Offering undeclared workers financial help during Covid19 pandemic can bring them out of shadows into the declared economy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Financial Assistance ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Paid Work ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Undeclared Work

Purpose The authors wanted to examine why undeclared workers had not received financial assistance in Europe during the pandemic and find the best way to help them and bring them out of the shadows. Design/methodology/approach To identify those whose paid work is entirely undeclared, a Eurobarometer survey of undeclared work in Europe is reported conducted in September 2019, just prior to the pandemic, and involving 27,565 face-to-face interviews in 28 European countries. Findings The paid work of one in every 132 citizens in Europe comprises wholly of undeclared work and one in 28 work at least some of the time in the undeclared economy. These workers have received no support, but they are more likely to be financially vulnerable. A high percentage of undeclared workers are widowed, divorced and living in households with multiple persons. Originality/value The authors argue that short-term support for these individuals could not only help them to survive the pandemic financially, but also transform undeclared work into declared work with long-term benefits for individuals and the wider economy.

scholarly journals The coronavirus pandemic, short-term employment support schemes and undeclared work: some lessons from Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin C. Williams ◽  
Gamze Oz-Yalaman
Keyword(s):  
Voluntary Disclosure ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Paid Work ◽  
Income Support ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Financial Difficulties ◽  
Undeclared Work ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe temporary enforced closure of businesses in response to the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in governments in Europe and beyond offering short-term financial support to the businesses and workers affected. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a group of workers unable to benefit from the short-term job retention schemes and support to the self-employed made available by governments, namely, those whose paid work is comprised wholly of undeclared work, and how this could be addressed.Design/methodology/approachTo identify those whose paid work is entirely undeclared, a Eurobarometer survey of undeclared work in Europe is reported conducted in September 2019, just prior to the pandemic, and involving 27,565 face-to-face interviews in 28 European countries.FindingsThe finding is that the paid work of one in every 132 European citizens is comprised wholly of undeclared work, and these workers are concentrated in non-essential businesses and activities severely affected by the lockdown. These workers whose paid work is comprised wholly of undeclared work are significantly more likely to be widowed or divorced/separated, living in households with three or more adults, without children and most of the time have financial difficulties in making ends meet.Practical implicationsGiven that businesses and workers in the undeclared economy are largely unable to work under lockdown, it is argued that providing access to short-term financial support, through a regularisation initiative based on voluntary disclosure, would not only provide the income support these workers need but also bring them out of the shadows and put them on the radar of the state authorities, thus transforming undeclared work into declared work.Originality/valueThis paper shows how in the current or repeat lockdowns, the short-term financial support made available by governments can be used to transform undeclared work into declared work.

A directed content analysis of viewpoints on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan A. Rodgers ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Zhen He ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cudney ◽  
Chad Laux
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper, builds on previous studies that explored the research patterns over 15 years, is to consider the current status of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma. More specifically, this research addresses whether Lean and Six Sigma are stronger together and explores the reasons why Lean researchers and practitioners may be less likely to integrate Six Sigma in their work. Design/methodology/approach The research utilises a survey of 25 established and respected academics and practitioners from 16 countries. The questionnaire is analysed using a direct content approach and coded in NVivo. Findings The findings suggest that challenges may lie in the perception and understanding of statistics as well as short-term rather than long-term focus on improvement. The findings also suggest that academics and practitioners believe that Lean Six Sigma has developed over time and will continue to develop and improve as a methodology rather than being replaced with a new methodology. Research limitations/implications The survey has a sample size of 25, albeit all respondents are established and very experienced practitioners and academics. Practical implications For organisations that are introducing or refreshing their continuous improvement initiatives, this research identifies some of the challenges and provides the opportunity to address them to maximise the opportunities for success and sustainability. Originality/value The value of this paper is that it further addresses the debate over the integration of Lean and Six Sigma for many organisations which still employ Lean alone, but beyond this it explores how they will continue to develop and whether they are a permanent edition to the quality management landscape or a transition to something else.

The early bird catches the retirement savings

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucía Rey-Ares ◽  
Sara Fernández-López ◽  
María Milagros Vivel-Búa ◽  
Rubén Lado-Sestayo
Keyword(s):  
Social Factors ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Planning Horizon ◽  
Retirement Savings ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Relevant Variable ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to investigate whether individuals’ planning horizon influences their decision to save privately for their retirement. Design/methodology/approach Focussing on Spain, this empirical research uses the fifth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)[1]. Logit models are estimated considering variables related to demographic characteristics, economic situation, education and cognitive abilities and psychological and social factors. Findings The results confirm that the planning horizon significantly influences the decision to save for retirement. Long-term planners are more likely to save for retirement than short-term planners. Originality/value Although previous literature has identified the planning horizon as a relevant variable in the decision to save for retirement, few empirical studies have evaluated their impact. This paper shows that it is important to develop habits of financial planning in societies, especially in societies with a prominent orientation towards the present.

scholarly journals All insects are equal, but some insects are more equal than others

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 852-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnout R.H. Fischer ◽  
L.P.A. (Bea) Steenbekkers
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Insects As Food ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Lack of acceptance of insects as food is considered a barrier against societal adoption of the potentially valuable contribution of insects to human foods. An underlying barrier may be that insects are lumped together as one group, while consumers typically try specific insects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which Dutch consumers, with and without insect tasting experience, are more or less willing to eat different insects. Design/methodology/approach In a quasi-experimental study (n=140), the participants with and without prior experience in eating insects were asked to give their willingness to eat a range of insects, and their attitudes and disgust towards eating insects. Findings Insects promoted in the market were more preferred than the less marketed insects, and a subgroup of preferred insects for participants with experience in eating insects was formed. Research limitations/implications Although well-known insects were more preferred, general willingness to eat remained low for all participants. The results indicate that in future research on insects as food the specific insects used should be taken into account. Practical implications Continued promotion of specific, carefully targeted, insects may not lead to short-term uptake of insects as food, but may contribute to willingness to eat insects as human food in the long term. Originality/value The paper shows substantial differences between consumers who have and who have not previously tasted insects, with higher acceptance of people with experience in tasting insects for the specific insects that are frequently promoted beyond their generally more positive attitude towards eating insects.

The impact of the reform of PIS/COFINS on the Brazilian industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Gomes Vasconcelos ◽  
Nelson Leitão Paes
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Neoclassical Model ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Macroeconomic Indicators ◽  
Tax Distortions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Two Sectors

PurposeIn an attempt to reduce tax distortions and increase economic efficiency, in 2002 and 2003 Brazil promoted changes in the PIS/COFINS tax, the main federal tax on consumption. Thus, in addition to the old cumulative regime calculated on company revenues, the noncumulative regime was created with higher rates and the added value as a tax basis.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyzes the effects of the PIS/COFINS reform in a context of deindustrialization in the Brazilian economy, using a neoclassical model with two sectors.FindingsThe results suggest that after a small improvement in the aggregate economy in the short term, in the long term there was a worsening of the macroeconomic indicators. From the sector perspective, the PIS/COFINS reform may have contributed to the loss of industry participation in the Brazilian economy.Originality/valueThe study of the impact of the PIS/COFINS reform on industry through a neoclassical model is unprecedented in the national literature and contributes to the investigation of changes in the tax regime that occurred in the country.

Board evaluation in the top Nordic football clubs

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tor Brunzell ◽  
Sten Söderman
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Plan ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Football Clubs ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Positive Effect

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study if and how the evaluation of the boards in the top Nordic male football clubs affects the boards’ composition and work.Design/methodology/approachThe study includes all the clubs in the two top divisions in each of the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). The study makes use of a questionnaire where 66 (out of 145) chairmen answer 17 questions concerning the board composition and work on a five‐point Likert‐scale.FindingsThe responses were related to whether the board is annually evaluated or not. Descriptive statistics demonstrates that more than half of the clubs have an annual board evaluation. Most common is that the Chairman performs the evaluation himself/herself with help from designated board members; the evaluation being performed through informal discussions. A total of 44 clubs have a nominee committee. Almost all of the clubs transfer the result of the board evaluation to its nominee committee, most commonly verbally. Furthermore, results show that board evaluation has a significant positive effect on the following functions of football boards: review of business plan, strategy, objective and budget; discussion on short‐term development; discussion on long‐term development; and work efficiency.Originality/valueThe results of this study are consistent with a similar study of listed Nordic companies. The main difference between the results of the two studies is that clubs, unlike publicly listed companies, almost always perform the evaluation through internal interviews rarely using external consultants and individual anonymous questionnaires.

The impact of religiosity on corporate loans and maturity structure: evidence from China

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fansheng Jia ◽  
Yilin Zhang ◽  
Kam C. Chan ◽  
Sujuan Xie
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Explanatory Variable ◽  
Private Firm ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maturity Structure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relation between religiosity and formal financing in the context of long- and short-term corporate loans. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses archival methodology to conduct a multiple regression analysis with the amount of long- and short-term corporate loans as the dependent variable and a measure of religiosity as the key explanatory variable. Findings This paper offers four findings. First, when a private firm locates in a high religiosity region, it is more likely to get more corporate loans and the amount of corporate loans is positively correlated with the extent of religiosity. Second, religiosity drives a private firm getting more (less) short-term (long-term) loans. Third, a private firm in a high religiosity region is able to incur lower interest cost associated with more short-term loans. Finally, the results are confined to Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity. Practical implications Overall, the findings are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them are borrowers and lenders, show the religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship. Originality/value Overall, findings of this paper are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them being borrowers and lenders, show religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship.

Retaining older employees is a smart business move

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 246-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Perrin
Keyword(s):  
Personal Experience ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Older Employees ◽  
Cost Cutting

Purpose This paper aims to warn that the short-term cost-cutting measure of laying off older employees can result in long-term problems. It stresses the value that older employees can add to organizations and offers insights on what employers should consider when trying to retain and attract older employees. Design/methodology/approach The paper combines the personal experience of a consultant whose employees are all over the age of 50 bolstered by surveys noting what older employees want and expect in the workplace. Findings The paper concludes that older employees help companies save money by sharing their wealth of experience and helping younger employees avoid mistakes they have made or witnessed in their own careers. The paper argues that to retain and attract the best older employees, companies need to be flexible, provide good compensation and offer work that is interesting and meaningful. Just like younger employees, many older employees want companies that provide time-off for family commitments and offer opportunities for advancement. Originality/value This paper goes beyond detailing the value of older employees, in terms of knowledge, loyalty and connections and offers tips on how to attract and retain older employees from someone who successfully does so in his own business.

Guinea-Bissau’s Embalo will seek to centralise power

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Trafficking ◽  
West African ◽  
Cape Verde ◽  
Financial Assistance ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
Peace Operation

Significance The end to the UN peace operation came almost three months after the departure of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB). The completion of both missions comes amid a tense political standoff between President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and the former ruling African Party for the Independence of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC). Impacts Embalo’s heavy-handed approach could bring short-term stability but poses a long-term threat to a fragile political and security situation. Drug trafficking will remain a major challenge for the new administration, despite hard-line government commitments. Embalo is looking to regional allies to attract much-needed funds for his administration and provide technical and financial assistance.

Corporate risk-taking with long-term, short-term and subordinate credit ratings

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dror Parnes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Credit Ratings ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Domestic Credit ◽  
Lag Variables ◽  
Corporate Risk

PurposeThis study empirically examines, from the first quarter of 1981 until the fourth quarter of 2017, the relations across customary domestic issuer credit ratings (long-term, short-term and subordinate) and three popular corporate risk-taking measurements (the variability of operating profitability, net profitability, and research and development expenses).Design/methodology/approachThe author deploys categorical regressions and robustness tests with control variables, interaction terms, fixed effect variables, lag variables and delta variables.FindingsThe author documents that both short-term and subordinate domestic credit ratings are key determinants of the volatility of operating profitability. The author also identifies long-term credit ratings as secondary factors, yet they do affect broader corporate risk-taking behavioral features (along all three measurements). Furthermore, the author finds that the higher (lower) the credit ratings assigned, i.e. the superior (inferior) the credit quality externally judged, the more (less) overall risk firms tend to undertake.Originality/valueIt is the first research to examine both the inclusive influence and the granular effects of credit ratings on corporate risk-taking (CRT) behavior. It is also the only enquiry to inspect the specific relationships along three types of domestic issuer credit ratings: long-term, short-term and subordinate ratings.

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