Urban Market Research Articles

Re-examining Gender Earning Differentials in Malaysian Manufacturing

Abstract The manufacturing sector is a major avenue for female employment in the urban labor market in Malaysia. Only two studies, both published more than two decades ago, have examined gender earning differentials in this sector. Since then, the percentage of women being educated has increased, along with their participation rate, and several laws protecting their rights have also been passed, making it timely to re-examine the earnings gap. We do this by drawing on more recent data from a larger representative survey of manufacturing employees. The Blinder-Oaxaca technique, utilized in the previous two studies, was used to estimate the existing earnings gap and to decompose it to differences attributable to endowments, coefficients (traditionally viewed as subsuming discrimination), and the interaction between the two. We found a smaller gap than previously reported, with better female endowments helping to narrow the gap, and unexplained differences in coefficients being responsible for the remaining gap. The interaction effect was not statistically significant. Contrary to the earlier studies, the differential treatment of women in the manufacturing sector, rather than endowment differences, is hampering the equalization of earnings. This calls for newer approaches to closing the earnings gap.

Continued availability and sale of pangolins in a major urban bushmeat market in Cameroon despite national bans and the COVID-19 outbreak.

Continued availability and sale of pangolins in a major urban bushmeat market in Cameroon despite national bans and the COVID-19 outbreak.

Importance of the Oriental mole cricket (Gryllotalpa orientalis) to gatherers’ livelihoods in Guiyang city, China

Edible insects contribute to the livelihoods of impoverished people worldwide and have become a key method to combat rural poverty. This study reports the role of harvesting the Oriental mole cricket (Gryllotalpa orientalis) in gatherers’ livelihoods in Guiyang city, China. We recorded 44 people involved in gathering the Oriental mole cricket, 34 of whom were successfully interviewed in an urban open market. All the gatherers were from the rural ethnic Miao community. Opportunities for sustaining their livelihoods were limited, and 82.4% (n=28) claimed that the Oriental mole cricket made the most important contribution to their family income. The study participants collected these insects almost every weekday, using a hoe to dig them out of the soil, and sold them at the market on weekends. They could earn an estimated gross income ranging from US dollars 1,118 to 9,176 per annum, representing a stable and considerable revenue source. However, the crickets were bought only by keepers of the Chinese hwamei (Garrulax canorus) bird, which has recently been categorised as a Class II key national protected species in China. The ban on keeping this species might cause a serious social problem. If alternative income sources are absent, strict enforcement could affect the livelihoods of the live-food gatherers. We call on bird conservation agencies to pay more attention to impoverished people in the process of decision-making. Our study identifies a rarely mentioned policy factor inhibiting the use of insects to combat rural poverty.

An Agro-Food Waste Commercial Utilisation Behaviour Lens among Urban Agro-producer Households in a Developing Economy

Small-urban farm businesses utilise agro-food waste emanating from own production and other levels of food supply chain activities to supplement conventional inputs. Out of these, the food produce surplus from agro-producer households is offloaded to the urban market. As such, the aim of the study was to assess the determinants of agro-food waste commercial utilisation behaviour among urban agro-producer households. An electronically-designed research tool was administered to 456 agro-producer households to collect self-reported estimates of their agro-food waste utilisation behaviour. Results indicated higher budget share towards conventional inputs (0.73) compared to agro-food waste (0.27) but the observed suboptimal production intensification could be rectified with increased use of agro-food waste. Structural equation modelling results indicated that attitude, environmental awareness and concern, motivation and perceived moral obligation had positive significant influence on commercial utilisation intention. The adopted constructs for the model could explain 79.1% of the commercial utilisation behaviour variance. Furthermore, commercial utilisation intention, risk perceptions and perceived behavioural control had significant influence on the commercial utilisation behaviour. Findings are an indicator that agro-food waste commercial utilisation intentions among small-urban farm businesses would likely transition to commercial utilisation behaviour. Since behaviour can be learnt and developed, aspects that contribute to commercial utilisation intentions and behaviour would need to be stimulated. As a strategy of reducing the collectible waste, urban authorities may introduce tailor-made programs meant to stimulate commercial utilisation intention and behaviour in small-urban farm businesses. In valuation of agro-food waste, methodologies that could factor in utility would provide more precise insights in its commercial utilisation.

Negotiation of resources in everyday activities of a multilingual Berlin street market: a linguistic ethnography approach

AbstractThe Maybachufer Market is an urban street market in Berlin-Neukölln that constitutes a highly diverse urban context by bringing together people of different social, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. Through linguistic ethnography, this paper explores the negotiation of various resources in everyday communicative practices and activities of this urban space. The market setting with its multiethnic and multilingual community constitutes a spatial repertoire with a rich pool of resources. Although German, Turkish, and English are prominent as local and international lingua francas, various other languages and resources are used in the market activities involving different types and modes of interaction. The study shows that the respective communicative practices, which seem random at first glance, in fact follow specific interactional patterns with respect to communicative goals and interactional roles, including different social relations and identity constructions. While exploring everyday activities and the linguistic behaviours at a highly diverse urban market, the study contributes to our understanding of spatial repertoires, metrolingual and convivial practices, and communicative patterns in multilingual and multiethnic interactions in highly diverse urban spaces.

Moderating effect of customer's retail format perception on customer satisfaction formation: An empirical study of mini-supermarkets in an urban retail market setting

Customer perceptions of retail formats have become ambiguous with new value-added features of traditional retail formats. Hence, this paper proposes a framework for explaining retail patronage formation under the condition that customers perceive the ambiguity of retail format boundaries. The moderating effect of customers' retail format perceptions on customer satisfaction is examined using data from Japanese mini-supermarket customers. Results indicate that customers' perceptions of retail formats partially influence customer satisfaction. Theoretically, this implies that considering retail format as a concept that customers construct a posteriori may be necessary and practically indicates that retail practitioners should manage customers’ retail format perception.

Buying Behaviour of Rural Consumers Towards Fast Moving Consumers Goods

Consumption of goods is the sole purpose of every kind of production, and that’s why manufacturers manufacture and promote their commodities to meet the consumer wants and needs. The structure of the Indian market is divided and has different markets like Rural and Urban markets. There are unique techniques of advertising and marketing that can be established to fit into the rural and urban market behaviours. This is because the rural shoppers vary in phrases of their Purchase Choices, Consumption Style, Purchase Activities, and also the Opinions towards goods. The central focus of the study is to investigate the behaviour of the rural consumers towards Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG’s). In the current scenario; the rural markets are receiving much attention with the urban market diffusion. This is mainly attributed to the improvement in the economic conditions of the rural people. With the uplift of their standard of living, rural people in India are looking forward to adapting to the urban lifestyle. This change in behaviour is mainly reflected in their purchasing limit and capacity. Hence, rural markets remain to provide potential growth opportunities for the organised FMCG companies, both assorted quality of products and services in the affordable process.

Folliculitis keloidalis in an urban market in Lagos, Nigeria: A community survey

Background: Folliculitis keloidalis (FK) also known as acne keloidalis nuchae is a follicular scalp disease found predominantly in males of African origin. Studies suggested that FK is associated with hair care practices and shaving. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FK in a community in Lagos. Methods: This was a community-based, cross-sectional study at the Sandgrouse market in Lagos Island, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain demographic and clinical information. Diagnosis of FK was clinical and included follicular and keloidal papules, pustules, nodules, and tumors at the nape, sometimes spreading to other parts of the scalp, with intense itching. Results: A total of 100 males and 207 women were enlisted in the study and clinically evaluated for features of FK. None of the female participants presented with history and clinical features of FK. Seventy-five percent were between the age of 30 and 60 years. Fifteen male participants had a prior history of FK on the scalp and eight had previous treatment. Examination revealed the presence of FK in four respondents (4%): 3 had only on the scalp and one had on both the scalp and the beard area; and none had keloidal lesions. Conclusion: All respondents with FK presented at the early stage with keratotic/follicular papules. We posit that self-treatment with antibiotics and triple action creams (consisting of potent steroids, antifungal, and antibiotic) sold in the market and over the counter is responsible for the early and mild presentation.

Knowledge and use of sunscreens among traders at an urban market in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: Public health awareness on sun-protection practices especially sunscreen use is established in developed countries compared with some other tropical African countries. Open-market traders in Nigeria, who typically have black skin, spend up to 8 hours in daylight with unprotected sun exposure. Aim: To determine prevalence of the knowledge of sunscreen use and to discover if adequate and appropriate sunscreen use is practiced by market traders. Methods: Cross-sectional study on 307 consenting traders at Sandgrouse Market in Lagos, Nigeria. Demographic data and responses to questions on sun exposure and its effects, knowledge and use of sunscreen, source of knowledge, and frequency of application were documented with a predesigned study questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22. Results: More females (207; 67.4%) were observed and the mean age was 42.7 ± 12.8 years, though most were within the 35- to 39-year age range. One-third (102; 33.2%) were unaware that sun exposure could damage the skin and only 30 (9.8%) were aware of or knew what sunscreen meant. Commercials or advertisements were the most common source of knowledge and females were significantly more aware of sunscreens (P = 0.018). Conclusion: There is poor knowledge and awareness of the use of sunscreen among urban market traders in Nigeria who have prolonged unprotected exposure during their daily activities. Females were significantly more aware of sunscreens than males but there was no significant difference in the use pattern.

The middle remains missing: class exclusion from the urban rental market in suburban Johannesburg

There is a huge demand for housing in Johannesburg, South Africa, due to significant in-migration as well as the legacy of apartheid. Rental housing supply in Johannesburg is particularly constrained. Despite this, little is known about the formal rental market in terms of middle income access. Thus, this explorative qualitative study seeks to partially address this research gap. Results show that specific legislative constraints, namely the National Credit Act and the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, have created an imbalance between the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, driving onerous credit checks and documentary demands, all of which are inadvertently excluding individuals from the formal rental market. Thus, while race previously excluded many from the suburbs under study, class now seems to be a significant factor in terms of who can access rental property. As such, rental housing supply is to some degree artificially constrained.

Resilience of the urban tourist market in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. The case of Malaga

Este artículo tiene como objetivo verificar la resiliencia del turismo urbano ante la crisis de la COVID-19 e identificar sus rasgos principales, tomando como referencia la ciudad de Málaga. Se utilizará el enfoque metodológico que proporciona el análisis económico para analizar la dinámica que se ha registrado en el mercado de alojamientos, tanto convencionales (hoteles) como el de viviendas turísticas de alquiler a corto plazo. Los datos se refieren a indicadores de demanda, de oferta y de precios para el periodo comprendido entre septiembre de 2018 y el mismo mes del año 2021. Los resultados del análisis evidencian claros signos de recuperación del mercado turístico a partir de la primavera de 2021. Más concretamente, se constata el protagonismo que adquieren los residentes en España en la demanda de alojamiento hotelero. Asimismo, en el mercado peer-to-peer se confirma que, meses después del levantamiento de las restricciones a la movilidad, se superaron los niveles de actividad alcanzados antes de la pandemia. Sobre esa base, parece pertinente reabrir y replantear el debate sobre la capacidad de carga de las ciudades y la conveniencia de regular el mercado de alojamientos turísticos.

Моделирование рынков жилой недвижимости крупнейших городов России

The existing mass appraisal models and mathematical tools for predicting the market value of residential property have a number of disadvantages, as they are developed for individual regions. Without considering the constantly changing economic environment, these models quickly become outdated and require constant updating. Thus, they are not suitable for construction business optimisation. The study aims to create a universally applicable real estate appraisal system for Russian cities, regardless of the constantly changing economic situation. This goal was achieved through the creation of a neural network, whose input parameters include construction and operational data, geographical factors, time effect, as well as a number of indicators characterising the economic situation in specific regions, Russia and the world. In order to examine the dynamics of real estate markets in the Russian Federation, statistical data for neural network training were collected over a long period from 2006 to 2020. Virtual computer experiments were performed for testing the developed system. They showed that minimum size one-room apartments of 16 square meters have the highest unit cost per square meter in Moscow. Two-room apartments with an area of 90 square meters have the maximum price, as well as 100 sq. m. three-room, 110 sq. m. four-room and 120 sq. m. five-room apartments. In Ekaterinburg, two-room apartments with a total area of 30 square meters have the highest cost per square meter; the same applies for 110 sq. m. three-room, 130 sq. m. four-room and 150 sq. m. five-room apartment. Thus, the proposed system can be used to optimise the construction business. It can be also be useful for government institutions concerned with urban real estate market management, property taxation, and housing market improvement.

Contributions of Urban Periodic Markets to Sustainable Rural Development in Ghana: A Rural Web Analysis

Contributions of Urban Periodic Markets to Sustainable Rural Development in Ghana: A Rural Web Analysis

Assessing the factors of the overeducation in the rural labor market

The article analyzes the determinants of the overeducation in the Russian rural labor market compared to the urban labor market. As a database the article uses the 2018 Federal State Statistics Service Labor Force Survey microdata. The hypothesis of the research is that the main determinants in the rural labor market are employment in personal subsidiary plots, marital status, housekeeping and childcare. The authors perform analysis by each level of vocational education: higher and secondary vocational (separately for medium-level specialists and skilled workers). The determinants of overeducation are investigated using a binary regression model. The authors reveal that a higher level of overeducation is associated with employment in personal subsidiary plots for the purpose of selling products. Other significant determinants of overeducation in the rural labor market include gender; marital status; age; the number of household members; education field. Higher risks of overeducation are observed for persons with foreign citizenship; single men; as well as those living in larger households. The authors reveal significant differences in the determinants of overeducation among specialists and skilled workers. At the same time, no significant differences are found in the determinants of overeducation among high- and middle-level specialists. The results contribute to the investigation of the problems of imbalance in the labor market in Russia.

Pesticide contamination of water used for urban market gardening in Bamako (Mali)

The use of natural and synthetic pesticides is increasingly common in developing countries, particularly in pest control efforts to improve crop yields. Misuse of these plant protection products can lead to a loss of efficacy on crops and the development of certain diseases. Among the most widely used insecticides in the world, pyrethroids are generally very fast acting against all insects but are also very toxic to the aquatic environment. In Mali, there are few studies on the risks of these phytosanitary products for market gardening on the health of rural populations and on the environment. It is in this context that we are conducting our research on phytosanitary products intended for various vegetable crops. The objective is to determine the level of pesticide contamination of water used for urban market gardening in Bamako, particularly by pyrethroids. In order to carry out these analyses, we collected water from wells, boreholes, marigots and the Niger River during the dry season and in winter. We chose a solid phase extraction (SPE) for the active substances present in the water. For their separation, we used an Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) chromatograph, which allows a single separation for the active substances present in the water. The analytical results show the presence of cypermethrin residues. Market gardening uses a large quantity of synthetic pesticides, but there is a change in practice with the use of biopesticides, which would eventually reduce the risks for the environment and the health of the applicators.

Assessing Causative Characteristics of Abandoned Completed Urban Market Projects in Ghana

This article assesses the causative characteristics of abandoned completed urban market projects in the Bono Region, Ghana and their associated effect. The study used the mixed methodology research approach. Eight abandoned completed urban market projects were visited within the region. A total of 16 consultant and contractor teams were selected using the purposive sampling technique while 32 questionnaires were administered and received from would-be users, consultants and contractors of the eight selected projects. Bad location, non-provision of auxiliary facilities, high rent charges, a long distance from the communities, small size of sheds and stalls and non-user consultation were the highest causative characteristics. The effects of abandoned markets were resource wastage, unemployment and a decrease in revenue accruable to the state. Markets are a source of product delivery that promotes sustainable economic development, jobs and communication, and enhances the identity of the communities. Wastage of resources occurs if an urban market project is abandoned. Improvement of would-be user satisfaction is imperative to reduce non-usage leading to the abandonment of the market project. Therefore, auxiliary utilities such as electricity, water, sanitation and access roads must be included in the project during the planning phases. The article affirms the relevance of user satisfaction with urban market projects to avoid the wastage of public resources.

Pyrethroid Resistance Intensity in Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Different Agricultural Production Zones in Benin, West Africa.

Agricultural production activities usually occur in Benin with the use of a huge amount of insecticides including pyrethroids for pest control. It is therefore important to regularly monitor pyrethroid resistance intensity in Anopheles gambiae s.l., the main malaria vector. This study was conducted in cereal, cotton, rice growing, and urban market gardening areas throughout the country in 2018 and 2019. Females An. gambiae s.l. field-collected as larvae were exposed to deltamethrin 1 × (0.05%), 2 × (0.1%), 5 × (0.25%), and 10 × (0.5%) and permethrin 1 × (0.75%), 2 × (1.5%), 5 × (3.75%), and 10 × (7.5%). Synergist assays were also performed using World Health Organization articles combining piperonyl butoxide (PBO) (4%) + deltamethrin 1 × and, PBO (4%) + Permethrin 1 × . Molecular species and L1014F kdr mutation were identified using PCR. Expression of metabolic enzymes was also assessed through biochemical tests. After exposure to permethrin and deltamethrin 10 × , An. gambiae s.l. displayed mortality rates <98%. Synergist assays induced significantly higher mortality rates than pyrethroids alone (p < 0.05). An. gambiae s.l. complex was composed of An. gambiae s.s., Anopheles coluzzii, and Anopheles arabiensis, with mean frequency of the L1014F kdr mutation >75%. Overexpression of nonspecific α and β esterases was observed in the cereal, cotton, and urban market gardening areas, while an overexpression of mixed function oxidases was observed in the cotton and rice growing areas. Overall, An. gambiae s.l. showed high resistance intensity to both deltamethrin and permethrin. The synergist and biochemical tests performed suggest that PBO long-lasting insecticidal nets may provide a greater control of pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes.

Managing urban land markets in Africa: Valuation, performance and policy implication

Land management system is an underlying factor for rapid urbanization. The urban land lease policy of Ethiopia is considered the most influential policy, where leasing is through auction or negotiation. This study examines its implementation using land auction data in Addis Ababa, one of the fastest growing city in Sub Saharan African Countries. The result suggests a high divergence between land-auction guide and sale prices. The study found that the urban land market is not just driven by economic rationale, it is also determined by non-economic factors. The findings imply that the land market is not only exposed to speculations but also its urban land acquisition is majorly a secondary market, with no policy-ground.

A SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODEL FOR URBAN TAXI PRICE SIMULATION

Urban taxi services have been developing year on year, playing an increasingly important role in the economy and the transportation markets of each city. This increases interest in measuring their performance. This paper analysed the relationship among the four stakeholders (including administrative department, operational companies, taxi drivers and customers) for urban taxi passenger transport system in China, and applied System Dynamics (SD) model to explore the dynamic characteristics of urban taxi price system. The main achievements of this paper are as follows, firstly, this paper adopted stakeholder mapping to describe the relationships among the four stakeholders. Then analysed the causal flow diagrams and the different variables of urban taxi passenger transport system operation, and presented the SD model, which considers factors that affect the taxi operation. With the combination of taxi operation data of Harbin city, we simulated eleven urban taxi operation scenarios and proposed kinds of suggestions to improve urban taxi passenger transport system operation, which can provide a good basis for recommending policy decisions for urban taxi market.

Comparison of Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations in Ambient Air among Different Source Areas around Khon Kaen, Thailand

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a complex group of chemicals that pose a direct risk to human health. They also lead to the formation of other air pollution constituents, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground level ozone (O₃). The ambient air concentrations of 19 VOCs were measured using multi-day 24 h sampling at two urban sites and two rural sites in the area of Khon Kaen, Thailand. Results showed that most VOCs were at concentrations considered acceptable according to the 24 h average standards established by the Thai Pollution Control Department. The VOC acrolein, however, was detected at concentrations (0.69–1.15 μg/m3) in excess of the 24 h average standard (0.55 μg/m3). Two other VOCs, benzene and 1,3-butadiene, were also detected at elevated levels (1.73–2.75 and 0.18–0.40 μg/m3, respectively) that indicated the potential to exceed the 1-year average standard. VOC concentrations were highest in the urban market monitoring site, suggesting that vehicle exhaust and food preparation using cooking oil at high temperatures may have been potential sources of the elevated VOCs.