Industrial Labor Research Articles

Object Detection and Multiple Objective Optimization Manipulation Planning for Underwater Autonomous Capture in Oceanic Natural Aquatic Farm

ABSTRACTUnderwater autonomous capture operations offer significant potential for reducing labor and health risks in sea organism industries. This study presents a comprehensive solution for cross‐domain underwater object detection and autonomous capture. A novel unsupervised domain adaptive learning method is proposed, integrating multiscale domain adaptive modules and attention mechanisms into a Faster Region‐Convolutional Neural Network framework. This approach enhances feature alignment across diverse aquatic domains without parameter tuning. Additionally, an efficient, parameterless constrained multiobjective optimization algorithm is introduced for underwater autonomous mobile capture, integrating parameterized trajectory planning with innovative features, such as adaptive mutation strategies and constraint violation tolerance. The proposed approaches are extensively validated through simulations, tank experiments, and real‐world oceanic trials in the Natural Aquatic Farm of Zhangzidao Island. Results demonstrate the system's robustness in complex underwater environments with varying currents, with experimental outcomes validating the accuracy and reliability of detection and capture capabilities. This research significantly advances autonomous underwater systems' capabilities in object detection and capture tasks, addressing complex challenges in realistic organism capture applications across diverse aquatic environments.

False news claims as media criticism: Situating 1930s-1940s U.S. progressive critiques of “falsehood in the daily press”

Widespread claims charging news media with intentionally presenting false information to advance a political agenda are commonly understood as a recent phenomenon driven by the rise of right-wing populism. This article unpacks the prominence of charges of false news in the 1930s and 1940s United States among progressives who identified the commercial press as a powerful conservative force working on behalf of economic elites and against progressive movements. It argues that liberal and left critics deployed claims of falsehood in news as they sought to convince audiences that dominant news institutions were unworthy of their trust, underscore the importance of alternative media, and promote reform of newspaper industry labor practices. Bringing a case study from an illustrative past moment into conversation with recent work on post-truth politics and journalistic authority, this article contributes to the literature on “fake news” as media criticism.

Interplay between job satisfaction and employee motivation among contract labor in pharmaceutical industry

The aim of this paper is to evaluate and understand the interplay between job satisfaction and employee motivation among contract labor in the pharmaceutical industry. This research evaluates the association between job satisfaction and motivation based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory w.r.t. contract labor in pharmaceutical industry. This study explores the motivating factors and expectations of contract labor working in the pharmaceutical sector. The study includes surveying 384 contract workers in the pharmaceutical industry. The poll included an updated rendition of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, as well as work satisfaction scores. The basic data were acquired via convenience sampling. The model's credibility and consistency were assessed using Confirmation Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structured Equation Modelling (SEM). The model passed both the convergent and discriminant validity tests. The model was also determined to be statistically fit and verified with the necessary fit indices. It was discovered that understanding contract labor expectations for working in a pharmaceutical company (physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness needs, esteem needs, and self- actualization needs) is critical for job satisfaction. The study was done in Visakhapatnam city with just 384 contract workers as respondents. The model was built with five constructs (five types of requirements), one construct (job satisfaction), and three attributes (Variables) in each need (construct), however there might be more than three attributes in each type of needs. This study used statistical analysis to validate and assess Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs concept in relation to work satisfaction. The approach was applied to contract labor in the pharmaceutical business, but it may also be used in other industry verticals and sectors. The study extended the literature related to motivation studies and job satisfaction, delivered a model by applying Maslow’s’ need hierarchy theory. The model is useful for the HR practitioners to enhance job satisfaction levels of contract labor.

Analysis of skilled labor shortage in the construction industry of developing countries

Labor productivity is an essential component for the effective execution of a project. This research aimed to determine the cause of the labor crisis in the construction industry of developing countries. This research focuses on numerous aspects such as the trades of shorted skilled labor, the shortage causes, the effects of the shortage of skilled labor in industry, the characteristics that skilled labor should have, and the mitigation strategies. The field survey conducted included twelve trades, sixteen causes, nine effects, and eleven characteristics of skilled labor. The top three trades with a significant shortage are heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) installer technicians, wood carpenters, and glazier/aluminum workers. The top three causes accountable for the labor shortage are irregular and low wages, poor training, and economic change. Extension in the duration of the project and Errors during construction emerged as the top two effects caused by a shortage. The top three characteristics of skilled labor are technical competence, in-depth knowledge of handling tools and equipment, determination, and persistence. The survey concluded that offering advantageous wages and benefits, providing opportunities for advancement and professional development, and establishing a positive work environment can effectively reduce the effects of labor shortages by recruiting and retaining skilled individuals.

Aspiring for a Better Future: Rural Women Labour Migrants in Ethiopia’s Industrial Park

ABSTRACT The expansion of industrial parks in Ethiopia’s major cities drew a large number of young migrant workers from rural villages. The majority of these first-generation industrial labour migrants are young women seeking industrial work, independence, and a better urban life. Drawing on fieldwork in two foreign garment companies located in the Bole Lemi Industrial Park (BLIP) on the outskirts of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, this paper examines the socio-economic factors influencing young rural women’s agency and aspirations to migrate to the city as industrial workers. Industrial parks become a space where the economic goals of foreign firms who have relocated their factories to increase profits by utilising a large pool of ‘untapped’ labour force intersect with the socio-economic aspirations of young rural labour migrants who have moved to urban areas. These labour migrants have moved to urban areas in search of a better life, escaping from rural poverty and patriarchy, culminating in the feminisation of factory work.

РЫНОК ТРУДА В ФАЗЕ СТАРЕНИЯ РАБОТНИКОВ: АНАЛИЗ ТЕОРИЙ, КОНЦЕПЦИЙ И МОДЕЛЕЙ АКТИВНОГО ДОЛГОЛЕТИЯ

This paper examines the relevance of the topic related to changes in the labor market caused by demographic and social factors. Changes in the demographic structure of the workforce can lead to the following transformations: First, there is a shortage of labor in various industries. The emigration of workers abroad and the shortage of incoming migrants lead to this phenomenon. In addition, the shortage of workers is influenced by low activity among young people due to changes in their values, mobility and the desire for a work-life balance. Secondly, the aging phase in the context of theories of models of successful aging is an important aspect that is being investigated within the framework of various approaches to understanding the aging process and its impact on society and the labor market. Thirdly, the predominance of older workers. The influence of the process of social aging, which leads to an increase in the number of older workers in the labor sphere, is considered. According to Rosstat, more than half of the employed in Russia are people over 40 years old. The study offers a comprehensive approach to the classification of social theories, concepts and models of active longevity for a deeper understanding of the aging phase. The practical value of labor market research in the aging phase of workers with an emphasis on the analysis of theories, concepts and models of active longevity may lie in rethinking personnel management strategies, improving employment policies and creating intergenerational interaction programs.

Exploring the potential mechanisms and future trends of industrial eco-efficiency: a case study of coastal China

The industrial economy occupies a crucial position in China’s national economy, and industrial eco-efficiency (IEE) as a significant indicator of regional green development levels. Balancing the positive interaction between industrial economy and resource environment, and enhancing ecological efficiency in industrial development are vital for achieving sustainable regional economic development. This study measures the IEE of 115 cities in coastal China based on panel data of industrial resources and the environment factors. Subsequently, it further analyzes the influencing mechanisms and future trends of IEE. The results indicate that the overall IEE in coastal China is on an upward trend, with higher efficiency values in provinces and regions characterized by faster economic development and better environmental conditions. Significant changes in spatial patterns are observed, with the gaps between cities narrowing and a “multi-core” development model emerging. Factors such as per capita GDP, the ratio of industrial pollution control investment to GDP, innovation index, the proportion of foreign direct investment to GDP, and industrial labor productivity significantly positively influence IEE. In contrast, the proportion of industrial added value to GDP, urbanization rate, and the number of industrial enterprises exhibit notable negative inhibitory effects. Moreover, the interaction effect between industrialization level and other factors is most significant. In the future, IEE is expected to continue improving, although the sustainability of these changes appears weak. These findings reveal the potential impact mechanisms of resource consumption and environmental pollution caused by industrial activities on economic benefit output. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing energy development layout, enhancing the comprehensive utilization of energy resources, and improving ecological compensation and protection mechanisms.

The Impact of Sustainability on the Labour Market and Employability in the Construction Industry

The present article analyses how the changes in the labour market are impacting employability, within the context of sustainability, with a special focus on the construction industry. This paper explores the relevance of employability in the construction industry, in an economy that is more and more oriented towards sustainable practices. The added value of the present paper resides in the proposed methodology that includes identifying and ranking the sustainability indicators that contribute to a sustainable employability model. The main objective of this research is to highlight the importance of sustainability in terms of training and preserving the specific competencies for the construction industry labour market, which is an essential sector for the transition to a green economy. The methodological innovation of the present study is that it proposes a model for the assessment of the sustainability indicators, thus offering a practical and ready-to-use framework for decision-makers in the industry. These indicators, which influence sustainability in the long term, were analysed from the viewpoint of the construction industry in Romania. This study used secondary statistical data, with a focus on the evolution of employability and of the professional training of graduates in this field of activity. The conclusion of the analysis is that a sustainable employability model should be implemented that meets the needs of the contemporary labour market and ensures an effective transition to a green economy. Implementing sustainable strategies in the construction sector facilitates the transition to responsible practices that are adapted to the current requirements of the green economy.

Estimating the prevalence of child labour in the cocoa industry via indirect elicitation methods: a mixed-methods study

Data from children suggest that the prevalence of child labour in the cocoa industry in Côte d’Ivoire is a worrying 38%. However, while surveying children has the potential to reduce sensitivity biases such as social desirability bias, it presents significant ethical dilemmas and may also be associated with other reporting biases, making accurate estimates of child labour difficult. To address this, we collected data from 1741 cocoa producers to assess whether parents could provide more accurate estimates using indirect survey methods. We compared direct questioning with a list experiment and a novel non-verbal method (‘colorbox’). We found higher prevalence rates of child labour using indirect elicitation methods, but lower than those obtained from children’s surveys. Qualitative in-depth interviews revealed motivations for underreporting, including fear of legal consequences and mistrust of stakeholders. Indirect methods alone are not sufficient to correct for underreporting when child labour is collected from parents. Future research should prioritise direct data collection from children and address ethical concerns to obtain more accurate estimates of child labour.

Do Corporate Films Dream of Cybernetic Governance? Computers (as Metaphors of) Industrial Labor and Society in Olivetti-Sponsored Films

Do Corporate Films Dream of Cybernetic Governance? Computers (as Metaphors of) Industrial Labor and Society in Olivetti-Sponsored Films

Do impoverished regions benefit from climate change mitigation measures? Evidence from the Forest Carbon Sink Project in China

ABSTRACT Forests play a crucial role in achieving global climate change mitigation goals. The Forest Carbon Sink Project (FCSP) was initially proposed by the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, aiming to address externalities in climate governance through ecological compensation mechanisms. For impoverished regions, the FCSP is more attractive than the mandatory administrative approaches to forest protection. This Currently, due to the lack of empirical research, there is still debate in the academic community about whether the FCSP can produce overall positive economic benefits in poor areas. Based on panel data from 634 impoverished counties in China from 2002 to 2019, this study attempts to address this issue using a multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) model. The results demonstrate that, compared to non project counties, the implementation of the FCSP led to an increase in actual GDP and per capita GDP of 8.40% and 11.10% in project counties, respectively. That is, the FCSP can expand the economic scale while also promoting economic growth of project counties. The results of the dynamic model show that the economic benefits generated by the FCSP in these counties are long-term and sustainable. Based on the results of theoretical analysis and mechanism testing models, this study concludes that the FCSP generates short-term economic benefits through capital investment. It generates long-term economic benefits by improving the productivity of the primary industry labour force, increasing the level of fixed asset construction, and optimizing the industrial structure in poverty-stricken counties. Additionally, this study also conducted a heterogeneity analysis. In summary, this study concludes that the FCSP is a climate change mitigation measure worthy of promotion in impoverished regions.

Factors affecting the quality of work life for industrial labour force: empirical evidence from a developing country

The success of any organization requires a skilled, competent, and satisfied workforce. If the workforce can be provided with the necessary components to ensure a high quality of working life, they will become permanent assets. Various factors undoubtedly affect the quality of workers' work lives. This study aims to investigate the drivers of the quality of work life in industrial labour force in a developing country, Bangladesh. It enumerated the elements that have an impact on industrial labour force’s quality of work life (QWL). A structured questionnaire was administered to 420 Bangladeshi workers across diverse industries, yielding a commendable response rate of 93.33%. The collected data underwent analysis employing the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. Representative industries and respondents were chosen by random selection. The results revealed that work environment, organizational culture and climate, relationships and cooperation, compensation and rewards, adequacy of resources, autonomy of work, job satisfaction, and security are directly related to the QWL. Training and development, and facilities do not significantly affect QWL. The research results can be used to improve the quality of work life for those working in the industrial sector. An industry may accomplish long-term and short-term goals by maintaining a pleasant workforce. The study's findings will provide policymakers and regulatory authorities of Bangladesh's industrial sector with strategic references and strategies to boost industrial productivity and economic growth for sustainable development by ensuring industrial employees' quality of work life that can serve as a template for Bangladesh.

Contract labour in mining and occupational health and safety: A critical review

Abstract In recent decades, there has been a global growth of the use of contract labour in the mining industry, primarily driven by cost/flexibility considerations. At the same time, contracting has been associated with poorer occupational health and safety (OHS) outcomes across a range of industries. Drawing on published research, theses, and government reports, this paper critically reviews the available evidence on the OHS effects of contract labour in mining and the likely implications of further growth in this trend. This evidence confirms that the use of contract labour is associated with worse OHS outcomes, and that the Ten Pathways and Pressure, Disorganisation, and Regulatory failure (PDR) models are both valuable in explaining this. The latter point is confirmed by a more detailed examination of four serious mine incidents in NSW and Queensland. The paper identifies some gaps and areas for further research as well as the actions that mining companies, regulators, and unions could take to improve contractor safety. Notwithstanding the latter, the paper argues that the most effective way of improving contractor safety in mines is reducing the use of contractors overall and concentrating their activities in areas such as major shutdowns/repairs, where contractors have specialised expertise to undertake non-routine tasks. Despite oft-repeated phrases such as zero-harm and management systems, the corporate shift to using contractors is primarily driven by cost-cutting and highlights how OHS is compromised by such priorities.

Reducing farmland abandonment by raising women’s education levels: Evidence from China

With the rapid industrialization and the growing demand for male labor in urban industries, agricultural production in many developing countries presents obvious feminization features. Accordingly, improving the education level of rural women is the key to increasing farmland return and reducing farmland abandonment. Using data from the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS), this study examines the effect of rural women’s education on farmland abandonment. The results reveal that for each increase in the education level of a hostess in a rural household, the abandoned farmland of that household decreases by 40 m2. The increase in women’s education level can promote the use of the Internet, help households access credit, and better control the costs of agricultural production, thus curbing farmland abandonment. In addition, women’s education can play a stronger role in reducing farmland abandonment for rural areas where the land rental market is well developed, as well as for families whose male hosts go out to join non-farm work.

An Input–Output Analysis for the Economic Potential of a New Convergence Industry: A Focus on the Autonomous Vehicle Sector in South Korea

While it is crucial to grasp the economic potential in emerging convergence industries in order to develop effective policies and strategies for digital transformation, evaluating the potential is still challenging. This study develops a novel input–output model suitable for analyzing the economic potentials of subsectors in a new convergence industry. Furthermore, this research quantitatively assessed the economic potential of three sectors—components, vehicles, and services—within the autonomous vehicle industry in South Korea using the method newly proposed by this study and contrasted the results with those obtained from a traditional approach. It is found that the experimental approach introduced in this study can capture both the inter-sectoral relationships within the emerging convergence industry and its fundamental characteristics related to other sectors. As an empirical result, the autonomous vehicle service sector is found to drive the highest level of increase in production and labor for other industries. The vehicle sector has relatively high forward and backward-linkage effects, functioning as both supply and demand across the value chain of the autonomous vehicle industry. It also shows that the components sector has a relatively higher ripple effect on industries related to the infrastructure of autonomous vehicles, such as maintenance and energy fields. To rapidly establish an autonomous vehicle ecosystem and enhance its economic impact at the national level, it is essential to develop a “Soft Power” corresponding service sector. Consequently, the implementation of supportive and market-driven policies in this area is imperative.

Analysis of Labor Absorption in the Dodol Industry in Suranadi Village, Narmada District, West Lombok Regency

This research aims to analyze the application of labor in the dodol industry in Suranadi Village, Narmada District, West Lombok Regency. Data comes from 13 respondents who are owners of the dodol industry with the data collection method used is the census method and questionnaire distribution techniques as data collection tools. The analytical instrument employed is multiple linear regression, accompanied by the classical assumption tests, which encompass three evaluations: the normality test, multicollinearity test, and heteroscedasticity test, as well as the statistical assessment known as the simultaneous test (F test). partial test (t-test) and coefficient of determination. The research results show that the production value and capital wage variables have a significant value of 0.000 <0 05, which means they are simultaneous. has a significant influence on labor absorption. Individually, the wage variable has a significant value of 0.043 < 0.05. the production value variable is 0.040 < .05, and the capital variable is 0.043 < 0.05, which means that partially the wages, production value and capital variables have a significant influence on the application of labor force.

Technical Efficiency Of Rice Farming Around The Nickel Mining In Konawe Selatan District

South Konawe Regency has vast potential agricultural land, It can support the regional economy by supplying the food needs of the community and being a major player in trade across districts. In addition to providing food, the agricultural sector also serves as a market for goods produced by the industrial sector in rural communities and urban areas, a source of labor for industry, a source of capital for modern economic growth, particularly in its early stages, and a source of foreign exchange. Policy support is needed from the government in developing the agricultural sector considering the importance of synergy between the agricultural and mining sectors to minimize negative impacts in order to achieve economic balance so that it becomes the basis for local governments in taking appropriate policies to support the agricultural sector amidst mining activities. The purpose of this study is to examine lowland rice farming's technical effectiveness and production characteristics in the vicinity of South Konawe Regency's nickel mine. The data collected used primary and secondary data, with a total of 20 farmers as respondents. Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) was utilized to analyze the data. The findings of the study indicate that lowland rice farming is technically efficient when it is conducted near nickel mining and that the production elements that actually affect lowland rice farming include land area, labour force, urea and NPK fertilisers, and insecticides.

Challenges and Prospects of Social Security Services for Small Industry Laborers in District Bahawalpur

Social security provisions constitute a fundamental element of a welfare state. These benefits safeguard the rights of the working class by offering financial assistance to meet necessities. The efficiency of laborers in industrial settings positively correlates with the availability of social security benefits. The increased endowment of these services enhances the laborers' capacity to perform effectively within factories. The Punjab Small Industries Corporation in Bahawalpur was established to generate employment opportunities for individuals and to augment the production of various goods. It has been estimated that three thousand nine hundred sixty-three laborers are currently employed in these industries. This research study investigates the actual circumstances and challenges laborers face concerning their social security entitlements. A sample of 198 participants was obtained utilizing a proportionate random sampling methodology. During the data collection phase, 177 laborers were present. The interview schedule was meticulously crafted to incorporate open-ended and closed-ended questions as a research tool. This study reveals that laborers engaged in small industries within the Punjab region, specifically in Bahawalpur, possess an awareness of the social security services offered by numerous organizations. However, the laborers also indicated that the process of accessing social security services is exceedingly intricate and that the quality of these services is inadequate. Consequently, the laborers expressed reluctance to utilize social security services due to the substandard nature of the services provided. Therefore, it is recommended that measures be implemented to address the issues related to procedural delays in the delivery of social security benefits to laborers. This would enable laborers to experience satisfaction and concentrate fully on their occupational responsibilities.

Pattern of occupational shift among Malabar migrants: a case study of Kallar grama panchayath in Kerala

The impact of the migration on the economy of Kerala in general and of Malabar in particular needs special mention. Large scale production of commercial crops like rubber, ginger, pepper, arecanut and coconut, advanced methods of cultivation and the introduction of new agricultural crops are some of the aspects to be highlighted. Migration to Malabar turned out to be a mass movement, as migration of half a million people took place without any design, organisation or leadership. Famine was a driving force behind large scale migration. Land prices were very low as compared with Travancore. The increasing tendency of cultivation of commercial crops helped the migration. It is a form of agriculture to agriculture migration, anticipating a long run improvement and can be perceived as a human capital decision. This often leads to change of traditional occupation to other and substantial socio economic development. The immigrant people change their occupation from agriculture or agricultural labour to industrial labour or some other jobs. The present study focuses the changes that take place in the occupational pattern of the Malabar migrants in Kallar Grama Panchayath in Kasaragod district of Kerala

Directional nature of technological progress in the petrochemical industry prompting energy marginal substitution

Technological progress does not uniformly benefit all industries or factors' productivity levels. The energy productivity and labour employment situation in the Chinese petrochemical industry have not witnessed substantial improvements in the last decade. The literature has overlooked the importance of recognizing the directional nature of technological progress, which could enable a more strategic approach to economic development, resource allocation, and policy formulation. This study, guided by the core principles of endogenous economic growth theory, aims to uncover the influencing mechanisms and effects of technological progress bias on energy and employment by extending a theoretical model to account for energy, capital, and labour factors. The results reveal: (1) From 2000 to 2021, the relationship between labour, capital, and energy factors in the Chinese petrochemical industry has been predominantly complementary, with technological progress favouring labour-augmenting that is increasing labour productivity; (2) The gross complementarity of production factors leads to labour-augmenting technological progress, ultimately biased towards energy and capital factors; (3) Energy-capital-biased technological progress encourages producers to invest more energy and capital to substitute for labour factors, leading to a limited improvement in energy productivity and a consistent decline in labour employment since 2011. This study further corroborates that without government intervention, it would lead to improper factor allocation in the industry, resulting in market failure. Finally, corresponding policy recommendations are proposed.