Job-LIFE : objective of research axis {life quality}
The previous editorial presented in a global way the overall objective and axes of research of the project " Future jobs for a better life ", answer of the ENTI to the call for project of the 7th Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities of the European Union FP7), in the theme “ Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities” in the topic “Creating and adapting jobs in Europe in the context of a socio-ecological transition”.
The present editorial focuses on the objectives of the axis of research called { life quality}: “Work, territories and life quality in the combination of the objectives of the sustainable development”.
This axis aims at drawing a prospective analysis of the mutations of work in a global comparative approach of European territories development.
Worldwide mutations towards a sustainable development suggest a multi dimensional and integrated life system in which work is a genuine part. Articulation between “work side”, “social side” and “countryside” designs the quality level of human life, so called wellbeing or life quality.
Nevertheless, these variations and gaps remind difficult to affirm rigorously, as social and ecologic indicators suffer from a lake of territorial definition. Work as an integrating part of life quality can’t be defined through the exclusive economic dimension; therefore, it can’t answer the pure economic objective, as this last more responding to financial and market solicitations than to a quantitative and qualitative job progress.
The main objectives of the axis { life quality} is in this context are:
- to understand and compare societal models (world regions) regarding the sustainability aspects and the territorial intelligence patterns.
- to identify European relevant and useful indicators for sustainable development
- to define fundamental method to study territorial patterns
- to understand articulation into employment, activity and well being
- to create news scenarios of jobs
- to identify the potential evolution of employment structure and overall employment levels,
The axis { life quality} organizes 3 research work packages (WP):
[life], Developing a new understanding of value: life quality and sustainability of territorial consumption and production models, shall study the evolution from tensions to combination of the economic, social, environmental (and cultural) objectives of the sustainable development.
This WP shall understand Europe in future world. It shall identify the European relevant territories and useful indicators for sustainable development and discuss the accessibility of indicators for territorial actors.
[work], Transformation in the nature and significance of work, shall analyze and discuss the gradual substitution of the notion of working towards the concept of activity that becomes "professional".
The relational and exchange dimension is at the heart of the concept of activity. It is then necessary to study the role and place of mediation and its objects in the emergence of new practices. Likewise, new fixtures and arranging process (organizing) will emerge in exchanges whether commercial or non-market.
[prospects], European occupational employment prospects towards the socio-ecological model, is interested in major changes in jobs and skills of the future and to map trends, disruptions and the weak signals associated with the socio-ecological transition from work in these directions and positions.
Prospects for more and better jobs for any people in the socio-ecological activities; patterns of employment evolutions for all categories of workers, social expectations and working conditions.
