Search

• This study applies novel firm-level dynamics of job creation and destruction. • Similar effects of age and size on net growth are caused by their different effects on job creation and destruction. • The age effect exists for young and mature firms. • The study further examines particular firm groups and business cycles. • Policy and managerial issues differ between a firm's expansion and aging. This study examines the effects of firm age and size on job creation and destruction of existing firms, using large-scale panel data from Japan. It contributes to the literature by examining the effects on firm-level job creation and destruction, differing from previous studies which focused on net employment growth (i.e., the difference between job creation and destruction for each firm) or job creation/ destruction on aggregated level (calculated by aggregating net employment increases/decreases of firms or plants). Results show that for an individual firm, age has significantly negative effects on the firm's job creation and destruction; however, size has a significantly negative effect on the firm's job creation but a significantly positive effect on its job destruction. Particular firm groups and different business cycles are further examined. The findings suggest that policy and managerial issues differ between a firm's expansion and aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an ambitious, contentious, and world-spanning project. Using Chinese Communist Party (CCP) documents, this paper examines one of the stated purposes of the BRI: to address regional inequality between China's east and west, focusing upon Xinjiang. Through an analysis of regional economic data, the demographics of Xinjiang and Xinjiang governing bodies, and a case study of the Chinese steel industry, this paper shows that the BRI has so far failed to check increasing regional inequality in China and that job opportunities for local communities in Xinjiang are constrained by social and political factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-growth firms (HGFs) are important for job creation and productivity growth. We investigate the relationship between product and labour market regulations, as well as the quality of regional governments that implement these regulations, and the development of HGFs across European regions. Using data from Eurostat, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Economic Forum (WEF), and Gothenburg University, we show that both regulatory stringency and the quality of the regional government relate to the regional shares of HGFs. In particular, we find that the effect of labour and product market regulations is moderated by the quality of regional government. Depending on the quality of regional governments, regulations may have a 'good, bad or ugly' influence on the development of HGFs. Our findings contribute to the debate on the effects of regulations and offer important building blocks to develop tailored policy measures that may influence the development of HGFs in a region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the construction of an environmentally extended multi-scale multi-region supply and use table (MRSUT) combining the global MRSUT from EXIOBASE with a national MRSUT at the provincial level for Indonesia using TERM database (called INDOTERM). The multi-scale MRSUT covers 2010 and 2016, reflecting comprehensive information on the transactions of 80 products among 80 different industries across 34 Indonesian provinces, 43 countries, and 5 remaining continents. To ensure the consistency of Indonesian provincial data in the multi-scale MRSUT, we use a (sub)national accounts consistent approach. Extensions are created in the MRSUT, providing valuable information regarding GHG emissions, land use, and job creation. As an illustrative example of the practical utility of this multi-scale MRSUT, a case study is used to demonstrate how changes in global consumption can have differential economic and environmental impacts on specific provinces within Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the intricate relationship between economic growth and unemployment across multiple African countries, with a focus on estimating the Okun's coefficient. Data from the International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Bank's databases for 39 African nations were utilised. Two distinct methodological approaches, first differences and the Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter, were employed to assess result robustness. Findings reveal that in most African countries, the link between GDP growth and unemployment is weak or non-existent, unlike advanced economies. This divergence underscores unique economic structures and labour dynamics in African nations, necessitating tailored approaches to address unemployment. The study also investigates factors contributing to Okun's coefficient variability in Africa, emphasising structural, demographic, and economic influences. Demographic trends, domestic market competition, and the rule of law are identified as key determinants. Consequently, policymakers are urged to prioritise measures targeting these factors to enhance job creation and economic stability. Additionally, the study highlights the role of growth volatility, particularly in Morocco, emphasising the need for policies to stabilise economic growth and mitigate unemployment fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is to investigate how foreign direct investment (FDI) affects China's off-farm employment and per capita income of rural labourers and compare the effects in different regions. Based on panel data from 1997 to 2018 in 27 provinces and analysing the results of the simultaneous equations and dynamic generalized moment models with economic distances as extra instrumental variables, the study finds that FDI on average has played a significantly positive role in Chinese off-farm employment and per capita income of rural labourers. However, FDI has a much bigger impact on off-farm employment and per capita income of rural labourers in the coastal region than that in the inland region. In addition, we observe a positive off-farm employment and income effect of FDI with rural labour's education level playing a significantly positive moderating role. The impact mechanism test also shows that FDI's impact on off-farm employment and income is realized by stimulating the development of non-agricultural industries and directly creating jobs. These adjustments make a significant contribution to poverty reduction in rural China. China should further adjust the structure of FDI and optimize the regional distribution of foreign investment for promoting the overall transformation in rural China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesian rural youth face challenges accessing farmland and sustaining an agricultural livelihood while their labour is not necessarily absorbed by other sectors. In that context, the Omnibus Law on Job Creation (Law 11/2020) promises to liberalise trade and investment across multiple sectors, including agriculture and food security. Combining legal research and political economy approaches to youth and agrarian challenges, we identify amendments to legislation that reduce safeguards for the environment, workers' and farmers' rights and their livelihoods. If fully implemented, the legislative amendments could further narrow youth's options both for secure formal work and futures in farming by accelerating the expansion of infrastructure, industrial plantations and extractive industries that utilise low‐wage labour and huge areas of land. This exposes inconsistencies in the government's approach to increase future food security by promoting intensification of agriculture and attracting youth to farming, while enabling agro‐ and resource extraction that absorbs land yet offers limited and precarious employment prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to national economic development through poverty alleviation and employment creation. However, credit constraints severely challenge small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) performance. Therefore, this study aims to establish the link between credit constraints and the financial performance of SMEs. The paper further examines whether the differences in performance between constrained and unconstrained firms can contribute to poverty reduction. To this end, the endogenous switching regression was applied to the cross-sectional data from a firm-level survey involving 520 SMEs from Cameroon. The paper considered four credit constraint categories: risk, quantity, price, and transaction cost. Results reveal that 74% of SMEs are credit constrained, and the majority (43%) are quantity constrained. Interestingly, risk and price-constrained SMEs are mainly more profitable than unconstrained SMEs, while quantity and transaction-cost-constrained SMEs are less profitable than their counterparts. Consequently, the impact on poverty reduction is equally varied. The scholarly and policy implications of the study are that alleviating credit constraints among SMEs does not always augment the profitability of the SMEs and contributes towards poverty eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its importance for development, long-term finance is particularly scarce in countries with lower income levels. This not only results in unrealized growth and employment creation, but may also undermine a broader shift towards better jobs. After all, many long-term investments comprise investments in labor that have the potential to contribute to improvements in job quality. This paper uses more than 17,000 firm-level observations from 73 mostly low- and middle-income countries to provide first empirical evidence of the extent to which LTF affects the quality of jobs. Additionally, it looks into effects on investments and firm performance. The findings, based on inverse probability weighted regression adjustment, indicate that long-term finance increases the likelihood of formal training by 4.4 to 4.8 percentage points, raises average wage by 4.1 percentage points and the share of permanent employees by 1.3 percentage points. Effects are also significant for investments in fixed assets and process innovation as well as for employment and sales growth. The fact that the positive effects on job quality increase with loan maturities underlines the importance of longer-term finance for better jobs. Despite several robustness checks, it cannot be ruled out completely that unobservable variables affect the estimation of effect sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global nature of innovation has led to the emergence of Global Innovation Networks (GINs) and Global Value Chains (GVCs), facilitating knowledge exchange and economic activities across borders. GVCs offer platforms for accessing external knowledge and fostering innovation. They have evolved through three eras of innovation models: the Linear and Closed Model (LCM), the Interactive and Closed Model (ICM), and the Interactive and Open Model (IOM). The IOM emphasizes open innovation principles, intersecting with GINs and GVCs. Lessons from East Asian and Latin American countries highlight strategic practices for GVC integration, focusing on export-oriented industrialization, education, technology policies, infrastructure, and SME support. In Africa, GVC engagement spans agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors, driving economic growth, job creation, and technological advancements. To advance GVC participation in Africa, a research agenda, policy directions, and action plans are proposed. The research agenda emphasizes GVC governance, value addition, sustainability, innovation, and regional integration. Policy directions focus on infrastructure development, trade facilitation, SME support, human capital development, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth. African businesses are encouraged to conduct value chain mapping, form strategic partnerships, embrace technology, ensure quality assurance, invest in capacity building, and diversify markets to leverage the potential of GVCs for economic transformation and global competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Saudi Arabia from 2006 to 2022, focusing on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, the research investigates both short-run and long-run dynamics to understand how entrepreneurial activities influence sustainable development within the framework of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative. The findings indicate that entrepreneurship significantly contributes to economic growth through job creation and innovation, thereby aiding in the diversification of the economy away from oil dependency. Socially, entrepreneurial initiatives have a positive impact on gender equality and social inclusion by empowering women and integrating youth into the labor market. Environmentally, entrepreneurship helps reduce carbon emissions and promotes sustainable business practices. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as regulatory barriers, limited access to finance, and the need for a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem remain. Recommendations include enhancing entrepreneurial education, providing financial incentives, and streamlining regulatory processes to better support start-ups and SMEs. This study highlights the necessity of addressing these challenges to fully realize the potential of entrepreneurship for sustainable development in Saudi Arabia. By providing empirical evidence on the significant role of entrepreneurship in driving sustainable development, this research offers actionable insights for policymakers aiming to foster a more resilient and diversified economy in line with Vision 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of AOS: ESTRATEGIA & INOVACAO and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Formalizing firms can potentially increase the tax base, expand safety and social protections for workers, create good jobs, and promote firm growth. However, the costs and processes of formality may be too challenging for some firms to bear. Thus, informal firms may not be able to survive the transition to formality, and attempts to expand formality through more intensive enforcement may be harmful and counterproductive to job creation and growth. This paper investigates the potential for currently informal firms to formalize in Egypt. The paper compares the characteristics of formal and informal micro and small nonagricultural firms and identifies the extent of similarities and potential for formalization. The analysis finds that, beyond firm size and whether the firm operates in a fixed establishment, the basic and easily observable characteristics of firms are not closely linked to formality. Firm age, productivity, and owner characteristics, such as education, are strongly predictive of formality. The predicted probability of being formal is greater than 50% for only about 26% of informal firms, suggesting most firms are not good candidates for formalization. The paper develops profiles (groups and clusters) of similar firms to identify those with a higher potential for formalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to build and analyze a model of labor market slack considering unemployment along with employment in which the number of hours is limited to a level below that preferred by employees. We thus have "underemployment" along with unemployment. We analyze the need for potential policy action directed at the reduction of unemployment, simultaneous with an autonomous process of labor market job creation and migration. We model delays in labor market responses to past unemployment and vacancies creation and capture the effect on unemployment through a non‐linear dynamic system. We observe not only job separation and matching but also movement into and out of underemployment. The model allows for migration in an open economy context. We analyze the stability behavior of the resulting equilibria for our dynamic system, including Dirac and weak kernels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effect of Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) on youth unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by using a modified labour demand model to identify the investment sources that are helpful for reducing youth unemployment in the region. The model is applied to a panel of 42 countries for the period 2003–2021 using random-effect, and generalized method of moment (GMM) estimators for robustness check. Our results suggest that Chinese FDI has direct short-term reducing effect on youth unemployment in SSA. The direction of China's capital investment to infrastructure development and other labour-intensive activities leads to immediate reduction in youth unemployment. However, overtime, due to absence of linkages with domestic firms, and thus lack of demand effects, Chinese FDI becomes insignificant for employment creation. Our results also indicate that Other FDI does not lead to significant reduction in youth unemployment both currently and overtime. Our analysis gives partial support to the argument that the impact of Chinese FDI may differ from those of developed countries. Finally, we could not find evidence that the effect of FDI on employment depends on host country human capital and institutional quality. Several specifications of the empirical model are tested, and explanations are provided for the results. Policy implications are highlighted, especially the need to attract more job absorbing FDI and improve domestic absorptive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of creative destruction on labor productivity, with the level of technology in industries as a factor modifying this impact. Design/methodology/approach: The econometric analysis was conducted for 24 manufacturing industries in Poland in 2018-2021. Employment turnover rates were used as measures of creative destruction. In modeling changes in labor productivity as a function of creative destruction, a classification of manufacturing industries into technical sectors based on the intensity of R&D was used. It was also tested whether the relationship between the examined categories has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regression equations were estimated using the panel OLS. Findings: The results of the analysis showed that creative destruction had a positive impact on changes in labor productivity, but inter-industry labor reallocation was not pro-efficient. These regularities, both in terms of direction and strength of impact, did not differ during the COVID-19 pandemic. These conclusions apply only to high and medium technology industries. The lack of relationship between job creation, job destruction, labor reallocation and productivity in low-tech industries suggests that there is a threshold of R&D intensity (IR&D > 1%) required for creative destruction to play an active role in economic processes. Research limitations/implications: The categories and classification of industries used in the analysis are only approximate measures of creative destruction and technological level, so the further research is required. Especially, it is needed to confirm the thesis about the existence of a threshold of R&D intensity and the impact of creative destruction on labor productivity. Originality/value: Incorporating the level of technology as a factor modifying the impact of creative destruction on labor productivity allowed to connect two research areas: 1) the effects of technological progress on job destruction/job creation and 2) their impact on labor productivity. The regularities noted in the study may explain, at least in part, the divergent research results regarding the effects of creative destruction measured by employment turnover rates on labor productivity observed at the level of industries, sectors and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monetary policy has been historically concerned with controlling inflation, using the interest rate as its main tool. However, such policies are not gender- or race-neutral. This paper explores econometrically the effect of changes in the interest rate for female and black employment creation in Brazil. We conducted a fixed effects analysis for 13 states between 2012 and 2021 to estimate the effects of changes in interest rates on unemployment, separating it by gender and race. Our results show that the increase in the real interest rate has a positive effect on the relative unemployment of black men to white men, no effect on the relative unemployment of black women to white men, and a negative effect on the relative unemployment of white women to white men. These effects are intensified in regions where the black share of the population is lower. This paper contributes to understanding the challenges to closing gender and racial gaps, particularly in developing economies. We conclude that social stratification, if not considered, can lead to misleading policies that perpetuate unequal socioeconomic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the potential of Muslim heritage tourism in Sofronio Española, Palawan, as a driver of economic growth and cultural exchange. The study investigates residents' perceived attributes towards this tourism development, focusing on socio-cultural, economic, and environmental aspects. A descriptive correlational design was employed, surveying 381 residents across nine barangays using stratified random sampling. The findings indicate a high level of agreement among residents on the positive socio-cultural impact of preserving Muslim heritage sites, the economic benefits of tourismrelated income and job creation, and the necessity of sustainable environmental practices. The demographic profile revealed a predominance of females (61.2%), a youthful population with 60% aged 18-27, and a high level of educational attainment, with 48.6% having attended college. Despite these insights, statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between demographic factors (age, length of residency, educational attainment) and perceived attributes, suggesting widespread support for tourism development across different demographic segments. The study concludes that while demographic factors do not significantly influence perceptions, the overall positive outlook on Muslim heritage tourism highlights its potential for fostering sustainable development. Recommendations include enhancing community engagement, supporting local entrepreneurship, implementing sustainable tourism practices, and developing a comprehensive tourism action plan. These strategies aim to capitalize on the rich cultural and natural assets of Sofronio Española, promoting it as a premier destination for Muslim heritage tourism. This research provides a foundational understanding that can guide policymakers and stakeholders in creating effective tourism development initiatives that benefit both residents and visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In line with the progression of time, business licensing has also become a focus of the Central Government, especially with the opening of extensive investment opportunities through the enactment of Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation, or the Omnibus Law. The Job Creation Law has led to adjustments in several laws, one of which is in the realm of licensing in Indonesia. One of the changes in licensing is the establishment of Government Regulation Number 5 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing, referred to as the Business Licensing Regulation. This study aims to analyze how the implementation of risk-based business licensing policies is carried out by examining Regional Regulation No. 10 of 2021 of the City of Bandung on the Implementation of Business Licensing. The results indicate that the implementation of the OSS RBA-based business licensing policy for MSMEs in Bandung City is maximized in accordance with the theories of Edward and Van Metter Van Horn. The implementation results also align with Regional Regulation No. 10 of 2021 of Bandung City. Each indicator shows results with each implementation of Regional Regulation No. 10 of 2021 carried out by the DPMPTSP of Bandung City. The implementation is in accordance with Regional Regulation No. 10 of 2021 of Bandung City and also aligns with the theories of Edward and Van Metter Van Horn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New firms have been regarded as one of the key elements for local development. Existing studies focus on the direct impact of new firms via labour markets and job creation. However, the impact of new firms on regional innovation is less investigated. Our analyses are conducted for a developing country, Turkey. Findings of the study show that new firms are crucial for the regional differences in innovation. Results are robust to spatial dependence, an alternative firm formation measure, various regional controls and endogeneity issues. Additionally, impact of the new firms is spatially non-homogenous reminding the ineffectiveness of one-size-fits-all type policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If you subordinated yourself for your entire working life in service to a higher purpose that turned out not to be what you hoped, was your work a waste? This article endeavors to answer that particular question-which presents itself to the protagonist of Kazuo Ishiguro's great novel, The Remains of the Day-while developing a more general account of what makes work worthy. It situates worthy work in the context of several other perspectives on work that influence employment practice and policy, including unemployment, decency, dignity, future, and meaning of work. In doing so, it attempts to move the work conversation from a narrow.focus on job creation toward a broader focus on meaning creation-and to move the meaningful work conversation from a subjective exhortation to "do what you love" toward an objectively grounded ideal of what might make work worth loving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of income disparity has long plagued South Africa because of the political environment that existed before the country's 1994 democratic transition. Based on the widely used Gini index, which gauges global inequality, the nation routinely has some of the highest rates of income disparity in the world. Income inequality in South Africa keeps rising even after a number of frameworks and policies have been put in place, which has a big influence on society. Thus, it is essential to comprehend the causes of income disparity and put suitable policies in place to remedy it. The purpose of this study is to look into the relationship between South Africa's income disparity and its determinants. Using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) approach, this study empirically examines the effects of government spending on social grants, gross savings, population growth, and economic growth on income inequality from 1975 to 2017. Data on the Gini index are sourced from the Standardized World Income Inequality Database (SWIID). Findings reveal a statistically significant negative correlation between government spending on social grants and income inequality. Moreover, income inequality demonstrates a negative relationship with both gross savings and economic growth. However, population growth exhibits a positive correlation with income inequality. This study highlights the significance of implementing a comprehensive strategy to address income inequality in South Africa. This strategy should involve augmenting government expenditure on social grants, cultivating a savings culture within households, and enacting policies that incentivize job creation, particularly in areas with rapid population growth. In addition to making a substantial contribution to the body of evidence already available on income disparity, this study offers insightful information to policymakers working to improve the socioeconomic climate in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A resilient economy is a strong base for large volume of trade as it provides a perfect solution to poverty. Synthesis of Yoruba textiles and modern technology for resilient economy in this turbulent era is the concern of this paper. It highlights how Yoruba indigenous textiles are face lifted by modern technology to eradicate economic downturn. The paper gives insight to improvement on the production of Yoruba textiles therefore giving opportunity of job creation and self-reliance through the fusion. The huge tragedy of the Nigerian experience hinges on the downturn of economy which is at its peak of crashing. Most Nigerian are not believing that indigenous textile contents can increase drastically the income of the nation if facelifted or rebranded. The high rate at which naira is depreciating is very alarming at present ($1USD = ₦ 1440) being because of fluctuation now. The paper projects a way out of economic turbulence with the synthesis of Yoruba textiles and modern technology by building a resilient economy. The paper further discusses the new orientation and training involved; raw materials used, computer knowledge, recommendations, and conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencia, Tecnologia y Sociedad is the property of Centro de Estudios sobre Ciencia, Desarrollo y Educacion Superior and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Terra: Revista de Desarrollo Local is the property of Terra: Revista de Desarrollo Local and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

institutions introduces entrepreneurship education (EE) with the aim to create sustainable job opportunities. However, higher education (HE) struggles to integrate EE within the university programmes and make it as practical as possible. Furthermore, fostering entrepreneurial mindset and intentions among students is not an easy task. The primary objective of this conceptual paper is to examine the level of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions among the students within the South African higher education. We used qualitative case study methodology, to purposive select 30 articles using a google scholar search engine. The paper was driven by three research questions, namely, what is the level of entrepreneurship education among students in South African higher education? What are the entrepreneurial intentions of these students? Does the design of the EE curriculum foster students' entrepreneurial mindset and intentions? The findings identified a need to curriculum transformation that integrate EE across various disciples; not just a stand-alone module that fails to foster a broad-based entrepreneurial mindset. Furthermore, the findings shows that policy support and infrastructural development should be geared towards the growth and sustainability of EE programs and launching of innovation hubs and other support structures within universities to provide practical EE experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policymakers and scholars universally accept and recognize the influence of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) on stimulating economic growth and job creation. To succeed and prosper, SMMEs need to establish a sound financial management function. Therefore, it is vital to investigate the financial challenges these firms are experiencing. The objective of this paper was to investigate possible challenges that SMMEs experience when applying for credit from banks. The study sought to answer the main research question - 'What challenges are encountered by SMMEs when applying for credit from banks?' The study adopted a qualitative research methodology. The population used in this research was derived from SMMEs and banking officials in the Vhembe District Municipality area. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 10 research participants. An interview guide was used to gather data from the participants. Data was analyzed using Atlas.ti. The results indicated that most SMMEs in the Vhembe district are not adequately supported, especially in the areas of financial resources, as well as in financial literacy skills and expertise. Specifically, this study identified that the credit application challenges faced by SMMEs are related to - lack of collateral security, lack of financial application education, complex bank credit access regulations, non-satisfaction of banks' qualifying criteria, as well as stringent credit system, and documentation requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on women's labor force participation in 14 Arab countries from 1991 to 2021. Theoretically, FDI supports gender equality by creating more jobs for women, providing them with better working conditions, and increasing their wages relative to those provided by local firms. It also does this via increasing the demand for labor and technological spillovers. Unlike previous studies, we utilize likelihood-based panel cointegration and multivariate analysis to examine cointegration between the variables, considering cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity. The results demonstrate that FDI inflows boost women's participation in the labor force in nearly half of the sample countries. Policywise, the findings imply that FDI inflows can assist central governments in achieving better gender development and equality through either higher female labor demand or sustainable labor practices and gender-equal norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, there exists a huge debate for a long time on whether a double dividend, reducing pollution emissions and boosting employment, can be achieved by intensifying environmental regulations. In this paper, we use two data sets on provincial environmental legislation and Chinese manufacturing firms during 1998–2013, to estimate the impact of provincial environmental legislation on the firms' employment growth with a difference-in-difference (DID) model. Results showed that (1) after the implementation of environmental legislation, the employment growth of regulated manufacturing firms decreases significantly by 3.07%, and this result is robust to alternative tests. (2) Local environmental legislation reduces employment growth mainly via the influencing mechanism of the firm's entry and exit, export, and innovation. (3) The local environmental legislation has heterogeneous impacts on employment growth in different industries and different regions, and the estimated effect is more obvious in high-pollution industries and areas with strong enforcement. (4) Environmental legislation significantly improves job destruction and reduces job creation, resulting in a − 3.86% job net increase. Due to the long-term implementation of extensive economic growth mode, China's ecological environment has been deteriorating since the 1990s, and environmental pollution has attracted more and more social attention. Until 2013, the Communist Party of China put forward 'ecological civilization', and building a beautiful new China with harmonious coexistence between man and nature has become an important development strategy. Meanwhile, starting from the implementation of the Two-Control-Zone policy in 1998, China has implemented numerous environmental policies in just ten years. These environmental policies have greatly improved the quality of China's ecological environment, but their economic effects have been controversial. Given the special historical period, this paper helps assess the impact of Chinese environmental policies on employment and provides a more objective policy evaluation and implications for improving existing laws and regulations to achieve higher social welfare. To achieve this goal of balancing the improvement of the ecological environment and high employment level, environmental policies firstly should be flexible to ensure that the environmental standards follow the firm's characteristics and regional characteristics to avoid "one size fits all". Particularly, for regions with poor economic development or having a single industrial structure, the implementation cycle of the environmental policies should be extended to ensure that they have enough time to achieve industrial restructuring and complete the environmental protection goals. Secondly, we find that environmental legislation hurts employment growth by limiting export decisions, so the government should use multiple channels to stabilize export when implementing environmental legislation. Thirdly, technological R&D and innovation play an important role in the effect of environmental legislation on firms' employment growth. Therefore, the government should provide a more flexible environment for firms' R&D and innovation with appropriate fiscal policies and technical support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have been shown to play an important role in the livelihoods of rural communities, especially when experiencing an economic shock. However, their role at the macro-level is less understood. This paper assembled unique data from 24 countries and determined the contribution of NTFPs to employment and the effect of weather shocks on employment in NTFPs. Results show that NTFPs contribute about 0.03% to national employment and make up about 2% of the total agriculture sector labour force. Weather shocks (droughts and floods) increase the number of people employed in NTFPs by more than 16,000 workers per year, which is about 0.8% of the total agriculture labour force, and this effect is increasing in forest size. We contribute to the literature on the role of forests and NTFPs in employment creation at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using UK data, we present greater empirical detail on the puzzling firm dynamics that emerged during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We show that firm entry increased during the pandemic across several countries, and this contrasts with typical recessions where firm entry declines. Additionally, the rise in firm entry is driven by individual entrepreneurs creating companies for the first time, particularly in online retail. We find evidence that firm creation responded significantly to declines in retail footfall and that firms created during the pandemic are more likely to exit and less likely to post jobs. Overall, this implies that despite surging firm creation during the pandemic, the overall employment effect is limited. Finally, we find that the primary contributor to limited employment creation is the shift in ownership composition of new entrants during COVID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Atlantic Review of Economics / Revista Atlántica de Economía is the property of Colegio de Economistas de La Coruna and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As one of the leading oil producers in the world, Nigeria's economy is profoundly influenced by fluctuations in global oil prices, affecting the government capacity to allocate resources on national healthcare system and its ability to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3). On this backdrop, this study has undertaken a comprehensive examination of both linear and non-linear relationship between oil price shocks and sustainable development in Nigeria, a country heavily reliant on oil revenue from 1970 to 2022 in Nigeria. Using linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) models, the findings show that increasing crude oil price shock has a substantially large adverse impact on SDG-3 in the short run while decreasing crude oil price has unobserved effect in both short and longrun when asymmetries were considered. Based on the findings of this study, Nigerian policymakers should expedite efforts to diversify its economy away from oil dependency. This diversification should focus on promoting sectors with growth potentials, creating jobs, and generating stable revenues to support healthcare and sustainable development initiatives. The study highlights other actionable insights and policies to navigate the challenges posed by oil price volatility while advancing the noble aspirations of SDG 3 for the people of Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociology & Technoscience / Sociología y Tecnociencia is the property of Universidad de Valladolid, Escuela Universitaria de Educacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Every year, roughly 27% of all jobs in the truck transportation sector (NAICS 484) are reshuffled across motor carriers as existing carriers grow or shrink, new entrants begin operations, and existing firms exit. We take a first look at job gain and job loss dynamics in truck transportation, with a special emphasis on the roles of carrier age and job gain and loss dynamics in the manufacturing sector, the source for most trucking ton‐miles. In doing so, we draw on and extend theory in both supply chain management and economics. We test our predictions using archival administrative data covering 1995 through 2019 from the Census Bureau's Business Dynamics Statistics program that tracks the universe of truck transportation firms with employees. Results from fitting a series of mixed effects models provide strong evidence that job gain and job loss dynamics at trucking firms decline rapidly as carriers age. We further find these age‐related dynamics are moderated by employment dynamics in the manufacturing sector. Robustness testing shows job gains and losses dynamics in manufacturing are more predictive than the same dynamics in the distribution sector (wholesaling, retailing, and warehousing). We discuss implications of these findings for theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longstanding evidence in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries shows a high prevalence of unemployment and informality among a large fraction of population, and at the same time gender disparities in labour force participation and occupational mobility. Why is there such persistent labour‐market segmentation? What is the impact and potential of various formalisation policies? An overview of the informal economy across three middle‐income MENA countries (Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia) is provided with respect to taxonomy, coverage and drivers. Transition matrices and multinomial logistic regressions are applied to longitudinal microdata from Labour‐Market Panel Surveys, focusing on workers' occupational mobility in relation to their previous status, age cohort, gender and other demographics. Persistent segmentation and low occupational mobility in all countries suggest that informal employment is not driven by choice on the labour supply side but by structural constraints on the demand side. Existing formalisation policies based on distinct stick and carrot strategies, and targeting of existing businesses and workers achieve rather modest impacts. One recommendation to supplement policies for decent jobs creation is to promote social and solidarity enterprises and extend microfinance to informal enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandbox is a non-accredited training programme in the performing arts and digital technologies for young people in four blighted neighbourhoods in Panama. In this paper, I reflect on my role in the design of this programme, how it was later implemented and whether it contributed to processes of economic development. To guide this reflection, I use a social capacities framework, where economic development is seen as a set of dynamics that enhances human flourishing (James 2018). The paper uses a wide range of data sources, including interviews with participants of the programme. My reflection concludes that programmes such as Sandbox work more effectively not when looking to create jobs and income, but when they aim to develop the capacities of participants to discover who they are within their own social context, helping them come closer to the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]