Key words: labour relations, HRM, social theory, neoliberalism, participation, legitimation, precariat

The aim of this paper is to sketch a social-theoretical framework that can be applied to empirical research on labour market participation, its requirements and legitimation. All projects of the Amsterdam HRM-group deal with problems of the labour market, especially the required competences of the polarized (partly precarious, partly privileged) workforce and changing labour relations. Participation asks, among other things, for a narrative of legitimation which puts individual competences and projects in a broader, meaningful context.

The research question is: Which theoretical concepts are necessary to discuss participation in and legitimation of changing labour relations, including the role of HRM? The following concepts will be discussed in their mutual coherence: (1) transitional labour market, (2) precariat as a substitute concept for social class, (3) human capital, differentiated in personal, cultural social, and economic capital as sources of competences, (4) new labour relations – shaped by portfolios of projects of the workforce - in the projective city; (5) economic and societal participation; (6) new labour relations: their flexibility (entrepreneurial individuals), liquidity, contingency, and reflexivity; (7) legitimation: the neoliberal spirit of capitalism; (8) life politics: optional and fragmented versus standard biographies.