Introduction: Studying work regulation processes beyond the formal/ informal divide

Rubbers, Benjamin

doi:10.1177/00020397241290255

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Introduction: Studying work regulation processes beyond the formal/ informal divide

Rubbers, Benjamin

2024 • In Africa Spectrum, 59 (3), p. 337 - 355

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/338397

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10.1177/00020397241290255

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Keywords :

Africa; development discourse; informal economy; regulation; work

Abstract :

[en] This introduction provides an outline of what an approach to work regulation processes beyond the formal/informal divide might look like. The first section briefly reviews the different approaches to informal economies that have been developed since the early 1970s. The second section takes a step back from this literature to draw attention to the intellectual and political weaknesses of the concept of informal economy. Building on this critique, the third section proposes avenues for studying work regulation processes beyond the formal/informal divide. To conclude, the fourth section highlights the contributions that the articles of this special issue bring to the analysis of work regulation and labour dynamics in Africa.

Disciplines :

Anthropology

Author, co-author :

Rubbers, Benjamin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences sociales > Labo d'anthropologie sociale et culturelle (LASC)

Language :

French

Title :

Introduction: Studying work regulation processes beyond the formal/ informal divide

Publication date :

December 2024

Journal title :

Africa Spectrum

ISSN :

0002-0397

eISSN :

1868-6869

Publisher :

SAGE Publications Inc.

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

337 - 355

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/00020397241290255

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since 10 December 2025

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