Decent Work Research Articles

Effect of Decent Work on Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment

Effect of Decent Work on Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment

The effect of education level and unemployment rate on poverty in Deli Serdang regency

Poverty is a complex problem that is multidimensional and affects many people around the world, including Indonesia. In Indonesia, poverty is still high, especially in underdeveloped rural and urban areas. Low education levels and high unemployment exacerbate poverty conditions as they affect access to decent work and adequate income. In Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, despite having abundant natural resources, the poverty rate is still high. Expected solutions include improved access and quality of education, increased job opportunities, entrepreneurship promotion, access to better health and social services, and effective redistribution policies. This study aims to determine the influence of education, unemployment, HDI, and income on poverty in Deli Serdang Regency and to determine the influence of wages, consumption, and poverty on income simultaneously on income in Deli Serdang Regency. The approach used in this study is a quantitative approach sourced from secondary data in a time series, namely from 2013 to 2023. The data analysis model in this study uses a simultaneous equation model. The results of the simultaneity test showed that education had a positive and significant effect on poverty, while unemployment, HDI and income had a negative and insignificant effect on poverty. And poverty has a positive and significant effect on income, while consumption and wages have a negative and insignificant effect on income.

Mapping of FinTech Ecosystem to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Saudi Arabia’s Landscape

Financial technology (FinTech) has become an indispensable part of most of the business infrastructure around the world. The FinTech ecosystem provides this solution by providing a suitable environment for all financial techno services to synergize. This paper explores the relationship between FinTech programs in Saudi Arabia and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights how these financial technology initiatives contribute to various SDGs by providing innovative solutions that enhance financial inclusion, improve access to essential services, and foster economic growth. Specifically, the study identifies connections between FinTech programs and SDG goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through these linkages, this paper demonstrates the role of FinTech in promoting sustainable development and supporting national and global efforts to achieve these crucial objectives. Secondary data were collected from published reports, institutional and governmental websites, official portals, and research papers focusing on the companies operating in Saudi Arabia. It was found that FinTech in Saudi Arabia is addressing SDGs goals 1, 2, 5, 8 and 17. This paper further endeavors to map specific SDG indicators to the products and services provided by FinTech companies in Saudi Arabia. By doing so, it seeks to identify the areas where these technological solutions directly support the achievement of sustainable development targets. This comprehensive analysis is intended to be a valuable resource for institutions and policymakers in the FinTech industry. It provides insights into how these companies can align their offerings more closely with the SDG framework, thereby addressing any existing gaps. The findings aim to aid in the global agenda of eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development opportunities by leveraging FinTech innovations.

How Big Tobacco exploits the UN SDGs to advance its own goals

Abstract Globally, the tobacco industry poses a major barrier to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals through its influence on SDG 3 (health and well-being), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 13 (climate action), and 17 (partnerships for the goals). Soon after the launch of the SDGs report, Big Tobacco immediately used it to promote its own agenda for development in LMICs such as Lebanon. Using the commercial determinants of health model, this presentation will highlight global and local tobacco monopoly practices, specifically the Lebanese Regie, as a commercial actor and their practices linked to the SDGs to illustrate how the tobacco industry compromises SDG advancement. The presentation will also address some of the system level attributes that serve to perpetuate such practices in Lebanon, allowing for tobacco industry free reign in the country. The presentation will end with suggestions on how LMICs, such as Lebanon, can address the growing industry influence on advances in SDGs and discuss potential measures to curb harmful commercial actor practices.

7.C. Scientific session: Commercial determinants of health: impeding attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract The commercial determinants of health (CDOH) and the adverse impacts they have on health equity globally, have recently emerged as an innovative growing field of research in public health. The corporate playbook comprises a myriad of strategies and tactics that aim to enhance profitability for the commercial actors, while harming health and posing grave risks to planetary health for current and future generations. The literature however, rarely explicitly makes the connection between commercial determinants and the impact they have on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nations in 2015. This workshop aims to use the commercial determinants of health framework as a new approach to draw attention to, and make linkages between, commercial determinants and the challenges they pose to the attainment of several if not all the global SDGs. The four presentations showcase exemplars of the commercial determinants to include the firearms industry, fossil fuel industry, food industry and the tobacco industry focusing on impacts in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The workshop will start with a brief overview of the CDOH framework, their corporate playbook, and the progress in SDG attainment globally while presenting the first case on the firearms industry trade impacting armed conflicts that impede SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing), 10 (reduced inequalities), and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). The second presentation will discuss how the fossil fuel industry uses greenwashing tactics to conceal its harmful activities thereby compromising SDGs 7 (affordable and clean energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 13 (climate action). The third presentation will address how the tobacco industry impedes the advancement of SDG 3, 8 (decent work and economic growth), 13 (climate action) and 17 (partnerships for the goals) perpetuated by national system level attributes. The last presentation will showcase how the food industry challenges SDG 3 in its production of ultra-processed foods. The workshop will draw on evidence from LMICs, but is also eye opening for high-income countries of Europe which face industry interference in social and health policymaking progress in SGD attainment. The audience will be engaged in a short warm-up exercise at the start of the workshop through an app for real-time feedback accessed through a QR code on the screen, and will interact with the presenters at the end of the workshop if time permits. Key messages • All commercial actors pose a direct or indirect threat to progress in attaining the SDGs. • The commercial determinants of health pose are in direct contradiction to the SDG 17 through their corporate playbook.

Sustainability in the Next Generation Hospital. Needs and Requirements collection from healthcare infrastructures supply chain stakeholders with One Health approach

Abstract Technological, demographic, epidemiological, environmental and social changes require investment in new sustainable hospital infrastructure; there is a lack of guidelines and interaction between Stakeholders. In February 2022, the Joint Research Platform Healthcare Infrastructures (JRP HI) was established consisting of Hospital Strategic Directions and Industrial Partners in Italy. Starting from the WHO Techincal Brief “Hospitals of the Future”, a national survey was carried out via web-survey and semi-structured interviews with a sample of 30 stakeholders to collect the main drivers and constraints for innovation and the framework from a One Health perspective and in terms of sustainability. The main needs to be addressed through the guidelines refer to digitalization (27%), flexibility (32%), environmental sustainability (36%) and economic sustainability (27%) as well as flow management (18%) and hospital infection (14%). The participants consider SDG-3 ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’ to be the most relevant for development activities. Hospital managers prioritize SDG-8 ‘Decent Work and Economic Growth’ (23%); vice-versa the industrial partners suggest SDG-11 ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’ and SDG- 13 ‘Climate Actions’ (32%) as topics to be addressed. Furthermore, 57% of the respondents state that they lack adequate training, budget or leadership to apply innovative strategies in the day-to-day management of the healthcare organization. The survey highlighted a lack of initiatives, budget, and standardization for enhancing environmental sustainability in healthcare infrastructures. The sustainability of building systems depends on factors such as energy consumption, alternative energy sources, thermal comfort, water usage, waste management, ventilation, lighting efficiency, air quality, and construction materials. Ensuring the adoption of monitoring systems and harmonized standards of performance measurement is crucial for increasing the environmental sustainability.

Gig Economy: Is It a Trap or Stepping Stone for the Informal Sector?

The informal sector and technology have complex interactions, shaping economic activity, job trends, and social outcomes, especially with the rise of the “gig economy”, in which individuals work on an as-needed basis through online platforms. This article explores several theoretical frameworks, such as modernization theory, dependence theory, structuralist approaches, and post-structuralist viewpoints, and investigates how different frameworks explain the effects of technology on informal economic activity. This article also reviews for comprehending the correlation between the informal sector and technology. Besides that, this article explores the dual nature of the gig economy, examining whether it serves as a trap that perpetuates the vulnerabilities of the informal sector or as a stepping stone toward more excellent economic stability and mobility. Although the gig economy provides opportunities for income generation, skill development, and flexible working conditions, it also presents substantial challenges, such as job insecurity, a lack of benefits, and potential exploitation. This paper also addresses the implications for policy and future research directions by the sustainable development goal (SDG) of fostering sustainable, inclusive, and long-term economic growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for all.

The Challenge of New Forms of Work, Innovative Technologies, and Aging on Decent Work: Opportunities for Occupational Safety and Health.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) can be relevant in achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal of decent work by 2030. However, further OSH actions are needed. This paper identifies the role of OSH in addressing two of many determinants of decent work: new forms of work/innovative technologies and worker aging. The authors conducted a discursive analysis of the two determinants and provided examples for consideration. New forms of work/innovative technologies can not only promote but also undermine the future of decent work, and unhealthy aging impedes longer working lives. With a focus on the OSH aspects of new forms of work/innovative technologies and aging, decent work is more likely to be achieved.

Decent work deficit in India: Deterioration and determinants

Abstract India is being projected internationally as a country of good growth and good governance, which in turn, it is asserted, should lead to prosperity for its people, especially in terms of proper employment, income, and overall standard of living. Drawing on certain dimensions of decent work proposed by International Labour Organization to measure the quality of employment in India, this article explores how far the notions of good/high growth and good governance discourse are corroborated by the evidence of good quality employment in India. The study is based on the nationally representative unit/individual-level data published by the Government of India during the three periods 2009–10, 2018–19, and 2022–23. The main findings of analysis are: (a) the overall quality of employment in India is poor and stagnant or deteriorating, and (b) the macro-level (sub-national state-level) aspects, such as the overall volume of economic activities, the extent of quality governance, the flexibility of business regulatory environment and better labour law-related compliance, have had a significant negative influence on the quality of employment. Thus, this paper suggests that the very policy environment and the pattern of economic growth have put a drag on the quality of employment in India. Given this, we suggest a variety of countervailing policy options and emphasise the role of civil society and politics.

Psychological and Cultural Preparation of University Students to Face the Challenges of Globalization in Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Field Study

Objectives: This study evaluates the cultural and psychological preparation of university students to confront globalization's challenges by assessing the current state of such preparation from both faculty members’ and students’ perspectives. Background: University education is crucial for fostering higher-order thinking, talent development, and abilities that equip students to navigate the negative impacts of globalization. However, the extent of students' cultural and psychological readiness to face these challenges remains unclear. The study is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), focusing on building competencies for global engagement. Method: A survey method was employed to collect data from faculty members and students, examining psychological and cultural preparation, including self-esteem, socialization, and intercultural competence. Gender and academic discipline differences were also explored. Results and Discussion: The findings revealed generally low levels of both psychological and cultural preparation, with no significant differences between faculty and student views. Male students scored higher in psychological dimensions like self-esteem and socialization, while female students performed better in cultural preparation. Additionally, students from scientific disciplines exhibited higher levels of psychological and cultural readiness than those from other fields. Research Implications: The study emphasizes the need for targeted initiatives to enhance students' psychological and cultural preparedness, especially in non-scientific disciplines, to effectively confront globalization's challenges. Originality/Value: By identifying specific gaps in psychological and cultural readiness, this study provides practical recommendations for improving university education to better prepare students for global challenges.

Decent Work Practices Incorporated in the Collective Bargaining Agreements of Unionized Firms

We investigated the decent work practices related to employment at work, rights at work, social protection, and social dialogue incorporated in the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) of unionized firms. We analyzed qualitatively the various provisions of each of the 20 CBAs of unionized firms from diverse industries in the Philippines that come from manufacturing, hotels, resorts, health, education, telecommunication, and public utilities. Findings revealed that the CBAs' provisions articulate many significant provisions on decent work practices. Specifically, the employment-at-work provisions revealed 14 main themes related to benefits, employee classification, wages, work hours, and opportunities for advancement. Eight key themes were identified on rights at work provisions: employee development, protection against discrimination, safeguards against company closure, sale, lease, transfer, or merger, protection against lay-offs and retrenchment, shared social responsibility, and the ban on labor contracting. On social protection provisions, twelve main themes emerged: maternity benefits, other social security benefits, job security, extended financial assistance and loan benefits, and medical/health care incentive programs. On social dialogue provisions, 11 main themes evolved about union-management communication, acknowledging the current labor union as the sole bargaining representative, the institution of grievance machinery, the union's right to information and consultation, as well as the presence of the Labor-Management Committee. The overall results underscored the important role of the union through its collective bargaining power in ensuring that decent work thrives in the workplace. We recommend implementing the “one union one industry policy” as stipulated in the Labor Code; strengthening the conceptual, technical, and behavioral skills of the union leaders; treating unions as social partners; and undertaking research studies that can benefit both the union and management during their CBA negotiations. These efforts can open more opportunities for unions and those workers covered by CBAs to actualize the ILO conventions of guaranteeing decent work that will transform people and organizations toward a sustainable mindset that includes justice, peace, and equality for the common good of the future generation of working people.

Study of the Association Between Socioeconomic Determinants and Pregnancy Follow-Up Indicators of Mothers of Low-Birth-Weight Infants: Insights for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Aims: This study investigates the association between socioeconomic determinants and pregnancy follow-up among 200 mothers of low-birth-weight newborns. By identifying factors influencing maternal care and birth outcomes, the study contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, 8, and 10, focusing on improving maternal and child health, reducing socioeconomic disparities, and ensuring equitable healthcare access. Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted over 12 months (June 2020–July 2021) at the neonatology and nutrition reference center of Rabat Children's Hospital. The study recruited 206 mother-child pairs, focusing on those with low-birth-weight infants. Results: Among the 200 mothers, 92% followed their pregnancies. Distribution of prenatal consultations was as follows: 0.54% had one visit, 5.98% two visits, 33.7% three, 41.85% four, and 17.93% more than four. Analysis revealed significant associations between pregnancy follow-up and socioeconomic factors. Maternal age (p < 0.001), education level (p < 0.001), and place of residence significantly influenced pregnancy monitoring, with urban mothers more likely to receive follow-up care. Single mothers had a 100% non-tracking rate, while married mothers predominantly monitored their pregnancies. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the strong influence of sociodemographic factors on antenatal care use, aligning with findings from other contexts. It contributes new insights into the specific characteristics of our study population and has practical implications for shaping maternal and child health policies, addressing the unique needs of diverse sub-populations. Achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) requires targeted interventions that improve equitable access to quality maternal care.

The role of apprenticeship in skills development of construction artisans to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8: stakeholders’ unexplored approach

PurposeStudies show that apprenticeships can enhance skills development and economic growth. There is a paucity of academic literature concerning apprenticeship’s role in developing Nigerian construction artisans’ skills, especially regarding achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Thus, this study aims to appraise the role of apprenticeship in developing construction artisans’ skills and suggest measures to improve skills development for artisans’ on-the-job training mechanisms to achieve Goal 8.Design/methodology/approachGiven the unexplored nature of the problem, the study utilised face-to-face data collection via a qualitative research approach. It covered two major cities in Nigeria and achieved saturation at the 29th chosen interviewee. Also, the study adopted a thematic method to analyse the data from selected construction artisans, construction firm management staffers and consultant experts in skills matters.FindingsEnhancing skills development, replacing the ageing workforce through practical broad-based skills training, bridging skills gaps, enhancing work-integrated learning and economic upliftment emerged as apprenticeship’s role in developing artisans’ skills in the Nigerian built environment if well implemented. Apprenticeship to develop skills in the built environment is not without hindrances. The perceived 34 barriers were re-clustered into employee, employer and government-related. Findings show that achieving Goal 8 may be threatened if these hindrances are not mitigated. They suggest improving skills development for artisans’ on-the-job training mechanisms to achieve Goal 8.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that apprenticeship’s role in developing construction artisans’ skills should be all-inclusive. Also, the three stakeholders must do more concerning training programmes to improve artisans’ skills development to achieve Goal 8.

Tourists' Intention to Visit Royal Cemetery as a Dark Tourism Destination: The Role of Destination Image, Self-Congruence, and Destination Personality

This study seeks to investigate the effect of destination image, self-congruence, and destination personality on the visitors' intentions to visit the Imogiri Royal Cemetery, Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. The cemetery is considered a historical and cultural place wherein a few kings and sultans who once ruled Java lie buried. Thousands of tourists visit this place throughout the year, especially on dates that have great significance in the Islamic and Javanese calendars. Data were collected from a convenience sample comprising of 220 tourists in Yogyakarta. Results show that destination image is an antecedent to destination personality, while self-congruence and destination personality each positively relate to the visit intentions of tourists. Conversely, one’s destination image does not predict self-congruence. In contributing to the literature at the intersection of royal and dark tourism, this underpins sustainability in tourist tourism, destination marketing, and consumer behaviour. The implications of such a study are found to fall in line with the United Nations SDGs, specifically Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, regarding the promotion of sustainable tourism, which brings in income and provides employment; and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, due to the fostering of conservation and promotion at the cultural heritage sites.

A More Effective Social Protection System for Older Workers: A Case Study of the Older Adult Employment Project in Thailand

The phenomenon of old-age pensioners reentering the workforce is neither new nor unique and has been well-reported in several published literature. However, there are remaining challenges to this group of job seekers whose needs have yet to be well-documented from employer’s perspectives, especially regarding decent work, legal landscape, and organizational culture. Our study seeks to provide a better understanding of the underlying causes of these and to help policymakers introduce social protection policies to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for older workers. The study used a case study from service companies in Thailand that participated in the Thai government’s campaign on promoting older employment. Data was collected from interviews with top managers of the human resources department, and that information was analyzed by thematic analysis. Key findings highlighted that the supportive mechanisms for matching decent work, a room for integrating legal framework, and a culture that values inclusivity and fair treatment of all workers, regardless of age, can enhance the social protection system for older workers. The establishment of a modern database of older workers’ skills, which ensures easy accessibility to both employers and older workers, the establishment of a task force specific for monitoring laws and regulations concerning older employment, and the development of effective measures against workplace discrimination are recommended as effective interventions for social protection.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS A BASIS FOR THE FORMATION OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN RURAL AREAS

The article is dedicated to the analysis of economic, social, and environmental problems that intensified at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, stimulating the development of the concept of sustainable development. The authors examine contemporary challenges related to inequality between rich and poor countries, rising greenhouse gas emissions, and the consequences for the environment and society. The aim of the study is to systematize and generalize the existing theoretical and methodological foundations of sustainable development and to clarify them in the context of human capital formation in rural areas. The historical development of the concept of sustainable development, which was established at the UN conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, is considered, and three main components of this concept are presented: economic, social, and environmental. The study addresses the classical concept of sustainable development based on the Venn diagram, illustrating the harmonious combination of these components. Special attention is given to the analysis of indicators used for assessing sustainable development in rural areas. Specifically, both domestic and foreign methodological approaches to measuring the effectiveness and inclusiveness of the development of these areas are studied. The article examines various methodological approaches to assessing sustainable development, particularly in rural areas, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN. The study presents an analysis of 17 Global Goals adopted for the period until 2030, aimed at achieving peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in all countries. It is revealed that Ukraine, as a UN member, has actively participated in the implementation of the SDGs, particularly through the national report “Sustainable Development Goals: Ukraine” in 2017. The study substantiates the importance of adapting global goals to the national characteristics of Ukraine, taking into account the specifics of the socio-economic and ecological system. A list of key goals for sustainable development in rural areas of Ukraine is provided, including poverty eradication, agricultural development, ensuring quality education, clean water, decent work, innovation, and infrastructure. The research identifies the importance of indicators for monitoring the achievement of goals and comparing them with the target values planned for 2030. However, considering the current situation with Russian aggression, the achievement of these goals is only possible in the long-term perspective.

Decent Work as An Impact Factor on The Human Capital of Companies in Tulancingo, Hidalgo

Objective: This study analyzes the elements that influence decent work in companies in Tulancingo, Hidalgo. This is because currently the personnel working in organizations infer that they do not have a decent job, due to the fact that there is no pleasant work environment, communication is not usually adequate, in addition to the fact that they do not provide training to perform their functions, which impacts on not having economic and job stability. With the results of this research, we intend to identify and relate the factors that impact human capital when having a decent job. Theoretical Framework: The study analyses related aspects of decent work, human capital and decent work, as well as human capital and decent work, the impact of decent work on social economic development, challenges in the implementation of decent work, aspects such as employment, social protection and labour rights. Design/Methodology/Approach: The methodology used in this research was a quantitative approach, with a total of 383 people from companies in the Tulancingo region, Hidalgo, considering the different sectors, in such a way as to obtain information corresponding to the variables of: employment, social protection, labor rights and social dialogue; which allowed to identify the most relevant elements that impact decent work. Findings: A measurement instrument was used that includes three dimensions of decent work, with a sample of 383 people. Among the results obtained, 53% feel comfortable in their workplace; however, only 42% feel identified with the company. This is related to working conditions, since 33% of people do not have the materials and supplies that allow them to carry out their work effectively, in addition to the fact that the workload is extreme and tiring. Social Impact: The identification of factors that influence decent work will be very useful for companies in Tulancingo, Hidalgo, because strategies can be implemented to have a better work environment, in such a way that operational efficiency is achieved within the different companies, achieving the participation of the members that make it up and having better results by meeting organizational objectives. Originality/Value: This research paper shows how social protection, labor rights and social dialogue impact employability and decent work in companies in Tulancingo, Hidalgo. The identification of factors will be of great relevance not only for organizations, but also for the personnel who work in them and contribute to their performance.

A Sustainable Educational Tool for Engineering Education Based on Learning Styles, AI, and Neural Networks Aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

This study addresses the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, 10, and 12 by developing a resource-efficient tool that promotes equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities, supports decent work and economic growth, reduces inequalities, and ensures sustainable consumption and production patterns. This study contributes to sustainable education by providing a tool that is designed to be easy to use, easy to modify, and resource-efficient, making it accessible to institutions with limited technological resources. The tool uses artificial intelligence and a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network to provide personalized teaching, adapting to the unique learning styles of its users. A custom survey adapted from the Felder–Silverman model was used to track weekly learning style transitions among 72 engineering students at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Los Llanos. These data were used to build the LSTM model to predict learning style transitions over a 16-week semester. Two interfaces were created: one for instructors, integrating the LSTM model, and one for students, incorporating a custom survey. An OpenAI API-powered chat was also built into both interfaces to provide study advice to students according to their styles and enable professors to personalize their teaching methodologies in engineering education.

Embracing tomorrow: global insights on corporate commitment to the 2030 Agenda

Purpose The 2030 Agenda represents a unique and historic opportunity to achieve sustainable development by establishing high-priority issues to be addressed, such as the eradication of extreme poverty, the reduction of inequalities, and inclusive economic growth with decent work for all. This study aims to analyze the commitment of the world’s leading companies to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set out in this roadmap. Design/methodology/approach To provide a dynamic and global view of corporate commitment to the 2030 Agenda, the authors identified the 3,910 companies that have reported on various initiatives related to the SDGs over the period 2019–2022 (15,640 observations), based on the Refinitiv database. The companies that make up the sample are located in 71 countries across eight geographic regions. Findings The results show a positive evolution in the actions and initiatives that companies are developing to contribute to the protection of people, the planet, prosperity, universal peace, and access to justice. However, there are differences between regions and countries and between the 17 objectives. Originality/value The authors’ approach allows for a detailed understanding of business preferences, how these sustainable business practices contribute to achieving the SDGs in different regions and what contextual factors influence this contribution. In this sense, the analysis of the regional distribution of corporate commitments to the SDGs provides valuable information on the priority areas of focus in different regions of the world.

Assessing the impact of the European Union-Vietnam free trade agreement on labor market and employment in Vietnam

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on Vietnam’s labor market and employment outcomes, considering the potential distributional consequences across various groups of workers and regions.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive quantitative framework is employed, combining the gravity model of trade to estimate the EVFTA’s effects on trade flows, the CISAF_M1 model to simulate sectoral employment impacts and econometric models to analyze the effects on wages and decent work. The analysis draws upon a rich dataset spanning the period before and after the EVFTA’s implementation.FindingsThe EVFTA has significantly boosted Vietnam’s exports to the EU, leading to substantial job creation in labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel and footwear. The agreement has also contributed to wage growth and improved access to social insurance for workers in export-oriented industries. However, the impact on other aspects of job quality is less clear. The distributional analysis reveals that the EVFTA’s employment effects have been relatively balanced across gender but have favored younger and less skilled workers as well as those in rural areas.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive and nuanced assessment of the EVFTA’s impact on Vietnam’s labor market, addressing a gap in the literature on the employment effects of new-generation free trade agreements in developing countries. The findings highlight the importance of considering distributional aspects when evaluating the socioeconomic implications of trade liberalization and offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to promote inclusive growth in the context of deepening international economic integration.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2024-0236