1. Europeans on the intercultural labour market Second Meeting Kristianstad 14 – 18 July 2014 Tord Hansson

2. Europeans on the intercultural labour market Introduction Sweden Tord Hansson

3. 1. Citizens´rights in Europe The rights of citizens to practice economic activities in another Member State is a fundamental right enshrined in the Treaty. However, within the limits of the Internal Market rules, each Member State is free to make access to a particular profession legally conditional upon the possession of a specific professional qualification which is traditionally the professional qualification issued on its national territory. This is an obstacle to the free movement of professionals in the European Union in so far as those qualified to practice the same profession in another Member State hold a different professional qualification, i.e. the qualification acquired in their own Member State. Tord Hansson

4. Global growth A more positive picture in the business environment Global growth has been weak for two consecutive years. Despite this, there were clear im- provements in 2013 and prospects for the global economy have become somewhat brighter compared with the spring of 2013. Tord Hansson

5. Growth in Swedish economy Growth in the Swedish economy was weak in the first three quarters of 2013. However, the forward-looking indicators have grown increasingly stronger. This means there are considerable expectations among entrepreneurs and households that better times are at hand. Tord Hansson

6. Optimism Arbetsförmedlingen’s survey of more than 11 000 workplaces shows that employers are optimistic at the prospect of the coming year. They are counting on a successive strengthening of demand for goods and services and they are planning to clearly increase the numbers of employees in the two years ahead. Tord Hansson

7. Recruitment Recruitment problems are estimated to increase in 2014 and 2015. However, there are many indications suggesting that the majority of recruitments will be managed in a smooth way in 2014 and that the shortages will not be alarmingly high. During 2015, certain industries and more and more regions may experience a limited access to qualified labour. Tord Hansson

8. Private sector The private service sector continues to be the engine of employment. Increased private consumption benefits for example trade, hotels and restaurants and also personal services. The recovery in industry will have favourable effects on business services and transport. Tord Hansson

9. EURES The EURES Network EURES, the EURopean Employment Services, is an international network primarily made up of the Public Employment Services in all EU member states as well as those in Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland. EURES’ mission is to provide information, advice and recruitment services to workers and employers looking for work or workers in our network countries. Tord Hansson

10. Strategic Networks The collaboration in strategic networks, which in reality is a relatively small part of a company’s operations, could have a significant strategic importance for example on the production process, marketing and external relations. Tord Hansson

11. Strategic Networks For the strategic network, the results indicate that an enthusiastic, committed leader of the collaboration seems to diminish the importance of a well- structured organization, that is to say that a leader with drive is more important than a formal organization. Tord Hansson

12. Strategic Networks The thesis also stresses the importance of a socialization process in strategic networks in order for them to be successful, in the sense that the participants should get to know each other and their respective companies. Finally, the company representatives’ commitment to the collaboration and their attitude to it tend to overshadow the importance of other factors. Tord Hansson

13. Europeans on the Swedish labour market Tord Hansson

14. Small businesses and globalization Small businesses have untapped potential to participate in globalization (trade, investments, etc.) Smaller companies are dealing in nearby countries and countries with higher income The negative impact on distance decreases with firm size Smaller companies go from being big business subcontractors to commercialize excellence Tord Hansson

15. Europeans on the intercultural labour market Thank you for your attention Tord Hansson