Employment In Many Countries Research Articles

Valuation of externalities through neo-classical methods by including institutional variables

Externalities are uncompensated influences that are not expressed in a market but that affect the production possibilities or the welfare level of third parties. An example is the noise pollution in airport areas. Although air transport is an important source of economic growth and employment in many countries, the social and environmental problems connected with this sector are rising rapidly. Consequently, airports are becoming a matter of concern to many politicians. On what kind of values should they base their decisions as to further growth or consolidation of the current situation? In this paper we discuss two approaches, one based on mainstream, neo-classical, economics, and one based on institutional approaches, more in particular new institutional economics, which can be seen as a development complementary to the mainstream.

Edwin Herbert Land, 7 May 1909 - 1 March 1991

Edwin H. Land was distinguished for his inventions and contributions in the fields of polarized light, photography and colour vision. He has had an impact on the lives of many millions of people and has provided large-scale employment in many countries for over five decades. The Polaroid Corporation, which Land founded, may continue to do so for many more. He mastered the art of giving the people what they wanted at a price they could afford. He has had few peers in the advancement and application of natural science to everyday life. Land’s achievements spanned the disciplines of art, science, technology and commerce. In the field of polarized light, he was responsible for the invention, development and efficient commercial production of the first sheet polarizers, for a sequence of subsequent polarizers, and for the theory and practice of many applications of polarized light. Such devices are widely used today in liquid crystal displays (LCD), in sunglasses and in scientific and medical research. The trade name ‘Polaroid’ has become the accepted generic name for these sheets. In the field of photography, Land developed the cameras and associated special films that produce almost instantaneous dry pictures directly from the camera. He mastered the complex physicochemical science that gave neutral or coloured, continuous-tone, instantaneous photographs. All of this required a team of first-class scientists and technicians that he led with great success. Novel equipment, using these colour systems, has also been widely exploited, including versions where the colour photograph develops in daylight.

The Relation between Public and Private Policing

Employment by private policing agencies equals or exceeds public police employment in many countries. Reigning conceptions of relations between public police and private policing have changed markedly. A state-centered view of police functions disparaged "private armies" and saw order maintenance as a quintessential function of government. In recent decades, a laissez-faire view has emerged that celebrates "private-public partnerships" and sees private policing as an industry providing both a service and a public benefit. Social theorists question the wisdom and the likely future directions of the privatization of order maintenance.

PART‐TIME WORKING IN IRELAND

The subject of part‐time work is one which has become increasingly important in industrialised economies where it accounts for a substantial and growing proportion of total employment. It is estimated that in 1970, average annual hours worked per employee amounted to only 60% of those for 1870. Two major factors are attributed to explaining the underlying trend towards a reduction in working time: (a) the increase in the number of voluntary part‐time employees and (b) the decrease in average annual number of days worked per employee (Kok and de Neubourg, 1986). The authors noted that the growth rate of part‐time employment in many countries was greater than the corresponding rate of growth in full‐time employment.

Strategic Initiatives and Development of the Indian Electronics Industry

The most important achievement of mankind is the exploitation of the tiny electrons to carry out stupendous tasks which were beyond imagination a few decades ago. The science of electrons, viz. electronics, has been transformed into a technology, a culture and even a force by the semiconductor revolution of the sixties and informatics revolution of the eighties and crossed new heights every where. The electronics sector has become the biggest sector in terms of turn over, profits, and employment in many countries. This is a sector characterised by faster obsolescence owing to new innovations and huge R&D efforts. India had been lagging very much behind in this sector for long and should not waste any time in catching up with the advancements in this sector. Only then India can achieve the required growth rates and leapfrog in economy and development of the country. Keeping this in view, the Department of Electronics/Government of India has initiated a host of progressive measures so as to make up the time lost within the next few years. These are discussed, alongwith the developments/achievements so far made in this vital/key sector of industry which is inherently meant for increasing efficiency/productivity in every sector of life thereby improving quality of life.

Small Business Failure and Survey of the Literature

Joyce Berryman is acting head of the Department of Commerce of the James Cook University of North Queensland, Australia. The failure of small businesses has serious implications for employment in many countries and much is said and written about small business failure and bankruptcy. Authors and speakers are usually interested therefore in suggesting means of avoiding such disasters. They are bad for the economy because they mean last jobs and a drop in the gross national product as well as promoting a lack of confidence in the small business sector; for the small businessman they may be degrading and disappointing in addition to the personal hardship involved. This survey of the literature on bankruptcy and failure has been undertaken to bring together what has been said so far.