In order to improve job conditions, to close skill gaps and to develop better policies, more information and background is needed. In some instances, the links between P & MS trade unions can be improved. More generally, research that is being done on the situation in the different member states is often only available in the respective language and not available for comparison and strategic analysis on a European level. Also, more information is needed about the specific situation of women managers and professionals and the situation in the new member states. This projects aims at improving the situation. In addition, a strategic analysis at European level could lead to a clearer understanding of the changes brought on by the Knowledge Based Society and the role professionals and managers (and their trade unions) can and should play in it.

After a preparatory phase, EUROCADRES will hold a preparatory research meeting, with some of its members and some researchers. The researchers will provide the academic background and their contacts and networks in Europe, EUROCADRES will provide the network of its members and the trade union perspective. This meeting will take place on 27 February in Vienna.

During the research, networking and collection phase, we will be contacting researchers and institutes that a. are working with our member organisations in the various member states or b. are in the networks of our contact researchers or c. are known to have worked on research issue connected to professionals and managers. We will put together a list of the relevant people and organisations and also try to identify their research topics connected to P & MS. We will then invite those most interested in a co-operation to the meeting of the extended research group.

The second meeting will provide an overview of the research currently being done on P & MS issues, the topics that are being treated in the various countries, the current links between P & MS trade unions and research and policy-making, to identify trans-national and key issues and an action plan for the future, improved co-operations.

Expected results:

• A list of researchers / institutes dealing with topics connected to professionals and managers;
• An overview of topics that researchers / institutes are/have been working on;
• A network of researchers dealing with P & MS issues;
• A strategic discussion about the impact of the Knowledge Based Society on P & MS;
• A better connection between P & MS trade unions and researchers;
• More and improved access to research on national levels; To bring both researchers and trade unionists together;
• Identification of fields and issues which need more research

If you would like more information, you can contact gina.ebner@eurocadres.org