical working position. Using the concept of 'national-sectoral models' of employment practices, this research draws on in-depth, interview-based case studies of food retailers in France and the USA, as well as standard data sources, to probe the reasons for these differences. Cross-national differences in wage-setting institutions, along with other institutional differences linked to family roles and disparate shopping cultures in the two countries, are key causes. These differences play out in interaction with distinct labour supply patterns, themselves based in part on differing institutions regarding reproduction of the labour force.
ISSN:0950-0170
DOI:10.1177/0950017012445105