Suicide rates in Greece (and other European countries) have been on a remarkable upward trend following the global recession of 2008 and the European sovereign debt crisis of 2009. However, recent investigations of the impact on Greek suicide rates from the 2008 financial crisis have restricted themselves to simple descriptive or correlation analyses. Controlling for various socio-economic effects, this study presents a statistically robust model to explain the influence on realised suicidality of the application of fiscal austerity measures and variations in macroeconomic performance over the period 1968-2011. The responsiveness of suicide to levels of fiscal austerity is established as a means of providing policy guidance on the extent of suicide behaviour associated with different fiscal austerity measures. The results suggest (i) significant age and gender specificity in these effects on suicide rates and that (ii) remittances have suicide-reducing effects on the youth and female population. These empirical regularities potentially offer some guidance on the demographic targeting of suicide prevention measures and the case for 'economic' migration. (authors' abstract)

The aim of the paper is to contrast and test the NAIRU theory and the Keynesian theory of unemployment econometrically. For the former, wage push variables are key in explaining the rise of European unemployment, for the latter accumulation is. The theories are tested using time series data for Germany, France, Italy, the UK and the USA, using the seemingly unrelated regression method (SUR). Unemployment benefits, union density and the tax wedge were used as wage push variables, and the growth of business capital stock as the accumulation variable. The NAIRU specification performed poorly, with only the tax wedge having a positive effect on unemployment as predicted. The Keynesian approach was more successful, with accumulation being statistically significant in all countries. Moreover, the tax wedge and accumulation are fairly robust to changes in the specification and can be pooled across countries. (author's abstract) / Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series

Under vårterminen 2014 har vi arbetat kontinuerligt med ämnet långtidsarbetslösa unga vuxna. Detta forskningsområde är en aktuell debatterad fråga i dagens samhälle, och har varit intressant som fenomen att undersöka. Härmed vill vi tacka och rikta vår uppskattning till er som har bistått oss under studiens gång och gjort det möjligt för oss att genomföra samt färdigställa denna kandidatuppsats. Ett stort tack till Arbetsförmedlingen i Trollhättan, som stod för ett varmt mottagande och ett gott samarbete. Vi vill här särskilt rikta ett stort Tack till samtliga intervjudeltagare som så fint ställt upp och berätta om deras personliga erfarenheter gällande långtidsarbetslöshet. Vi anser att utan er hjälp, hade inte denna uppsats blivit av. Sist, men inte minst, ett varmt tack till vår handledare Yngve Mohlin, för hans positiva inställning och inspiration, samt för all konstruktiv kritik och pedagogiskt vägledande under hela processen. Vi har noggrant övervägt för- och nackdelar med att skriva denna studie tillsammans. Det framkom att vi tänker lika varandra, utifrån att båda vill ha en hållbar struktur och en given framförhållning. De olika delarna har gemensamt utarbetats och korrigerats. Studiens intervjuer delades dock upp mellan oss och transkriberades av den motsatta kollegan, för att kunna ta del av informationen i respektive intervjuer. Vi satte upp delmål innehållande slutdatum för att kunna få bra flyt i skriv- och materialinsamlandet. Vår utgångspunkt har varit att vi sätter oss ned och utför samtliga delar tillsammans, då vi har diskuterat och sammanställt materialet till en helhet. Vi känner också att det totala arbetet har varit ömsesidigt och där båda har tagit ansvar för samtliga moment i studien.

South Africa is characterized by large-scale unemployment and it has been severe among women, especially those in rural areas. Unemployment has increased the vulnerability of many households therefore most rural households rely mainly on state social grants of which the child support grant is most popular. Education is one of the most important factors determining employment and thus income. Illiteracy among Black people in rural areas is higher than the national average. The lack of education of the head of a household is closely correlated with poverty in households. HIV/AIDS on the other hand, is one of the most rapidly spreading pandemics in the world and there is well documented evidence that the largest number of people living with the HI-virus is found in Africa and especially in South Africa. The majority of people living with HIV in the North West Province are part of households living in unfavourable economic situations. The extent to which people can protect themselves from HIV infection depends on their knowledge of perceived risk and their capacity to apply that knowledge. Based on the above, it is clear that professional and structured intervention is necessary to address these socio-economic problems rural communities are facing. The aim of the research was to engage in an exploratory investigation to determine the need for social work intervention in a rural community with regard to unemployment and HIV/AIDS. The population studied in this research consisted of 230 households in the rural community called Heuningvlei which was randomly selected. The interview schedule was utilized and the head of household or the next in charge completed the interview schedule. The findings showed that unemployment and HIV/AIDS are dual problems that negatively affect the rural community and therefore needs to be addressed in a structured and professional manner. In conclusion it can be said that the research has proved that social work intervention is necessary to address unemployment and HIV/AIDS in a rural community / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Entrepreneurship has played an important role in economic prosperity and social stability in many developed countries. Today South Africa as developing country is faced with massive challenges of high levels of unemployment among the youth, especially university graduates, due to lack of work experience, low skills base and education. The formal labour market in South Africa is currently saturated, unable to absorb the ever increasing number of labour force; hence, the decision by the government to prioritise the development and support of small medium enterprises. Beside all these interventions, South Africa is still ranked among the lowest of all developing countries participating in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). Today entrepreneurship is offered in most of the universities as part of the curriculum but it is evident that levels of entrepreneurship are still not improving in the country. There has been an upward trend in the number of young South Africans entering higher education; this can be attributed to the poor market conditions for low–skilled workers and the high monetary benefits to education. The daunting observation is that while the graduate labour force is on the rise, a large number of graduates possessing diplomas and degrees are finding it difficult to find employment. Graduate unemployment in South Africa has been rising very fast since 1995 along with national unemployment. In this study the entrepreneur was used casually to refer to the owner or creator of a new business, small, growing, and successful business. This includes any person who sets up a small business, or changes from being an employee of an organisation to being self employed, even though neither needs any significant degree of innovation nor capital. Risk taking and risk tolerance is one component of entrepreneurship that is very critical, hence there is a need for more attention in the entrepreneurial education. In the discovery perspective, cognition has impact on the chance that some people will identify and seize the opportunity. Opportunity identification depends on prior awareness and knowledge, whilst exploitation depends on having the necessary ii capabilities. Entrepreneurs should be able to read and recognise patterns for them to recognise opportunities. Profile of an entrepreneur and skills required are technical skills, perseverance, communication skills, managerial skills, leadership skills, innovative skills, pro–activity, information seeking skills, and financial skills. The primary objective of this study was to assess the attitudes and perceptions towards entrepreneurship among students in a higher education institution in the Sedibeng District of the Gauteng Province. The empirical study was conducted among the population and recommendations on entrepreneurial education were compiled. The survey was conducted using a self–completion questionnaire method, whereby questionnaires are handed out to respondents for self–completion and returned to the researcher immediately. In an effort to encourage high response, the questionnaire was accompanied by a cover letter which assured the respondents of confidentiality. An attitude scale to test the prevalence of entrepreneurial attitudes and perceptions among the respondents was used. The Likert scale was used whereby the respondents were asked to rate a particular issue on a scale that ranged from strongly disagrees to strongly agree. The majority of the respondents are predominantly young Africans, from low income families with only few parents that made it to university level, and mostly not involved in entrepreneurship. The gap exists with regard to equipping the respondents with entrepreneurial education and training. The university and other stakeholders should create an environment that is supportive towards entrepreneurial activities. There are still many business opportunities that need to be explored in South Africa but the biggest challenge remains the access to knowledge and information with regard to available support structures. Tertiary institutions should: Develop start–up capital systems for students whilst studying. The curriculum design should support employability skills such as languages, starting your own businesses, presentation skills, creativity and leadership abilities, specific qualifications focusing on business creation should be developed, case studies should focus more on opportunity orientated ideas and business and lecturing staff should be empowered to support entrepreneurial activities in their respective fields. Databases of possible business ideas should be developed. A conceptual research model that will support accelerated youth entrepreneurship should be developed in the country and research institutions should be contracted to populate this research model. Furthermore, government regulations should be tested regarding their impact on youth entrepreneurship development as a standard item. Fresh approaches are thus needed to stimulate youth entrepreneurship in rural areas. Therefore, policies and programmes to encourage youth entrepreneurship in these areas should be researched. National competitions for youth entrepreneurs should be encouraged and visible events should be organised such as enterprise weeks at tertiary educational institutions. Tertiary institutions can also investigate the possibility of business hives for students or allowing students businesses to operate on campuses for the duration of their studies. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Self-assessed quality of life (QoL) is analysed using a QoL questionnaire (Hörnquist’s QLcs) covering the life spheres: somatic health, mental well-being, cognitive ability, social and family life, activity, financial situation, meaning in life and a global score for ‘entire life’. In all, 487 unemployed and 2917 employed subjects aged 25-64; and 651 unemployed subjects and 2802 in work (including employment, studying and military service) in the 18-24 age group, were investigated in a population-based cross-sectional study on life and health in northern Sweden in 1997. In line with previous findings, results showed that unemployed people exhibited poorer QoL.The greatest difference between unemployed people and those in work was in the financial domain (18-24, 25-64). Unemployed women (aged 25-64) rated the final values of QoL – ‘entire life’ and meaning in life – higher than unemployed men did. In the young group (aged 18-24), unemployed women did not rate any of the domains higher. The young unemployed men rated somatic health and mental well-being higher. Interaction effects were interpreted in the following way: a) unemployed men (aged 25-64) were worst off in the global domain ‘entire life’; b) employed respondents, having a university/college education was beneficial for QoL, while for unemployed respondents (25-64) it was not; c) in the young group (aged 18-24), people in work rated their activity higher than unemployed people, and the effect was strengthened when they were regularly active during leisure. Close friends and cash reserve were important for all participants, no matter whether they were employed or not. The risk of being young and unemployed was greater if the person had a shorter education, worse economy (according to their own ratings) and was in the upper half of the age group (aged 21-24). Finally, the conclusion that QoL is poorer when in unemployment – both for the young and those who are older (aged 25-64) – is in line with earlier findings; however, in contrast to three previous studies, we conclude that psychological well-being is even poorer for young people than for those who are older. Intervention, in terms of steadily improved labour market conditions to counteract the negative effects of exclusion from the labour market, is of great importance from a public health perspective. / Självskattad livskvalitet (QoL) har analyserats med ett QoL instrument (Hörnquist’s QLcs) omfattande livsdomänerna: kroppslig hälsa, psykiskt välbefinnande, kognitiv förmåga, socialt liv, sambo/familjeliv, aktivitet, ekonomi, livsmening och en global skattning för ’hela livet’. Totalt, 487 arbetslösa och 2917 anställda i åldrarna 25-64; och 651 arbetslösa och 2802 i sysselsättning (anställda, studerande och värnpliktiga) i åldersgruppen 18-24 år, undersöktes i en befolkningsenkät (tvärsnittsstudie) om hälsa och livsvillkor i norra Sverige 1997. Som i tidigare studier visade resultaten sämre QoL bland de arbetslösa. Största skillnaden mellan arbetslösa och sysselsatta fanns i den ekonomiska domänen (18-24, 25-64). Arbetslösa kvinnor (25-64) skattade finala värden av QoL – ’hela livet’ och livsmening - högre än arbetslösa män. I den unga gruppen (18-24), skattade inte arbetslösa kvinnor högre i någon av livsdomänerna. De unga arbetslösa männen skattade kroppslig hälsa och psykiskt välbefinnande högre. Interaktionseffekter tolkades på följande sätt: a) arbetslösa män (25-64) låg sämst till i den globala domänen ’hela livet’; b) bland de anställda var universitets/högskolexamen fördelaktigt för QoL men inte bland de arbetslösa (25-64); c) i den unga gruppen (18-24) skattade de sysselsatta aktivitet högre än de arbetslösa, och effekten stärktes ytterligare när de var regelbundet aktiva på sin fritid. Nära vänner och tillgång till kontanter var viktiga för alla deltagare, oavsett om de var i sysselsättning eller inte. Risken att vara ung och arbetslös var större om individen hade kortare utbildning, sämre ekonomi (enligt deras egna skattningar) och befann sig i den övre halvan av åldersgruppen (21-24). Till sist, slutsatsen att QoL är sämre när man är arbetslös – både för unga och de äldre (25-64) – överensstämmer med tidigare forskning; dock, i motsats till tre tidigare studier, är det psykiska välbefinnandet sämre bland de unga jämfört med bland de äldre. Intervention, i form av stadigt förbättrade arbetsvillkor för att motverka negativa effekter och utestängande från arbetsmarknaden, är av stor betydelse i ett folkhälsoperspektiv.

South Africa is characterized by large-scale unemployment and it has been severe among women, especially those in rural areas. Unemployment has increased the vulnerability of many households therefore most rural households rely mainly on state social grants of which the child support grant is most popular. Education is one of the most important factors determining employment and thus income. Illiteracy among Black people in rural areas is higher than the national average. The lack of education of the head of a household is closely correlated with poverty in households. HIV/AIDS on the other hand, is one of the most rapidly spreading pandemics in the world and there is well documented evidence that the largest number of people living with the HI-virus is found in Africa and especially in South Africa. The majority of people living with HIV in the North West Province are part of households living in unfavourable economic situations. The extent to which people can protect themselves from HIV infection depends on their knowledge of perceived risk and their capacity to apply that knowledge. Based on the above, it is clear that professional and structured intervention is necessary to address these socio-economic problems rural communities are facing. The aim of the research was to engage in an exploratory investigation to determine the need for social work intervention in a rural community with regard to unemployment and HIV/AIDS. The population studied in this research consisted of 230 households in the rural community called Heuningvlei which was randomly selected. The interview schedule was utilized and the head of household or the next in charge completed the interview schedule. The findings showed that unemployment and HIV/AIDS are dual problems that negatively affect the rural community and therefore needs to be addressed in a structured and professional manner. In conclusion it can be said that the research has proved that social work intervention is necessary to address unemployment and HIV/AIDS in a rural community / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Entrepreneurship has played an important role in economic prosperity and social stability in many developed countries. Today South Africa as developing country is faced with massive challenges of high levels of unemployment among the youth, especially university graduates, due to lack of work experience, low skills base and education. The formal labour market in South Africa is currently saturated, unable to absorb the ever increasing number of labour force; hence, the decision by the government to prioritise the development and support of small medium enterprises. Beside all these interventions, South Africa is still ranked among the lowest of all developing countries participating in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). Today entrepreneurship is offered in most of the universities as part of the curriculum but it is evident that levels of entrepreneurship are still not improving in the country. There has been an upward trend in the number of young South Africans entering higher education; this can be attributed to the poor market conditions for low–skilled workers and the high monetary benefits to education. The daunting observation is that while the graduate labour force is on the rise, a large number of graduates possessing diplomas and degrees are finding it difficult to find employment. Graduate unemployment in South Africa has been rising very fast since 1995 along with national unemployment. In this study the entrepreneur was used casually to refer to the owner or creator of a new business, small, growing, and successful business. This includes any person who sets up a small business, or changes from being an employee of an organisation to being self employed, even though neither needs any significant degree of innovation nor capital. Risk taking and risk tolerance is one component of entrepreneurship that is very critical, hence there is a need for more attention in the entrepreneurial education. In the discovery perspective, cognition has impact on the chance that some people will identify and seize the opportunity. Opportunity identification depends on prior awareness and knowledge, whilst exploitation depends on having the necessary ii capabilities. Entrepreneurs should be able to read and recognise patterns for them to recognise opportunities. Profile of an entrepreneur and skills required are technical skills, perseverance, communication skills, managerial skills, leadership skills, innovative skills, pro–activity, information seeking skills, and financial skills. The primary objective of this study was to assess the attitudes and perceptions towards entrepreneurship among students in a higher education institution in the Sedibeng District of the Gauteng Province. The empirical study was conducted among the population and recommendations on entrepreneurial education were compiled. The survey was conducted using a self–completion questionnaire method, whereby questionnaires are handed out to respondents for self–completion and returned to the researcher immediately. In an effort to encourage high response, the questionnaire was accompanied by a cover letter which assured the respondents of confidentiality. An attitude scale to test the prevalence of entrepreneurial attitudes and perceptions among the respondents was used. The Likert scale was used whereby the respondents were asked to rate a particular issue on a scale that ranged from strongly disagrees to strongly agree. The majority of the respondents are predominantly young Africans, from low income families with only few parents that made it to university level, and mostly not involved in entrepreneurship. The gap exists with regard to equipping the respondents with entrepreneurial education and training. The university and other stakeholders should create an environment that is supportive towards entrepreneurial activities. There are still many business opportunities that need to be explored in South Africa but the biggest challenge remains the access to knowledge and information with regard to available support structures. Tertiary institutions should: Develop start–up capital systems for students whilst studying. The curriculum design should support employability skills such as languages, starting your own businesses, presentation skills, creativity and leadership abilities, specific qualifications focusing on business creation should be developed, case studies should focus more on opportunity orientated ideas and business and lecturing staff should be empowered to support entrepreneurial activities in their respective fields. Databases of possible business ideas should be developed. A conceptual research model that will support accelerated youth entrepreneurship should be developed in the country and research institutions should be contracted to populate this research model. Furthermore, government regulations should be tested regarding their impact on youth entrepreneurship development as a standard item. Fresh approaches are thus needed to stimulate youth entrepreneurship in rural areas. Therefore, policies and programmes to encourage youth entrepreneurship in these areas should be researched. National competitions for youth entrepreneurs should be encouraged and visible events should be organised such as enterprise weeks at tertiary educational institutions. Tertiary institutions can also investigate the possibility of business hives for students or allowing students businesses to operate on campuses for the duration of their studies. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This thesis examines the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations (N.C.E.O.), and its attitude towards the unemployment problem between the Wars. Chapter 1 deals with the origins and the development of the Confederation. Founded in 1919, the N.C.E.O. specialised in employers' labour and social interests, and on both subjects, it emerged as a recognised political force. For the Confederation, however, unemployment provided a meeting place for the politics of work and the politics of social welfare. Chapter 2 examines the N.C.E.O.'s attitude towards the prevention and reduction of unemployment between the Wars. Although it was prepared initially to collaborate with the Government and the trade unions in backing direct measures to tackle unemployment, the N.C.E.O. eventually lost interest. From 1925 until the mid 1930's it argued that unemployment was mainly a function of a rigid wage structure and high standards of State social welfare. In particular, it directed criticism against Government spending on the maintenance of the unemployed. Chapters 3 and 4 deal with the N.C.E.O.'s attitude towards the unemployment insurance scheme during the 1920's. The Confederation wanted a low-benefit, low-cost scheme, which would preserve the distinctions between wage-earners and the unemployed and minimise the financial responsibilities of employers. This objective was pursued in politics, but with limited success. Chapter 5 examines the N.C.E.O.'s attitude towards the Poor Law and public assistance during the same period. The Confederation wanted to separate the insured unemployed and transfer the long-term workless to the public assistance authorities, and it argued that this should be done in conjunction with a general reorganisation of poor law relief. Chapter 6 deals with the N.C.E.O.'s role in the debate on the unemployed after 1929. It played a prominent part in the controversy over the unemployment insurance scheme in 1931, and it was actively involved in the political debate which preceded the introduction of the Unemployment Act in 1934. During these years political opinion favoured the N.C.E.O.'s views on the unemployed, and to some extent, these views were recognised by the 1934 Act. The thesis concludes that the N.C.E.O. was an important employers' organisation. Although it exercised little direct influence over Government unemployment policy, it helped to translate ideas about unemployment and the unemployed and shape the political context in which certain policies were devised and implemented.

Distinguishing between profit led and growth led demand regimes, we analyze the conditions of existence and stability of long run equilibrium of unemployment. The model we employ has at its center the relation between growth and distribution. Growth can be either wage led or profit led. Distribution itself is a function of the unemployment rate, with higher unemployment leading to a higher profit share. We use Okun's Law to close the model, making the change of the rate of unemployment a function of growth. The interesting result of our analysis is that in profit led demand regime the short run and long run equilibrium are stable. However, if the demand regime is wage led, the same conditions that guarantee stability of the goods market equilibrium in the short run render impossible the existence of a long run equilibrium rate of unemployment, and vice versa. Thus, if Kalecki's proposition that higher wages lead to higher growth is true, there will be no equilibrium rate of unemployment in the long run that serves as an anchor for the economic system. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers Series "Growth and Employment in Europe: Sustainability and Competitiveness"