• Editorial
• Open Access

• Received: 2 August 2012
• Accepted: 2 August 2012
• Published: 9 October 2012

Labour market issues are high on the research and policy agendas both in developed and in developing countries. In the former, the impact of the Great Recession, socio-demographic changes, and other developments raise questions about the adequacy of current welfare policies and labor market institutions. In the latter, it is deemed necessary to increase coverage and effectiveness of social and labor market policies with the goal of reducing inequality and poverty without retarding growth. In this context, providing both original empirical works on public-policy related issues in labor economics, as well as papers that synthesize research that informs labor market policies, should be a welcome venture both for researchers and practitioners. The value of this venture will be enhanced if it incorporates a fast decision making and publication process, and free worldwide electronic access aiming at the widest possible diffusion.

The IZA Journal of Labor Policy has been conceptualized and designed to meet these ambitious and challenging goals. Our objective is to establish The IZA Journal of Labor Policy as a major reference journal for empirically-grounded research on labor market policy issues in both developed and developing countries, and one that helps connect research to policy. To this end, The IZA Journal of Labor Policy will cover all aspects of labor policy, including empirical, theoretical, and institutional approaches discussing concrete issues that are of value for policy formulation and decisions.

A central theme of the journal is the analysis of the role and effects of labor policy in influencing socio-economic outcomes. Subject areas include evaluation of labor market programs (included but not limited to active labor market programs) and educational or other interventions that affect labor market outcomes, analysis of the relationship between institutions and labor market outcomes, and all public policy aspects of labor, education, welfare and related social policies, and retirement, including effective policy implementation. Studies of labor policy issues from developing, transition, and developed economies are welcome.

Finally, although a central objective is the publication of original research on labor market policy issues, we will also emphasize publishing review papers that synthesize existing research to draw conclusions on important policy issues or to suggest new frameworks for thinking about labor policy issues. Moreover, we will also publish prominent policy-related public prominent lectures that bridge the gap between research and policy. Finally, to encourage debate and resolution of policy issues, we will welcome substantive comments and additional exchanges on the articles we publish.

Juan Francisco Jimeno

David Neumark

Editors

Núria Rodríguez-Planas

Managing Editor

Klaus F. Zimmermann

Editor-in-chief for the Journal Series