Contribution of the MERISE-Type Conceptual Data Model to the Construction of Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators of the Effectiveness of Training in Relation to the Needs of the Labor Market in the Republic of Congo

This study proposes the use of the MERISE conceptual data model to create indicators for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of vocational training in the Republic of Congo. The importance of MERISE for structuring and analyzing data is underlined, as it enables the measurement of the adequacy between training and the needs of the labor market. The innovation of the study lies in the adaptation of the MERISE model to the local context, the development of innovative indicators, and the integration of a participatory approach including all relevant stakeholders. Contextual adaptation and local innovation: The study suggests adapting MERISE to the specific context of the Republic of Congo, considering the local particularities of the labor market. Development of innovative indicators and new measurement tools: It proposes creating indicators to assess skills matching and employer satisfaction, which are crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of vocational training. Participatory approach and inclusion of stakeholders: The study emphasizes actively involving training centers, employers, and recruitment agencies in the evaluation process. This participatory approach ensures that the perspectives of all stakeholders are considered, leading to more relevant and practical outcomes. Using the MERISE model allows for: • Rigorous data structuring, organization, and standardization: Clearly defining entities and relationships facilitates data organization and standardization, crucial for effective data analysis. • Facilitation of monitoring, analysis, and relevant indicators: Developing both quantitative and qualitative indicators helps measure the effectiveness of training in relation to the labor market, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation. • Improved communication and common language: By providing a common language for different stakeholders, MERISE enhances communication and collaboration, ensuring that all parties have a shared understanding. The study’s approach and contribution to existing research lie in: • Structured theoretical and practical framework and holistic approach: The study offers a structured framework for data collection and analysis, covering both quantitative and qualitative aspects, thus providing a comprehensive view of the training system. • Reproducible methodology and international comparison: The proposed methodology can be replicated in other contexts, facilitating international comparison and the adoption of best practices. • Extension of knowledge and new perspective: By integrating a participatory approach and developing indicators adapted to local needs, the study extends existing research and offers new perspectives on vocational training evaluation.

Initial Labor Market Conditions and Individual Employability

Initial labor market conditions affect how individuals build their human capital and look for jobs and thus can have long-term effects on their income levels,work performance,and career development.Based on data from the Urban Household Survey(UHS)of urban households in China from 1986 to 2009,we perform an empirical test of how initial labor market conditions affect the employability of individuals.Our research shows that people’s future incomes suffer if they start out in an adverse job market.Each percentage point of increase in the unemployment rate at an individual’s entry into the labor market is associated with a two-percentage-point drop in his or her average annual income.Even after looking at different parts of the job market and sample groups,this conclusion still holds.In the context of global economic instability,our findings may assist government policymakers in addressing adverse labor market conditions.

Migration in the Middle Asia and Its Effects on the Labor Market

Many Middle Asia countries declaring their independence after the splitting of the Soviet Union, cannot meet the economical and social needs of their citizens by falling much behind of the era in terms of industry despite the natural wealth they have. In addition to all these, the problems in the ruling class and the chaos environment have resulted in the migration of many people to alternative living spaces. These migrations have affected labor market both positively and negatively besides the social life. The labor demand increased by the entrance of the immigrants into the market has affected the employee wages and also this situation has affected the life standards of the citizens In this study, the migration that took place in the countries established after the splitting of the Soviet Union, forming one of the two poles of the world before the cold war, and the effects of this migration on the labor market have been analyzed considering previous studies on the subject. The studies carried out on this subject have yielded various results according to the area in which it is carried out, the time interval it includes, and the period＇s structure For this reason, the points of views on the subject are compared by making a long literature review

China’s Labor Market in Seven Decades

Soon after its founding in 1949,the People’s Republic of China established an all-round planned economic system,abolished the labor market,put labor authorities in charge of urban employment planning and placements,and assigned rural workforce as members of the People’s Communes.This planned labor system lasted until the reform and opening up program was launched in 1978.In the face of great employment pressures as educated youth returned from the countryside to cities,the government took a series of policies to bring the educated youth into the workforce through referral by labor authorities,voluntarily organized employment,and self-employment.With the abolition of the centralized job placement system,China’s labor market started to develop,giving play to the comparative advantage of abundant labor force,and the dual economic structure started to integrate.After decades of rapid growth and job creation,China’s labor market have turned from oversupply to undersupply since 2003,and labor remuneration increased sharply.China’s changing resource endowment structure was accompanied by a shift in its labor market policy from employment to the labor market.Over the past four decades of reform and opening up,the Chinese government enacted wise labor market policies in each critical stage.

A model of local labor market regulation of China in the transition period

With the establishment of labor market of China, market is playing a more and mare important role in allocation of human resources. However, with the transition of economy in China and industrial upgrading in recent years, many labor problems have occurred which do harm to the sustainable development of local economy. The paper researches on the labor market issues of China from the perspective of local labor market regulation. Firstly, it reviews the theories of local labor market regulation. And then the main components of local labor market regulation of China are identified and the evaluation index system is established. The results of analysis of the calculated output show that （1） the local labor market regulation of China has an obvious character of gradient distribution geographically and decreases gradually from east to west; （2） of all the regulations, the regulation of the development of human capital has the most significant impact on local economy currently which is followed by the regulation of labor relation and the regulation of market participation. As to the regulation of social security, it has no Significant impact on the development of local economy.

Labor Market Changes during Transformation and Upgrading of China's Three Major Special Economic Zones

Regional economic integration can enhance the overall strength and competitiveness of the zone. The Yangtze River Delta,the Pearl River Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic circles are the top three zones with economic viability in China. With the development of the economy,these three zones all follow the modern " tertiary,secondary,primary" industrial structure,while the corresponding employment population structure lags behind to a certain extent. Besides,the three major special economic zones are the regions receiving most of the migrant population in China. The inflow of labor has played a double-edged role in local economic and social development. Through systematically comparing the labor market changes in transformation and upgrading of the three major special economic zones,the reform experience could be obtained: urbanization can promote urban employment,industrial agglomeration can attract different employment types,and labor market system reform can enhance labor coordination in the zone.

Research on the Shaping and Structuring of the Chinese Labor Market

The shaping of the Chinese labor market is the core of the structural transformation of the Chinese economy and society since 1978.Based on the labor market segmentation theory,this paper tries to analyze the transformational process of changing from the employment structure under the planned economy system to the labor market,the result of which shows that the Chinese labor market presents obvious structuralization(or segmentation),forming a three-part labor market—peasant-worker labor market,talent labor market and the labor market inside the state-owned enterprise,each owning a respective function.The development of the present Chinese labor market faces serious problems of employment and re-structuring.

Integrated Development of China's Agricultural Labor Market from the Perspective of Convergence of Planting Industry Marginal Labor Productivity

Using Compilation of National Cost Benefit Data of Agricultural Products in 1990-2009 and based on the convergence of planting industry marginal labor productivity,this paper studies the integration of agricultural labor market in China. Firstly,it calculates labor output elasticity of each province for wheat,japonica rice and corn. Secondly,it builds indicators reflecting change level of marginal labor productivity. Researches show that in 1990-2000,the difference level of marginal labor productivity expands. From 2000,it starts to fall and becomes more and more stable. However,due to difference of crops and farming custom,the turning point of marginal labor productivity is not consistent with each other. Even so,it is still possible to reach the conclusion that agricultural labor market is gradually integrated from 2000.

Growing inequalities call for a flexible yet secure labor market

This paper examines inequalities in China’s job market.The first section answers the question of whether rapid economic growth in China has created adequate employment,concluding that it has,based on an analysis of aggregate growth and employment data.Section Two presents the general trends in labor supply and demand in China,and concludes that the unlimited labor supply seems to be diminishing,but this does not mark the coming of a labor shortage;in fact,China seems to have a sufficient supply of labor for the next 20 years.Section Three discusse: major problems facing the labor market,which include the structural problems of employment,informal employment,and distorted primary income distribution.Section Four argues that a well-functioning labor market must be able to combine flexibility with security in the pursuit of balance between economic growth and employment.

Fertility Effects of Labor Market Conditions at Graduation

This study examines how individuals'fertility outcomes were affected by the labor market conditions they experienced at graduation.Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey,it finds that poor labor market conditions at graduation delayed individuals'entry into parenthood.Higher unemployment rates at graduation reduced the probability of having at least one child in the survey year for both men and women.The negative fertility effects generally followed a U-shape,reached the maximum around average childbearing ages,and faded out within 15 years after graduation.Low-skilled workers mainly contribute to the negative fertility effects observed in the whole sample.Employment and marital outcomes are also analyzed as potential mechanisms.Estimation results indicate that individuals who experienced poor labor market conditions at graduation delayed marriage and the birth of the first child due to a lower probability of being employed,reduced working hours,and adverse income shocks.The negative long-term fertility effects should be brought to policymakers'attention,especially when China's low fertility issue worsens.Policymakers are expected to create more favorable employment conditions for labor market entrants to encourage fertility and expand the future working-age population.

Minimum Wage Regulation in China and Its Applications to Migrant Workers in the Urban Labor Market

Using data at micro and city levels, the present paper explores the policy evolution of the minimum wage system in China, and examines its coverage for migrant workers. The analysis indicates that minimum wage policy has been substantially improved in terms of both coverage and the level of the minimum wage standard, but that the current policy tool that relies on the monthly wage rate is not effective. Because migrant workers tend to work more hours, use of an hourly wage rate is more appropriate than a monthly wage rate.

Impact of RMB Appreciation on Trade and Labor Markets of China and the USA:A Multi-country Comparative General Equilibrium Model

Since the recent economic crisis, the undervaluation of China＇s exchange rate has been a focus in the debate on the global policy mix. Using a non-competitive input-output table, we establish a comparative-static general equilibrium model to simulate the impact of real exchange rate changes on Sino-US trade and labor markets. The simulation shows that the impacts of a lO-percent RMB revaluation on the trade surplus of China and the labor market of the USA are more modest than is generally perceived, and the negative impact on the output of the non-processing industry in China is more significant than that on the processing industry. The Sino--US trade imbalance will continue to deteriorate, China ＇s non-processing trade surplus will decline and the processing trade will increase, with the combined effect being small. For the USA, labor-intensive goods imported from China will shift to different Asian countries instead of transferring back to the US market. The simulation results indicate that the impacts of an RMB revaluation on both Chinese and US labor markets would be limited.

Labor Market Reform,Income Inequality and Economic Growth in China

The year 1996 was a turning point both in terms of Chinese labor market reform aria m China＇s economic growth pattern. Before 1996, labor market reform was mainly implemented through adjustment of people＇s occupation and income structure. Since 1996, employment restructuring has led to differentiation in terms of employment status. Labor market reform in the former stage resulted in slow growth in wages, whereas reform in the latter stage enhanced economic efficiency. Both stages have enabled the Chinese economy to apply its comparative advantage of low labor cost. Labor market reform has also increased income disparity and, therefore, new challenges are posed in sustaining economic growth. China needs to adjust its development strategies and introduce labor market reform that can improve income equality, so as to achieve sustainable economic development.

Labor Market Segmentation, Job Mobility and the Two-track Model of Chinese Urban Workers＇ Acquisition of Economic Status

Using data from the ＂Survey of Social Networks and Occupational Experience in Chinese Cities in 2009＂ on five cities （Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Jinan and Xi＇an）, this paper examines factors influencing Chinese urban workers＇ patterns of job mobility and acquisition of economic status in the post-reform era. The results show that workers with high educational levels and those with low educational levels occupy different segments of the labor market and have completely different paths to economic status acquisition. In the case of workers with a low educational level, job mobility is the most Jmpo^ant factor boosting income levels, while human capital variables （years of schooling and work experience） have no effect on income. By contrast, job mobility has no effect on the income of workers with a high educational level, whose income stratification Js most affected by their human capital. This research reveals the two-track model of urban workers＇ acquisition of economic status in different urban labor markets in transitional China.

Labor Market Dynamics and Structural Change： Evidence from China

Structural change theories usually assume agents are homogeneous. However, because of demand-side or supply-side heterogeneities, the probability of switching among sectors differs across people. This paper reveals these differences through restoring a long-period, individual-level panel dataset from China＇s Urban Household Survey for 1986-2009. We find that both for people who started working for the first time and those who switched jobs, the sector choice depends on personal characteristics. In particular, women and people with higher educational attainment or a previous white- collar job are more likely to join the tertiary sector and less likely to join the primary sector. These effects are substantial even if the macroeconomic variables used in conventional structural change theories are controlled. They are also robust in various periods and at more detailed industry levels. Our research suggests that it is important to pay greater attention to the labor composition when mal^ng policy related to economic structural change.

Market Transition, Labor Market Segmentation and Organizational Mobility

On the basis of data from the 2008 Chinese General Social Survey, this paper analyzes the changing organizational job mobility patterns of members of society in a segmented labor market. The structure of labor market segmentation is based on differences in the power of different labor sectors to distribute social resources, leading to further differences in their power of ＂attraction＂ or ＂repulsion＂ that influence people＇s organizational mobility. These forces are strongest in the primary labor market, lessening the possibility that workers will leave their jobs and raising the possibility of cross-sector mobility. In the course of China＇s market transition, changes in the power to allocate social resources have entailed changes in the structure of labor market segmentation, changes that have been reflected in organizational mobility. Our examination of changing modes of organizational mobility reveals that the structure of urban labor market segmentation has changed from being mainly systemic at the outset of reform and opening up to the current coexistence of systemic segmentation and market segmentation.

The Internal Labor Market and the Transformation of Labor Relations in China:Based on Survey Data and Fieldwork on Migrant Workers in the Pearl River Delta

Our survey data on migrant workers in the Pearl River Delta region from 2006 to 2010 and recent fieldwork show that the enactment of the Labor Contract Law encouraged both the signing of labor contracts and the long-term nature of these contracts, making enterprises more willing to increase investment in human capital, increase employee insurance and welfare and give more attention to human-centered management, leading eventually to the establishment of an internal labor market that incorporates migrant workers. This is accompanied by progress in human resources management techniques and strategies in SMEs and private enterprise. Although the Labor Contract Law to some extent intensified the tendency for migrant workers to undertake collective protection of their rights, the establishment of an internal labor market could also ease the tension between labor and capital and lead to employees becoming more rational and prudent in safeguarding their rights, thereby providing a basis for a transition from confrontation to win-win cooperation between labor and capital. The Labor Contract Law has accelerated and strengthened the trend of individualized development in China’s labor relations. The protection of labor rights through the two channels of the 'rigid' legal system and 'flexible' internal management can help reduce the risk of large-scale collective labor disputes and establish a relatively harmonious institutionalized labor relationship.

Does independent directors' monitoring affect reputation? Evidence from the stock and labor markets

Using novel data on independent directors' opinions in China, we investigate the stock and labor market effects prompted by independent directors publicly saying ‘‘no" to major board decisions. We find that the market reacts negatively to modified director opinions, but positively to firms interlocked with the directors who said ‘‘no." We further find substantial turnover and decline in board seats after independent directors issue modified opinions. Overall, we identify a dilemma in China whereby the labor market does not reward vigilant directors for standing up to firm insiders, although investors add a premium to effective board monitoring.

Do the Recent Labor Market Changes Negatively Affect Schooling?

The Chinese labor market has transitioned from a dual labor market to a neoclassical labor market. With wages increasing for skilled workers, the impact on schooling must be considered by policy-makers. Taking advantage of national representative data for 2005 and 2010, the present paper examines the hypothesis that increasing opportunity costs reduce children＇s schooling. The empirical result is of particular relevance to poor areas, where people tend to have high discount rates and place more value on real time income. Although the total public investment in education has been increasing, our findings suggest that targeting relevant regions and compensating opportunity costs will improve the efficiency of education investments.

Do supply shocks in the audit partner labor market affect auditor choice?Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment

We examine whether supply shocks in the audit partner labor market induce clients to switch audit partners.We argue that audit partners in their early careers(i.e.,junior partners)charge low audit fees to attract clients,which induces client firms to switch from senior partners to junior partners when there are more junior partners available.Utilizing the Big4 localization policy,we find that Big4 clients are more likely to replace senior auditors with junior auditors to cut costs after the policy.Furthermore,the results are mainly driven by clients who are charged high fees.Our empirical evidence enriches the understanding of auditor choice determinants and informs the ongoing debates surrounding new regulations for Big4 firms in China.