Labor Participation Research Articles

Female Human Capital and Economic Growth in Sudan: Empirical Evidence for Women’s Empowerment

Human capital in general spurs economic growth. Female human capital in terms of education and health in particular is important for economic growth in countries where poverty and gender inequalities are pervasive, such as Sudan. This study aimed to investigate the role of female human capital in economic growth in Sudan, together with female labor force participation and women’s participation in the national parliament. The study applied a basic autoregressive distributed lag model ARDL and a nonlinear (NARDL) accounting for structural breaks to time-series data over the period 1975–2021. The bounds tests revealed that female human capital variables and economic growth have a long-run equilibrium relationship. The empirical results revealed that female human capital has a negative effect on gross national income per capita (GNIP). However, female labor participation was found to have a significant positive effect on economic growth in both models. Prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women of age 14–25 has a significant negative effect on economic growth, which is likely also reflecting the negative effect of female human capital. Results also showed that women’s participation in the parliament has positive and significant effect on economic growth in the short run only. The study argues for enhancing female human capital via female enrollment in education and through the promotion of women’s health, including combatting HIV/AIDS. Effective female labor participation can be enhanced through reductions in women’s vulnerability in employment and increasing their work in waged formal sectors. Women’s political empowerment could foster long-term growth, but its quality aspects must be ascertained.

The effects of supported housing for individuals with mental disorders.

Societies face the challenge of providing appropriate arrangements for individuals who need living support due to their mental disorders. We estimate the effects of eligibility to the Dutch supported housing program (Beschermd Wonen), which offers a structured living environment in the community as an intermediate alternative to independent housing and inpatient care. For this, we use exogenous variation in eligibility based on conditionally random assignment of applications to assessors, and the universe of applications to supported housing in the Netherlands, linked to rich administrative data. Supported housing eligibility increases the probability of moving into supported housing and decreases the use of home care, resulting in higher total care expenditures. This increase is primarily due to the costs of supported housing, but potentially also higher consumption of curative mental health care. Supported housing eligibility reduces the total personal income and income from work. Findings do also suggest lower participation in the labor market by the individuals granted eligibility, but the labor participation of their parents increases in the long-run. Our study highlights the trade-offs of access to supported housing for those at the margin of eligibility, informing the design of long-term mental health care systems around the world.

Female Labour Force Participation and the Reduction in Son Preference in China

ABSTRACT The preference for sons transcends many cultures, making it an issue with local and global dimensions. This article explores if and how married women’s preferences in relation to their children are influenced by a shift in their economic status. Our results show that female employment had a significant effect on son preference. Specifically, women’s participation in the labour market reduces son preference by 15.7 per cent, and a 10 per cent increase in wages leads to a further 0.05 per cent reduction in the preference for having sons rather than daughters. The results also support the view that economic factors are sufficient to change deeply entrenched norms regarding gender preferences. We attribute the positive effect of labour participation on female bargaining power to shifts in the allocation of intrahousehold resources. The article conducts a cross-regional test to illustrate that the developmental gap between rural and urban communities partly explains China’s increasing sex imbalance. It thereby shows why the phenomenon of ‘missing women’ has played out so differently worldwide.

The work that genre does: How music genre mediates gender inequalities in the informal work cultures of Amsterdam's nightclubs

This article builds on the emerging literature on relation between music genre and social inequalities in the cultural industries. It specifically highlights the role of two localised, genre-specific value systems (the niche-edm genre and the eclectic genre) to understand how and why the gendered outcomes of genres vary across space. Based on qualitative interviews with 36 (mostly white, male) promoters for nightclubs in Amsterdam, it finds that in one genre of nightclubs (niche-orientated electronic dance music) an informal political culture around gender inequalities has emerged. While this does not change the gendered hierarchies of labour participation, it does alter cultural production practices. To understand the workings of genre further, the article compares niche-orientated electronic dance music clubs with eclectic clubs (pop, r&b, dancehall), where an informal political culture is largely absent. While both genres are characterised by similar gender inequalities in cultures of production, there are differences in the gendered meanings of the club nights the two genres produce. In the eclectic genre, gender is made sense of through regulation, where ‘women-friendly’ functions as a label that essentialises the connection between gender and genre in an attempt to create trouble-free dancefloors. In the niche-edm genre, gender is made sense of through representation on line-ups, which mirrors debates in other artistic disciplines. By deconstructing the ideal of the ‘autonomous artist’ as masculine, critical promoters (and consumers) question cultural classification systems.

First-time fathers' experiences attending labour and birth: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Background It is now more common for fathers to participate in labour and childbirth in Iran. As such, it is essential to examine their experiences in order to empower maternal care specialists to meet fathers' and mothers' needs more effectively. This study aimed to examine first-time fathers' experiences attending labour and birth. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 200 first-time fathers in Tehran, Iran. Self-reported data were collected on participants' experiences of labour and birth. Descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as multivariate linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results First-time fathers' overall experiences were significantly affected by their partner's education, insurance coverage for hospital charges, pregnancy care provision by an obstetrician-gynaecologist, preparedness for childbirth and whether the childbirth experience fit the father's expectations. Conclusions Counseling programmes based on fathers' needs should be developed to improve their experiences, allay concerns and adjust factors that shape their experiences in order to encourage fathers' participation in labour and birth.

Number of Children and Female Labor Participation in China.

The continuous decrease in the number of women of childbearing age and the consequent decrease in reproductive willingness have contributed to the continuous decrease in labor participation among Chinese women, which has negatively affected the stable socioeconomic development in terms of health. This paper deeply explores the intrinsic relationship between the number of children and women’s labor participation based on 2016 data from China Labor-force Dynamic Survey (CLDS). Our results show that there is an “inverted U-shaped” relationship between the number of children and the rate of women’s labor involvement; in other words, women’s labor participation shows a trend with the increase in the number of children, first rising and then falling; meanwhile, the relationship is more pronounced among women in eastern and central regions and towns. To this end, this study provides a theoretical research basis to effectively alleviate women’s selective pressure at home and work, and has a certain reference value for the Chinese government to improve women’s employment environment.

Методология оценки ресурсов труда Республики Коми

The article considers the social and labor relations that have developed in the new Russia, indicators characterizing the labor market, employment of the population and participation of the labor force in labor activity. A novelty in labor market analysis is the assessment of labor underutilization (the combined measure of unemployment and potential labor force). The original statistical material and its analysis on economic activity and employment of the population are given; on labor participation and labor underutilization; distribution of labor resources by type of economic activity and occupation; gender differentiation of employed by groups of occupations. The purpose of the study is to reveal the transformation of social and labor relations in the post-Soviet period. The methodology for assessing the employment of the population and labor force participation in labor activity is considered. It is concluded that in the XXI century there will be significant changes in employment, it is expected that more people will work outside organizations than in companies; working remotely will become the norm. The article will be useful to specialists in the field of labor market and employment.

Association between maternal and paternal employment and their children’s weight status and unhealthy behaviours: does it matter who the working parent is?

BackgroundThe growing number of employed women has been associated with an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children. We sought to determine whether childhood overweight/obesity in Spain is associated with labour participation of mothers and fathers, and whether the identity of the main caregiver has an influence on child’s weight and unhealthy behaviour.MethodsWe used microdata from the 2010 and 2014 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children surveys performed in Spain (n = 32,694). Logistic and linear multi-level regression models were applied to assess the association between parental employment and children’s self-reported weight status, accounting for school effects and controlling for socioeconomic factors. Separated binary models were also fitted for consumption of fruit, sweets, screen viewing and sedentarism.ResultsIn most cases, the significant associations between children’s weight and their parents’ work status disappeared once the models were adjusted for family wealth and education. However, we found persistent associations for some groups. Girls under 13 years-old living in households where the mother was the only employed parent were more likely to be affected by obesity and to report a higher body mass index value. Children in this type of household were more likely to show unhealthy lifestyles related to diet and leisure time activities.ConclusionsParents’ socioeconomic characteristics had a protective effect on their children’s risk of obesity. Unhealthy behaviours were observed in households with a non-working father and a working mother, although the link with obesity was limited to girls. Our results suggest the need for a more equally shared burden of caregiving.

Assessing the Business Ecosystem for Indian SMEs: A Resource-Based View

The purpose of this study is to develop a MSME business facilitator index (MSME-BFI) to investigate the major factors which lead to the growth and development of MSMEs in the top performing and poor performing states of India. The data for various parameter for estimating the index such as infrastructure (road and electricity), human resources (labour participation rate and literacy rate), information communication uses (computer and internet), fiscal discipline and other economic indicators is collected from different government surveys and reports. The study revealed that states should focus on labour force, infrastructure, ICT technology, credit facilities, financial management and economic governance for the growth of MSME’s. There exist major disparities in the performance of the MSMEs, when divided into top performing and poor performing states, respectively. The research helps policymakers and government to focus on the leading barriers/factors which lagged the states to achieve the higher economic development.

Do remittances affect labour participation decisions and hours worked? Evidence from Ethiopia

Do remittances affect labour participation decisions and hours worked? Evidence from Ethiopia

Chronic illnesses and labor market participation in the Arab countries: evidence from Egypt and Tunisia

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of chronic illnesses on labor force participation using labor market surveys data for Egypt and Tunisia. The study also investigates the reverse effect of labor force participation on the incidence of chronic diseases. We adopted the simultaneous equations modeling technique to address the potential endogeneity of chronic illnesses in the labor participation equation. The results reveal that chronically ill people are less likely to participate in the labor force in both Egypt and Tunisia. However, the sub-samples analysis indicates some variations across gender and age groups. Specifically, the effect of chronic illnesses is found to be larger and significant for the male group compared to female counterparts. Likewise, the feedback effect shows that labor force participation exerts negative impact on chronic illness, particularly for the total sample. Moreover, the impact of labor force participation on chronic diseases in elder group is larger compared to its effect in the younger group. The study recommends that policymakers in the Arab countries should endeavor to reduce chronic health conditions in order to boost labor force participation and productivity.

JOB SATISFACTION IN A POULTRY COMPANY IN BUCARAMANGA, SANTANDER

In the business environment there are several variables that directly or indirectly affect the performance of organizations, such is the case of human resources, since individuals are responsible for continuously performing activities at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels, which are fully aligned with the indicators and goals set out in the strategic planning processes at different time levels. In this context, this study analyzes the job satisfaction of the employees of the points of sale of an important poultry company in the city of Bucaramanga, contemplating the high representativeness in the economic environment and in the labor market, by means of the questionnaire S20/23. The findings indicate that it is important to implement actions to improve labor recognition and participation in decisions, since it makes it possible to foresee elements referring to the comparative advantage in the market.

Women’s Literacy Rate and Women’s Labor Participation in ASEAN

Women have an essential contribution to economic growth and development. However, according to data, the Gender Inequality Index (GII) is still relatively high in developing countries, so special attention should be paid to aspects of women’s empowerment, health, and participation in the labor market as an indicator in measuring GII. In women’s empowerment, women’s education and women’s literacy are thought to affect women’s labor force participation. This study aims to examine and analyze the effect of women’s literacy rates on female labor force participation in ASEAN countries from 2010- 2017. The method used to analyze the effect on the model is the static panel data method. The results show that countries with high female literacy rates also have high female labor participation rates. The results help economists and policymakers evaluate measures to optimize women’s labor market decisions and empower women by improving women’s literacy rates.

PARTISIPASI PEMUKA MASYARAKAT DALAM PENGELOLAAN PERPUSTAKAAN DESA

Community participation in development in the village also determines the strength of an existing program, and determines the success of a program, including the establishment of village infrastructure. The Village Library is an important point that needs to be taken seriously in its establishment, use and even in its management. The entire process can be carried out by the community, one of which is library management. In its management, the village library requires the participation of the community. This community in question is the community leaders in the village. Parties from the village government took part in the establishment of the village library in Segati Village. In the management of the village library, the involvement of community leaders is impossible if it does not exist, which community leaders in this village are very accepting and have hope in the infrastructure of this village. With the strength of community leaders, there is a great hope in the management of this village library. This research was conducted with the aim of knowing and describing the participation of community leaders in the management of village libraries in Desa Segati Kecamatan Langgam Kabupaten Pelalawan. The method in this research is descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The object of the research is participation, community leaders, and village libraries and the research subjects are community leaders, totaling 4 (four) people. Participation in ideas and social participation which is given as a closeness of heart is the participation that is most often carried out by community leaders. This is because participation is a very easy, flexible and timeless form of participation. In addition, labor participation, skill participation is participation carried out by community leaders but still has limited time and opportunities due to differences in work and opportunities from each community leader in Desa Segati Kecamatan Langgam Kabupaten Pelalawan. Meanwhile, property participation has been carried out by several community leaders indirectly.

Youth employment in Argentina (2004-2020): First effect of the pandemic

This article explores the early effects of the pandemic on youth employment and income. First, it considers changes and continuity in both the employment morphology and the actual evolution of hourly earnings during the pandemic peak in 2020 second quarter, and the third quarter rebound. Young workers continue to have the worst employability gradient (informality, temporary work, part-time work, low-skilled tasks) as well as a striking wage gap in the young-adult population. The COVID-19 lockdown halted almost all informal activities; thereby, the lower tail of the distribution, overwhelmingly represented by younger women and low-skilled workers, has been withdrawn from the labour force. Consequently, the average income of young people increases, while at the same time there is a notorious decline in their labour participation in the peak of the pandemic, with only one out of every four young people taking part in the labour market.

Labour Force Projections in India Until 2060 and Implications for the Demographic Dividend

While India is entering the period of demographic dividend, female labour participation rates remain very low. This paper aims to provide the very first labour force projections for India and its regions up to the year 2060. Projections are achieved using a discrete-time microsimulation model in which changes in population size and composition come from the interaction between demographic characteristics, educational attainment, and secular tendencies. Labour force participation rates are estimated at the individual level using personal characteristics as predictors. Results show that under constant labour force participation rates, the labour force dependency ratio (non-workers/workers) is very unlikely to attain favourable levels, which compromises the potential demographic dividend that the country could gain from its favourable age-structure. At the subnational level, the forecast yields the most favourable dependency ratio in 2060 in the regions that combine both a low-age dependency ratio and a higher participation of women. Results moreover suggest that female labour force participation is a better driver of the labour force dependency ratio than the age composition.

The Cross-Country Comparison Model for Labor Participation (CCC Model for LP) of Persons with Chronic Diseases

Purpose To design a model based on the three pillars of new institutional theory (NIT), that facilitates cross-country comparison of labor participation (LP) of people with chronic diseases. This model should support getting a comprehensive overview of factors representing country differences, understanding these differences and should support estimating cross-country transferability of policies and interventions in the context of Work Disability Prevention. Methods Based on NIT, a draft model was designed by means of (1) a literature review of empirical studies; (2) theoretical books and articles; (3) a focus group with six expert researchers. This draft model was (4) adapted in the context of academic education. Literature was searched on Web of Science and EBSCO host. Feedback on (use of) the model was received from the focus group, four different academic courses at 28 occasions and two international conferences. Results The cross-country comparison model for labor participation (CCC model for LP) of persons with chronic diseases is proposed consisting of five factors: (1) Legislation; (2) Norms & values in practice; (3) Culture; (4) Organization of WDP in practice; (5) Labor market characteristics. Within these factors and based on (in)direct empirical evidence, subfactors are distinguished. The feedback received led to renaming (sub) factors, improved visual representation and a tool for estimating transferability. Conclusions The CCC model for LP of persons with chronic diseases allows for a comprehensive understanding of country differences and cross-country transferability of policies and interventions. The CCC model can be used for other populations when population-specific subfactors are included.

Does Gender Inequality Matter in Employment? A Content- and Consistency-Based Analysis of Female Labour Participation in the Nigerian Civil Service

Abstract The impact of gender inequality on female employment cannot be overemphasised due to its detrimental effect on women’s well-being, empowerment, development and progress. This study investigated gender discrimination issues women face and classified the impact on female labour participation in the civil service. The study administered semi-structured interview questions to 27 civil servants in Nigeria that were conveniently selected, and used a content-and consistency-based analytical technique to analyse the civil servants' subjective experiences, opinions, and perceptions. The findings suggest that gender inequality impacts negatively on women’s employment with systemic gender disparity issues having a higher consistency rate and significantly known among the civil servants than individual-driven gender disparity issues. The study recommends that the government enact and effectively implement policies that will eliminate systemic gender inequalities, which will eliminate or marginally reduce individual-driven gender inequalities.

Gender Norms and Gender Equality in Full-Time Employment and Health: A 97-Country Analysis of the World Values Survey.

Gender Norms and Gender Equality in Full-Time Employment and Health: A 97-Country Analysis of the World Values Survey.

‘Investing’ in care for old age? An examination of long-term care expenditure dynamics and its spillovers

We study the dynamic drivers of expenditure on long-term care (LTC) programmes, and more specifically, the effects of labour market participation of traditional unpaid caregivers (women aged 40 and older) on LTC spending, alongside the spillover effects of a rise in LTC expenditure on health care expenditures (HCE) and the economy (per capita GDP). Our estimates draw from a panel of more than a decade worth of expenditure data from a sample of OECD countries. We use a panel vector auto-regressive (panel-VAR) system that considers the dynamics between the dependent variables. We find that LTC expenditure increases with the rise of the labour market participation of the traditional unpaid caregiver (women over 40 years of age), and that such expenditures rise exerts large spillover effects on health spending and the economy. We find that a 1% increase in female labour participation gives rise to a 1.48% increase in LTC expenditure and a 0.88% reduction in HCE. The effect of LTC spending over HCE is mainly driven by a reduction in inpatient and medicine expenditures, exhibiting large country heterogeneity. Finally, we document significant spillover effects of LTC expenditures on per capita GDP.