Previous Job Research Articles

Occupational Human Capital and Wages: The Role of Skills Transferability Across Occupations

This paper examines the effect of accumulated human capital, and particularly occupational human capital, on the workers’ wages. Unlike previous studies that apply occupational tenure as a proxy for occupational human capital, this paper applies the concept of Shaw’s (1984) occupational human capital to capture the transferability of occupational skills and estimates a new measure of occupational human capital, so-called occupational investment. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) from 1979 to 2000, the key findings of this paper suggest that occupational skills from the previous jobs can also affect the workers’ wages at the current job and that occupational investment is one of the important sources of wages supporting the Shaw’s original work on wage determination. Specifically, 5 years of (3-digit) occupational investment relative to current occupational tenure could lead to a wage increase of 7.7 to 18.4 %. I also find that the general labor market experience accounts for a large share of workers’ wages.

The Sorting of Female Careers after First Birth: A Competing Risks Analysis of Maternity Leave Duration

A number of contributions have found evidence for motherhood being a critical life event for women's employment careers. This study presents a detailed model for the du- ration of maternity leave in which young mothers can make a transition into a number of states related to employment and unemployment among others. The model incorporates a large number of factors including the legal framework, individual and firm character- istics. We provide a comprehensive picture of the sorting mechanisms that lead to the differentiation of women's employment careers after birth. Our empirical evidence is de- rived from large linked administrative individual labour market data from Germany for a period of three decades. We obtain unprecedented insights how women's skills, the quality of the previous job match, firm level characteristics, labour market conditions and leave legislation are related to the length of maternity duration.

The Sorting of Female Careers after First Birth: A Competing Risks Analysis of Maternity Leave Duration

A number of contributions have found evidence for motherhood being a critical life event for women's employment careers. This study presents a detailed model for the duration of maternity leave in which young mothers can make a transition into a number of states related to employment and unemployment among others. The model incorporates a large number of factors including the legal framework, individual and firm characteristics. We provide a comprehensive picture of the sorting mechanisms that lead to the differentiation of women's employment careers after birth. Our empirical evidence is derived from large linked administrative individual labour market data from Germany for a period of three decades. We obtain unprecedented insights how women's skills, the quality of the previous job match, firm level characteristics, labour market conditions and leave legislation are related to the length of maternity duration.

Evaluation of work capacity in Switzerland: a survey among psychiatrists about practice and problems

In Switzerland, psychiatric evaluations of work capacity for determining a person's eligibility for disability benefits are being criticised for a lack of transparency and high inter-rater variability. The aims of this study were to learn about the current practice of psychiatrists, to explore possible sources for lack of transparency and variability, and to contrast practice with current professional guidance. A national online-survey among psychiatrists who performed five or more evaluations of work capacity per year. Based on discussions with experts and a literature review, we structured questions focusing on reporting on work capacity, the description of a claimant's previous job, and measures of quality assurance. A total of 129 psychiatrists responded (31% of estimated 412 eligible psychiatrists). The majority reported using instructions of the insurers (77%), peer consulting (65%) and process guidelines (51%). They expressed a claimant's work capacity as free text and percentage work capacity (49%), percentage only (23%), or free text only (14%). A total of 13% used instruments to document work capacity. Psychiatrists considered three different interpretations of percentage work capacity as equally applicable. A job description was regarded as mandatory to determine work capacity by 90% but only 26% received it and found it mostly deficient. The transparency and reliability of Swiss psychiatrists' conclusions on a claimant's work capacity may be reduced by unsystematic reporting, variable interpretation of the percentage work capacity, lack of a detailed job description and insufficient quality control. Education, engagement of insurers and new guidelines might be effective means of implementing improvements.

Factors influencing return to work after illness in France

Few studies have been published about the factors influencing return to work after sickness absence. To identify medical and occupational factors influencing the type of fitness certificate given by occupational physicians before employees return to work after sickness absence. A cross-sectional study was undertaken over 3 months in several health services in France. Workers undergoing a medical examination before returning to work after a period of sickness absence of at least 3 weeks were included. Medical and occupational factors were collected using a questionnaire. The relationship between different factors and certification of fitness was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the 402 workers included, 64% were considered fit to return to work. Being older, strenuous work, prolonged sick leave and fear of returning to work appeared to be negative factors influencing the return to a previous job. In contrast, having an education level higher than secondary school, being satisfied at work, perception of very good health and benefitting from satisfactory professional relationships appeared to favour return to work. We developed a predictive score of not being fit to return to work after illness. Our study highlighted the relationship between medical and occupational factors with problems returning to work. The predictive score may be used by occupational physicians as a screening tool to identify those who are likely to have difficulties returning to work after illness, so that their working conditions can be modified to take this into consideration.

Self-employment and family life: constructing work–life balance when you're ‘always on’

This study explores how men and women who are self-employed and have children living at home construct work–life balance. Guided by the concept of work–life fit, in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 parents who were self-employed and had at least one dependent child. Using thematic analysis, the first theme, ‘in control,’ related primarily to schedule flexibility but also extended to income opportunities and, sometimes, to job security. Feelings of control were experienced and expressed in relation to shortcomings of previous job experiences, business location, and preferences for raising children. The second theme, ‘always on,’ meant that parents expected to be both readily accessible to children and available to clients, while continually pursuing income opportunities. This contributed to time pressure, although some viewed participation in volunteer and children's activities as a form of business networking. Work–life balance was described in terms of time, activity, or experience. Most participants believed self-employment contributes positively, but some questioned whether work–life balance is possible. Parents mostly followed traditional gender role patterns. Some fathers resisted this arrangement and saw self-employment as a way to participate more actively in family life. Implications and directions for further research are discussed.

Applying Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to evaluate a public health policy initiative in the North East of England

This paper presents a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) analysis of data produced as part of the evaluation a Nation Health Service commissioned intervention in the North East of England. QCA is a case-oriented method that allows systematic comparison of cases as configurations of set memberships based on their attributes and the relationship of these to particular outcomes. QCA provides an alternative to conventional quantitative approaches which are generally concerned with isolating the independent effect of one variable whilst controlling the influence of others. Instead, QCA allows for interactions between multiple attributes and recognises that the same outcomes may be generated by different configurations of attributes.The intervention evaluated provided case management for individuals who were out of work due to ill health, and had been for three years or more. It aimed to improve the health of individuals and move them closer to the labour market. The intervention and a comparison group were assessed at base line (T1), after 3 months – (T2) after 6 months (end of the intervention – T3) and after 9 months (three months post intervention – T4). The size of the respective populations at each time point were, Intervention group at T1, N=131, T2, N=44, T3, N=79, T4, N=95. Comparison group at T1, N=229, T2, N=188, T3, N=166, T4, N=154.General health was measured using EQ5-D (a standardised instrument for use as a measure of general health outcome) and SF-8. Two condition specific measures were included: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire.Data was also collected on socio demographics (gender, age, housing tenure), social capital (contact with family and friends and participation with the wider community), and work history (previous jobs, time spent in the job, time spent on sickness absence).The aim of the QCA analysis was to identify whether individuals with certain characteristics or combinations of characteristics benefited from the intervention. In order to do this the cases were sorted according to whether their EQ-5D VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores (a self rated measure of general health) narrowed or did not narrow towards the population norm for the measure between baseline (T1) and (T4) 9 months (three months post intervention – T4). Cases which narrowed towards the UK population norm of 82.48 were judged to be experiencing a health improvement whilst those whose scores did not narrow towards the norm were judged to not have experienced a health improvement. A crisp set (cs) QCA analysis was then performed.The paper assesses the benefits of using QCA, and asks whether it can provide a viable and practical tool for social policy evaluations.

Health-related quality-of-life outcomes after thoracic (T1–T10) fractures

Background contextThe thoracic spine exhibits a unique response to trauma as the result of recognized anatomical and biomechanical differences. Despite this response, clinical studies often group thoracic fractures (T1–T10) with more caudal thoracolumbar injuries. Subsequently, there is a paucity of literature on the functional outcomes of this distinct group of injuries. PurposeTo describe and identify predictors of health-related quality-of-life outcomes and re-employment status in patients with thoracic fractures who present to a spine injury tertiary referral center. Study designAn ambispective cohort study with cross-sectional outcome assessment. Patient sampleA prospectively collected fully relational spine database was searched to identify all adult (>16 years) patients treated with traumatic thoracic (T1–T10) fractures with and without neurologic deficits, treated between 1995 and 2008. Outcome measuresThe Short-Form-36, Oswestry Disability Index, and Prolo Economic Scale outcome instruments were completed at a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Preoperative and minimum 1-year postinjury X-rays were evaluated. MethodUnivariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to identify predictors of outcomes from a range of demographic, injury, treatment, and radiographic variables. ResultsOne hundred twenty-six patients, age 36±15 years (mean±SD), with 135 fractures were assessed at a mean follow-up of 6 years (range 1–15.5 years). Traffic accidents (45%) and translational injuries (54%) were the most common mechanism and dominant fracture pattern, respectively. Neurologic deficits were frequent—53% had complete (American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale [AIS] A) spinal cord deficits on admission. Operative management was performed in 78%. Patients who sustain thoracic fractures, but escaped significant neurologic injury (AIS D or E on admission) had SF-36 scores that did not differ significantly from population norms at a mean follow-up of 6 years. Eighty-eight percent of this cohort was re-employed. Interestingly, Oswestry Disability Index scores remained inferior to healthy subjects. In contrast, SF-36 scores in those with more profound neurologic deficits at presentation (AIS A, B, or C) remained inferior to normative data. Fifty-seven percent were re-employed, 25% in their previous job type. Using multiple regression analysis, we found that comorbidity status (measured by the Charlson Comorbidity index) was the only independent predictor of SF-36 scores. Neurologic impairment (AIS) and adverse events were independent predictors of the SF-36 physical functioning subscale. Sagittal alignment and number of fused levels were not independent predictors. ConclusionsAt a mean follow-up of 6 years, patients who presented with thoracic fractures and AIS D or E neurologic status recovered a general health status not significantly inferior to population norms. Compared with other neurologic intact spinal injuries, patients with thoracic injuries have a favorable generic health-related quality-of-life prognosis. Inferior outcomes and re-employment prospects were noted in those with more significant neurologic deficits.

Path-Dependent Startup Hubs - Comparing Metropolitan Performance: High-Tech and ICT Startup Density

Kansas City and other areas viewed as startup hubs actually have been fostering a culture of entrepreneurship for some time. Many of these cities have a history of strong technology sectors or experienced strong growth among technology startups over the past two decades. A strong regional or local culture of technology entrepreneurship is not a recent phenomenon, contrary to the opinions of many. The top 10 cities in 2010 also ranked among the top 20 cities two decades earlier.This analysis shows that many cities' recent adoption of new entrepreneurship programs is more an indication of the underlying strength of the region and its base of talent on which those programs can build than it is a cause of startup activity. Cities such as Kansas City, Seattle, Portland and Boise all owe their emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems to many years of spinoffs and entrepreneurial spawning.Research universities and other postsecondary institutions are important for metropolitan entrepreneurship, but are not the sole cause in spurring such activity. Instead, the most fertile source of entrepreneurial spawning is the population of existing companies, which has implications for economic policymaking and economic development strategies.Entrepreneurs come from somewhere - this seems obvious, but that observation runs against the prevailing stereotype that entrepreneurs are, or should be, recent college grads or college dropouts. That 'somewhere' usually is a previous job in a big company or at an institution, such as a university, which helps explain the age distribution of entrepreneurs.However, regions should be careful in turning these observations into policy. While spinoffs are important for tech startup growth, such a strategy could be wrongly interpreted as supporting traditional economic development strategies of tax incentives for big companies. More work must be done to understand the local and regional dynamics of entrepreneurship, barriers that may exist to catalyzing a self-fulfilling dynamic of entrepreneurial spinoffs and what the proper role of supporting institutions should be.

Finding a national audience for MTM

Finding a national audience for MTM

253 Occupational and non-occupational risk factors for surgically treated carpal tunnel syndrome: preliminary results of a multicentre population-based case-control study

ObjectivesCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a socially relevant condition that often involves disability. Few large analytical studies have been published considering occupational/non-occupational risk factors. This population-based case-control study aims at...

No place like home: Africa’s skilled labour returns

Mariam Koné left Canada five years ago to start a business consulting firm in Bamako, the capital of Mali. As her client base grew steadily, earnings from her company, Koné Conseil, also increased. Business has been great, she says. Although her previous job as an industrial engineer at a consulting firm in Montreal, Canada, was stable and the pay was good, Ms Koné wanted a new challenge in her home country. Her return to Mali was risky and audacious, but it has paid off. “I used to work for others, but now I am working for myself and also hiring people,” she says. “And I have no regrets.”

Factors affecting job satisfaction and retention of medical laboratory professionals in seven countries of Sub-Saharan Africa

Effective implementation and sustainability of quality laboratory programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa relies on the development of appropriate staff retention strategies. Assessing the factors responsible for job satisfaction and retention is key for tailoring specific interventions aiming at improving the overall impact of health programmes. A survey was developed to assess these factors among 224 laboratorians working in the laboratory programme the University of Maryland implemented in seven Sub-Saharan African countries. Lack of professional development was the major reason for leaving the previous job for 28% of interviewees who changed jobs in the past five years. Professional development/training opportunities was indicated by almost 90% (195/224) of total interviewees as the most important or a very important factor for satisfaction at their current job. Similarly, regular professional development/opportunities for training was the highest rated incentive to remain at their current job by 80% (179/224). Laboratory professionals employed in the private sector were more likely to change jobs than those working in the public sector (P = 0.002). The findings were used for developing specific strategies for human resources management, in particular targeting professional development, aiming at improving laboratory professionals within the University of Maryland laboratory programme and hence its long-term sustainability.

Depression after encephalitis: a case report.

To the Editor: Very few data exist explaining the relationship between major depressive disorder, insomnia, and encephalitis. This case report presents a patient who was mentally stable until suffering an episode of encephalitis. Afterward, he developed depression and insomnia and began following up with psychiatry. Case report. Mr A is a 29-year-old man with a history significant for generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and insomnia dating back to 2012 and migraines, which started before 2012, who is not taking any psychotropic medications. He presented to the psychiatry clinic to establish care, as he had recently moved to the area and was previously receiving care from a mental health provider at another facility. He described the move as a “positive” event and lives with his mother and stepfather. He reports that he has good relations with his parents and a good social support network. He describes his mood as depressed, and his affect is constricted. He denies feeling suicidal and ever having suicidal thoughts. Depression has not interfered with his relationship with his parents but has interfered with his capacity to work. He reports that depression and low energy were reasons for his dismissal from a previous job, as well as for moving in with his parents. He is currently unemployed and states that he has low energy, anhedonia, insomnia, hopelessness, and poor concentration. Mr A reported an episode of encephalitis in June of 2012, when he was hospitalized for 3 weeks. The hospital records were obtained and confirmed his report. While he was hospitalized for viral encephalitis, an electroencephalogram showed diffuse encephalopathy, and a magnetic resonance image of the brain showed a lesion within the splenium of the corpus callosum. Mr A stated that his depressive symptoms began 1 week after hospitalization. He noticed feeling “down,” and sleep was reduced from 8 to 6 hours per night. He reports adequate opportunity to sleep, but he has a hard time falling and staying asleep. He has not had sleep studies done, and the insomnia has been attributed to depression. There is evidence to suggest that childhood encephalitis or meningitis leads to psychiatric disorders later on in life, specifically schizophrenia spectrum disorders.1 There is also evidence that encephalitis caused by the herpes simplex virus may cause affective dysfunction.2 Although it is still early to draw conclusions, it is worth further investigation. In our patient, it is of note that there was a restriction lesion in the splenium, which is close to the pineal gland. This type of restriction lesion has been found in other cases of encephalitis and is usually transient and nonspecific. It occurs with mostly viral infections, as is suspected in the case described here.3 What is interesting is the proximity of the pineal gland to the splenium and the role of the pineal gland in sleep, as well as its association with depression.4 It is speculative at this point, but is it possible that Mr A had some damage to his pineal gland during his encephalitis episode? In a study looking at psychological sequelae in patients infected with the West Nile virus, a cohort of 171 participants was followed for 8 years. It was found that 35% of these participants developed clinical depression. Depending on gender and degree of physical disability, some developed more severe depression.5 Mr A developed major depressive disorder. He has had consistent symptoms of depression, with no episodes of remission. If his symptoms continue until June 2014, he will meet DSM-5 criteria for persistent depressive disorder, since he first developed symptoms in June 2012. This case highlights the importance for patients with encephalitis to be closely monitored by their primary care physician for any signs or symptoms of clinical depression. It is clear that there are not enough studies on the relationship between brain infections and depression, but from what exists, the relationship seems worthy of further investigation and research.

A new competency model for general practice: implications for selection, training, and careers

Recent structural and policy changes in the UK health service have significantly changed the job responsibilities for the GP role. To replicate a previous job analysis study to examine the relevance of current competency domains and selection criteria for doctors entering training. A multisource, multimethod approach comprising three phases: (1) stakeholder consultation (n = 205) using interviews, focus groups and behavioural observation of practising GPs; (2) a validation questionnaire based on results from phase 1 (n = 1082); followed by (3) an expert panel (n = 6) to review and confirm the final competency domains. Eleven competency domains were identified, which extends previous research findings. A new domain was identified called Leading for Continuing Improvement. Results show that, Empathy and Perspective Taking, Communication Skills, Clinical Knowledge and Expertise, and Professional Integrity are currently rated the most important domains. Results indicate a significant increase in ratings of importance for each domain in the future (P<0.001), except for Communication Skills and Empathy and Perspective Taking, which consistently remain high. The breadth of competencies required for GPs has increased significantly. GPs are now required to resolve competing tensions to be effective in their role, such as maintaining a patient focus while overseeing commissioning, with a potential ethical conflict between these aspects. Selection criteria remain largely unchanged but with increased priority in some domains (for example, Effective Teamworking). However, there is an urgent need to review the training provision arrangements to reflect the greater breadth of competencies now required.

Public Service Motivation: A Cross-Country Study

This article addresses the relevance of public sector motivation (PSM) among unemployed workers. Despite the growing research interest among many public management and human resource management (HRM) scholars in employment choice, efforts to understand the “working minds” and motivational factors among the unemployed in their pursuit of a future career choice have been almost non-existent in HR scholarship in the public sector, which is critical considering the growing number of unemployed workers both domestically and internationally. Using data from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) on Work Orientation modules in 1997 and 2005, this article examines the effects of public service motivation and rewards-based motivation on career decisions among the unemployed in seven countries. Findings indicate that while PSM and extrinsic rewards are positive and significant predictors of choosing to work in the public sector, intrinsic rewards were shown to be in a reversed relationship. Results also indicated that respondents whose previous jobs ended either in dismissal or due to family responsibilities were less likely to choose employment in the public sector compared to those whose previous job ended primarily due to retirement. Implications are discussed.

Comparative study on the treatment of simulated brominated butyl rubber wastewater by using bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) and conventional electrodialysis (ED)

A large amount of wastewater containing sodium bromide (NaBr) is generated during the production of brominated butyl rubber. In our previous job, bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) was used to regenerate hydrobromic acid (HBr) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) from a simulated NaBr wastewater. To give a comparison with previously presented research paper, a desalinization of sodium bromide by using ED was also performed. The effects of operation parameters, such as current density, sodium bromide concentration, and initial acid and base concentrations in the concentrate, on desalinization were analyzed. In comparison, BMED has higher desalinization ratio and current efficiency, and much lower voltage drop and energy consumption. The process cost is estimated to be 0.82$/kg NaBr for BMED and 1.01$/kg NaBr for ED. Notably, BMED can also regenerate NaOH and HBr. Therefore, BMED will be more economically attractive and environmental benignity due to the regeneration of useful resource and prevention of secondary pollution.

Editorial

The new editor gives his greetings and a humorous anecdote on communicating based on his experiences at a previous job.

Enhancing FCC gasoline desulfurization performance in a polyphosphazene pervaporative membrane

Nowadays, pervaporation is widely investigated as a promising process in FCC (fluid catalytic cracking) gasoline deep desulfurization, in which the membrane plays a decisive role. In this work, a membrane with high desulfurization performance was initiated and its pervaporation performance was evaluated using FCC model gasoline composed of thiophene and heptane. The membrane was prepared from chlorine incompletely substituted poly [bis (phenoxy) phosphazene] (Cl-PBPP) followed by simple self-crosslinking at room temperature. Compared with previous jobs, the Cl-PBPP is 12times increased in pervaporation separation index. Moreover, via self-crosslinking the trade-off effect is eliminated. The highest enrichment factor and flux of Cl-PBPP membrane for separating thiophene from heptane are 5.6 and 1.38kg/(m2h), respectively. The obtained results are promising for industrial trial.

Arthroscopic reconstruction of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) with tendon graft for chronic DRUJ instability

PurposeTo report the 10-years’ experience of a novel arthroscopic assisted anatomical TFCC reconstruction in treatment of chronic DRUJ instability resulting from irreparable TFCC injuries. Materials and methods15 patients (7 males, 8 females) with mean age of 37 (17–49) suffering from irreparable TFCC injuries received arthroscopic assisted reconstruction using palmaris longus graft. Three skin incisions were made with creation of one radial and one ulna tunnel for passage of graft following the path of dorsal and palmar radio-ulnar ligaments under fluoroscopic and arthroscopic guidance. The joint capsule was kept intact. Early mid-range forearm rotation was started since 4th week postoperatively. ResultsThe mean follow-up was 85.53months (32–138). Mayo wrist score improved from 62.5 to 88(p<0.05). Comparing contralateral side, total prono-supination range increased from 76.6% to 92.1% and grip strength increased from 56.1% to 76.9%. Twelve patients resumed previous jobs. No evidence of DRUJ arthritis was noticed. Complications included 2 late graft ruptures and one unexplained dystonia. ConclusionsOur arthroscopic assisted approach on TFCC reconstruction is safe, produces comparable results as the standard technique and may achieve better range of motion with less soft tissue dissection and earlier mobilization.