Informal Economies

Informal Economies

Weighing up Opportunities – the Formal and the Informal Economies in a Time of Economic Recession

Joanna Shapland, from the University of Sheffield, made a contribution to the 2012 Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, in the category “Crime and Society,” under the title “Weighing up Opportunities – the Formal and the Informal Economies in a Time of Economic Recession”. Here is the abstract: The informal economy is, by definition, labour which is not formally recognised as forming part of a country’s formal economy and GDP. It includes work which takes place without being regulated through social and fiscal mechanisms (including ‘cash in hand’ work) and work which additionally falls foul of the criminal law (such as dealing in drugs). Both formal and informal economies vary according to geographical opportunities, trade routes and cultural norms. Both provide potential opportunities for entrants to the labour market, but with differing barriers to entry, job prospects and working conditions. In today’s economic situation, with increasing unemployment and portfolio jobs being common, it is worth considering what work in the formal and informal economies provides and what opportunities are now open. Using previous research findings from across Europe, the paper will consider the differences between the formal and informal economies and the opportunities and limits they have in terms of work and careers.[rtbs name=”criminology”]

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Further Reading

  • “Weighing up Opportunities – the Formal and the Informal Economies in a Time of Economic Recession”, by Joanna Shapland (Proceedings)

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