Quality of work community and workers’ intention to retire

Purpose To study the workers’ perception of the quality of work community and its association with intention to retire early, separately among women and men working in Finnish postal service. Methods A questionnaire survey was sent to all Finnish postal services employees aged ≥ 50 years in 2016 and 44% (n = 2096) replied to the survey (mean age 56.3, 40% women). Employee’s intention to retire before statutory retirement was measured on a scale of 1–5 and dichotomized. The quality of work community was defined by four composite variables: equality at work, flexibility at work, supportive work environment and health or other reason and trichotomized by their tercile values. Odds ratio (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of quality of work community with intention to retire were calculated separately for men and women using log binomial regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results About one-third of respondents intended to retire early with no significant gender difference in retirement intention. Low equality at work (women OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.60–4.81; men 2.84, 1.80–4.48) and low flexibility at work (women 3.30, 1.94–5.60; men 2.91, 1.88–4.50) was associated with higher likelihood of intention to retire. Among women intention to retire was found less likely due to low supportive work environment (0.52, 0.31–0.89) and among men due to intermediate health or other reason (0.65, 043–0.98). Conclusion The results highlight the importance of the quality of work community as well as the promotion of work-related health in order to encourage employees to remain at workforce for longer.

Experience of transformation of the book industry of the PRC in the conditions of the pandemic

The scientific topicality. The book industry around the world has suffered significant losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It required the implementation of various anti-crisis measures and adaptation to these new circumstances. At present, a certain amount of experience has been accumulated, making it possible to summarize the effectiveness of measures taken in order to bring the book industry out of this crisis. Given that the People’s Republic of China was the first country to face the pandemic, its experience in transforming the book industry under such conditions deserves a detailed study. The purpose. Summarize the experience of transforming the book industry in PRC under the conditions of the pandemic; highlight its main directions; demonstrate that the success of overcoming the consequences of COVID-19 directly depends on the level of digitalization in the given field. The methodology. To achieve the stated goals, such methods as analysis of statistical material, sources on the topic of research, and summarization were used. The results. In the course of summarizing the experience of transforming the book industry of the PRC under the conditions of the pandemic, it was found that the success of overcoming the consequences of COVID-19 directly depends on the level of digitalization of the given field. The scientific novelty. For the first time, the experience of transforming the book industry of the PRC under the conditions of the pandemic is summarized. The practical significance. The successful experience of transforming the book industry of the PRC under the conditions of the pandemic can be used by other countries, including Ukraine. The conclusions. In the course of summarizing the experience of transforming the book industry in the PRC under the conditions of the pandemic, it was possible to highlight the following areas: transition mainly to online sales in book retail; active use of postal services as a delivery channel; opening of digital publishing resources to provide free access; expansion of media platforms for content distribution; organizing of online readings; use of multi-format content, multimedia content and cross-media for content distribution; use of the informative potential of the book industry to combat the pandemic in form of anti-epidemic publications and the development of platforms for informational resources. An analysis of this experience shows that the success of overcoming the consequences of COVID-19 directly depends on the level of digitalization of the book industry.

Current Challenges for the Postal Services Sector in the Context of E-Commerce – Predictive Analysis of V4 States

The article’s focus is on the postal services sector. The sector plays an important role in a process of delivering packages to the customers. Over the last few years, there has been a significant growth in volume of shipments transported. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the current development and subsequent prediction of two selected indicators that play an important role in the context of e-commerce development in the V4 states. One of the indicators is the number of shipments; the other is the indicator of CO2 emissions. While the values of the CO2 emission in the predictive analysis in comparison with the growing e-commerce turnover indicator stagnate, the number of shipments is growing alongside the e-commerce turnover values. In the light of these findings, it is clear that the growing number of shipments will result in the need to change the approach to the organisation of the parcel delivery process, especially in big cities and agglomerations. It is also necessary to mention that organisational changes in the parcel delivery process in big cities and agglomerations must be carried out in an environmentally friendly way.

INVENTARISASI ARSITEKTUR BANGUNAN CAGAR BUDAYA KANTOR POS SEMARANG (Memikirkan Kembali Peluang Fungsi Kantor Pos di Era Digital)

During the Dutch colonial period, Daendeles (1808) built a 1000km postal highway from Anyer - Panarukan. Now the road is known as the pantura (north coast route). The main function is to facilitate communication between regions controlled by Daendeles. One of the buildings that influenced the construction of the postal highway was the first post office in Batavia (1746) and the second post office in Semarang (1750). In the city of Semarang, along with the development of the city to the south and the existence of road infrastructure towards the kingdom of Mataram (Surakarta and Jogjakarta), several branch post offices were built in the Bangkong area and the Post Office Jalan Dr. Wahidin. The building is the center of postal services and operations in the city of Semarang and its surroundings. However, along with the development of the postal industry process, it has pushed service rooms to be more efficient, resulting in a reduction in the need for workspaces which results in a lot of space that can be used for other functions. This opportunity to revitalize the old post office building can be integrated with the potential of the Old Town area which has been developed as a mainstay tourism destination for the city of Semarang. Taking into account this potential, the purpose of this paper is to map and inventory the architectural potential of the Semarang post office which is very urgent to do. The method used is to conduct observations and interviews in a structured manner. The focus of the study is on the potential of architecture, including architectural space and character, as well as the potential of the existing environment or area. The result of the building inventory to preserve that not only focuses on the physical building but also how the activities in it are still attached to the function of the building.Abstrak: Pada masa colonial Belanda, Daendeles (1808) membangun jalan raya pos sepanjang 1000km dari Anyer - Panarukan dan kini dikenal dengan jalur pantura. Fungsi utama adalah memperlancar komunikasi antar daerah yang di kuasai Daendeles. Salah satu bangunan yang berpengaruh terhadap dibangunnya jalan raya pos adalah Kantor pos pertama di Batavia (1746) dan Kantor pos kedua di Semarang (1750). Di Kota Semarang seiring dengan perkembangan kota ke arah Selatan dan telah adanya infrastruktur jalur jalan kearah kerajaan Mataram (Surakarta dan Jogjakarta) maka dibangunlah kantor pos cabang di kawasan Bangkong dan Kantor pos jalan Dr. Wahidin. Bangunan tersebut menjadi salah satu tulang punggung pelayanan dan operasional pos di wilayah Kota Semarang dan sekitarnya. Namun seiring dengan perkembangan proses industri pos telah mendorong ruang pelayanan semakin efisien sehingga terjadi pengurangan kebutuhan ruang kerja yang mengakibatkan banyak ruang yang bisa dimanfaatkan untuk fungsi lain. Peluang ini dapat diintegrasikan dengan potensi kawasan Kota Tua telah dikembangkan sebagai ruang publik dan destinasi pariwisata andalan Kota Semarang. Dengan memperhatikan adanya potensi tersebut tujuan paper ini adalah melakukan mapping dan inventarisasi potensi arsitektur kantor pos Semarang yang sangat mendesak untuk dilakukan. Metode yang dilakukan adalah melakukan survey lapangan dan wawancara secara terstruktur. Adapun fokus kajian adalah pada potensi arsitektur mencakup ruang dan karakter arsitektur, serta potensi lingkungan atau kawasan yang ada. Hasil dari inventarisir bangunan adalah upaya untuk melestarikan yang tidak hanya berfokus pada fisik bangunan saja tetapi juga bagaimana aktivitas di dalamnya masih tetap melekat dengan fungsi bangunannya.

Ski Tourism: A Case Study as a Booster for the Economic Development of Chongli, in China

Chongli, an internationally renowned ski mecca, is famous for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics. As a booster of local economic development, ski tourism facilitates Chongli in moving away from poverty, and provides a new model for the economic development of other impoverished areas in China. The aim of this research is to analyze the impact of ski tourism in Chongli on local economic development in detail, to clarify the relationship between ski tourism and its related industries, and propose improvement measures, using the methods of the literature review, Delphi and investigation. This paper presents a detailed analysis of indicators which reflect ski tourism and its economic development, and calculates the degree of influence of skiing tourism on local economic development. The results show that, except for transportation, storage and postal services, the local economy of Chongli is positively affected by the income of ski tourism and the number of ski tourists. The influence coefficient of ski tourism has exceeded the average level of social influence. Based on the place of ski tourism in Chongli, some strategies, such as extending the industrial chain and improving product quality to strengthen the economic impact of ski tourism, are proposed.

Unions in the postal services of the future

This study is an explorative analysis of labor union representatives’ assessment of digital transformation in the postal and logistics sector and the consequences for union activities in different regions of the world. It consists of two parts: Part I is a review of existing research on the topic of digitalization and labor relations in the postal and logistics sector. Part II represents the core of the study, consisting of a qualitative survey of union representatives from that sector regarding their stance towards digitalization and respective union strategies. The sample consists of 29 detailed written statements of union representatives from all continents, answering to a set of open questions. The study shows that in almost all of the regions, digital technologies are the basic technological infrastructure that enables postal work. There is a set of specific technology bundles which are consistently used in all of these regions. The surveyed union representatives consistently report a net job loss as a consequence of digitalization, although it also has created some new jobs. They also indicate an increase in precarious forms of employment, such as subcontracting, temporary work or bogus self-employment. In terms of working conditions, respondents refer to work facilitation through automation and digital assistance. However, they also underline that especially algorithmic work control leads to increased surveillance and work intensification. This intensification of work is perceived in turn as a factor in increased stress and thus as a risk for workers’ health. Yet, respondents also see the potential for digital systems to prevent accidents. Overall, the surveyed union representatives see digitalization as inevitable. Yet, they consistently argue that new regulations are needed because older standards often times do not address the specific problems of digitalized work.

‘Stressed, uncomfortable, vulnerable, neglected’: a qualitative study of the psychological and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK frontline keyworkers

ObjectivesNon-healthcare keyworkers face distinct occupational vulnerabilities that have received little consideration within broader debates about ‘essential’ work and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the impact of the pandemic on the working lives and mental health and well-being of non-healthcare keyworkers in the UK.DesignIn-depth, qualitative interviews, analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis.SettingTelephone or video call interviews, conducted in the UK between September 2020 and January 2021.Participants23 participants aged 26–61 (mean age=47.2) years employed in a range of non-healthcare keyworker occupations, including transport, retail, education, postal services, the police and fire services, waste collection, finance and religious services.ResultsKeyworkers experienced adverse psychological effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, including fears of COVID-19 exposure, contagion and subsequent transmission to others, especially their families. These concerns were often experienced in the context of multiple exposure risks, including insufficient personal protective equipment and a lack of workplace mitigation practices. Keyworkers also described multiple work-related challenges, including increased workload, a lack of public and organisational recognition and feelings of disempowerment.ConclusionsIn efforts to reduce psychosocial concerns among non-healthcare keyworkers, there is a need for appropriate support during the COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for other infections (eg, seasonal influenza) in the future. This includes the provision of psychological and workplace measures attending to the intersections of personal vulnerability and work conditions that cause unique risks and challenges among those in frontline keyworker occupations.

Communicating an Empire and Its Many Worlds: Spanish American Mail, Logistics, and Postal Agents, 1492–1620

This article examines the principles underlying Spanish American mail during the government of the first Hapsburgs. I propose that this mail system, in which official and unofficial postal services coexisted, allowed for an intense communicational experience; rather than restricting correspondence, mail circulated at unprecedented levels. To understand this system's rationale I focus on the figure of the correos mayores, who were responsible for the distribution of official information (or information of interest to the crown) within certain Spanish American cities. Using sources in American and European archives, I question the premise that Spanish American communication was chaotic during this period. I also argue that the exceptional circulation of mail within Spanish America and overseas during the sixteenth century is essential for understanding European expansion and the early modern world.