Working and Housing Conditions among Scientists in Croatia Cover Image

Radni i stambeni uvjeti znanstvenika u Hrvatskoj
Working and Housing Conditions among Scientists in Croatia

Author(s): Anđelina Svirčić Gotovac, Nikola Petrović, Branimir Krištofić
Subject(s): School education, Rural and urban sociology
Published by: Hrvatsko sociološko društvo
Keywords: scientists; working and housing conditions; flexibilisation of work; privatisation of housing; Croatia;

Summary/Abstract: The paper analysed some of the aspects of work and housing among the scientific population in Croatia using data from a 2017 on-line survey. The survey was e-mailed to 7 269 scientists, of which 1,966 responded. The working and housing conditions were set in the contemporary context of information-based and post-socialist society while highlighting some fundamental processes and phenomena affecting them, such as the privatisation of housing and the flexibilisation of work. The consequent uncertainty of working conditions was evident, especially among younger scientists. Differences in scientists’ satisfaction with the working and housing conditions were tested by gender, employment status, institution type, work location and research area. Those employed outside of Zagreb were more content with the working conditions than those employed in Zagreb, as were men compared to women. The permanently employed were more content than fixed-term employees, had a better housing status and were more involved in the subsidised purchase of their own apartments. In contrast, fixed-term employees experienced precarious working conditions more often, possibly due to the new, increasingly market-oriented scientific policy. In conclusion, the scientific population in Croatia – according to objective housing criteria – is fundamentally characterised by the continuation and strengthening of the model of housing privatisation initiated during the transitional period, where owning an apartment is a desirable housing status. The situation regarding work is divided. Certain work satisfaction is present, but also exhaustion and uncertainty, which are felt mostly by women and the younger scientists.

  • Issue Year: 49/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 61-91
  • Page Count: 31
  • Language: Croatian