Melissa G. Keith, Peter D. Harms and Alexander C. Long
Despite widespread interest in the gig economy, academic research on the topic has lagged behind. The present chapter applies organizational theory and research to compose a…
Abstract
Despite widespread interest in the gig economy, academic research on the topic has lagged behind. The present chapter applies organizational theory and research to compose a working model for understanding participation in the gig economy and how gig work may impact worker health and well-being. Drawing from past research this chapter defines the gig economy in all its diversity and advances a framework for understanding why individuals enter into gig economy. Next, the authors discuss how various characteristics of the gig economy and gig workers can be understood as both demands and resources that influence how gig work is likely to be experienced by the individual. To understand how these characteristics are likely to influence worker health and well-being, we draw from past research on alternative work arrangements and entrepreneurship, as well as the limited extant research on the gig economy. Finally, a research agenda is proposed to spur much needed research on the gig economy and its workers.
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Melissa G. Keith, Peter Harms and Louis Tay
The purpose of this paper is to provide an investigation of how different types of gig workers engage in the gig economy. Specifically, the authors distinguish between workers who…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an investigation of how different types of gig workers engage in the gig economy. Specifically, the authors distinguish between workers who view gig work as primary income (or not) and those workers who view it as a job (or not).
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 1,190 Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers completed surveys across two studies examining whether types of workers differ based on demographic characteristics, utilization of MTurk, why they participate in the gig economy on MTurk (i.e. push and pull factors) and how this impacts life satisfaction.
Findings
Workers relying on MTurk as a primary income had lower incomes and spent more time completing large numbers of work units. This group of workers also reported fewer pull factors (e.g. enjoyment) as a reason for working in the gig economy and had lower levels of self-reported current and predicted future life satisfaction. Individuals who view MTurk as a job were more likely to treat MTurk like a job – engaging in online communities and having a regular work schedule. These workers were more likely to report pull factors (e.g. enjoyment and challenge) and did not differ on life satisfaction.
Originality/value
The current research contributes to our understanding of MTurk, one of the largest online platforms for gig work, as part of the diverse gig economy and highlights potential areas for future research.
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The importance of grey literature is becoming increasingly recognised. For many organisations it encapsulates the knowledge and know‐how and thus is a vital business asset. It has…
Abstract
The importance of grey literature is becoming increasingly recognised. For many organisations it encapsulates the knowledge and know‐how and thus is a vital business asset. It has similar importance in quality of life aspects – healthcare, environment and culture. Grey literature in a R&D (research and development) environment represents the cutting edge of this knowledge and so its management is of utmost importance. Partly based on involvement in defining the datamodels for R&D information interchange across Europe, the author defines a content metadata datamodel for grey literature which is more expressive and has more flexibility than any previous proposal and which integrates seamlessly with the CERIF2000 definition which will soon replace the CERIF1991 European Union Recommendation to Member States on Exchange of R&D Information. The content metadata datamodel offers significant advantages over Dublin Core yet can generate Dublin Core if required.
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A numerical scheme that has been successfully used to solve a wide variety of compressible flow problems, entitled the space‐time conservation element and solution element (CE/SE…
Abstract
A numerical scheme that has been successfully used to solve a wide variety of compressible flow problems, entitled the space‐time conservation element and solution element (CE/SE) method, is extended to predict the effects of gaseous cavitation in moderate to heavily loaded bearings. The formulation of the two‐dimensional, finite length, bearing problem is presented. The numerical results obtained are compared with other numerical solutions to demonstrate the superior ability of the method to solve such problems.
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Nichole M. Bignall and Keith G. Debbage
Some US counties are more likely to generate entrepreneurial opportunities than others. This paper aims to determine the linkages between US counties with disproportionately high…
Abstract
Purpose
Some US counties are more likely to generate entrepreneurial opportunities than others. This paper aims to determine the linkages between US counties with disproportionately high shares of entrepreneurs and specific attributes of the entrepreneurial support system.
Design/methodology/approach
Non-farm proprietorship (NFP) has been used as a proxy for entrepreneurship and self-employment. NFP employment data were collected from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis by county. Data on all independent variables were obtained from the US Census and Bureau of Economic Analysis by county and subject to stepwise linear regression analysis.
Findings
Results revealed a strong positive relationship between the percent of NFP employment by county and the percent real estate, rental and leasing employment and construction employment as well as percent Hispanic and median age.
Practical implications
In attempting to encourage NFP employment, policymakers should be more aware of the key predictors that shape county-wide entrepreneurial ecosystems to enhance competitive advantage. Better understanding of the needs and experiences of different types of entrepreneurs and ecosystems can enhance overall quality of life and economic opportunity levels in a community.
Originality/value
The explicit spatial context of this paper has sometimes been overlooked in the traditional entrepreneurship literature, as such, this paper helps fill that gap. The findings provide a disaggregated analysis that can help better understand the key predictors that can drive the local choices of entrepreneurs and help local policymakers to build more competitive communities.
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Nichole M. Bignall and Keith G. Debbage
Some US counties are more likely to generate entrepreneurial opportunities. This paper aims to determine whether US micropolitan counties with disproportionately high nonfarm…
Abstract
Purpose
Some US counties are more likely to generate entrepreneurial opportunities. This paper aims to determine whether US micropolitan counties with disproportionately high nonfarm proprietorship (NFP) employment levels are systematically linked to specific attributes of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. A limited amount of research has been conducted on the geography of entrepreneurship in small to medium-sized micropolitan counties where rates of growth and change can be quite dramatic.
Design/methodology/approach
NFP employment data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is used as a dependent variable proxy for entrepreneurship. NFP data are widely used in the entrepreneurship literature. Data on all independent variables were obtained from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and BEA by county and subject to stepwise linear regression.
Findings
Results revealed a strong positive relationship between the percent of NFP employment by micropolitan county and percent construction employment, percent real estate, and rental and leasing employment, and the percent elderly. It is argued that the combination of predictors captures primarily a self-employment of opportunity (e.g., thriving land and real estate markets).
Practical implications
In attempting to encourage NFP employment, policymakers should be more alert to the key predictors that shape micropolitan entrepreneurial ecosystems when attempting to enhance competitive advantage in small- to medium-sized communities. Better understanding how micropolitan counties function relative to larger metropolitan places can help local policymakers more efficiently enhance the overall quality of life in smaller communities.
Originality/value
The focus on smaller micropolitan communities and the explicit spatial context of this paper has sometimes been overlooked in the traditional entrepreneurship literature and this research helps to fill that gap.
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KAMEL M. AL‐KHALIL, THEO G. JR. KEITH and KENNETH J. DE WITT
A numerical solution for ‘running wet’ aircraft anti‐icing systems is developed. The model includes breakup of the water film, which exists in regions of direct impingement, into…
Abstract
A numerical solution for ‘running wet’ aircraft anti‐icing systems is developed. The model includes breakup of the water film, which exists in regions of direct impingement, into individual rivulets. The wetness factor distribution resulting from the film breakup and rivulet configuration on the surface are predicted in the numerical solution procedure. The solid wall is modelled as a multi‐layer structure and the anti‐icing system used is of the thermal type utilizing hot air and/or electrical heating elements embedded within the layers. Details of the calculation procedure and the methods used are presented.
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Amir M. Alani, Andrew K. Petersen and Keith G. Chapman
Describes a case study that applies the principles of “a proposed quantitative model for building repair and maintenance” developed in theory by Alani et al. The proposed model…
Abstract
Describes a case study that applies the principles of “a proposed quantitative model for building repair and maintenance” developed in theory by Alani et al. The proposed model relies on the relationship between the number of defects and time where the collection of the number of defects data has been made using a condition based survey and specifically developed survey form. Using established declining balance depreciation methods a close correlation between the models cost/time and quality/time curves has been determined. Applies the proposed coded system of observing, assessing, recording and appraising the condition of the elements of a large residential building and calculates the cost of repairing and maintaining (at a pre‐determined condition) the elements of that specific building.
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Ramin K. Rahmani, Theo G. Keith and Anahita Ayasoufi
Fluid mixing plays a critical role in the success or failure of industrial processes which call for the addition of small quantities of chemicals to working fluid. This paper aims…
Abstract
Purpose
Fluid mixing plays a critical role in the success or failure of industrial processes which call for the addition of small quantities of chemicals to working fluid. This paper aims to describe how mixing processes of liquids in turbulent flow regime can be simulated numerically, present the flow pattern through a helical static mixer, and provide useful information that can be extracted from the simulation results.
Design/methodology/approach
The performance of a helical static mixer under turbulent flow conditions is numerically studied. The model solves the 3D Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations, closed with the Spalart‐Allmaras turbulence model, using a second‐order‐accurate finite‐volume numerical method. Numerical simulations are carried out for a six‐element mixer. Using a variety of predictive tools, mixing results are obtained and the performance of static mixer under turbulent flow condition is studied.
Findings
The upstream mixing elements increase the mixing more effectively compared to the downstream mixing elements; and also, the rate of mixing is higher in the regions close to the edges of mixing elements.
Practical implications
Static mixers have been widely used in the following industries: chemicals, food processing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, mineral processing, paints and resins, petrochemicals and refining, pharmaceuticals, polymers and plastics, pulp and paper, and water and waste treatment.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified information need and offers practical help to an individual researcher in academia as well as industry.
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Procedural justice consists of employees' fairness judgments about decision-making processes used to allocate organizational rewards and has been linked to positive work outcomes…
Abstract
Purpose
Procedural justice consists of employees' fairness judgments about decision-making processes used to allocate organizational rewards and has been linked to positive work outcomes. The study drew from social exchange and reciprocity theories to examine a model proposing psychological empowerment and organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) as two psychological processes explaining the relationship of procedural justice with employees' work effort and thriving.
Design/methodology/approach
Three-waves of data with one-month time lags were obtained from 346 full-time US employees. Structural equation modeling tested the hypotheses.
Findings
Results supported the model. Procedural justice at Time 1 was positively related to psychological empowerment and OBSE at Time 2, which both led to employees' work effort and thriving at Time 3.
Originality/value
The study provided a theoretical explanation for procedural justice resulting in better work effort and thriving: Psychological empowerment and OBSE may provide a bridge for the effects of procedural justice on employees’ work effort and thriving.