WEST-GERMAN COMPANIES IN EAST-GERMANY - G UARANTEE FOR BETTER JOB DESIGN

Since the German reunification far-reaching transformations have taken place in the companies in former East Germany. Within a longitudinal study carried our in former East Germany the changes in companies owne d by East Germans are compared to those of companies owned by West Ger mans. This follows the assumption that East and West German companies differ in factors that are relevant to the on-going change processes, e.g. experience in working under the conditions of a free market, lead ership style. However, only very Few differences between East and West German companies and their employees in the development of resources, stressors, initiative, attitudes towards and expectations at work can be found. Altogether 24 variables were assessed, and differences were only found in complexity at work and problems in work organizations; they suggest a better development in West German companies.