Search Results (101)

This article examines the relationship between human capital accumulation, household income, and shared prosperity using 2005–2018 household surveys in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Human capital is found to be positively and significantly correlated with household wellbeing in all five nations. Health’s indirect benefits in Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Kenya augment its direct benefits. Education has monotonic welfare benefits from primary to tertiary levels in all countries. Human capital and labour market participation are strongly associated with household wellbeing. The equalization of human capital endowments increases income for the 40% of the least well-off groups in three of the sample countries. All countries except Uganda record a decrease in human capital deprivation over the period studied. Redistribution is associated with a reduction in human capital deprivation, although less systematically than in the growth scenario. These results suggest that sizeable reductions in human capital deprivation are more likely to be accomplished by interventions that focus on boosting general human capital outcomes than those that redistribute the human capital formation inputs. In countries with declining human capital deprivation, the within-sector interventions seem to account for this success. Substantial heterogeneity in human capital poverty exists within and across countries and between rural and urban areas. Full article

Workforce transformation is one of the most pressing challenges in the AI-driven construction industry, as traditional skilled labour roles are rapidly evolving into more interdisciplinary, digitally enabled positions. This study aims to investigate how AI is fundamentally reshaping skill requirements within the construction sector, to analyse stakeholder perceptions and adaptive responses to workforce transformation, and to explore strategies for optimizing construction workforce development to facilitate the critical transition from traditional “skilled workers” to contemporary “smart talent.” It employs phenomenological qualitative research methodology to conduct in-depth interviews with 20 stakeholders in Chongqing, and uses NVivo 14 to conduct thematic analysis of the data. The findings indicate that AI has penetrated all areas of the construction process and is transforming jobs to more likely be digitalized, collaborative, and multi-faceted. However, significant cognitive disparities and varying adaptive capacities among different stakeholder groups have created structural imbalances within the workforce development ecosystem. Based on these key findings, a four-pillar talent development strategy is proposed, encompassing institutional support, educational reform, enterprise engagement, and group development, while stressing the necessity for systemic-orchestrated coordination to reimagine a smart talent ecosystem. This study advances theoretical understanding of digital transformation within construction labour markets, while offering real pathways and institutional contexts for developing regions that desire to pursue workforce transformation and sustainable industrial development in the AI era. Full article

Job advertisements play a key role in human resource management as they are the first contact between employers and potential employees. A well-written job advertisement communicates not only the requirements and expectations of the position but also the culture, values, and goals of the organisation. Transparent and attractive advertisements increase the number of applicants and help to select the right candidates, leading to more efficient recruitment and selection processes in the long run. From a human resource management perspective, effective job advertising can give organisations a competitive advantage. Continuous changes in the labour market and technological developments require new competencies. Digitalisation, automation, and data-driven decision-making have brought IT, analytical, and communication skills to the fore. There is a growing emphasis on soft skills such as problem solving, flexibility, and teamwork, which are essential in a fast-changing work environment. Job advertisements should reflect these expectations so that candidates are aware of the competencies and skills required for the position. The aim of the study is to carry out a cross-country comparative analysis for a few pre-selected jobs based on data extracted from the CEDEFOP database as it is assumed that there are differences between countries in the European Union in terms of the expectations of workers for the same jobs. Full article

In an increasingly competitive labour market, talent retention has become a critical challenge for organisations. In this context, the onboarding process assumes a strategic role, as it not only facilitates employee integration but also strengthens ties with peers and direct supervisors, enhances engagement levels, and consequently fosters retention within the organisation. This study involved 280 employees. A quantitative, cross-sectional approach was adopted to validate the proposed hypotheses. Data were collected from a convenience sample of employees through a questionnaire survey. The results revealed that the onboarding process had a significantly positive impact on talent retention. Furthermore, both interpersonal connections and engagement were found to mediate the relationship between the onboarding process and talent retention, confirming a sequential mediation effect. These findings reinforce that an effective onboarding process strengthens interpersonal relationships, boosts engagement, and thereby enhances talent retention. Full article

Construction costs have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic due to supply chain disruption, labour shortages, and construction material price hikes. The market is increasingly demanding innovative construction methods that can save construction costs, reduce construction time, and minimise waste and carbon emission. The prefabrication system has been used for years in industrial construction, resulting in better performance in regard to structure stability, the control of wastage, and the optimisation of construction time and cost. In addition, prefabrication has had a positive contribution on resource utilisation in the construction industry. There are various types of prefabricated wall systems. However, the majority of comparative studies have focused on comparing each prefabrication wall system against the conventional construction system, while limited research has been conducted to compare different prefabrication structures. This study examined four prominent prefabricated wall systems, i.e., precast walls, tilt-up walls, prefabricated steel-frame walls, and on-site-cut steel-frame walls, to determine which one is more suitable for the construction of industrial buildings to minimise cost, time delay, and labourer utilisation on construction sites, as well as to enhance structure durability, construction efficiency, and sustainability. One primary case project and five additional projects were included in this study. For the primary case project, data were collected and analysed; for example, a subcontractor cost comparison for supply and installation was conducted, and shop drawings, construction procedures, timelines, and site photos were collected. For the additional five projects, the overall cost data were compared. The main research finding of this study is that factory-made precast walls and tilt-up wall panels require similar construction time. However, on average, tilt-up prefabrication construction can reduce the cost by around 23.55%. It was also found that prefabricated frame walls provide cost and time savings of around 39% and 10.5%, respectively. These findings can provide architects, developers, builders, suppliers, regulators, and other stakeholders with a comprehensive insight into selecting a method of wall construction that can achieve greater efficiency, cost savings, and environmental sustainability in the construction of industrial and commercial buildings. Full article

Amid growing concern about labour market resilience in an era of digital and green transitions, this study carries out an investigation on how academic innovation and industrial transformation jointly shape sustainable employment outcomes across EU-27 member states. We frame this inquiry within the emerging concept of the “employment trilemma”, which posits inherent tension between competitiveness, innovation, and social inclusiveness in modern economies. Drawing on a dynamic panel dataset (2005–2023) and employing System SMM estimations, we test the hypothesis that the alignment of academic innovation systems and industrial transformation strategies enhances long-term employment sustainability. Our results reveal a nuanced relationship: academic innovation significantly supports employment in countries with high knowledge absorption capacity, whereas industrial transformation contributes positively only when embedded in cohesive, inclusive economic frameworks. Thus, these findings provide valuable insights for international business due to their emphasis on the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, policy synchronisation, and investment in human capital for firms navigating increasingly volatile labour markets. Likewise, the study offers actionable insights for business leaders, policymakers, and universities striving to balance innovation with equitable labour market outcomes in an integrated European economy. Full article

Following the 2008–2009 economic crisis, the issue of self-employed individuals’ access to social protection has gained increasing prominence at both supranational and national levels, often in relation to the rise of ‘bogus’ or economically dependent self-employment and its broader implications. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic further exposed persistent gaps in the social protection of the self-employed, contributing to their comparatively more precarious position vis-à-vis wage earners. Against this backdrop, and drawing on a literature review alongside findings from a series of semi-structured interviews, this article uses Greece—a country where self-employment constitutes a structural feature of a highly fragmented labour market, and which records the highest self-employment rate in the EU-27 (and among the highest in the OECD)—as a case study to examine self-employment and access to social protection. This article contributes to the growing literature on the social protection of non-standard workers in a context marked by ongoing transformations in employment relations and the world of work. It illustrates, inter alia, the relative weakness of trade union representation for the self-employed, and how limited trust in state institutions among this group shapes their perceptions of social protection, thereby undermining the system’s sustainability. Full article

Blueberry breeding requires a significant commitment of time, skilled labour, and financial resources, but it is essential to develop new cultivars that can meet challenges such as climate change, disease resistance, and changing market preferences. Intraspecific hybridisationis a widely used breeding strategy to increase genetic diversity, broaden the selection base, and develop new cultivars. By crossing different varieties and making advanced selections, breeders can introduce desirable traits such as improved fruit quality, increased yield, improved disease resistance and greater adaptability to environmental conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the heritability of some key biometric and biochemical parameters inblueberry hybrids derived from intraspecific crosses to assess their inheritance patterns. The results can guide breeders in selecting parent combinations that maximise genetic gain, ultimately supporting the advancement of commercial blueberry production. The ‘Delicia × 4/6’ hybrid combination showed excellent performance for total polyphenol content, flavonoids, tannins, and ascorbic acid, with high genetic gain and near complete heritability, making it a promising candidate for improving antioxidant activity. The ‘Azur × Northblue’ hybrid had favourable total anthocyanin and tannin content, but an unfavourable sugar and ascorbic acid profile.The ‘Simultan × Duke’ hybrid combination showed the highest genetic gain for total soluble solids and firmness, together with high positive heterosis and heterotic progress, highlighting its potential for high-quality cultivars suitable for mechanical harvesting and storage. This research provides valuable insights into the efficiency of intraspecific hybridisationin the development of new blueberry cultivars with improved agronomic and nutritional qualities. Full article

The ability to efficiently store raw emulsion and market it as a ready-to-cook convenience meat product would be extremely advantageous to society and the global meat business. With this innovation, consumers may easily make a range of fresh emulsion-based meat products, saving time and labour. The current study was thus designed with the goal of improving the quality and storage stability of meat emulsions by using chitosan-based thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil nanoparticles as natural preservatives. The treatments included the following: T0—control; T1—emulsion added with chitosan nanoparticles @ 500 ppm; T2—emulsion added with thyme essential oil nanoparticles @ 500 ppm; T3—emulsion added with oregano essential oil nanoparticles @ 500 ppm; and T4—positive control added with synthetic additive butylated hydroxytoluene @ 200 ppm. TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) values revealed that T2 and T3 exhibited greater oxidative stability throughout storage. Protein carbonyl levels increased at a slower rate during storage in nano-treated essential oil groups. DPPH (2, 2 diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Anti-Oxidant Power) values decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during storage, with T3 having the strongest anti-oxidant activity. T2 and T3 had consistently greater texture values than the other groups. T2 and T3 demonstrated lower values for microbiological parameters, particularly on day 7 and 15. The storage stability period of emulsion was 3 days for T0 and T4, while as it was 6 days for T1 and 9 days for T2 and T3. T2 and T3 showed higher sensory scores, affirming their superior sensory appeal to other treatments. In conclusion, the essential oil nanoparticle treatments resulted in better quality and storage stability of meat emulsions during aerobic refrigerated storage. Full article

The dynamic impact of financial market capitalisation on South Africa’s unemployment and economic growth is empirically explored in this study using the finance-augmented Solow model framework. South Africa’s high rate of structural unemployment and its robust financial market, which is at the same standard as those in countries with advanced economies, served as the driving force for the study. Evidence for the dynamic link is presented by a time series analysis that employed the VECM model. South Africa continues to face persistent macroeconomic issues, including stagnant economic growth, declining investment, and rising unemployment. Market capitalisation, net acquisition of financial assets, and foreign direct investment all have a favourable and substantial effect on economic growth. According to VECM estimation results, unemployment has a detrimental effect on economic growth. Also, market capitalisation has significant positive effects on economic growth. Unemployment and economic growth are inversely related, thus unemployment has an adverse effect on economic growth. According to the findings, financial markets have distinct effects on economic growth because of their various functions within the economy. It was also shown that foreign direct investment has a crucial role in increasing economic growth. This implies the important role that the financial market and systems have in South Africa’s economic growth. The article advises authorities to keep enacting measures to boost capital market growth to increase employment, while also making sure that other structural issues affecting the labour market are effectively addressed to stimulate job creation. Full article

This study analysed the determining factors of the concentration of “superstar firms” in specific economies, with a focus on the interaction between technological innovation, economic development, and market structures. Using global data from Statista on superstar firms for the year 2022, statistical methods such as correlation analysis, an ANOVA, and cluster analysis were applied to identify patterns and relationships between variables like the GDP, market capitalization, and the development of artificial intelligence (AI). The analysis in this paper revealed significant positive correlations between the number of superstar firms and key economic indicators such as the GDP and market capitalization, suggesting that these firms drive economic growth and technological advancement. The cluster analysis identified groupings of countries based on their technological capabilities and economic performance, highlighting that a great number of these firms are concentrated in advanced economies. This work emphasizes the importance of technological infrastructure, innovation policies, and regulatory frameworks in promoting competitive environments for superstar firms. Additionally, it addresses the socioeconomic implications, including challenges related to wealth concentration, inequality, and the transformation of the labour market. Public policies are recommended to foster inclusive innovation, STEM education, and international governance to balance global competitiveness with equitable economic growth. Full article

The study focuses on the challenges that the gig-economy brings to the labour market. Digitalisation is transforming the nature of labour relations, and the ratio of the employed to the self-employed is changing. By expanding the scope of digital technology and the use of digital platforms, changes are affecting all areas, including the tourism industry. The article assesses the relationship between tourism development, digitalisation, and self-employment indicators. The study covers 112 countries for 2021. The paper uses the Travel & Tourism Development Index, Network Readiness Index and the World Bank’s self-employment indicator. The analysis showed that the features of the relationship between tourism development, digitalisation and self-employment vary across the three groups of countries identified as a result of cluster analysis. The study found that there is a positive relationship between the level of tourism sector development and the level of the country’s digitalisation. The relationship between the level of self-employment and tourism development is variable across groups. The relationship between self-employment and digitalisation was confirmed only for the sample as a whole. Full article

This paper analyses the socio-economic disadvantages of women from different ethnic minority heritages in the UK. Using data from the Labour Force Survey (2014–2023), which contains detailed information on parental class and respondents’ socio-economic conditions, we examine four domains of life chances which are crucial for ethnic integration: educational attainment at the degree level, risks of unemployment, access to professional-managerial (salariat) position and earning power. We proceeded with the gross differences and then examined the differences by ethno-gender status and parental class combinations, controlling for many confounding factors. We also examined the net ethno-gender differences over the life course and the trends of social fluidity over the period covered and across the ethno-gender groups. We found that women from all ethnic origins were doing well in education but faced multiple disadvantages in the labour market, especially in access to the salariat and in earning power. Women of Pakistani/Bangladeshi heritages faced pronounced unemployment risks, especially at the earlier life stages. There is a significant increase in fluidity over the period covered, but this is marked by considerable ethnic and class differences, with Black Caribbean, Black African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women from more advantaged class origins being unable to secure advantaged class positions and those from working-class families unable to make long-range upward mobility as effectively as White men. Overall, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Black African and Black Caribbean women are found to be considerably disadvantaged, but there are also signs of social progress. Full article

Moving a relationship of widespread conflicts and distrust into a virtuous circle of trust and cooperation is challenging, yet the case examined in this article shows that it is possible. A problematic start can indeed lead to a positive outcome. In the early twentieth century, Norway experienced the highest levels of labour conflict in Europe. Class conflicts were intense and often violent, with deep mistrust between the parties in the labour market. This situation changed markedly when the Norwegian Employers’ Confederation and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions signed the Basic Agreement in 1935. This agreement not only led to a lasting decline in labour conflicts, but it also marked a crucial early step towards a system of close collaboration between labour and capital in Norway. By focusing on the intimate relationship between beliefs, trust, and cooperation, this article explores how the labour market parties transitioned from widespread conflict and open struggle to a system of peaceful negotiations and compromises. Changes in beliefs enabled the parties to coordinate on a new cooperative equilibrium, an equilibrium that continues to characterise Norway’s labour market today. Full article

This article verifies how regular migrants are inserted into the labour markets of receiving countries. The analysis will be made with reference to the position of neo-classical economists relating to the insertion of immigrants in the labour markets of host countries. Reference will also be made to existing data on the dynamics of the integration of authorized migrants in the labour force of OECD and EU countries. Full article