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Article
Publication date: 14 August 2009

Nik Theodore, Abel Valenzuela and Edwin Meléndez

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of day labor worker centers in improving wages and working conditions of migrant casual workers in the USA.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of day labor worker centers in improving wages and working conditions of migrant casual workers in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports the results of a survey of worker center executive directors and senior staff, with particular attention to the ways in which centers maintain wage rates, allocate jobs, and redress grievances.

Findings

Day labor worker centers are now an important presence in construction industry casual labor markets, performing HRM functions that benefit employers and workers.

Research limitations/implications

The research was undertaken during a time when the US construction industry was enjoying an expansion. It is unclear what a macroeconomic downturn might mean for the effectiveness of worker centers to maintain labor standards.

Practical implications

Conditions of instability and the violation of basic labor standards that occur in casual labor markets in the USA exist in other countries as well. Day labor worker centers might be a model intervention that could apply in other contexts.

Originality/value

The paper presents results from the first national survey of day labor worker centers. It highlights the key activities of these emerging labor market institutions.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

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Article
Publication date: 7 September 2015

Nik Theodore, Derick Blaauw, Catherina Schenck, Abel Valenzuela Jr., Christie Schoeman and Edwin Meléndez

The purpose of this paper is to compare conditions in informal day-labor markets in South Africa and the USA to better understand the nature of worker vulnerabilities in this…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare conditions in informal day-labor markets in South Africa and the USA to better understand the nature of worker vulnerabilities in this market, as well as the economic conditions that have contributed to the growth of day labor. The conclusion considers interventions that are underway in the two countries to improve conditions in day-labor markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on national surveys of day laborers in South Africa and the USA. A random sample of day laborers seeking work at informal hiring sites was undertaken in each country. The paper presents key findings, compares conditions in South Africa and the USA, and analyzes the relationship between economic change, labor-market dynamics, and worker vulnerability.

Findings

Day-labor work is characterized by low pay, hazardous conditions on the job, and tremendous income insecurity. The day-labor markets in South Africa and the USA perform somewhat different functions within regional economies. Within South Africa, day labor can be regarded as a survival strategy. The growth of day labor in South Africa over the past decade is a manifestation of a formal labor market that is incapable of absorbing the structurally unemployed. Here, day labor is the employment of last resort, allowing workers to subsist on the fringes of the mainstream economy, but offering few pathways into the formal sector. In the USA, the day labor workforce is a largely undocumented-immigrant workforce. Workers seek work at informal hiring sites, maintaining a tenuous hold on jobs in the construction industry. There is evidence of some mobility into more stable and better paying employment.

Practical implications

This paper documents the need for policies and programs to increase employment opportunities for day laborers and to better enforce labor standards in the informal economy.

Originality/value

This paper summarizes findings from the only two national surveys of day laborers that have been conducted, and it compares for the first time the dynamic within growing day-labor markets in a developed- and emerging-market context.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 36 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

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Book part
Publication date: 10 December 2018

Ruth Milkman

This chapter compares and contrasts organizing and advocacy among US domestic workers and day laborers. These two occupations share many features: both are ill-suited to…

Abstract

This chapter compares and contrasts organizing and advocacy among US domestic workers and day laborers. These two occupations share many features: both are ill-suited to conventional unionism; immigrants, many of them unauthorized, have long dominated the workforce in both; both are entry-level jobs at the bottom of the labor market (although both are also internally stratified); and both have been the focus of advocacy and organizing at both the local and national level in recent decades. Yet, there are also significant contrasts between the two. First and foremost, women are the vast majority of domestic workers while men predominate among day laborers. Another striking difference is that while domestic labor is hidden from public view inside private households, day laborers are regularly on display on street corners and other public spaces. This chapter explores the effects of such similarities and differences on the collective action repertoires of day laborers and domestic workers. In both cases, many workers have individualistic, entrepreneurial ambitions, a formidable organizing challenge; yet, orientation does not necessarily impede and sometimes even facilitates collective action. Day laborers’ demands are largely economic, and these (predominantly male) workers often hope to return to their countries of origin; domestic workers (overwhelmingly female) are more interested in improved opportunities within the US. Although women are overrepresented in the leadership of both domestic workers’ and day laborers’ organizations, male day laborers and female domestic workers have distinct experiences and aspirations, and put forward different types of demands, generating gendered collective action repertoires.

Details

Gendering Struggles against Informal and Precarious Work
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78769-368-5

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Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Ilse Valenzuela Matus, Jorge Lino Alves, Joaquim Góis, Paulo Vaz-Pires and Augusto Barata da Rocha

The purpose of this paper is to review cases of artificial reefs built through additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and analyse their ecological goals, fabrication process…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review cases of artificial reefs built through additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and analyse their ecological goals, fabrication process, materials, structural design features and implementation location to determine predominant parameters, environmental impacts, advantages, and limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

The review analysed 16 cases of artificial reefs from both temperate and tropical regions. These were categorised based on the AM process used, the mortar material used (crucial for biological applications), the structural design features and the location of implementation. These parameters are assessed to determine how effectively the designs meet the stipulated ecological goals, how AM technologies demonstrate their potential in comparison to conventional methods and the preference locations of these implementations.

Findings

The overview revealed that the dominant artificial reef implementation occurs in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Seas, both accounting for 24%. The remaining cases were in the Australian Sea (20%), the South Asia Sea (12%), the Persian Gulf and the Pacific Ocean, both with 8%, and the Indian Sea with 4% of all the cases studied. It was concluded that fused filament fabrication, binder jetting and material extrusion represent the main AM processes used to build artificial reefs. Cementitious materials, ceramics, polymers and geopolymer formulations were used, incorporating aggregates from mineral residues, biological wastes and pozzolan materials, to reduce environmental impacts, promote the circular economy and be more beneficial for marine ecosystems. The evaluation ranking assessed how well their design and materials align with their ecological goals, demonstrating that five cases were ranked with high effectiveness, ten projects with moderate effectiveness and one case with low effectiveness.

Originality/value

AM represents an innovative method for marine restoration and management. It offers a rapid prototyping technique for design validation and enables the creation of highly complex shapes for habitat diversification while incorporating a diverse range of materials to benefit environmental and marine species’ habitats.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 17 April 2023

Alessandro Bressan, Abel Duarte Alonso, Oanh Thi Kim Vu and Daniel Borer

The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to family firms’ survival in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis; in this endeavour, the study espouses the underpinnings of…

257

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to family firms’ survival in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis; in this endeavour, the study espouses the underpinnings of social exchange theory and entrepreneurial resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The views of 128 Italian family micro and small-sized firm owners/managers operating in different industries were gathered through an online questionnaire.

Findings

The analysis uncovers 12 fundamental factors contributing to firms’ survival; these are encapsulated in three dimensions and presented in two theoretical frameworks. The “beneficiary” dimension stresses the support from various internal and external stakeholders, while the “benefactor” dimension illustrates the commitment to extend the family tradition and be responsive to stakeholders. Finally, the “immersion/embeddedness” dimension denotes firms’ entrepreneurial behaviour, agility, decision-making and drive.

Originality/value

Firstly, and from a practitioner perspective, this study addresses recognised knowledge and research gaps in contemporary family business research, including how family firms are confronting the current unprecedented crisis. This response to current extant gaps provides first-hand empirical findings that could be primarily considered by industry stakeholders. Secondly, and from a theoretical angle, the aforementioned dimensions revealed through the analysis, coupled with the development of a theoretical framework, contribute to conceptual rigour and, therefore, a deeper understanding of family firms’ journey through an unprecedented event.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 46 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

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Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2017

Joanna Kaftan

Federal immigration policy embodies national ideas about membership. Nevertheless, attitudes toward immigration within a nation are not invariable. Regional policies vary…

Abstract

Federal immigration policy embodies national ideas about membership. Nevertheless, attitudes toward immigration within a nation are not invariable. Regional policies vary dramatically in their support or antagonism toward immigrants. In addition, immigration policy profoundly affects other areas of governmental authority. This chapter explores the relationship between state-level immigration policy and family reunification for Hispanic/Latino children in the United States. The quantitative analysis utilizes data from the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) (2008–2014) as well as data gathered from the Child Welfare Outcomes Report published by the Department of Health and Human Services. The results show that while Hispanic/Latino children are not overrepresented in the child welfare systems of the states with the most antagonistic legislation, they are returned to the custody of their parent(s) in smaller percentages compared to whites in the states with the most antagonistic bills compared with the states with the most supportive bills.

Details

On the Cross Road of Polity, Political Elites and Mobilization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-480-8

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Article
Publication date: 23 August 2021

José Carlos Vázquez-Parra, Abel García-González and María Soledad Ramírez-Montoya

The aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of multidisciplinary training in the perceived development of social entrepreneurship competence. By means of a sample of an…

345

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to discuss the importance of multidisciplinary training in the perceived development of social entrepreneurship competence. By means of a sample of an ethics class, this study seeks to argue the relevance of new social entrepreneurs having a broad training, beyond the knowledge they receive from the business area.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a quantitative analysis methodology. Based on the application of a validated questionnaire measuring the perceived development of social entrepreneurship competence, a longitudinal measurement was carried out at two points in time, at the beginning and at the end of an ethics course, in a sample population of 132 undergraduate students. Based on these results, a multifactorial diagnosis was made using a Z-test.

Findings

Overall, the sample results did not show a significant improvement in their level of perception of students' development of the social entrepreneurship competence. However, the individual results of the perceived development of sub-competences that make up this competence did reflect some development, especially the sub-competence of social innovation. Thus, this study demonstrates that there is a measurable impact of the contribution of other disciplines, in this case the ethical education, in the training of new entrepreneurs, arguing the importance of multidisciplinary training.

Practical implications

The results of this study contribute to the work of universities in developing social entrepreneurship competence. Based on its findings, institutions will be able to recognize the relevance of multidisciplinary training in the generation of new social entrepreneurs, valuing other disciplinary areas, such as humanities and social sciences, beyond training based exclusively on business knowledge. A key point to capitalize on in training practices for social entrepreneurship is “social innovation”, due to the sense of transcendence and impact that universities should seek, precisely because of their social responsibility to create value.

Originality/value

This research provides empirical evidence of the impact of ethics education on social entrepreneurship education. It argues the importance of reflecting on multidisciplinary education as a complementary element in the perceived development of social entrepreneurship competence in students.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

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Book part
Publication date: 21 June 2024

Lisa Fetman and Linsay DeMartino

Abstract

Details

Transformative Democracy in Educational Leadership and Policy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-545-3

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Book part
Publication date: 1 June 2022

Cinzia Rienzo

This chapter presents an evaluation of the literature on the effect of the pandemic on mental health. It draws mainly on the existing economics literature and presents the state…

Abstract

This chapter presents an evaluation of the literature on the effect of the pandemic on mental health. It draws mainly on the existing economics literature and presents the state of the art of the COVID-19 effect on mental health. While paying particular attention to how the deterioration of mental health evolved over time and across countries, this chapter also considers variation of mental health across individual demographic characteristics as well as different circumstances through which mental health has been affected. Moreover, it provides a general assessment of the methodological aspects of various studies, by discussing the sample and data used, measures of mental health as well as causality issues. Overall, researchers for various countries around the world adopting different measures of mental health, often non-comparable samples and different methodologies document consistently that the level of mental health has been deteriorated during the pandemic, with the negative effect of the lockdown on mental health being evident in the early stage of the pandemic and on the whole population. Findings point out to a high degree of heterogeneity within demographic groups.

Details

The Economics of COVID-19
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-694-0

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Article
Publication date: 28 May 2024

Jazmin Leticia Tobías-Espinoza, Carlos Abel Amaya-Guerra, Martha Graciela Ruíz-Gutiérrez, Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Madrigal, David Neder-Suárez and Armando Quintero-Ramos

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of flaxseed and amaranth at different proportions on the hydration kinetics, colour and sensory qualities of…

59

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of flaxseed and amaranth at different proportions on the hydration kinetics, colour and sensory qualities of instant-extruded cereals, important aspects related to the functionality and acceptability of food products.

Design/methodology/approach

Instant-extruded cereals were made with different proportions of flaxseed (6.6–9.3%), amaranth (18.7–33.1%), and maize grits (63.8–67.3%); and characteristics such as hydration kinetics, colour parameters and sensory properties were evaluated.

Findings

The kinetics of milk absorption showed that the extruded cereals maintained their texture and crispness for a sufficiently long time (≤20 min). The L*, a* and chroma* values of the extruded cereals were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by the flaxseed content. Sensory evaluation showed that all the extrudates had good acceptance in terms of flavour, texture, and colour attributes in relation to high-fibre commercial cereals; according to the preference test, they were as acceptable as commercial extruded cereals when consumed with milk. The addition of high-fibre and protein-containing grains such as flaxseed (8.6–9.3%) and amaranth (18.7–22.9%) in instant-extruded cereals allowed the production of products with acceptable physical and sensory characteristics.

Originality/value

In this study a novel instant-extruded cereal with flaxseed and amaranth was developed. The evaluation of the physical and sensory characteristics of instant-extruded cereals is essential to guarantee consumer acceptability, especially if functional ingredients with a high content of dietary fibre and protein are added.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 126 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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