Socio Economic Disparities Vulnerable Communities And The Future Of Work And Entrepreneurship

While many scholars, governments, and corporations have expressed that they would like to play a hand in developing an inclusive and equitable society, few have achieved the goal. Vulnerable communities around the world have suffered systemically and have been left on their own to succeed economically despite decades of disadvantage. It is essential to consider these communities and their sociological and systemic factors when considering the future of work in order to succeed in developing a truly sustainable and equitable society. Socio-Economic Disparities, Vulnerable Communities, and the Future of Work and Entrepreneurship discusses the journey of vulnerable communities in the pursuit of entrepreneurship. It further investigates the strategies and action that governments and organizations can take to cultivate an inclusive environment within the future of work. Covering topics such as economic agency, equitable access, and affirmative action, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for policymakers, government officials, non-profit organizations, business leaders and executives, human resource managers, economists, students and faculty of higher education, researchers, and academicians.

"This book explores socio-economic disparities that contribute to the economic challenges of vulnerable communities in various countries, addressing opportunities and threats in how the future of work and entrepreneurship can be impeded or supported in helping to enact successful outcomes for underserved communities"--

Disparity in the workplace has been exacerbated in recent years as society faces a number of challenges in promoting inclusion and equality across fields. To ensure appropriate steps are taken to move in the direction of a diverse and equitable future for the workforce, further study and consideration on the key challenges, opportunities, and strategies for advancing business policy to provide for the underserved is required. Sustainability and the Future of Work and Entrepreneurship for the Underserved highlights marginalized labor and entrepreneurial market segments and reviews strategies used to prepare for technological change globally. The book also provides a series of recommendations to assist in growing and sustaining a more inclusive global society. Covering a range of topics such as disparities, class challenges, and entrepreneurs, this reference work is crucial for policymakers, business owners, managers, researchers, academicians, scholars, instructors, and students.

World-renowned economist Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, explains that we have an opportunity to shape the fourth industrial revolu­tion, which will fundamentally alter how we live and work. Schwab argues that this revolution is different in scale, scope and complexity from any that have come before. Characterized by a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds, the developments are affecting all disciplines, economies, industries and governments, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human. Artificial intelligence is already all around us, from supercomputers, drones and virtual assistants to 3D printing, DNA sequencing, smart thermostats, wear­able sensors and microchips smaller than a grain of sand. But this is just the beginning: nanomaterials 200 times stronger than steel and a million times thinner than a strand of hair and the first transplant of a 3D printed liver are already in development. Imagine “smart factories” in which global systems of manu­facturing are coordinated virtually, or implantable mobile phones made of biosynthetic materials. The fourth industrial revolution, says Schwab, is more significant, and its ramifications more profound, than in any prior period of human history. He outlines the key technologies driving this revolution and discusses the major impacts expected on government, business, civil society and individu­als. Schwab also offers bold ideas on how to harness these changes and shape a better future—one in which technology empowers people rather than replaces them; progress serves society rather than disrupts it; and in which innovators respect moral and ethical boundaries rather than cross them. We all have the opportunity to contribute to developing new frame­works that advance progress.

The world has been facing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for over two years now. Daily life changed dramatically, and social distancing and remote working have become the new normal. Research about how people are facing these challenges points to common findings and concerns. The pandemic has enhanced inequalities, taken a toll on mental health, and increased the use of digital technologies. Many workers are suffering from “digital fatigue” and struggle to self-regulate their life/work balance, as the permanent digital connection to work is reinforced and they struggle with the blurred borders concerning privacy, leisure, and rest. In this context, it is vital to research how organizations have reinvented themselves to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and understand which of the reactive workplace communication practices and improvised solutions were considered advantageous. Perspectives on Workplace Communication and Well-Being in Hybrid Work Environments presents different approaches that explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace communication, focusing specifically on internal communication, mapping new communication practices, and assessing their consequences, namely the well-being of the workers who are coping with these changes. The book combines a scientific exploration of these ongoing changes as we transition to a post-COVID-19 world with a collection of examples and best practices that help organizations in supporting their members through these transformations and in nurturing their well-being. Covering topics such as cross-department process dependencies, hybrid work environments, and wellbeing strategies, this premier reference source is a vital resource for business leaders and managers, IT managers, human resource professionals, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

The concept of sustainability and sustainable development is growing rapidly and has great importance in the different aspects of social and economic development at the national and international levels. This idea is characterized as a process that links economic and social factors while maintaining the ecological levels of analysis, such as national, regional, international, organizational, and individual. Sustainable human resource management (HRM) features a set of techniques and procedures of HRM that enable the attainment of social, financial, and environmental goals with an influence both inside and outside of the business while managing the unexpected consequences. Sustainable Development of Human Resources in a Globalization Period explores the dynamics of sustainability in the context of the development of human resources. The book further discusses different strategies for the betterment, welfare, and operation of organizations. Covering topics such as digital media determinism, organizational commitment, and worker performance, this premier reference source is an essential title for business leaders and managers, human resource managers, nonprofit organizations, students and faculty of higher education, libraries, researchers, and academicians.

Diversity is an issue that is pervasive in this globalized world. As most countries are eager to ensure they are as diverse and inclusive as possible, broadening the hemispheres of diversity in the workplace is a crucial step. Consciously or unconsciously, individuals tend to change the way they treat coworkers in the workplace based on gender, age, and religion. In order for businesses across the globe to achieve inclusive workplace cultures, further study is required on the best practices, challenges, and strategies of implementing diversity into policy. Global Perspectives on Maintaining Gender, Age, and Religious Diversity in the Workplace captures insights into global perspectives on issues, challenges, and solutions for mitigating gender, age, and religious diversity-related matters in the workplace. The book aims to highlight policies and practices prevalent in a variety of sectors in different countries around the globe. Covering topics such as cross-cultural leadership, diversity policy, and wellbeing, this reference work is crucial for business owners, managers, human resources professionals, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.

The international financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 and the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had a great impact on many firms’ financial needs. Simultaneously, several emerging countries have bet on boosting private initiatives as a way to diversify their economies and create jobs and wealth for their populations. New forms of financing have appeared that have impacted the firm’s capital structure, cost of capital, and access to finance by underprivileged communities that are normally outside the formal economy. The Handbook of Research on Acceleration Programs for SMEs provides and shares knowledge on the financial mix, alternative forms of finance, capital structure, and more. It calls attention to relevant challenges, financial institutions, and governments to guarantee funds and economic and social development with new competencies, innovations, new ways of investing, entrepreneurship, and business models with new public policies. Covering topics such as earnings management, capital structure, and foreign exchange, this major reference work is an essential resource for government officials, business leaders and executives, economists, sociologists, students and faculty of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.