Work and Organizations in Israel - Schnitzer Studies in Israel Society Series 1st edition

Publisher Marketing: Since the State of Israel was established, its labor force has grown rapidly and has become increasingly diverse in terms of its demographic, cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic characteristics. Israeli work values have shifted towards greater individualism, materialism, careerism, and preference for white-collar and knowledge-based occupations is evident. A major structural change is underway, as indicated by the decline of agriculture as a component in the Israeli economy and the growth of the industrial sector--mostly towards high technology and innovative enterprises. This volume sheds light on trends and developments that have been taking place in the realm of work in Israel in recent years. It contains a unique selection of articles presenting empirical evidence of the major features and important changes characterizing work organizations and the regime of work in Israeli society: labor relations, work values, power and management in organizations, work in the Kibbutz, inter-organizational relations, women and work, migrants and minorities in the Israeli labor force. Studies show that another two major trends characterize the contemporary economy and the labor market: the trend toward privatization and globalization, the results of which are a continuous decrease of job security and an increasing level of unemployed Israeli men and women that are replaced by the low-cost labor of foreign workers emigrating from third world countries. This timely volume is valuable for its contribution to illuminating the recent changes taking place in the realm of work in Israel, and will be of interest to sociologists, social scientists, and students of Judaica.

Contributor Bio:  Samuel, Yitzhak Yitzhak Samuel is professor emeritus in the department of sociology and anthropology and the director of the graduate program in organizational development at the University of Haifa. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including The Political Agenda of Organizations (Transaction, 2005), Work and Organizations in Israel, and The Political Game: Power and Influence in Organizations. Contributor Bio:  Harpaz, Itzhak Itzhak Harpaz is a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and the Graduate School of Business; he also serves as director of the Center for the Study of Organizations & Human Resource Management at the University of Haifa. His numerous scientific publications include "The Meaning of Work in Israel: Its Nature and Consequences", and "The Meaning of Working". Contributor Bio:  Picciotto, Robert Robert Picciotto is a visiting professor at King's College, London and formerly served as vice president and director general of evaluation at the World Bank. He has over forty years of development experience in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.