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Objectives. Although various studies have examined the relationship between ergonomic factors and employee well-being, the impacts of ergonomic factors on workers' capability for innovation have not yet been studied in the manufacturing industry. This study advances understanding of the relationship between ergonomic risk factors and employees' capability to innovate and to feel good at work in the manufacturing sector. Methods. The analysis uses the structural equation modeling technique based on cross-sectional data collected from 200 experienced workers in manufacturing industries using self-administered close-ended questionnaires. Results. Findings from this research show that the main ergonomic factors influencing the well-being and innovation capability of employees in the manufacturing industry are neutral awkward posture, psychological risk factors and effective utilization of information and communications technology infrastructures. Thus, ergonomic factors are significantly correlated to the innovation capability of employees. Conclusion. As there have been no studies addressing the integration of ergonomic risk factors and the capability for innovation of employees in the manufacturing industry, this study provides a unique contribution to the body of knowledge. Further research is also required to develop an in-depth understanding of the relationship among components of each ergonomic risk factor, and the well-being and innovation capability of employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research is to investigate the prevalence of workplace accident/injuries (policymakers) and the associated factor in Iron, Steel and Metal Manufacturing Industries (ISMMI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, primary data using a questionnaire was collected from 446 production workers in 89 ISMMI. The major findings of the study showed that both availability and cultures of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage are found to be lower. The prevalence of workplace AoI in the metal manufacturing industries in Addis Ababa is found to be relatively very high as compared to previous studies. Employees have mostly faced AoI such as fracture, dislocation, abrasion, suffocation, burn and piercing in their workplace. Female workers are more likely to face cut AoI than their male counterparts. Moreover, employees who are working in medium and large size industries have more likely faced exhaustion, dislocation, sprain, fracture, and burn AoI than employees who are working in small size industries. The study concluded that workplace accident in ISMMI in Addis Ababa is very high and mostly caused by the absence of and poor culture on PPE usage that requires awareness creation and interventions from policymakers to improve the working environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Ethiopia's economy is primarily based on agriculture, but starting form 2010, the government has been determined to diversify the exports with a priority set for strategic sectors like light manufacturing in which textile and apparel manufacturing industries are included. The purpose of this paper is to measure the comparative advantages of the Ethiopian textile and apparel industry using the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) in the period from 2007 to 2016. Design/methodology/approach - For the purpose of the paper, secondary data were collected from the UN comtrade site, and related data sources were cited in the literature review for the purpose of triangulation (cross-checking of the analysis with theoretical background). From the theoretical background, the two indices of RCA (Balassa index and Lafay index) were used for the evaluation of the industries' competitive advantage and to identify which industry (textiles or apparel) was of more importance in the country. Findings - The findings of the study showed that Ethiopia was more competitive in the textile sector. However, and with reference to the Lafay index, the country has been focusing on apparel sector, because of the opportunities for job creation. Research limitations/implications - For the purpose of this study, secondary data were used and the general conclusions are limited to the corresponding sources of data. Practical implications - Because of the labor-intensive nature, the textile and apparel sector has been one of the areas promoted by the Ethiopian Government in its industrialization policy. The finding of this paper can be used by policy makers to evaluate the competitiveness of the country. Social implications - The findings can be used to assess social upgrading issues in the textile and apparel sector. Originality/value - The work is the first of its kind in the sector as well as the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]