Unionism, Economic Stabilization, and Incomes Policies: European Experience

by Robert J. Flanagan, Lloyd Ulman, David W. Soskice

This book analyzes the economic challenges facing symphony orchestras and contrasts the experience of orchestras in the United States (where there is little direct government support) and abroad (where governments typically provide large direct subsidies). Robert J. Flanagan explains the tension between artistic excellence and financial jeopardy that confronts most symphony orchestras. He analyzes three complementary strategies for addressing orchestras’ economic challenges—raising performance revenues, slowing the growth of performance expenses, and increasing nonperformance income—and demonstrates that none of the three strategies alone is likely to provide economic security for orchestras.

705 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1983

About the author

Dr. Robert J. Flanagan is an economist who specializes in labor. He is Professor of International Labor Economics and Policy Analysis, Emeritus, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Flanagan received his B.A. in Economics from Yale University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley. He has published 12 books and over 50 articles on labor economics, cultural economics, and human resource management. He has also served on the editorial boards of several professional journals.

Flanagan's research interests include the economics of performing arts organizations, global labor markets, and the impact of collective bargaining institutions on economic performance.