Research
Although I am an econometrician by training, I have developed into a broad social scientist who likes to cross disciplinary boundaries. In order to really understand work and income, it is essential to combine economic, sociological, psychological and legal perspectives.
Although much of my research is quantitative in nature, I like to combine this with qualitative research methods. Quantitative methods are suitable for establishing general relationships between phenomena, but usually do not provide insight into underlying (causal) mechanisms. Qualitative research can shed more light on this.
I have a preference for critically examining frequently heard assumptions and statements and testing them empirically. All too often, these turn out not to be based on facts, but are misconceptions or even myths (see also his book ‘The Myth of the Labour Market’).
For the research results, see also Publications.
A selection of current and completed research projects
The decline of collective bargaining coverage in the Netherlands
For the Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement, I conducted a study together with Rein de Sauvage Nolting into the decline of collective bargaining coverage in the Netherlands (2023-2024). For a long time, approximately 80% of Dutch employees were covered by a collective bargaining agreement, but this has now dropped to 72%. The study investigated the underlying causes and made suggestions on how collective bargaining coverage can increase again.
The situation of self-employed during the Covid-pandemic
With a research team from AIAS-HSI, we investigated how self-employed people in Amsterdam fared during the Covid-19 crisis. To this end, quantitative analyses were performed on CBS microdata, data from the municipality of Amsterdam on the use of the income support measure for self-employed were inventoried and interviews were held with a number of self-employed people. This research was made possible by the Knowledge Center Inequality (Kenniscentrum Ongelijkheid).
The labour market chances of handicapped persons
Together with Roos van der Zwan and Mies Westerveld I investigated how the labour market position of handicapped persons can be improved (2018-2021). To this end, analyses were carried out on microdata for a large number of European countries, the legal aspects were mapped out and a comparative study was made of two countries in which relatively many people with disabilities work: Finland and Italy. The research was carried out with a grant from Instituut Gak.
The interplay between collective bargaining and the minimum wage
Together with Wike Been and Wiemer Salverda I conducted the Dutch part of an international comparative study for the Hans Böckler Stiftung (Germany) on the interplay between the statutory minimum wage and collective bargaining (2015-2017). This included research into how the lowest wage scales in collective bargaining agreements have developed in relation to the minimum wage. Interviews with collective bargaining negotiators were used to investigate the role of the minimum wage in collective bargaining.
Solidarity
From 2005 to 2017, I conducted a number of studies on solidarity together with Ferry Koster and several other researchers. The central question was whether solidarity is eroding under the influence of trends such as individualization, globalization and growing (ethnic) diversity. The research was conducted with a grant from Instituut Gak.
The value of work
Supported by the Goldschmeding Foundation, I have been conducting a series of studies on the value of work together with Wieteke Conen since 2016. Our research is based on the biennial Value of Work Monitor, a representative survey among the Dutch population. This survey will be conducted for the fourth time in the spring of 2025. Partial results have been published in a series of publications under the name Kort & Bondig, and in addition, an overarching research report and a more accessible public version are published every two years. For much more information, see the project website www.waardevanwerk.eu.
