Abstract

The author deals with several aspects of the most recent transformation of enterprises, mainly from the point of view of collective and individual labour law. The role of firm-related participation or co-determination rules and particularly of works councils (Betribsräte) is widely considered and the transformations induced by the going on process of "de-juridification" are under scrutiny. The increasing importance of "self regulation" in the frame of "corporate governance" is also taken into consideration in the context of both domestic and multinational firms. The author concludes with a warning referred to the need of "procedures enabling the employees to directly face and influence the specific issues raised by the employers' globalised approach".