This paper discusses the relationship between the subterranean economy and unemployment. Clandest... more This paper discusses the relationship between the subterranean economy and unemployment. Clandestine economic activity provides jobs at low incomes, but also bad and dangerous working conditions and job insecurity. Governments and even trade unions tend to ignore the wider implications of the underground economy. Three main forms of submerged economy are identified.
Since Spain joined the European Union, the industrial sector has undergone serious restructuring ... more Since Spain joined the European Union, the industrial sector has undergone serious restructuring which has reduced it considerably. The agricultural sector has been affected by the application of technology and the globalisation of commercial relations, which has drastically reduced the number of people employed in this sector. The restructuring of the production system which has taken place in Spain over the past two decades has meant that the service sector is the predominant sector of economic activities, with many more people employed in it than in the secondary and primary sectors. The service sector in Spain is characterised, in general, by poor, temporary-seasonal employees formed by groups who are discriminated against in terms of salary (women, young people, etc.). This means that there is a growing number of young people who perform labour activities for short, rotational periods between situations of unemployment, without managing to escape from this vicious circle due to their poor qualifications despite their work experience.
The definitions of unemployment vary according to the different socio-political contexts, therefo... more The definitions of unemployment vary according to the different socio-political contexts, therefore, unemployment rates are not easily comparable. The wide extent of unemployment has generated considerable interest in measuring it, and unemployment statistics have become a central piece in the game of politics. It should be remembered that national unemployment compatibilities are not neutral instruments, but the result of a social process of data production. In Spain, there are two major official sources of data in this regard: the Employment Statistics, published monthly by the Instituto Nacional de Empleo (National Employment Institute, INEM), and the Encuesta de Poblacion Activa (Active Population Survey, EPA), published quarterly by the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (National Institute of Statistics, INE). These two sources use different definitions of unemployment which, furthermore, have changed over time, thus making a reading of the data and an understanding of the phenomenon more difficult.
Methodology of the overall project - Qualitative studies: Sample criteria - Qualitative studies: ... more Methodology of the overall project - Qualitative studies: Sample criteria - Qualitative studies: comparison of results - Case studies - Case studies of outplacement/replacement interventions - general discussion
Living on the Edge - An empirical Analysis of Long-Term Youth Unemployment and Social Exclusion i... more Living on the Edge - An empirical Analysis of Long-Term Youth Unemployment and Social Exclusion in Europe
The International library of ethics, law and technology, 2016
Science-fiction has been defined in many ways, but in this chapter priority is given Isaac Asimov... more Science-fiction has been defined in many ways, but in this chapter priority is given Isaac Asimov’s vision which examines human responses to changes in science and technology. In this context the text uses various examples of science-fiction narratives related to the enhancement or modification of the human body for achieving specific objectives (for example, the augmented combat effectiveness of military personnel or the colonisation of new worlds). The possibility of changes or improvements to democracy and governance are analyzed and the implications of body enhancement in this sense are examined critically centered especially on the concept of “cyborg” and the use of all kinds of implants which was very prevalent in the science-fiction of the 1980s in the so-called “cyberpunk” movement.
The Spanish labour market is characterised by a high unemployment rate as well as a high rate of ... more The Spanish labour market is characterised by a high unemployment rate as well as a high rate of temporary contracts (both the highest in the EU). These two factors indicate a high level of instability amongst employees, which especially affects women, older people and/or employees with low qualifications (CES, 2002; EPA, 2002; Huguet, 1999; Miguelez, 1995).
In Spain, the past three decades have seen several periods of recession and economic recovery, an... more In Spain, the past three decades have seen several periods of recession and economic recovery, and the strong influence of these recessions on the development of employment and unemployment as well as on the overall composition of the labour market are clearly visible.
Seeking for broad and inclusive ways of framing ethical debates on emerging technologies, in this... more Seeking for broad and inclusive ways of framing ethical debates on emerging technologies, in this article the authors explore imaginaries of body enhancement as encompassed in the science fiction (sci-fi) literature. They provide in-depth descriptions of three sci-fi novels: Neuromancer, The Player of Games, and Kéthani. They explore how ethical concerns are framed within the imaginary world of these novels, emphasizing that this framing is usually ambivalent, embedded within lived narratives, as well as future and collectively oriented. Because they evoke shared imaginaries, sci-fi novels appear as useful to trigger debate on new technologies.
A comparison or the relationships between youth unemployment and submerged economy in different E... more A comparison or the relationships between youth unemployment and submerged economy in different Eu countries
For many years, high levels of employment and low levels of unemployment were the norm for Swedis... more For many years, high levels of employment and low levels of unemployment were the norm for Swedish society. During the period 1975–90, total unemployment ranged between 1.5% and 3.5% of the labour force. However, at the beginning of the 1990s, the labour market situation deteriorated dramatically from the recession and the correspondingly low level of demand for labour. From 1991 to 1994, total unemployment rose from 3% to 8%. For the 16–24-year age group, the highest unemployment rate was recorded in 1993 with 18.4%. However, since the summer of 1998, unemployment has declined. In that year 11.2% of youth in the age group 16–24 years were unemployed. The decline in unemployment in this group continued and in October 1999 the figure was 10.2%. Of these unemployed youth, 7.4% had been unemployed for more than 52 weeks. These figures do not include those in some kind of labour market programme. The National Labour Market Board (AMS) predicts a continued favourable development with increased levels of hiring and reduced unemployment. In one report, AMS reported a significant decline in the level of long-term unemployment during the past year — mainly among youth. Between May 1998 and May 1999, the number of long-term unemployed persons in the age group 18–24 years decreased from 6,044 to 3,301, a reduction of 45% (AMS, 1999). Even if the decline in unemployment after 1998 can be explained mainly by the growth in new job creation, the reduction of the number of long-term unemployed youth can be regarded above all as the result of an active labour market policy focused on a priority group.
This part of the project involved two major elements: conducting qualitative interviews with two ... more This part of the project involved two major elements: conducting qualitative interviews with two groups of employees on the one hand, and case studies in several Dutch companies on the other. The first group consisted of workers in an insecure job situation following the (future) restructuring of their company. These respondents were asked what elements would help them in such a situation, and which organisational factors obstructed them in adequately coping with their insecurity. The aim of these interviews was to gain insight in key issues for workers in an insecure job situation, and to develop innovative intervention strategies that assisted employees in coping with occupational transitions. The second group was composed of successfully re-employed individuals having found a new job as a result of outplacement/replacement counselling provided by their previous employer. These interviewees were asked about their experiences with different elements in the outplacement programme and how this support has helped them in recovering from the shock of dismissal and in successfully finding another job.
En el artículo se realiza una revisión histórica y crítica de algunas de las tendencias y de los ... more En el artículo se realiza una revisión histórica y crítica de algunas de las tendencias y de los autores más conocidos dentro del mundo de la ciencia ficción.En l'article es fa una revisió història i crítica d'algunes de les tendències i dels autors més coneguts dins el món de la ciència-ficció.In the article there is a critical, historical review of several of most well known science fiction authors and tendencies
This paper discusses the relationship between the subterranean economy and unemployment. Clandest... more This paper discusses the relationship between the subterranean economy and unemployment. Clandestine economic activity provides jobs at low incomes, but also bad and dangerous working conditions and job insecurity. Governments and even trade unions tend to ignore the wider implications of the underground economy. Three main forms of submerged economy are identified.
Since Spain joined the European Union, the industrial sector has undergone serious restructuring ... more Since Spain joined the European Union, the industrial sector has undergone serious restructuring which has reduced it considerably. The agricultural sector has been affected by the application of technology and the globalisation of commercial relations, which has drastically reduced the number of people employed in this sector. The restructuring of the production system which has taken place in Spain over the past two decades has meant that the service sector is the predominant sector of economic activities, with many more people employed in it than in the secondary and primary sectors. The service sector in Spain is characterised, in general, by poor, temporary-seasonal employees formed by groups who are discriminated against in terms of salary (women, young people, etc.). This means that there is a growing number of young people who perform labour activities for short, rotational periods between situations of unemployment, without managing to escape from this vicious circle due to their poor qualifications despite their work experience.
The definitions of unemployment vary according to the different socio-political contexts, therefo... more The definitions of unemployment vary according to the different socio-political contexts, therefore, unemployment rates are not easily comparable. The wide extent of unemployment has generated considerable interest in measuring it, and unemployment statistics have become a central piece in the game of politics. It should be remembered that national unemployment compatibilities are not neutral instruments, but the result of a social process of data production. In Spain, there are two major official sources of data in this regard: the Employment Statistics, published monthly by the Instituto Nacional de Empleo (National Employment Institute, INEM), and the Encuesta de Poblacion Activa (Active Population Survey, EPA), published quarterly by the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (National Institute of Statistics, INE). These two sources use different definitions of unemployment which, furthermore, have changed over time, thus making a reading of the data and an understanding of the phenomenon more difficult.
Methodology of the overall project - Qualitative studies: Sample criteria - Qualitative studies: ... more Methodology of the overall project - Qualitative studies: Sample criteria - Qualitative studies: comparison of results - Case studies - Case studies of outplacement/replacement interventions - general discussion
Living on the Edge - An empirical Analysis of Long-Term Youth Unemployment and Social Exclusion i... more Living on the Edge - An empirical Analysis of Long-Term Youth Unemployment and Social Exclusion in Europe
The International library of ethics, law and technology, 2016
Science-fiction has been defined in many ways, but in this chapter priority is given Isaac Asimov... more Science-fiction has been defined in many ways, but in this chapter priority is given Isaac Asimov’s vision which examines human responses to changes in science and technology. In this context the text uses various examples of science-fiction narratives related to the enhancement or modification of the human body for achieving specific objectives (for example, the augmented combat effectiveness of military personnel or the colonisation of new worlds). The possibility of changes or improvements to democracy and governance are analyzed and the implications of body enhancement in this sense are examined critically centered especially on the concept of “cyborg” and the use of all kinds of implants which was very prevalent in the science-fiction of the 1980s in the so-called “cyberpunk” movement.
The Spanish labour market is characterised by a high unemployment rate as well as a high rate of ... more The Spanish labour market is characterised by a high unemployment rate as well as a high rate of temporary contracts (both the highest in the EU). These two factors indicate a high level of instability amongst employees, which especially affects women, older people and/or employees with low qualifications (CES, 2002; EPA, 2002; Huguet, 1999; Miguelez, 1995).
In Spain, the past three decades have seen several periods of recession and economic recovery, an... more In Spain, the past three decades have seen several periods of recession and economic recovery, and the strong influence of these recessions on the development of employment and unemployment as well as on the overall composition of the labour market are clearly visible.
Seeking for broad and inclusive ways of framing ethical debates on emerging technologies, in this... more Seeking for broad and inclusive ways of framing ethical debates on emerging technologies, in this article the authors explore imaginaries of body enhancement as encompassed in the science fiction (sci-fi) literature. They provide in-depth descriptions of three sci-fi novels: Neuromancer, The Player of Games, and Kéthani. They explore how ethical concerns are framed within the imaginary world of these novels, emphasizing that this framing is usually ambivalent, embedded within lived narratives, as well as future and collectively oriented. Because they evoke shared imaginaries, sci-fi novels appear as useful to trigger debate on new technologies.
A comparison or the relationships between youth unemployment and submerged economy in different E... more A comparison or the relationships between youth unemployment and submerged economy in different Eu countries
For many years, high levels of employment and low levels of unemployment were the norm for Swedis... more For many years, high levels of employment and low levels of unemployment were the norm for Swedish society. During the period 1975–90, total unemployment ranged between 1.5% and 3.5% of the labour force. However, at the beginning of the 1990s, the labour market situation deteriorated dramatically from the recession and the correspondingly low level of demand for labour. From 1991 to 1994, total unemployment rose from 3% to 8%. For the 16–24-year age group, the highest unemployment rate was recorded in 1993 with 18.4%. However, since the summer of 1998, unemployment has declined. In that year 11.2% of youth in the age group 16–24 years were unemployed. The decline in unemployment in this group continued and in October 1999 the figure was 10.2%. Of these unemployed youth, 7.4% had been unemployed for more than 52 weeks. These figures do not include those in some kind of labour market programme. The National Labour Market Board (AMS) predicts a continued favourable development with increased levels of hiring and reduced unemployment. In one report, AMS reported a significant decline in the level of long-term unemployment during the past year — mainly among youth. Between May 1998 and May 1999, the number of long-term unemployed persons in the age group 18–24 years decreased from 6,044 to 3,301, a reduction of 45% (AMS, 1999). Even if the decline in unemployment after 1998 can be explained mainly by the growth in new job creation, the reduction of the number of long-term unemployed youth can be regarded above all as the result of an active labour market policy focused on a priority group.
This part of the project involved two major elements: conducting qualitative interviews with two ... more This part of the project involved two major elements: conducting qualitative interviews with two groups of employees on the one hand, and case studies in several Dutch companies on the other. The first group consisted of workers in an insecure job situation following the (future) restructuring of their company. These respondents were asked what elements would help them in such a situation, and which organisational factors obstructed them in adequately coping with their insecurity. The aim of these interviews was to gain insight in key issues for workers in an insecure job situation, and to develop innovative intervention strategies that assisted employees in coping with occupational transitions. The second group was composed of successfully re-employed individuals having found a new job as a result of outplacement/replacement counselling provided by their previous employer. These interviewees were asked about their experiences with different elements in the outplacement programme and how this support has helped them in recovering from the shock of dismissal and in successfully finding another job.
En el artículo se realiza una revisión histórica y crítica de algunas de las tendencias y de los ... more En el artículo se realiza una revisión histórica y crítica de algunas de las tendencias y de los autores más conocidos dentro del mundo de la ciencia ficción.En l'article es fa una revisió història i crítica d'algunes de les tendències i dels autors més coneguts dins el món de la ciència-ficció.In the article there is a critical, historical review of several of most well known science fiction authors and tendencies
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