This book investigates the structural drivers and socio-economic consequences of part-time employment across diverse international labor markets. Authors Colette Fagan and Jacqueline O'Reilly utilize comparative institutional analysis to examine how national policy frameworks, gender norms, and corporate strategies influence the prevalence and quality of part-time work. By synthesizing cross-national data, the text argues that part-time employment is not a monolithic phenomenon but a reflection of specific regulatory environments and welfare state models.

Experts in labor economics identify this work as a rigorous comparative study essential for understanding modern workforce flexibility. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a comprehensive foundation for policy researchers and sociologists.