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Background and objectivesHuman trafficking (HT) is a public health issue, with adolescents disproportionately at risk for reasons spanning multiple biopsychosocial domains. We explored youth HT survivors' healthcare barriers, experiences, and needs.MethodsIn this qualitative multi-methods study, 24 participants (≤26 years old) with HT experience receiving services from non-profit organizations in San Diego, California completed an electronic survey and were invited to participate in online interviews. Thematic analysis for interview responses was performed using constant comparative methodology. Authors created codes and connections between codes, and refined findings by discussion.ResultsAll participants endorsed labor trafficking, 96% endorsed sex trafficking and 46% reported seeing a health care professional (HCP) while exploited. Nine survey respondents completed follow-up interviews: 100% endorsed labor and sex trafficking and 44% seeing a HCP. Interview participants' barriers to presenting to healthcare and receiving needed help were categorized into patient-focused - lack of awareness of exploitation and medical needs, emotional bonds to the trafficker, and misperceptions about their ability to obtain care); vs healthcare system-focused - negative experiences and need for consistency with HCPs, and desire for targeted resources and effective care.ConclusionsBarriers to healthcare for trafficked youth included factors the healthcare system could change versus those that could be reduced with universal patient education. Participants named lack of legal guardian support and proof of insurance as barriers to healthcare access while being exploited. Participants noted conventional mental health interventions for recovery are not appropriate and lack survivor-led guidance; participants offered alternatives about how they would receive effective care.

Many business transactions and employment contracts are wrongfully exploitative despite being consensual and beneficial to both parties, compared with a nontransaction baseline. This form of exploitation can present governments with a dilemma. Legally permitting exploitation may send the message that the public condones it. In some economic conditions, coercively enforced antiexploitation law may harm the people it is intended to help. Under these conditions, a way out of the dilemma is to enact laws with provisions that lack coercive enforcement. Noncoercive law would convey the state's condemnation of wrongful exploitation without risking the harmful effects of coercively enforced law. It would also give firms and their agents a way of explaining nonexploitative pricing decisions to investors, and it may help give precise content to the moral duty to set prices and wages fairly. Governments should thus consider noncoercive law a viable component of their responses to exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major challenge in ecology is to understand how different species interact to determine ecosystem function, particularly in communities with large numbers of co-occurring species. We use a trait-based model of microbial litter decomposition to quantify how different taxa impact ecosystem function. Furthermore, we build a novel framework that highlights the interplay between taxon traits and environmental conditions, focusing on their combined influence on community interactions and ecosystem function. Our results suggest that the ecosystem impact of a taxon is driven by its resource acquisition traits and the community functional capacity, but that physiological stress amplifies the impact of both positive and negative interactions. Furthermore, net positive impacts on ecosystem function can arise even as microbes have negative pairwise interactions with other taxa. As communities shift in response to global climate change, our findings reveal the potential to predict the biogeochemical functioning of communities from taxon traits and interactions.

We have followed the recovery of gaps produced either by harvesters or by scientists in stands of stalked barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) during two years in four regions of Europe (SW Portugal, Galicia and Asturias in Spain and Brittany in France; n = 423 gaps), which was extended to four years in Asturias (n = 252 gaps). The presence of adult conspecifics in the margins of the gaps increased by at least four times the probability of initiation of their recovery. After two years of follow-up in the four regions, 90% of the gaps with adjacent conspecifics had initiated recolonization as opposed to only 60% in gaps with no adjacent adults. These figures remained stable after three years of follow up in Asturias, pointing to a large fraction of gaps which are recalcitrant to recolonization. Once initiated, the median rate of recovery after latency was 0.47 cm2/month in the four regions and 0.61 cm2/month in Asturias, increasing from 0.5 to 2.5 cm2/month for a 0 to 25 cm increase of perimeter in contact with adults, which is consistent with heavy recruitment on the stalks of conspecifics. The median estimated time to full recovery of gaps which initiated recovery was 2.65 years, thus recolonization is a slow process. Our results point to the main recommendations that a barnacle clump should never be removed entirely, so that the remaining adults serve as recruitment nuclei for the population, and that a maximum scraper width of 3.5 cm should be set to limit accessory capture of non-target individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizational ambidexterity evolves as an aggregated capability based on individuals' behaviors within a venture. But what happens in founding teams when the founders collaborate? This study aims to decipher individual exploitations/explorations' interpersonal connection to understand how the social interaction between founders translates into emergent team processes that either enable or hinder the team's capacity to become ambidextrous. The empirical setting is an exploratory case study of 15 teams, using data from 39 interviews and 12 observations. Our findings indicate that certain behaviors linked to ambidexterity reinforce the co-founders' behavior. The other founders often mimic the initial exploitation behavior. Nevertheless, individual behavior can also cause co-founders to exhibit switching responses, especially when responding to initial exploration behavior. These observed stimulation response patterns revealed opportunities and threats for the founding team. Our study contributes to the literature on ambidexterity, particularly to the connection of team and individual levels of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the role of innovation in the relationships among exploration, exploitation, ambidexterity, and performance. Through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 330 studies with 1,034 correlations), we challenge the assumption that exploration, exploitation, and ambidexterity directly affect performance. Instead, we emphasise the mediating role of innovation. Our study provides integrated evidence that innovation serves as a key catalyst in the relationships among exploration, exploitation, and performance. However, this is not the case with ambidexterity. By addressing fragmentation in the existing literature, driven by various conceptualizations and measures, our study offers a more precise understanding of this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between human trafficking and the recruitment of children in armed conflicts, with a focus on Colombia as a case study representative of Latin America. Drawing on global data from the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons and local reports, the study highlights the convergence of "child trafficking" and "child recruitment" in conflict regions, framing these practices as severe violations of children's rights and some of the worst forms of child labour. Employing an inductive method and documentary analysis, the research identifies key socioeconomic and political drivers of these practices in Colombia, emphasising their broader impact on Latin American society. The findings underscore the need for integrated international and local efforts to address the vulnerabilities of children in conflict settings and propose strategies for mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the so-called 'migrant crisis' in 2015, there has been intense policy interest around irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean Route to Europe. Despite increased research focus on this route, the details and geographical intricacies of these migration journeys have scarcely been examined. In this study, we investigate the what, where and how of the journeys of 71 people who travelled from Libya across the Mediterranean Sea to Malta. To do so, we break down their journeys into scripts (i.e. sequences of activities) and represent them as a composite script graph. We find that journeys were long – 18 months on average – and circuitous, involving diverse and complex geographical paths. Smuggling, brokerage and working during transit were key aspects of most journeys. Worryingly, two-thirds of participants experienced detention and/or forced labour before reaching Malta. By pinpointing where and how harm occurs, the composite script graph can support policy makers in reducing harm, including by accounting for the possible harm that interventions may cause, directly or as a result of displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a multi-objective version of the recently proposed cheetah optimizer called multi-objective cheetah optimizer (MOCO) has been proposed. MOCO draws inspiration from the targeted hunting strategy employed by cheetahs, which involves a sequence of actions: searching for prey, patiently waiting for the right moment to attack, swiftly launching the attack, and then retreating from the prey and returning to their habitat. MOCO is the result of modification and enhancement from its single-objective counterpart, utilizing a Pareto dominance-based approach. This adaptation allows MOCO to efficiently handle multiple objectives, explores and exploits promising areas in the optimization landscape, and identifies non-dominated solutions, offering valuable tradeoff choices for decision-makers. To demonstrate its practical applications, the MOCO method has been employed to address five intricate structural design problems. These problems involve a pair of competing objectives: the minimization of structural weight and the reduction of maximum nodal displacement. To gauge the efficacy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm, a comparative analysis is conducted against three alternative state-of-the-art multi-objective algorithms. Furthermore, a rigorous evaluation is carried out utilizing hypervolume testing. The findings reveal that the MOCO algorithm surpasses the performance of the other algorithms, underscored by its capacity to uncover a diverse array of non-dominated solutions. To delve deeper into the experimental results, statistical analysis employing Friedman's rank test is employed. The solutions generated and the convergence patterns exhibited by the MOCO approach underscore its exceptional proficiency in resolving intricate design problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heuristic optimization algorithms have been widely used in solving complex optimization problems in various fields such as engineering, economics, and computer science. These algorithms are designed to find high-quality solutions efficiently by balancing exploration of the search space and exploitation of promising solutions. While heuristic optimization algorithms vary in their specific details, they often exhibit common patterns that are essential to their effectiveness. This paper aims to analyze and explore common patterns in heuristic optimization algorithms. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, we identify the patterns that are commonly observed in these algorithms, including initialization, local search, diversity maintenance, adaptation, and stochasticity. For each pattern, we describe the motivation behind it, its implementation, and its impact on the search process. To demonstrate the utility of our analysis, we identify these patterns in multiple heuristic optimization algorithms. For each case study, we analyze how the patterns are implemented in the algorithm and how they contribute to its performance. Through these case studies, we show how our analysis can be used to understand the behavior of heuristic optimization algorithms and guide the design of new algorithms. Our analysis reveals that patterns in heuristic optimization algorithms are essential to their effectiveness. By understanding and incorporating these patterns into the design of new algorithms, researchers can develop more efficient and effective optimization algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous optimization problems exist in the design and operation of power systems, critical for efficient energy use, cost minimization, and system stability. With increasing energy demand and diversifying energy structures, these problems grow increasingly complex. Metaheuristic algorithms have been highlighted for their flexibility and effectiveness in addressing such complex problems. To further explore the theoretical support of metaheuristic algorithms for optimization problems in power systems, this paper proposes a novel algorithm, the Boston Consulting Group Matrix-based Equilibrium Optimizer (BCGEO), which integrates the Equilibrium Optimizer (EO) with the classic economic decision-making model, the Boston Consulting Group Matrix. This matrix is utilized to construct a model for evaluating the potential of individuals, aiding in the rational allocation of computational resources, thereby achieving a better balance between exploration and exploitation. In comparative experiments across various dimensions on CEC2017, the BCGEO demonstrated superior search performance over its peers. Furthermore, in dynamic economic dispatch, the BCGEO has shown strong optimization capabilities and potential in power system optimization problems. Additionally, the experimental results in the spacecraft trajectory optimization problem suggest its potential for broader application across various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The concept of thriving at work (TAW) has received increased interest within health services research in recent years. TAW embraces employees’ experience of being energized and feeling alive when employed in an organization. However, previous research has been limited mainly to the investigation of factors that promote TAW. Consequently, there is a lack of research linking TAW to potential outcomes. Based on this knowledge gap, this study aimed to examine links between TAW and two potential outcomes: employees’ individual innovative behavior (IIB) and employee ambidexterity (EA). Thus, the study contributes to a relatively neglected area, homecare, within the domain of health services research. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, N = 258 Norwegian homecare professionals in nine municipalities were selected through convenience sampling. The conceptual model's results were analyzed using partial least-squares structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 3 software. The study tested both direct and indirect relationships. Indirect relationships were achieved through bootstrap. Results: The main results from the empirical study can be summarized as follows: (i) TAW was found to be positively linked to both EA (b = 0.46) and IIB (b = 0.22); (ii) TAW and EA explained about 30% (R2 = 0.29) the variance in IIB; (iii) The relationship between TAW and IIB was found to be mediated by the EA; (iv) TAW was positively linked to each of the two dimensions that constitute EA. However, when comparing the individual strength of linkages, TAW was found to be most strongly linked to the exploitation dimension of EA (b = 0.50) and less strongly linked to the exploration dimension of EA (b = 0.35). Conclusions: Employees’ level of TAW in homecare services is linked to desirable outcomes, as represented by EA and IIB in this study. Managers should be aware of the development and changes in their employees' TAW levels. Consequently, continuously monitoring and cultivating the TAW of individual employees to determine whether they experience a sense of being energized and feeling alive as members of the organization is an important practical implication. TAW is a key to essential outcomes. Managers should, therefore, strive to let all of their employees thrive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution explores how cultural religious beliefs and practices of the Trokosi institution engender vulnerability to the recruitment of girls into bonded life, sexual and labor exploitation, and trafficking in Ghana. Here, trafficking and exploitation are conceptualized at three levels: (a) the family level where young girls are taken away from home through deception, false promises, abduction, threats, or coercion and moved elsewhere (e.g., from rural areas to towns); (b) intra and inter-community transfers; and (c) moving women and girls through marriage arrangements organized within the Trokosi ("slaves of the gods") practice. The girls are often deceived about the destination, or their transfers are carried out through forced marriage arrangements. The above practice of transferring girls from one place to another and their sexual and labor exploitation fall within the UN Palermo Protocol definition of human trafficking and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 29, respectively. This study therefore aims to enhance our understanding of how the underlying patriarchal power relations and violence against women, underpinned by traditional religious beliefs and practices in the Trokosi institution, perpetuate bondage, labor, and sexual exploitation and aid trafficking of children and young women among the Ewe communities of Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly evolving biobased materials innovation landscape, our research identifies key players and explores the evolutionary perspective of biobased innovation, offering insights into promising research areas to be further developed by biobased material scientists in search of exploiting their knowledge in novel applications. Despite the crucial role of these materials in promoting sustainable production and consumption models, systematic studies on the current innovation terrain are lacking, leaving gaps in understanding key players, emerging technologies, and market trends. To address this void, we focused on examining patents related to biobased monomers and polymers, aiming to describe the innovation strategies and business dynamics of leading assignees. Embedded within the European Sustainable BIO-based nanoMAterials Community (BIOMAC) project, a Horizon 2020 initiative, our research leverages this unique framework dedicated to advancing the innovation landscape, specifically emphasizing the market readiness of biobased materials. We implemented a multi-stage strategy, prioritizing validated keyword queries to ensure the superior quality and reliability of the collected data. To understand primary contributors within these landscapes, we conducted an in-depth analysis of innovation strategies employed by leading companies. Findings from the ORBIT platform highlighted a remarkable increase in patent publications in the past decade, with China standing out as a key hub of innovation, signaling a strong focus on the development of these materials. Our research explores technological advancements in biobased materials to identify specific areas with potential for further development. By analyzing innovation trends in five key industries, we pinpoint opportunities for innovative solutions to be commercially exploited while ensuring compliance with intellectual property rights within a freedom-to-operate framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration and exploitation have opposite natures; therefore, balancing the two presents a key challenge for firms. Recent studies have argued that firms can combine exploration (exploitation) capabilities with exploitation (exploration) partnerships to surmount this obstacle. However, little is known about how accumulated capabilities for exploring and exploiting activities shape the ways in which firms select partnerships. We examine this question by leveraging a unique data set on new product development in the Brazilian manufacturing sector that has 19,081 observations over a 14-year span. Contrary to the expectation of complementarity, in which the greater capability of one type (e.g., exploitation) is associated with selecting a partnership of another type (e.g., exploration), our findings suggest that increases in capabilities of any type are associated with exploration partnerships. We provide alternative explanations for our findings, highlight implications for theory and practice, and discuss potential avenues for future research. JEL CLASSIFICATION : O31, M13, L14 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard interpretation of inequality uses a number, such as the Gini coefficient, to compare income inequality across countries. These numbers apply universal upper limits to the maximum feasible inequality (Gini = 100) in vastly diverse economies even though floors for socially acceptable living standards vary quite a bit in different societies. I develop a new measure of income inequality — the Nationally Representative Inequality Extraction Ratio (NR IER) — and apply it to 112 countries. The NR IER uses country-by-country social and economic parameters to measure the distance between the actual income distribution and the country-specific feasible limit (a counterfactual distribution). I ground the counterfactual distribution in a functional income concept, corresponding to Marx's concept of exploitation. NR IERs are inversely related to per-capita income and exceed the feasible limits in the world's poorest countries. However, I find little variation in extractive inequality between closed autocracies (e.g., China) — where corruption is expectedly extractive — and liberal democracies (e.g., USA). Controlling for different political regimes, the NR IER explains over 60 per cent of a person's income anywhere in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the methods of extracting surplus value in Mexico. Marxist theory identifies two: absolute and relative, assuming that the latter is capitalist. In the case of Mexico, however, it is concluded that the relative mechanism dominates during periods of higher accumulation and the absolute mechanism dominates during periods of lower growth. In order to confirm this, a method has been proposed to decompose the exploitation rate and measure each method's impact. Since the 2008 crisis, the absolute method has become the basic method of extracting surplus value, and therefore, the procedures adopted are described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a new optimization algorithm called Spider-Tailed Horned Viper Optimization (STHVO), inspired by the spider-tailed horned viper. The viper's unique hunting strategy, which involves using its spider-like tail to attract prey, serves as the basis for this algorithm. STHVO incorporates two key processes: exploration and exploitation. Exploration allows the algorithm to search broadly for potential solutions, similar to how the viper moves through varied terrains in search of prey. Exploitation refines these solutions, akin to the snake focusing on its target once it has been lured. STHVO was rigorously tested across twenty-three benchmark functions, including unimodal and multimodal test suites. These benchmarks provide a comprehensive framework for assessing the algorithm's performance. The results showed that STHVO effectively balances exploration and exploitation, consistently finding high-quality solutions and outperforming a dozen established metaheuristic algorithms on most benchmarks. The algorithm's superior performance in both theoretical and practical contexts highlights its robustness and versatility. Overall, STHVO offers a novel, nature-inspired approach to optimization, proving to be a powerful tool for achieving optimal solutions across diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new human-based metaheuristic algorithm called Tailor Optimization Algorithm (TOA) is introduced. The basic idea in TOA design is taken from the processes that a tailor makes when sewing clothes. The theory of TOA is stated and then mathematically modeled in two phases of exploration and exploitation. The exploration phase is designed based on the simulation of extensive changes on the fabrics according to the garment pattern. The exploitation phase is designed based on the simulation of small changes on the sewn garments in order to handle the details of the garments. The effectiveness of proposed TOA approach to handle optimization tasks in real-world applications is evaluated on twenty-two constrained optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite. The simulation results show that TOA is achieved effective solutions for CEC 2011 test suite optimization with the ability to explore, exploit, and balance them. In addition, the performance of TOA is compared with the results of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms. Analysis of the simulation results shows that TOA is successful in 100% of CEC 2011 test suite optimization problems in competition with the compared algorithms. The findings show that TOA with 100% success and ranking as the first best optimizer in the competition with the compared algorithms has an effective efficiency to handle real world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new metaheuristic algorithm called Orangutan Optimization Algorithm (OOA) is designed, which imitates the behaviors of Orangutans in nature. The fundamental inspiration of OOA is the foraging strategy of Orangutans and the skills of these animals in nesting. The theory of OOA is explained and then the implementation steps of OOA in two phases of exploration and exploitation are mathematically modeled. The performance of OOA in dealing with real-world applications is evaluated on twenty-two constrained optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite. The optimization results show that the proposed OOA approach, by balancing exploration and exploitation during the search process, is able to provide suitable solutions for the benchmark functions. Also, in order to measure the quality of OOA, the results obtained from the proposed approach are compared with twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms. Analysis of the simulation results shows that OOA has provided superior performance by providing better results in 100% of the benchmark functions compared to competitor algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast Cancer Disease is identified as one of the prime causes of death in women around the globe standing next to lung cancer. Breast cancer represents the development of malignant neoplasm from the breast cells. This breast cancer can be treated when it is identified at an early stage. Several researchers have contributed different machine learning approaches for maximizing the accuracy during the process of predicting breast cancer. Optimization of selected features is another important step essential for attaining maximized accuracy during the process of detection during the use of Artificial Neural Network. The utilization of optimization algorithm also helps in fine-tuning the hyperparameters of ANN such that the process of classification can be achieved with better precision and less computational time. In this paper, a Review on Swarm Intelligent metaheuristic optimization algorithms-based Artificial Neural Network-based Breast Cancer Diagnosis Schemes is presented for comparing different approaches depending on their efficacy in achieving the classification process. It presents the potentiality of wrapper and filter methods generally used for classifying cancer cells from normal cells. This review specifically concentrates on highlighting the significance of the swarm intelligent algorithms-based optimized ANN models which are contributed with its limitations. This review also demonstrates the future scope of research which could be concentrated from the identified extract of the literature. This review also highlighted the different kinds of evaluation metrics considered for assessing the potentiality of the existing ANN-based Breast Cancer Diagnosis Schemes with its need in utilization during evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This chapter discusses and evaluates Erik Olin Wright's reception of Max Weber. To this end, it presents Wright's and Weber's class theories and focuses on and counter poses their respective notions of emancipation, exploitation, inequality, and democracy. The article, furthermore, critically evaluates Wright's assessment of Weber by referring them to Weber's own texts and argues that Weber's notion of exploitation connotes the sphere of production, not that of exchange; that exploitation for Weber hinges on differences in life chances that cause obstacles in mobility between social classes; and that for Weber exploitation may be found in other modes of production in addition to capitalism. Finally, this chapter traces the differences in these authors' respective notions of exploitation to their different understanding of emancipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing the dialectical method Marx developed in his critique of political economy, this work seeks to advance beyond an understanding of the proliferation of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional etiology (CKDnT) in Guanacaste, Costa Rica as a purely epidemiological development and towards its understanding as a concrete manifestation of capitalist accumulation. This research aims to display the form determinations of a material process such as CKDnT through a critical, descriptive analysis of the production and reproduction of the temporary migrant labor force at the El Viejo, Taboga and CATSA mills. This is contextualized through an analysis of the transformations suffered by Costa Rica's national sphere of accumulation between 1970–2022. We conclude that, despite expanding the minimum scale of production–a condition necessary to displace small capitals in the sector and thus the brutalized forms of exploitation that they promote–the sugarcane sector still requires a seasonally exploited and overall degraded workforce: a need that posits the conditions for CKDnT proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study, conducted through a combination of interviews, surveys, and direct observations, examines the exploitation of sleep-in domestic workers from Lesotho who work in South African households. Based on data collected from 15 participants, the research brings to light the difficult living conditions these workers face, including a lack of privacy and inadequate working environments. The study identifies several key issues, such as the absence of written contracts, leaving workers susceptible to exploitation, unpaid overtime, and widespread non-compliance with minimum wage laws. The research shows that domestic workers encounter major obstacles in getting necessary healthcare and support services, which worsens their already unstable situation. The study also emphasizes the lack of chances for training and skills improvement, which hampers the workers' ability to enhance their lives and find better job opportunities. Many of these domestic workers are the main providers for their families and single parents, making the importance of fair pay and good working conditions even more crucial. The study highlights the significance of fair pay and good working conditions, stressing the urgent need for these rights and immediate policy interventions to be upheld. The research aims to bring attention to the systemic exploitation faced by this vulnerable group and advocate for essential reforms to protect their rights and improve their living and working conditions. Overall, the study emphasizes the pressing need for policy interventions and support mechanisms to empower domestic workers and enhance their quality of life in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little information on maternal behaviour that deprives offspring of food, but some Japanese macaque, Macaca fuscata, mothers have been observed to snatch food from their offspring and eat it. This study investigated maternal food snatching behaviour (MFSB) and its impact on the growth of their offspring in provisioned, free-ranging Japanese macaques. The amount of food a mother snatched from her offspring was estimated to be 51.2% by dry weight compared to the amount of solid food an infant of the same age took in. Body mass growth of affected infants indicated a below-average mass gain. The study suggests that MFSB might be a pathological behaviour and provides the first detailed account of parental exploitation in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the learning patterns of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from heterogeneous work accidents (i.e., minor and severe and fatal accidents). Work safety cannot be overlooked, and the focus of this study on learning from failure allows to understand how SMEs match safety problems with solutions generated by past experience with work accidents and knowledge acquisition; while acknowledging that accident heterogeneity influences SMEs' learning. The analysis uses a sample of 108 Spanish SMEs during 2006–2009. The results show that SMEs learn to modify safety practices, and that experience with both minor and severe and fatal accidents impact learning outcomes—measured as changes in the unit accident cost—through different mechanisms. Cumulative experience with past work accidents supports exploitative learning, but this effect was found only for minor accidents. Although the adoption of safety-enhancing tools (i.e., OHSAS 18001) does not affect learning, the findings reveal the value of ambidextrous learning: SMEs adopting the OHSAS 18001 learn more from severe and fatal accidents than from minor accidents by triggering drastic modifications in their safety practices. Plain English Summary: Work safety cannot be overlooked, and the study shows that SMEs learn from minor and severe and fatal work accidents through different mechanisms. Understanding how SMEs learn from failure opens a window of opportunity for optimizing their processes and performance. The study found that SMEs' learning ability depends on the characteristics of work accidents. Frequently occurring minor accidents are a valuable source of experiential learning that allows SMEs to introduce corrective actions that reduce the unit accident cost. By contrast, for SMEs to learn from severe and fatal work accidents, a different path was found. Severe and fatal work accidents are rare and require unique solutions, and reductions in the unit accident cost can be achieved through ambidextrous learning resulting from exploiting past experience from this type of accident with the changes in safety practices that follow the adoption of the OHSAS 18001. The study offers practical implications for SMEs on how to capitalize on different sources of knowledge to mitigate work accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the nonworseness claim, it cannot be morally worse to exploit someone than not to interact with them at all when the interaction 1) is mutually beneficial, 2) is voluntary, and 3) has no negative effects on third parties. My aim in this article is to defend the moral significance of exploitation from this challenge. To that end, I develop a novel account of why sweatshop owners have a moral obligation to pay sweatshop workers a nonexploitative wage despite the fact that their relationship is entirely optional. More precisely, I defend two main claims. First, I show that sweatshop owners are morally obligated to pay sweatshop workers a nonexploitative wage even though they have a right not to hire them and even though that will require them to pay sweatshop workers a wage that is higher than the one they voluntarily accepted. Second, I explain why this obligation on the part of sweatshop owners is not defeated by the fact that other individuals not party to the transaction would benefit even more than sweatshop workers from receiving this additional level of pay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]