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Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the factors influencing migration, the labour migration process and the status of migrant laborers in the informal sector, particularly those working in brick kiln factories. It will shed light on the precarious nature of their work, often characterized by informal and verbal contracts. The paper examines occupational and environmental health hazards affecting the labourers and their impact on their well-being, the vulnerability of women in the precarious work environment and the associated health risks in brick kiln factories in India. Design/methodology/approach: The study relies primarily on primary data collection, supplemented by secondary literature and documents. Balangir district was chosen as the research region due to its historical deprivation, underdevelopment and the historical prevalence of environmental distress, leading to distress-driven migration. To gather primary data, 40 respondents were selected from five selected blocks in Balangir district, resulting in a total of 200 respondents. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 individuals across the selected blocks, with approximately seven participants from each block. In addition, interviews of 10 kids were taken and around 10 key informants including the trade union leaders, intellectuals and civil society activists. Findings: Migrant labourers, including men, women and children, face significant health issues and are exposed to similar occupational health hazards. Internal migrant women workers are more vulnerable as they face critical health risks during pregnancy in host areas due to unfavourable working conditions and limited access to health-care services. Factors such as strenuous work, long working hours, poor nutrition and inadequate maternal care contribute to adverse outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, premature delivery and abnormal postnatal development. Research limitations/implications: The brick kiln industry presents a distressing reality for men who are highly vulnerable to occupational accidents, and women workers are exposed to sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. The prevalence of physical harassment, ranging from leering to rape, is alarmingly high among women. These incidents not only inflict physical harm but also cause severe psychological trauma and increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Despite the existence of laws aimed at protecting women's rights and addressing sexual offences, the workers often remain unaware of their rights. This lack of awareness further compounds the vulnerability of women workers and perpetuates their exploitation in the workplace. Practical implications: To address health issues comprehensively, interventions should encompass the entire migrant population, including men and children. Strategies should focus on improving access to health-care services, promoting occupational health and safety measures, ensuring proper immunization and nutrition for children and addressing the broader social determinants of health. Empowering women with knowledge about reproductive health and rights, raising awareness about available health-care services and strengthening health-care providers' capacity to cater to migrant populations are crucial steps towards addressing health disparities. Social implications: Urgent interventions and policies are needed to address the health vulnerabilities of internal migrant workers and women workers. It is required to ensure health-care accessibility, improving working conditions, ensuring access to maternal care and essential supplements and providing health-care services for both pregnant women and their children, regardless of migration status. Originality/value: The study focused on precarious health and occupational hazards and accidents faced by migrant workers. It highlights women migrant labourer's and children's vulnerability in the Brick Klin sector, which is a value addition to the existing knowledge in social science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The shipbreaking sector in Bangladesh has spurred extensive academic and policy debates on relations between shipbreaking industries, environmental degradation and the health security of their workers. As shipbreaking is an economically significant industry in Bangladesh, it needs to implement both domestic and global mechanisms for environmental conservation and the protection of the labourers' health from environmental risks. The purpose of this paper is to primarily explore the environmental and health security issues in shipbreaking activities in Bangladesh. It also identifies the challenges in implementing the rules and regulations for protecting the health of the workers at shipbreaking yards in Bangladesh and preserving the marine environment. Design/methodology/approach: This is a qualitative paper based on secondary materials, including journal articles, books and national and international reports. It critically reviews the existing literature, rules, regulations and policing on shipbreaking with a particular focus on the environment and health security of the workers. Findings: This paper finds that the implementation of the rules and regulations in shipbreaking in Bangladesh is complicated because of weak implementation mechanisms, political and economic interests of the yard owners, lack of coordination among different agencies, lack of adequate training and awareness among the workers and workers' poor economic condition, which contribute to the degradation of marine and local environments and trigger health hazards among the workers. Therefore, degrading the environment and undermining occupational health and safety regulations have become regular; thus, accidental death and injury to the workers are common in this sector. Originality/value: This paper is an important study on the issues of workers' health and safety and environmental hazards in the shipyard. It reports how the health security of the workers in shipbreaking yards in Bangladesh is vulnerable, and environmental rules are challenged. Finally, this paper frames some policy implications to safeguard the workers' health rights and the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of a significant group of retail employees, specifically the African-American operations and service workers that worked behind the scenes in department stores during the Jim Crow era, defined here as 1890-1965. Design/methodology/approach – Department stores have rightly occupied a prominent place in business historiography. This wealth of scholarship can be explained partly by substantial archival resources, but especially by department stores' significance to US business, cultural, and social history. Yet, despite this rich historiography, a significant number of department store employees have been overlooked, and this omission has distorted the picture of the work culture and marketing strategies of these massive and influential retail institutions. Department stores employ a large number of operations and service staff, such as delivery people, housekeeping and maintenance workers, elevator operators, stock workers, packers, and warehouse workers. These positions make up roughly one-fifth of all department store work. This paper presents a close study of the two most prominent department stores of early and mid-twentieth century Richmond, Virginia – Thalhimers and Miller & Rhoads – to offer insight into the work culture and workplace experiences of these employees. Findings – Ultimately, this paper shows that African-American employees played an important role in the maintenance and image of Richmond department stores. Store managers place high demands for "loyalty" and "faithfulness" on their black staff to demonstrate their lavish services to the buying public. For black employees, this means that the work environment can be highly stressful, as they seek to meet competing demands from customers and co-workers. However, department store work offers opportunities, in particular, steady employment among a close network of African-American coworkers. Finally, the presence of segregated black employees undermines managements' attempts to convey their workforce as one "happy family." Research limitations/implications – The research is entirely based on two high-end department stores, Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers, both based in Richmond, Virginia. Two store archives – available at the Valentine Richmond History Center and the Virginia Historical Society – are the primary resources for this project. Because, the papers in these archives are donated by store managers, a limitation to this study is the dearth of unmediated voices of the employees themselves. Originality/value – This research adds to the historiography of department stores by shedding light on employees who are expected by employers to remain nearly invisible in their jobs, and unfortunately, have been fairly invisible in the historical record as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Employing multi-type laborers (MLs) is common in multinational and cross-culture projects (MPCs). Different attributes of MLs can lead to uncertain and dynamic laborer behaviors (i.e. behavioral diversities), which may cause project deviations. Previous studies do not consider the uncertainties or dynamics of behaviors adequately or they only provide general suggestions. The purpose of this paper is to combine system dynamics (SD) and agent-based modeling (ABM) to build an integrated model. The proposed ABM-SD can gain better understanding of MLs' behavioral diversities, reveal the associated impacts and improve project management. Design/methodology/approach: Based on extensively review in construction labor management and computer simulation, architecture is built to depict the relationships between the affecting factors of MLs' behaviors, MLs' behavioral diversities and project performance. Second, conceptual structures of the ABM-SD model are developed. Third, methods to implement the model in practice are introduced, focusing on data collection and model structure adjustment. Finally, the model is tested in a case study. Findings: Different ML groups have distinctive behaviors which constantly change through interactions between MLs, engineers and external environment. Inadequate consideration of the diversities can result in inaccurate estimation of productivity, work quality and absenteeism, causing severe project deviations such as schedule delay, cost overrun and high absenteeism. On the other hand, using the ABM-SD model, the root causes of project deviations are analyzed from the perspective of MLs' behavioral diversities and the optimization of labor management can significantly improve project performance. Research limitations/implications: This paper supplements previous studies because the ABM-SD model takes fully use of the strength of simulation of solving uncertain and dynamic problems and combines both qualitative and quantitative findings in existing studies of labor management. Besides, the ABM-SD model is also a practical management tool to better monitor laborer behaviors and forecast the impacts. The limitation is mainly about the small scale of the case study. However, the ABM-SD model already demonstrates the mechanism about how MLs' different behaviors affect a project, which fulfill the aim of the study. Practical implications: The ABM-SD model can simulate MLs' behavioral diversities and produce reliable estimations of project performance. It also allows to optimize management plans. Furthermore, The ABM-SD model is adjustable based on specific project conditions, which make it applicable for different tasks, different laborer compositions and even different projects. Thus, the ABM-SD model can be a practical tool for engineers in MCPs. Originality/value: SD and ABM are applied to study behaviors with well-known benefits in both separated and integrated manner. However, few studies use the approach to investigate MLs' behaviors in MCPs. Hence, the proposed ABM-SD model is an original attempt to improve the laborer management level in MCPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cases of Bangladeshi, Filipina, Nigerian, Palestinian and Pakistani migrant workers and how the frame of their work and employment in precarious, low-status/ low-wage jobs affects their perceptions and practices regarding health and access to healthcare services. Design/methodology/approach - Using qualitative research methodology, the analysis via in-depth interviews focuses on male Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Pakistani and Palestinian unskilled manual and textile laborers as well as street vendors, and female Filipina live-in domestic workers. Findings - Migrants are entrapped in a context of isolative and exploitative working conditions, i.e., in unskilled labor, textile work, street-vending, personal services, care and domestic work, which lead them to adopt a self-perception in which healthcare and social protection are not a priority. Social implications - Throughout the paper it has become clear that these precarious low-status/low-wage jobs have an important underside effect on migrants' lives, intensifying labor and health instability and exposing migrants to employment-generating activities that do not guarantee health safety. In Greek society, the impact of migration on public health is characterized by many as a "time bomb ready to explode," especially in urban centers. Meanwhile, the economy and particularly the informal sector of the labor market is benefiting from migrant workers.More research is needed as thismode of exploitative labor and precarious employment needs to be adequately addressed to mitigate barriers in the access of labor and healthcare rights. Originality/value - Via its contribution to the sociology of migration with particular emphasis on labor healthcare, the paper provides evidence that due to their concentration in precarious, low-status/low-wage jobs migrant workers have very limited access to healthcare services. The removal of inequalities and discrimination against migrant workers in accessing healthcare services and medical care is a challenge for South European Union countries and particularly for Greece. However, in spite of this, there is no uniform policy in the management of migrants with respect to their access to health services. The paper will aid debates between policy makers and academics working on migration and inequalities due to the division of labor and health disparities, will contribute to the understanding of the perils attached to precarious, low-status/low-wage jobs and in addressing health inequalities effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Despite increasing recognition of the importance of mental health at the workplace, there is very little evidence and limited research information on the issue of the poor mental health of the workers, especially miners. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between stress faced by quarry workers in consonance with their socio-demographic characteristics and their working conditions.Design/methodology/approach This study was a cross-sectional study of quarry workers with comparison groups in the Karauli district of Rajasthan, a state located in north-western India. The study was conducted during the period May-September 2014, as part of a doctoral program. The study sample comprised a total of 218 quarry workers along with a comparison group of 203 non-miners. The level of occupational stress was assessed by using a General Health Questionnaire consisting of 12 questions.Findings This study found that the comparison group was at a low risk of psychological stress as compared to the mine workers. The independent risk factors for occupational stress among workers were illiteracy, gender (female), married, divorced/separated, and suffering from some occupational health problem.Social implications This study concluded that mine workers are at a high level of stress, which underscores the need for urgent interventions from the government to address the issue. This is especially important as mine workers make significant contributions to the national income.Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study the mental health status of quarry workers, thereby helping fill a persistent gap in Indian research on this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cambodia's workforce has shifted over time, with internal migration increasing as more people are forced to the cities to find employment. This paper aims to change in workforce participation has led to a number of challenges for people moving into urban areas, particularly women as their role in the household and workforce is changing. Design/methodology/approach: This research used qualitative research to explore the experiences of 20 Cambodian women working in garment factories. Interviews were conducted in Khmer by a bilingual research assistant. Interviews were recorded and then translated into English. Data were thematically analysed following a constant comparative method. Findings: Findings indicate that women experience social isolation, job stress and are vulnerable to a variety of health and well-being problems. When moving into the city for work, many rural women leave their children in the care of other family members, including grandparents and other extended families, without a network, they experience isolation and loneliness. Originality/value: This is the first qualitative work of its kind to investigate the experiences of Cambodian women factory workers and their experiences of moving to urban areas for work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that facilitate tacit knowledge sharing in unstructured work environments, such as those found in automated production lines.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a qualitative approach, and it draws data from a four-month field study at a blown-molded glass factory. Data collection techniques included interviews, informal conversations and on-site observations, and data were interpreted using content analysis.Findings – The results indicated that sharing of tacit knowledge is facilitated by an engaging environment. An engaging environment is supported by shared language and knowledge, which are developed through intense communication and a strong sense of collegiality and a social climate that is dominated by openness and trust. Other factors that contribute to the creation of an engaging environment include managerial efforts to provide appropriate work conditions and to communicate company goals, and HRM practices such as the provision of formal training, on-the-job training and incentives.Practical implications – This paper clarifies the scope of managerial actions that impact knowledge creation and sharing among blue-collar workers.Originality/value – Despite the acknowledgement of the importance of blue-collar workers' knowledge, both the knowledge management and operations management literatures have devoted limited attention to it. Studies related to knowledge management in unstructured working environments are also not abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to compare typical social problems in Germany and Japan in the context of weavers and female weavers. Design/methodology/approach — The paper compares Gerhardt Hauptmann's Weavers (1892) with Wakizo Hosoi's The Tragic History of Female Weavers (1925). Findings — Despite remarkable differences, there are many similarities between the two works in terms of the economic situations in Germany and Japan. Originality/value — The paper explores differences and similarities in the two works and highlights some typical examples of social problems common to both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of wage dispersion on sickness absenteeism observed in Belgian firms. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use detailed linked employer-employee panel data for the period 1999-2006 that allow the authors to compute a conditional wage dispersion indicator following the Winter-Ebmer and Zweimüller (1999) methodology and to estimate the relationship between sickness absenteeism and wage dispersion while controlling for time-invariant workplace characteristics. Findings – The authors find a positive and hump-shaped relationship between intra-firm wage dispersion and sickness absenteeism, the turning point of this relation being extremely high. In addition, the magnitude of the influence of wage dispersion on sickness absenteeism is found to be stronger in firms employing a larger share of blue-collar workers. Practical implications – The results could therefore suggest that wage dispersion, suggestive of larger pay-for-performance mechanisms, decreases worker satisfaction and the workplace climate in general. Only a minority of workers, who are less sensitive to equity and cohesion considerations, would be less absent as pay-for-performance increases. Originality/value – While numerous approaches analyse the link between wage dispersion and firm productivity, very few studies we are aware of are devoted to the relationship between wage dispersion and sickness absenteeism. Yet, the outcomes in terms of productivity and sickness absenteeism may be different. Furthermore, the influence of wage dispersion on sickness absenteeism does not seem unambiguous from a theoretical point of view. To the authors knowledge, it is the first time that this relation is analysed with Belgian data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – With a particular focus on cultural understandings and the concepts behind welfare policies, the purpose of this paper is to analyse commonalities and dissimilarities in the patterns of social policy, and more precisely youth unemployment policies, in Sweden and Germany. Design/methodology/approach – A document analysis of Swedish and German youth unemployment policies was conducted with regard to how the two welfare regimes’ policies define the underlying problem, the instruments through which this problem is tackled, and the aim of youth activation policies. Findings – The findings show congruency concerning the definitions of the problem of youth unemployment, in which the unemployed are regarded as lacking in discipline, as well as in the policies through which the problem is tackled: through conditionality and pastoral power as policy tools. The solution of the problem on the other hand, found in the notion of the ideal worker to be produced, diverges between active entrepreneurs in one country, and blue-collar workers in the other. The authors conclude that the introduction of supranational policy concepts is not a matter of mere implementation, and that concepts like activation are reinterpreted according to differing cultural ideologies and accommodated into the context of particular welfare states. Originality/value – This paper provides an innovative framework for the understanding of the influence of cultural understandings on policy making, but also on challenges facing activation governance on the one hand and European Union policy initiatives and transnational policy diffusion on the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Although South Asia is a growing supplier of migrant labour, there is a paucity of research on the health and well-being of male Nepalese migrant workers. The purpose of this paper is to assess the health and mental well-being of Nepalese construction and factory workers employed in Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire administered, in and around Nepal’s international airport, to 403 migrants who had worked for over six months in their host countries. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with self-reported health status and mental health symptoms.Findings Over 13 per cent reported poor or very poor health and nearly a quarter reported mental health issues. Whilst age and exercise were significantly associated with health status, poor work environments and perceived health risks were associated with both mental health issues and health status.Research limitations/implications The study is limited to males only and those working in the factories and the construction industry. To improve migrant health and mental well-being, Nepalese and host governments should consider mandatory health insurance and a range of pre-departure and arrival education around general literacy, mental health assessments and workplace health and safety.Originality/value There have been no known studies on the health and well-being of Nepalese migrant construction and factory workers in the Middle East and Malaysia. The strong association between self-reported poor health and perceived work environment is an important issue that policy makers in Nepal and destination countries should address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Young Australian workers are at elevated risk of mental health and alcohol and other drug related problems. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between alcohol and drug (AOD) use, psychological wellbeing, and the workplace psychosocial environment among young apprentices in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey of a cohort of 169 construction industry apprentices in their first year of training was undertaken. The survey included measures of psychological distress (K10), quantity/frequency measures of alcohol and illicit drug use, and workplace psychosocial factors.Findings Construction industry apprentices are at elevated risk of AOD related harm and poor mental health. Levels of psychological distress and substance use were substantially higher than age/gender equivalent Australian population norms. Job stress, workplace bullying, and general social support accounted for 38.2 per cent of the variance in psychological distress. General social support moderated the effects of job stress and bullying on psychological distress. Substance use was not associated with psychological distress. However, workplace social support accounted for 2.1 per cent of the variance in AUDIT-C scores, and 2.0 per cent of the variance in cannabis use. Workplace bullying explained 2.4 per cent of the variance in meth/amphetamine use.Practical implications Construction trades apprentices are a high-risk group for harmful substance use and poor mental health. Study results indicate that psychosocial wellbeing interventions are warranted as a harm reduction strategy.Originality/value This is the first study of its kind to describe a cohort of Australian construction trade apprentices in terms of their substance use and psychological wellbeing. The study shows workplace psychosocial factors may predict young workers psychological wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In spite of millions of quasi-formal workers in the European Union (EU), there is still limited understanding of what motivates workers to participate in these detrimental employment schemes, and why certain groups of workers exhibit higher inclination towards it. This article takes a novel approach by putting prospective envelope wage earners in the centre of this analysis. Design/methodology/approach: Data from the 2019 Special Eurobarometer on undeclared work are used, and two-level random intercept cumulative logit modelling is applied. Findings: One in seven fully declared EU workers would have nothing against receiving one part of their wages off-the-books. Manual workers and individuals whose job assumes travelling are the most willing to accept such kind of remuneration, and the same applies to workers with low tax morale and those who perceive the risk of being detected and persecuted as very small. On the other hand, women, older individuals, married persons and employees from large enterprises express the smallest inclination towards envelope wages. The environment in which an individual operates also plays a non-negligible role as the quality of the pension system and the strength of social contract were also identified as significant determinants of workers' readiness to accept envelope wages. Originality/value: This article fills in the gap in the literature by analysing what workers think about wage under-reporting and what factors drive their willingness to accept envelope wages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Data from different countries suggest a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicides among manual and trade workers in the construction industry than in the general population. The present review examines the causes and effects of poor mental health and the effectiveness of interventions to improve manual and trade workers' mental health in the construction industry. It also identifies gaps in research and makes several suggestions for practice and future research. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was conducted to examine and consolidate evidence reported in 54 relevant journal articles published between 2010 and 2021 on the mental health of manual and trade workers. Findings: Three major themes emerged in the review of the 54 journal articles: causes of poor mental health, effects of poor mental health and interventions to improve mental health. The leading causes of poor mental health among construction manual and trade workers are poor work-life balance, high job demand, poor cultural norms and mental health stigma, chronic bodily pain, lack of social support, workplace injustice and job insecurity. The prominent effects of poor mental health are suicidality, drug and alcohol addiction, poor workplace safety and poor work performance. Moreover, the study found that some of the strategies recently implemented in the construction industry to improve mental health are deemed ineffective, or their effectiveness remains inconclusive. Research limitations/implications: The review's scope is limited to research on manual and trade workers, and it did not investigate the mental health of construction professionals and construction management students. Originality/value: The review provides valuable insights into the causes and effects of poor mental health among manual and trade workers and the effectiveness of mental health interventions in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore an important nexus of formal/informal economic activity in Russia: "normative" workers (in waged formal employment) by virtue of a strongly embedded work-related social identity and characterized by a significant number of weak social ties, move with little "effort" between formal and informal work. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents extensive ethnographic data from the Russian provinces on workers and diverse economic practices. It utilizes participant observation and semi-structured interviews from periods of fieldwork over the course of a year (2009-2010). Findings – This study traces the theoretical debates on the informal economy from 1989 to 2008 and argues for a substantivist position on household reproduction that focuses on the interdependence of social networks, employment, class-identity and (informal) work. The findings demonstrate significant performative and spatial aspects of embedded worker identity, including the workspace itself as a contested domain, that facilitate movement between formal-informal work. Originality/value – The originality of the paper resides in its ethnographic approach to informal economies under post-socialism and the substantivist evaluation of diverse economic practices in Russia as supported by formal work-based shared identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Career success such as it is classically modelled and measured is not necessarily representative of the perceptions of blue-collar workers. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to understand what it means to succeed in blue-collar occupations. A definition and a measure are useful starting points in explaining the individual's evaluation of success and in analysing the behaviour which results from it. Design/methodology/approach - After a review of literature, in order to develop the theoretical framework for the research, 25 exploratory interviews were conducted with blue-collar workers in order to obtain their criteria for career success. The results are reported, together with the methodological decisions and a proposed explanatory model. Findings - Success is traditionally described as having an objective and a subjective part. In order to understand the perceptions of blue-collar workers, it is necessary to recognise that their perceptions are influenced by material, psychological and social aspects. Practical implications - The definitions developed in this paper could be used to develop employment programmes addressing the expectations of blue-collar workers, and to attract new employees to this kind of occupation. More generally, with the flattening of organizations, it is necessary to re-evaluate the concept of success for all workers, and to develop policies that are appropriate to changes in the labour market. Originality/value - The majority of career studies focus on "white collar" workers. Traditional career theory has developed models which consider that all the employees are guided by the same systems of values (status, power, wages, etc.). Thus, this paper fulfils a need to develop an understanding of career success from the perspective of blue-collar workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although the number of blue-collar industrial workers has been declining, manufacturing jobs continue to have considerable importance, even in technologically advanced economies. This study gives a voice to this often-overlooked group of workers, focusing on the Finnish vehicle industry. Design/methodology/approach: The study assessed how manual workers in automotive manufacturing describe their job pride and how their accounts were related to conceptualizations of work orientation. The data included semi-structured interviews and an open-ended survey question on situations in which the respondents had felt proud of their work. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: According to the results, the respondents had a high level of job pride in general, but the meaning given to this attitude varied considerably, depending on the situation. The study participants' work orientation was a mixture of instrumental and intrinsic traits. However, there were also respondents who did not experience job pride or who had lost it because of the work circumstances. Originality/value: Relatively little research has assessed the importance of job pride in the context of industrial manufacturing. Recognizing job pride in its variety is crucial information for employers who aim to develop working conditions and employee retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the importance currently placed on meaningful work (MFW), and determine the frequency by which it is experienced in blue-, pink-, and white-collar occupations.Design/methodology/approachs Using the comprehensive meaningful work scale (Lips-Wiersma and Wright, 2012) with 1,683 workers across two studies, ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences in dimensions of MFW.Findings While unity with others and developing the inner self were regarded as equally important for white-, blue-, and pink-collar workers, the authors data suggest that white-collar workers placed more importance on expressing full potential and serving others than blue-collar workers. The frequency of experiencing MFW differed across the three groups with white-collar workers experiencing higher levels of unity with others, expressing full potential, and serving others; however no mean differences were found for developing the inner self.Originality/value This study is the first to empirically investigate an oft-discussed but previously untested question: does the experience of MFW differ across white-, blue-, and pink-collar jobs? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify the transitional employment (TE) aspirations and training and development needs of older and younger workers at risk of early retirement due to limited education and/or employment in blue-collar (BC) occupations. Design/methodology/approach - A computer-based methodology is used to evaluate the demographic effects of gender, education level, and occupation group on aspirations pertaining to TE and training and development in a sample of over 1,000 local government employees. Findings - Older BC, secondary school-educated and younger workers are less interested in TE than older workers with higher levels of education or from white-collar backgrounds. The early retirement risk factors of BC work and secondary school education had a more limited effect on perceived training and development needs for older workers. However, for younger workers, these risk factors provided the impetus to undertake training to move into less physically demanding or more challenging roles as their careers progressed. Practical implications - Via the identification of education level and occupation types groups' TE aspirations and perceptions of preparatory training and development within younger and older cohorts, long-term strategies to develop and retain staff may be formulated. Originality/value - Past studies of TE have rarely included younger workers or older workers at risk of early retirement. Preparatory training and development for TE roles has not been considered in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The outbreak of covid-19 has affected international migration and remittance and has also narrowed down the opportunities for internal labor migrants. The pandemic has also left internal migrants in a threatening situation due to the closure of job opportunities. Taking the migration of labor from the highland toward the sesame production belt into consideration, this study aims to examine the influencing factors of migration to the sesame belt amid covid-19 and ascertain the link between migration and translocal vulnerability. Design/methodology/approach: The study followed a mixed approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods. However, the quantitative approach tends to dominate due to the nature of the objectives of the study. The study was conducted in the central Gondar zone, using a cross-sectional survey design with a sample size of 150 households collected from January to March, 2021. Both descriptive and econometrics models such as binary logit model have been used. Findings: Based on the study result, we came to understand that migration is part and parcel of the livelihoods of the farm household that accounts for 35% of migration status amid covid-19. Particularly, the study came to conclude that households' decision to send family members heavily relied on their prior information and fear of transmission of the coronavirus to family members which are statistically significant. As a result, this piece of work can be a good witness for translocal vulnerability where studies are very limited in the area. For this, this study suggests that concerned bodies like social and labor affairs in consultation with the agriculture offices and bureaus at a different level and the investors in the migrant's destination should facilitate the protection and awareness mechanisms so that the spread of covid-19 can be minimized and thereby both the migrants and the investors can be benefitted from the migrants' work amid covid-19. Originality/value: This study tries to connect the current spread of covid-19 with the translocal vulnerability context. Primarily, it empirically argued the translocal vulnerability factor is the main determinant for the farm households to send families' labor as a livelihood diversification strategy. Very limited studies consider the translocal vulnerability implication of migration; notably to the best of the researchers' knowledge, studies that linked covid-19 with translocal vulnerability context are scant. On top of that, many studies that link migration with covid-19 tend to be inclined to international migration with very limited attention to internal migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate the wage difference between overeducated and adequately educated workers in a sample of semi-skilled and low-skill occupations in Iran’s labor market. The objective is to see if overeducated employees in these occupations enjoy higher wages in comparison to their adequately educated co-workers.Design/methodology/approach The authors use the propensity score matching (PSM) model to estimate the wage difference between overeducated and adequately educated workers in a sample of semi-skilled and low-skill occupations in Iran’s labor market. The PSM method allows the authors to prevent selection bias by comparing each group of overeducated workers with a matched group of adequately educated workers with similar socio-economic characteristics.Findings The results show that in Iran’s labor market, the overeducated workers enjoy a wage premium in the range of 10-25 percent for their excess education when they have to work in semi- or low-skill occupations. While this relative advantage has gradually declined for private sector employees over the period 2001-2013, it has remained stable for public sector jobs. The result is attributable to the fact that salary and benefits for public sector employees are directly linked to education attainment and their work experience. The findings show that the relative wage advantage of overeducation is larger for the younger employees with ten or fewer years of experience who have more education than older workers. Overall these findings offer an explanation for the strong desire of Iranian youth for university education. If a university graduate finds a job that matches her/his specialization she/he will enjoy a higher salary than a high school graduate. If she/he has to accept a semi-skilled or low-skill job for which she/he is overeducated, she/he still enjoys a wage premium over her/his co-workers who are not overeducated.Originality/value The analysis makes three unique contributions: first, the authors use a unique and detailed micro-data for an economy (Iran) in which the public sector dominates the private sector. The authors investigate the hypothesis for private and public sectors separately. Second, the authors divide the sample of workers into market newcomers and experienced workers. The authors analyze the impact of overeducations on each group separately. Third, the authors use the treatment effect of being overeducated on the individual’s monthly wage by the PSM. The advantage of the PSM method is that it eliminates the selection bias in the wage effect of overeducation, whereas the traditional regression-based techniques may result in this type of bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study investigating the consumer perceptions of visibly tattooed service employees. It is mentioned that consumers view visible tattoos employees for white-collar occupations as inappropriate while similar tattoos on employees for blue-collar occupations are seen as appropriate. It is suggested that managers should counter the perceived unfavorable information with positive performance-related information, such as professional awards and diplomas hanging on the walls of the office.

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to investigate the multidimensionality of total quality management (TQM) practices and its relationship with production workers' job satisfaction in the Malaysian electrical and electronics (E&E) industry context. Design/methodology/approach — Data for this study were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to 520 production workers in three major E&E organizations in Malaysia. Of the 520 questionnaires posted, 173 usable questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 33.26 percent. The correlation and multiple regression analyses were applied to test the theoretical model and the relationship between TQM practices and job satisfaction. Findings — The results revealed that not all TQM practices enhanced production workers' job satisfaction. Only organization culture and teamwork showed a positive relationship with the production workers' job satisfaction. It was found that when teamwork was perceived as a dominant TQM practice, improvement in production workers' job satisfaction levels was significant. Practical implications — The findings prescribed potential implications for top management to review their TQM dimensions, consistent with the training needs of the employees within the organizations. Hence, production workers will be more likely to perform better and to feel a higher level of satisfaction towards the organizations. Originality/value — The study has contributed in advancing the TQM literature with a better understanding of the multidimensionality of TQM practices and its association with production workers' job satisfaction that would facilitate more quality management research in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to explore the internal migration experiences and health/well-being issues of 38 girls and women working as Kayayei (head-porters) in Accra, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from seven focus group interview sessions, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings: The results revealed the geographic, structural and family issues that promote increased migration of females to the cities. The findings betray the potential negative effects of migration on the participants' quality of life, including accessing health services. They also suggest that the Kayayei phenomenon is a significant child protection, health/well-being concern yet to be given adequate attention in ways that consider the implications of such large internal migration of females on the overall human resource development capacities of rural communities. Originality/value: This is an original study with data collected to explore internal rural to urban migration and its effect on health and well-being of young girls and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of the current study is to develop a generic and short questionnaire to measure work performance at the individual level – the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ). The IWPQ was based on a four-dimensional conceptual framework, in which individual work performance consisted of task performance, contextual performance, adaptive performance, and counterproductive work behavior. Design/methodology/approach – After pilot-testing, the 47-item IWPQ was field-tested amongst a representative sample of 1,181 Dutch blue, pink, and white collar workers. Factor analysis was used to examine whether the four-dimensional conceptual framework could be confirmed. Rasch analysis was used to examine the functioning of the items in more detail. Finally, it was examined whether generic scales could be constructed. Findings – A generic, three-dimensional conceptual framework was identified, in which individual work performance consisted of task performance, contextual performance, and counterproductive work behavior. Generic, short scales could be constructed that fitted the Rasch model. Research limitations/implications – A generic, short questionnaire can be used to measure individual work performance across occupational sectors. In future versions of the IWPQ, more difficult items should be added to improve discriminative ability at the high ranges of the scale. Originality/value – This study shows that, using Rasch analysis, a generic and short questionnaire can be used to measure individual work performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the associations between organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), leader-member exchange (LMX), perceived organizational justice, and similarity between subordinate and supervisor on the Big Five personality traits. Design/methodology/approach - A research questionnaire was administered to 120 blue-collar workers in a large industrial company in Israel. A structural equation model was conducted to test the proposed relations and mediating hypotheses. Findings - OCBs were found to be related to LMX and organizational justice. In addition, LMX was found to mediate the relationship between organizational justice and OCBs. Contrary to expectations, a negative correlation was found between personality similarity and LMX. Practical implications - Organizations may facilitate OCBs by improving LMX relationships and organizational justice. Supervisors should be encouraged to form high-quality LMX relationships with dissimilar subordinates. Originality/value - The study emphasizes the importance of LMX and organizational justice as motivational bases for OCBs. Among blue-collar workers, LMX seems to be based on social exchange or reciprocity rather than attraction or personality similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To establish the differences between the perceptions of white-collar managers and blue-collar workers with respect to the factors that affect construction labour productivity, and to show that integrating the differences could lead to productivity improvements. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire survey administered to a purposive sample of 400 project managers and a convenience sample of 152 construction workers, eliciting current trends of their perceptions towards 59 factors that were extracted from an extensive literature review and exploratory study. This was followed by the identification of good practice examples from site observations across two project sites. Findings - The study found distinct differences between the two groups, with white-collar managers being more concerned with resource planning issues and the blue-collar workers placing more value on the utilisation of resources. Furthermore, the site observations demonstrated that integrating these differences through employee involvement could lead to productivity improvements. Originality/value - The study should extend previous productivity research, which had hitherto focussed on shorter-term work content and work environment factors from a managerial perspective, with relatively lesser focus on the perspective of the general workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looks at the unique way Germany's trade unions work, by the use of workers' participation with elected representatives, which uses works councils in conjunction with management. Briefly sketches the structure and function of these very different and apposite ends of the spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the factors that influence the adoption by Spanish manufacturing firms of incentive schemes that link blue-collar workers' pay to the results achieved by the organization for which they work. Review of variables that may influence the use of workplace or firm incentives; Methodology; Results and discussion.

Discusses the beneficial effects of disproportionate recruitment ratio through strength testing for physically demanding jobs on an organization. Advantages of this technique in the selection of employees to the organization; Analysis of a study conducted for qualifying individuals for the job of line service technicians; Validation of strength testing as a predictor line service technicians selection.