Skilled Labor Research Articles

Meaningful Work Through Craft: How workers in low-skilled roles engage in anomalous craft to gain autonomy and receive recognition

Meaningful work is work that offers a degree of autonomy and the opportunity to receive recognition from others. It is traditionally associated with highly skilled jobs whereas low-skilled jobs are often equated with meaningless work. Previous research assumes that workers in low-skilled roles have little access to the autonomy or recognition characteristic of highly skilled labour. Rather it suggests that in their efforts to make their working lives more tolerable, such workers are limited to either discursively reframing the significance of their roles or engaging in acts of resistance against the organization. In this paper, based on an eight-month ethnographic study of a mould-producing company in France, we identify three processes through which workers in low-skilled roles find temporal opportunities to engage in anomalous craft where latent or underused craft skills and attitudes are utilized to enable them to work more autonomously and earn recognition from peers and supervisors, rendering their work more meaningful. Our work offers insights into how workers can use craft to activate or re-establish meaning in contexts where work has been stripped of significance.

Pengaruh Technopreneur Terhadap Pengembangan Usaha Kecil dan Menengah (UKM)

Technopreneurship is a combination of technology and entrepreneurship that has significant potential in supporting the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the digital era. This study aims to evaluate the impact of technopreneurship on the growth of SMEs in Indonesia, utilizing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method on 361 relevant articles from various academic databases, such as Google Scholar and Sinta. Data were analyzed using tools like Publish or Perish, Covidence, and VOSviewer to identify trends and relationships within the relevant literature. The findings indicate that technopreneurship plays a key role in enhancing SMEs' competitiveness through the adoption of digital technology, which supports operational efficiency, market expansion, and product innovation. However, several challenges, such as limited access to innovative financing, a shortage of skilled labor in technology, and insufficient digital infrastructure, remain major obstacles. Strategies such as continuous training, partnerships with the government and private sectors, and the use of e-commerce-based technology have proven effective in overcoming these challenges. This study provides crucial recommendations for stakeholders to strengthen technopreneurship as a primary driver of SME growth, particularly in facing the rapidly evolving digital transformation era

Design, Development, and Testing of a Cassava Storage Root-Cutting Robot Utilizing a Stewart Platform and Mask R-CNN for Precision Agriculture

Separating cassava storage root from its stem, known as cassava storage root cutting, represents a pivotal stage in cassava harvesting. It has become increasingly challenging due to a shortage of skilled labor. This research introduces an innovative solution: a cassava storage root-cutting robot (CSRCR) utilizing computer vision technology. The Mask-RCNN model is employed for precise cutting alignment detection. The moving mechanism utilizes a Stewart platform, and the cutting action is performed by a cylinder saw integrated into the robot. The specifications of these components, including dimensions, load capacity, and speed, were meticulously defined and calculated based on a physical survey of cassava plants. The robot's performance was evaluated through a three-step process. First, motion performance was assessed, and the results demonstrated acceptable levels of accuracy, repeatability, and workspace. Second, the optimal moving speed and the cutter's speed were determined. In the third step, the robot was integrated with computer vision technology. The integration achieved a remarkable success rate of 100%. The average loss and trash were minimized to 1.44% and 0.66%, respectively, and the cycle time was 32.43 seconds. This successful integration not only demonstrates the robot's ability to cut cassava stems accurately in various orientations but also significantly improves efficiency by reducing loss and trash. The research findings pave the way for enhanced traditional cassava harvesting practices.

Research on Predicting Skilled Labor Availability to Enhance Sustainability Building Practices

Research on Predicting Skilled Labor Availability to Enhance Sustainability Building Practices

No representation without taxation: Which political parties support contributivism and how?

ABSTRACT Contributivism refers to the principle of conditioning rights to political participation on economic and other contributions. Access to citizenship and voting rights for immigrants often requires ‘doing something for’ the host society, which is usually measured in material terms. The limited research on ‘contributivism’ to date has focused on laws, norms, and public opinion. Little is known about the politics of contributivism, the positions of different parties, and the reasons for supporting or opposing it. This article analyses parliamentary debates on voting and citizenship rights in four European countries – Italy, UK, France, and Germany – since 2010 to identify the different interpretations that European legislators attach to the concept of ‘contributivism’. The discourse analysis reveals that a range of contributions are identified as prerequisites for participation: economic contributions, such as tax and pension payments, knowledge, and labour skills; social contributions, such as boosting demographic growth; civic contributions, such as voluntary work; and symbolic contributions, such as winning Olympic medals. The findings indicate that contributivist frames are typically advanced by centre-left and progressive parties to justify extending the franchise to immigrants, and are often contrasted with ethno-identitarian views of citizenship. Consequently, this study suggests a shift towards pragmatist arguments and reciprocity-based understandings of contributivism among centre-left parties.

Enforcement of Labour Law Policies Among Civil Servants: A Meta-Analysis Research

Labour policies serve as the foundation for efficient compliance and the enforcement of labour laws. However, the different enforcement strategies and systems lead to challenges for civil servants in enforcing labour laws as well as promoting business compliance among employers. Thus, this study aims to identify the elements of enforcement of labour law policies among civil servants via meta-analysis techniques. This meta-analysis thoroughly examines and synthesises the results of 10 research that were published between 2014 and 2024 to look into how civil servants implement labour laws. The inclusion criteria that determined the selection of the research included factors like the elements of enforcement, geographic coverage across various regions, and significance to labour law enforcement in public sectors. After a qualitative analysis, there are four elements of the enforcement of labour law policies among civil servants can be identified (1) Enforcement and effectiveness of labour law policies, (2) Implementation of standard operating procedures in labour law policies, (3) Knowledge and skills of labour law policies among civil servants and (4) Inspection capabilities among civil servants. The findings furnish evidence-based suggestions for policy enhancements and identify important elements impacting enforcement effectiveness.

Greening TVET for Sustainable Skill Development: Opportunities and Challenges in Botswana with a Focus on Quality Education

The need to reorganise economies and the skill sets that individuals will need in the new order is urgent since climate change is impacting the entire planet. TVET systems are required to reskill and provide human capital with environmentally sustainable skills for green economies and jobs. This article investigates potential additional benefits that greening TVET education may offer to students, the employment market, and Botswana as a whole. The study examined current research on Botswana's preparedness for a green TVET industry. Results highlight the crucial role of greening TVET systems in supporting nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in meeting their climate change commitments and ensuring quality education. Investments made concurrently in greening TVET, green industries, and green technology have the potential to prevent significant employment losses and to create a significant number of new jobs for recent graduates. The emphasis should be on occupational green skills and any support mechanisms that may establish a green TVET system to take advantage of the new prospects. Additional findings point to the need for strong labour market data and skills anticipation to pinpoint in-demand green talents and create fresh initiatives focused on the green economy. To lessen potential issues of fragmentation between TVET greening programmes, environmental legislation, and the green job market, countries must have professionals to perform quality assurance and monitoring of the novel synergies between the greening of TVET systems, learner skills, and the job market.

Robots and accounting comparability: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing

AbstractThis paper focuses on how the employment of robot influences accounting comparability in Chinese manufacturing and provides evidence of a positive link. Promoting operating stability and reducing earnings management are two underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, the positive link is more significant in firms within high‐tech industries or owing higher skilled labour, with firms being covered by analysts or the legal environment being enhanced, and the positive link becomes more significant. Overall, our study brings substantial evidence that supports the spillover effect of robots on financial reporting.

Role of MSMEs in India

In the current business environment, micro, small, and medium-sized businesses are acknowledged as the main force behind economic growth and the advancement of equitable development. Additionally, MSMEs are essential to the growth of industries and the creation of job opportunities. When compared to India's entire industrial sector, the MSMEs sector has continuously shown a greater growth rate. Due to factors including raw material shortages, ignorance or a lack of entrepreneurial skill development, and a lack of funding and technical support from relevant local authorities at the district, state, and federal levels, the distribution of MSME's throughout India is unequal. The primary issues facing MSME's are the absence of contemporary technology, the high cost of credit, the lack of research and developments, the lack of training and skill development, the complexity of labour laws, and the lack of an adequate and timely credit facility. Nevertheless, there are a number of chances for MSME development. Additionally, the MSME sector might draw in international technology and investment. The growth of MSME's increases the likelihood of employment. After taking into account the customers' expectations first, the MSME's will be able to meet their wants to a large degree. Allowing young people to work in rural regions can stop them from migrating there. The development of MSME would be aided by the exchange of technology among the various MSME kinds, financial and technical support, lenient labour regulations, and training and skill development. The Indian government provided numerous opportunities for the slogans "Made in India" and "Vocal for local" to succeed.

Challenges in Sesame Production and Marketing: Insights from Kerala's Onattukara Region, India

Sesame is one of the nine major oilseeds grown in India, with cultivation spread across every state. Although sesame is grown in 11 districts in Kerala, the sesame cultivated in the Onattukara tract has unique characteristics. In Kerala, sesame is cultivated on 326.51 hectares, with a total production of 163.1 tonnes and a productivity rate of 499 kg per hectare. This study aims to analyze the challenges faced by farmers in the production and marketing of sesame in the Onattukara region of Kerala. The districts of Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, and Kollam were purposively selected for the study, as the Onattukara region is located within these three districts. A total of 163 farmers were included in the sample, comprising eighty farmers each from Kollam and Alappuzha districts and three farmers from Pathanamthitta. Constraints faced by farmers in sesame cultivation were ranked using the Garrett ranking technique. Sesame cultivation in the Onattukara region faces various challenges in both production and marketing, such as inadequate seed availability, high input costs, low yields, labor shortages, low prices, weather-related issues, price fluctuations, delayed payments, low demand for the final product, and the lack of institutional market mechanism. Similarly, sesame processing unit owners also encounter issues in production and marketing, including raw material shortages, a lack of skilled labor, poor raw material quality, costly production methods, lack of support, low product prices, price volatility, inadequate storage facilities, inefficient markets for final products, and limited consumer awareness. A micro-level study on sesame production and marketing would help producers make informed and specific decisions to improve their income. These insights can guide producers in making informed decisions and assist policymakers in implementing corrective measures like resource allocation for inputs, training and capacity building, improving market linkages to enhance sesame production, productivity, and market stability. These interventions, grounded in micro-level data, could substantially support both short-term gains and long-term sustainability in sesame production, demonstrating the practical utility of the research in enhancing both farmers livelihoods and local agricultural policy.

Ergonomic interventions in Kalamkari block printing: addressing challenges and preserving tradition

This study examines the potential of ergonomic interventions to improve the well‑being and productivity of artisans in the Machilipatnam Kalamkari cluster, Andhra Pradesh, known for its traditional vegetable hand‑block printing. Due to a shortage of skilled labour and rising demand, the craft is transitioning to screen printing. The research assesses the feasibility of tools and equipment to ease manual labour, reduce stress, and prevent injuries, while enhancing productivity. The purpose of the study was to propose alternative mechanisms for the craft practices both at unit and cluster levels involving production and non‑production based activities. A survey of 30 artisans revealed strong support for items like anti‑fatigue flooring, measuring stands, and hydro extractors, with over 80% of responses rating them as relevant, useful, and feasible. There is significant association between the awareness and availability of suggested items. The study highlights the importance of introducing ergonomic tools to reduce fatigue, attract younger artisans, and sustain this traditional craft, contributing to both artisan welfare and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Shocking shortage: the electrical trade crisis in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

This study examines the shortage of professional electricians in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, exploring the root causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Using an interpretivist paradigm and inductive approach, qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with local electricians were analysed through thematic analysis. Findings indicate that inadequate training opportunities and low industry awareness are major contributors to this shortage, leading to an increased presence of unqualified electricians. The analysis identified three primary themes: causes, including insufficient training and awareness; consequences, such as diminished industry standards and rising unqualified practitioners; and potential solutions centred on educational reform and expanded vocational programs. While this study is limited to the Eastern Cape, it provides valuable insights that may inform similar regions, offering actionable recommendations for industry stakeholders. By addressing these training and awareness gaps, stakeholders can help reduce the shortage, enhance workforce skills, and improve overall industry standards. The research underscores the critical need for educational initiatives and awareness campaigns to counteract skilled labour shortages, emphasising that targeted strategies could stimulate sustainable workforce development. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of labour market dynamics in the construction sector, with particular relevance for the sustainable growth of skilled trades.

Corporate Governance, Meritocracy and Careers

Abstract Firms may pursue non-meritocratic promotion policies at the cost of lower profitability, if they yield private benefits of control. Corporate governance standards that limit these private benefits favor meritocratic promotions, and thereby encourage workers' skill acquisition. Managerial incentive pay has ambiguous effects on workers' skill acquisition: it fosters the supply of skilled labor, while reducing firms' willingness to promote skilled workers to managerial positions. Social welfare increases with the share of meritocratic firms, but not necessarily with governance standards: small reforms generate losers and gainers, and may on balance lower welfare, while drastic enough reforms can generate Pareto improvements.

Exploring the Determinants of Child Labor in District Peshawar

The study investigates the relationship between skilled labor, poverty and child labor in district Peshawar. OLS and Multinomial Logistic Regression model is used for empirical findings. 150 boys (5-17 years) are randomly selected for survey. The methodology employed in the present study involves collecting primary data through questionnaires from two distinct populations: physically demanding laborers in Shoba Bazaar's mechanic shops and children engaged in online work. The majority of the little boys had no or little education. Most of their fathers had little education and were in poorly paid jobs, unemployed or deceased. Moreover, the study suggests that educational years of children and head’s educational status have strong negative impact on child labor. In addition, the study finds that age of children has positive relationship with child labor while joint family system has negative impact on child labor. Poverty serves as a driving force for child labor.

Digital transformation, human capital upgrading, and enterprise ESG performance: Evidence from Chinese listed enterprises

Research background: With the rapid development of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, and blockchain, the deep integration of digital technology and traditional industries offers unprecedented opportunities and has become an important technological force driving the development of enterprise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Digital transformation increases the complementarity between the production and operation processes of enterprises and highly skilled labour, specifically manifested in the adaptive change of the human capital structure of enterprises in labour relations. Meanwhile, transforming enterprises’ human capital structure also affects ESG performance. Purpose of the article: This study investigates the effects of digital transformation on enterprise ESG performance and its underlying mechanisms of human capital upgrading. First, it combines cutting-edge literature to analyse the theoretical mechanism between digital transformation, human capital upgrading, and enterprise ESG performance, revealing the internal driving factors and implementation paths for improving enterprise ESG performance. Second, we use the data of 3928 listed enterprises in the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets from 2009–2022 to analyse the impact of digital transformation on enterprise ESG performance from the perspective of human capital upgrading as well as the mechanism by which digital transformation affects enterprise ESG performance through human capital upgrading. Third, we provide policy recommendations for optimising the labour structure and enhancing enterprise ESG performance from the perspective of optimising human capital and digital technology applications. Methods: Based on data from 3928 listed enterprises in Chinese A-share markets from 2009-2022, we investigate the effects of digital transformation on enterprise ESG performance and the mechanisms of human capital upgrading. The panel mediation effect model tests the relationships between digital transformation, human capital upgrading, and enterprise ESG performance. Findings & value added: In theory, digital transformation is beneficial for optimising human capital structure, accelerating green technological innovation, and improving management efficiency, thus improving enterprise ESG performance. Mechanism testing shows that digital transformation enhances enterprise ESG performance through human capital upgrading. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of digital transformation on ESG performance is more significant in enterprises that are capital- and technical-intensive, and located in the eastern and central regions. This study examines the microeconomic consequences of digital transformation, contributing to a deeper understanding of the theoretical logic inherent in enterprises’ optimisation of their labour structure. It also provides empirical evidence and decision support for developing industrial talent policies.

Rural public investment and wage inequality under small‐scale agriculture modernization

Increasing rural public investment is crucial for sustainable rural development and can be an effective approach for reducing inequality. However, wage inequality has increased in some developing countries (e.g., China) after increasing fiscal support. This study explores how rural public investment influences skilled‐unskilled wage inequality by incorporating agricultural modernization in small‐scale agriculture. Agricultural modernization refers to introducing modern non‐agricultural intermediate inputs in agriculture. Owing to the small scale of agriculture, an intermediate sector, the agricultural producer service sector, is required to facilitate this process. We establish a three‐sector general equilibrium model with a two‐layer vertical production structure and investigate the effects of increased public investment in rural areas on the wage inequality between skilled and unskilled labour. The theoretical results show that while more rural public investment raises the wages of both skilled and unskilled labour, it also increases wage inequality. Overall, this study explains why inequality widens as rural public investment increases.

Modern conditions for reproduction of the educational potential of the Russian workforce

The relevance of the research is related to the need to substantiate the specifics of reproduction of the educational potential of workforce as a key resource that ensures generation of new knowledge, its successful implementation into practice, and innovative development of domestic enterprises. The purpose of the article is to identify and analyse modern conditions for the reproduction of the educational potential of the workforce. The research methodology is based on the use of an integrated and systematic approach to determining them, comparative and statistical methods of analysis. As conditions for the formation of the educational potential in the post-industrial era, the article considers: demographic conditions, globalisation, formation of a unified information space, and digitalisation of the economy, increasing demand for skilled labour, accelerated development of the service sector, and increase in labour migration. The results of the analysis show that in Russia, the reproduction of the educational potential is hampered as a result of the demographic crisis manifested in the continuation of the trend towards natural population decline and an increase in the number of people of retirement age; increase in the scale of external migration of skilled labour; average level of Internet accessibility to the population, and, as a result, insufficient formation of its digital skills. Attention is focused on the growing need of the national economy for personnel with a high educational and qualification level, digital skills, and information culture due to the formation of a unified information space and digitalisation of the economy, accelerated development of the service sector, globalisation, and the increasing role of universities in shaping the general culture of the population. The prospects for further research are to develop an organisational and economic mechanism for reproducing the educational potential of the workforce.

Operational Challenges of Small Scale Enterprises in Namakkal District

The research work examined the operational problems those hinder the efficacy and productivity of the SSEs in the jurisdiction of Namakkal District. This scientific investigation is of an empirical nature and it is based on the data that was personally gathered by following a schedule of interviews. Through formal conversation with the business owners of SSEs every attempt has been made to determine the accuracy of the material that has been gathered. In order to accomplish the goals of the research, a field survey was carried out in order to collect primary data. For the purpose of selecting samples, the type of sampling known as simple random sampling was used. The samples that were selected were comprised of business owners of SSEs from the Namakkal District. In each step of the selection process, the lottery method was used as a simple random sampling methodology. The sample size of the study was fixed to be 147 based on the statistical tools that were used in the study. The collected main data that was obtained from the sample small scale units was performed as part of the analysis of the data. The data have been categorised, and cross tabulation has been performed in accordance with the various attributes of the variables. The study has used confirmatory factor analysis using the AMOS software to analyse the challenges faced by the SSE in Namakkal District. The SSEs operating in the study area are highly impacted by the challenges of skilled labor source and lack of appropriate infrastructure to operate their business which has to be resolved by stakeholders involved in policy making.

Autonomous ecologies of construction: Collaborative modular robotic material eco-systems with deep multi-agent reinforcement learning

To address the unprecedented challenges of construction pressurized by the global climate crisis, housing shortage, and growing shortage of skilled labor, this research presents a radical shift in the construction lifecycle of buildings, from linear processes that produce static continuous buildings to interrelational processes linking adaptative eco-systems of collaborative robots and reconfigurable building parts. Inspired by natural builders, the interdisciplinary field of collective robotic construction (CRC) offers the potential for scalable, adaptive, and resilient construction with simple robots. We establish a design framework for autonomous collaborative robotic construction (ACRC) through modular robotic material eco-systems (MRMES) trained with deep multi-agent reinforcement learning (DMARL). This involves the integration of three core aspects: (1) modular robotic material eco-systems (2) cyber-physical simulation and control with bidirectional feedback (3) adaptive intelligence through deep multi-agent reinforcement learning. The framework is implemented through three comparable case studies for collaborative modular robotic assembly of reconfigurable building parts.

The asymmetric impact of leisure externalities on economic growth

Leisure generates externalities for the economy as a whole, as individuals generally get some (dis-)utility from their leisure-time. However, the sign and the extent of the effect that these externalities have on a specific worker's productivity and on the productivity of all other factors used in combination with labor (hence on long-term economic growth) may be asymmetric across different economic activities. The objective of this paper is to shed light on the impact that sector-specific leisure-time externalities have on the innovation rate, on the sectorial allocation of (skilled) labor, and eventually on the long-run economic growth rate, without making any prior assumption on their sign and magnitude. In the baseline model the growth rate of per capita income moves together with all types of leisure externalities, whereas the innovation rate moves together with (and depends solely on) the R&D-sector-specific leisure externality. From numerical analyses, we conclude that sector-specific leisure-time externalities provide asymmetric effects on the growth rate of real per capita GDP and on the way skilled labor is allocated across different economic activities. The robustness of these conclusions is analyzed by using various definitions of leisure along with different utility functions (including leisure as an argument).