LEAN MANUFACTURING vs COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, companies coped and still must deal with uncertainty greater than ever. Due to the unpredictability of consumer demand, the incredible growth in demand for certain products, dramatic fluctuations in supply chains, and general economic instability, the future still looks uncertain. It is up to the manufacturers to determine how things will be sorted out in the new normality, i.e., which changes will be long-lasting or even permanent. Lean production has emerged in recent decades as an excellent solution to increase the economy and quality of production and meet customer needs. In the market conditions affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, producers work in a significantly changed environment, and many wonder whether lean production remains as relevant and valuable as in the past. The paper discusses lean production from different aspects as the essence of the principles of the lean concept, events during the pandemic, and expectations in the post-Covid period. We used some examples to support the analysis of factors that negatively affect the course of lean production as well as some bright examples of companies that took advantage of lean production in the new conditions. The conclusions consider answer whether lean production will survive the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PEMBERDAYAAN STRATEGI UMKM MELALUI PENGABDIAN KEPADA MASYARAKAT DENGAN PENDEKATAN ANALISIS SWOT

ABSTRAKUMKM Farida Snack dan Aphe berupaya menjadi produsen kerupuk kulit yang memiliki nilai lebih di mata konsumenya. Mengingat saat ini masih berlangsungnya ketidakstabilan ekonomi yang disebabkan oleh pandemi covid-19. Sehingga membuat para pelaku UMKM perlu melakukan analisis strategi untuk menjaga produksi yang tetap berjalan. Melalui Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat ini dengan tujuan untuk pemberdayaan strategi UMKM. Analisis yang dilakukan dengan pendekatan analisis SWOT, dengan lokasi pengabdian kepada masyarakat di Kabupaten Karawang. Hasil dari pengabdian ini adalah diperolehnya analisis SWOT dan rekomendasi yang dapat diimplementasikan. Maka melalui Matriks SWOT yang diperoleh berdasarkan hasil S-O (Strength-Opportunities), W-O (Weaknesses-Opportunities), S-T (Strength-Threat) dan W-T (Weaknesses-Threat). Sehingga melalui Matriks SWOT bertujuan untuk mencocokkan peluang dan ancaman sebagai faktor eksternal yang dihadapi perusahaan dengan kekuatan dan kelemahan sebagai internalnya untuk menghasilkan strategi alternatif. Analisis tersebut menggunakan suatu matriks yang terdiri dari 9 sel yang berisikan 4 sel alternatif strategi yang dikatakan sebagai Matriks SWOT. Kata kunci: covid-19 pandemic; SWOT analysis; SWOT matrix. ABSTRACTFarida Snack and Aphe strives to be a producer of skin crackers that have more value in the eyes of consumers. Considering the current economic instability caused by the covid-19 pandemic. So that makes MSMEs need to do strategy analysis to keep production running. Through this Community Service with the aim of empowering MSMEs strategies. The analysis is carried out with a SWOT analysis approach, with the location of community service in Karawang Regency. The result of this devotion is the acquisition of SWOT analysis and recommendations that can be implemented. Thus through the SWOT Matrix obtained based on the results of S-O (Strength-Opportunities), W-O (Weaknesses-Opportunities), S-T (Strength-Threat) and W-T (Weaknesses-Threat). Thus through the SWOT Matrix aims to match opportunities and threats as external factors facing the company with strengths and weaknesses as its internal to produce alternative strategies. The analysis uses a matrix consisting of 9 cells containing 4 alternative cell strategies that are said to be swot matrix.. Keywords: covid-19 pandemic; SWOT analysis; SWOT matrix.

UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS AMONG FRESH GRADUATES

This paper attempts to explore the topic of the unemployment crisis among fresh graduates. The two main objectives of the study are to examine the influence factors of the unemployment crisis among fresh graduates in Malaysia, and the primary determinant of the unemployment has culminated in many policy implications for higher education. The unemployment rate among fresh graduates increased to 25% in 2020 than the year before, jumping from 13.8%. The null hypothesis is that employer preference, candidate attributes, and economic instability have no significant effect on the unemployment crisis. The information for the paper typically originates from a questionnaire survey method, with one hundred and thirty fresh graduates' participation in this study. The statistical approach is required to analyze numerical data using SPSS applications. Descriptive analyses such as frequency and simple percentages on demographic characteristics were used to analyze data. Inferential statistics such as linear bivariate correlation was used to test the formulated hypothesis. The finding demonstrated a significant association between employer preference, candidate attributes, and economic instability with the unemployment crisis. This finding would shed light on more preparation for fresh graduates' employability who preserve searching for a job by the education ministry. Hopefully, a revision in the academic higher education curriculum is considered to meet the job market's and stakeholders' needs for better graduate employability.

Associations of self-reported chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with indicators of economic instability and stress – 16 states, 2017

Objectives To examine the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease status and indicators of economic instability and stress to better understand the magnitude of these issues in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods Analyzed 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 16 states that administered the ‘Social Determinants of Health’ module, which included economic instability and stress measures ( N = 101,461). Associations between self-reported doctor-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease status and each measure were examined using multinomial logistic models. Results Adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more likely ( p < 0.001) than adults without to report not having enough money at month end (21.0% vs. 7.9%) or just enough money (44.9% vs. 37.2%); being unable to pay mortgage, rent, or utility bills (19.2% vs. 8.8%); and that often or sometimes food did not last or could not afford to eat balanced meals (37.9% vs. 20.6%), as well as stress all or most of the time (27.3% vs. 11.6%). Associations were attenuated although remained significant after adjustments for sociodemographic and health characteristics. Discussion Financial, housing, and food insecurity and frequent stress were more prevalent in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than without. Findings highlight the importance of including strategies to address challenges related to economic instability and stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management programs.

DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL FORMS IN AGRICULTURE

The purpose of the research is to consider the problems of the development of small forms of management in conditions of economic instability using analytical and statistical methods. To achieve the goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks: 1) determine the contribution of small-scale farming to the food security of the country; 2) consider state support for the development of small forms of farming in the countryside. Results. The advantages of small forms of management, as well as the factors hindering their development, are identified. The conclusion is made about the reduction in the number of representatives of small forms of management in the agrarian sphere. The analysis of the number of workers in small forms of management and turnover is carried out. The place of peasant (farmer) households in the production of agricultural products is determined, the specialization of their production is revealed. The dynamics of production by personal subsidiary plots of the population is considered. The indices of production of products in peasant (farmer) households and in personal subsidiary plots are compared. The analysis of the federal budget expenditures to support small forms of farming in agriculture is carried out. The scientific novelty of the study consists in substantiating the need to improve measures of state support for production in small forms of management and in arguing the need to redistribute state support funds in favor of small forms of management.

Resistance Is Futile

Chapter 14 explains the factors that prevented popular response against the corruption and economic instability brought on by transitional reforms. It points out that neoliberal atomization of social experience, coupled with economic instability, made social and political activism too costly for those who lived on the knife’s edge. The chapter also shows the importance of growing religious, ethnic, and nationalist movements as forging identity groups that were resistant to internal disputes. It further explores the role of mass out-migration in giving those who were dissatisfied with the social or economic conditions in their home country a route for seeking a better life elsewhere rather than engaging in subversive political movements. The speed and severity of the shift, as well as optimistic beliefs about market capitalism, had substantial effects on individuals’ psychosocial understanding of political and social life that prevented them from engaging in alternate political movements.

Understanding the Impacts of Lockdown during COVID-19 Pandemic on Financial Threat and Psychological Response among Sarawak Adults

The Malaysian government announced the lockdown measures following the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in mid-March 2020. This action unavoidably led to economic instability and negative psychological effects. The present study examines perceived financial threats and psychological impacts on Sarawak adults during lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 336 respondents were collected from all divisions in Sarawak using an online self-reported questionnaire that included sociodemographic, the Financial Threat Scale (FTS), and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21). Results showed that perceived financial threat was associated with the employment sector, the number of children, and the change in income during the lockdown period. Almost half (47.9%) of the respondents perceived moderate-to-severe financial threat, particularly self-employed persons and those who had reduced income during the lockdown. Negative psychological effects were found to be associated with the employment sector, marital status, number of children, and number of liabilities. In general, people who perceived severe financial threats were significantly associated with severe levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The study provided some insights into the urgent need to build on strategic plans to mitigate the economic and psychological crisis for the affected communities.

Association of Social Determinants of Health and Their Cumulative Impact on Hospitalization Among a National Sample of Community-Dwelling US Adults

Importance While the association between Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and health outcomes is well known, few studies have explored the impact of SDOH on hospitalization. Objective Examine the independent association and cumulative effect of six SDOH domains on hospitalization. Design Using cross-sectional data from the 2016–2018 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS), we used multivariable logistical regression models controlling for sociodemographics and comorbid conditions to assess the association of each SDOH and SDOH burden (i.e., cumulative number of SDOH) with hospitalization. Setting National survey of community-dwelling individuals in the US Participants Adults ≥18 years who responded to the NHIS survey Exposure Six SDOH domains (economic instability, lack of community, educational deficits, food insecurity, social isolation, and inadequate access to medical care) Measures Hospitalization within 1 year Results Among all 55,186 respondents, most were ≤50 years old (54.2%), female (51.7%, 95% CI 51.1–52.3), non-Hispanic (83.9%, 95% CI 82.4–84.5), identified as White (77.9%, 95% CI 76.8–79.1), and had health insurance (90%, 95% CI 88.9–91.9). Hospitalized individuals (n=5506; 8.7%) were more likely to be ≥50 years old (61.2%), female (60.7%, 95% CI 58.9–62.4), non-Hispanic (87%, 95% CI 86.2–88.4), and identify as White (78.5%, 95% CI 76.7–80.3), compared to those who were not hospitalized. Hospitalized individuals described poorer overall health, reporting higher incidence of having ≥5 comorbid conditions (38.9%, 95% CI 37.1–40.1) compared to those who did not report a hospitalization (15.9%, 95% CI 15.4–16.5). Hospitalized respondents reported higher rates of economic instability (33%), lack of community (14%), educational deficits (67%), food insecurity (14%), social isolation (34%), and less access to health care (6%) compared to non-hospitalized individuals. In adjusted analysis, food insecurity (OR: 1.36, 95% CI 1.22–1.52), social isolation (OR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.26), and lower educational attainment (OR: 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.25) were associated with hospitalization, while a higher SDOH burden was associated with increased odds of hospitalization (3–4 SDOH [OR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.06–1.49] and ≥5 SDOH [OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.40–2.06]) compared to those who reported no SDOH. Conclusions Among community-dwelling US adults, three SDOH domains: food insecurity, social isolation, and low educational attainment increase an individual’s risk of hospitalization. Additionally, risk of hospitalization increases as SDOH burden increases.