Uncovering how cash-in-hand economies are composed of not only the underground sector (work akin to formal employment conducted for profit-motivated purposes), but also a hidden economy of favours more akin to mutual aid, this book displays the need to transcend conventional market-oriented readings of cash-in-hand work and radically rethink whether seeking its eradication through tougher regulations is always appropriate. It argues for a variegated policy approach that recognizes these two distinct forms of cash-in-hand work and which tailors policy accordingly.

Introduction PART I: EXAMINING CASH-IN-HAND WORK: THEORY AND METHODS Theorising Cash-in-Hand Work Methodologies for Measuring Cash-in-Hand Work PART II: SOCIO-SPATIAL VARIATIONS IN THE NATURE OF CASH-IN-HAND WORK Employment Status and Cash-in-Hand Work Gender and Cash-in-Hand Work Geographical Variations in Cash-in-Hand Work PART III: EVALUATING THE IMPLICATIONS OFTHE POLICY OPTIONS Deterring Cash-in-Hand Work A Laissez-Faire Approach Harnessing Cash-in-Hand Work Conclusions

COLIN C. WILLIAMS is Professor of Work Organization at the University of Leicester Management Centre. His recent books include Community Self-Help; Alternative Economic Spaces; Poverty and the Third Way and Informal Employment in the Advanced Economies.