Journal of Rural and Community Development
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Working Without Fixity: Accounting for a Mobile Workforce
Get PDFWorking without fixity, while historically prevalent, has been on the rise in Canada and throughout the world due to processes associated with advanced capitalism. Moreover, it implies mobility to, from, and within work, which in a time of COVID-19, is problematic for workers and communities alike. In this paper, we argue that our pre-COVID statistical knowledge of workers without a fixed place of work in Canada is inadequate. Using the best source of available data—the 2016 Census—we provide a thorough account of these workers as compared to those with a set place of work. We find that most individuals without a fixed workplace are male, have low income, are likely to be self-employed, have a higher proportion of employment insurance (EI) and self-employment income, and have college or on-the-job training skill levels. They are also likely to live in rural areas, and work in the construction or transportation industry. We argue that documenting which workers are most likely to be working without fixity is necessary to understand how a COVID-19 world will play out for these workers and their communities as the pandemic continues and beyond.
Keywords: COVID-19, labour, mobility, gender, Canada, Census
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Travailler sans fixité: Comptabiliser une main-d'oeuvre mobile
RésuméLe travail sans fixité, bien qu'historiquement répandu, est à la hausse au Canada et dans le monde entier en raison des processus associés au capitalisme avancé. De plus, cela implique une mobilité vers, depuis et au sein du travail, ce qui, à une époque de la COVID-19, est problématique pour les travailleurs et les communautés. Dans cet article, nous soutenons que notre connaissance statistique pré-COVID des travailleurs sans lieu de travail fixe au Canada est inadéquate. En utilisant la meilleure source de données disponibles, le Recensement de 2016, nous fournissons un compte rendu détaillé de ces travailleurs par rapport à ceux dont le lieu de travail est défini. Nous constatons que la plupart des personnes sans lieu de travail fixe sont des hommes, ont un faible revenu, sont susceptibles d'être des travailleurs autonomes, ont une proportion plus élevée de revenus d'assurance-emploi (AE) et de travail autonome, et ont suivi une formation collégiale ou sont en formation pratique par niveaux de compétence. Ils sont également susceptibles de vivre dans des zones rurales et de travailler dans l'industrie de la construction ou des transports. Nous soutenons que documenter quels travailleurs sont les plus susceptibles de travailler sans fixité est nécessaire pour comprendre comment un monde COVID-19 se déroulera pour ces travailleurs et leurs communautés alors que la pandémie se poursuit et au-delà.
Mots-clés: COVID-19, main-d'oeuvre, mobilité, le sexe, Canada, Recensemen
Pharmacy Disparities in Rural Georgia
Get PDFThe investigators of the present study have identified Georgia as an area that could potentially have spatial equity issues with pharmacy deserts in rural areas and small cities. However, limited studies have been conducted for spatial equity of pharmacies in Georgia. Fewer studies have investigated these phenomena at the state level, and few have performed spatial correlations. Spatial equity refers to the idea that people should have equal or near-equal access to certain services (Hu et al., 2019). To fill in the gap of the literature and aid in forming solutions to pharmacy deserts in Georgia, the present study analyzed geographical patterns of spatial equity of pharmacy. Because large portions of Georgia are rural, such an analysis will elucidate how spatial equity affects such rural communities.Correlational analyses, logical regressions, and spatial analyses using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were performed to understand the relationship between variables such as race, income level, poverty rate, and the total number of pharmacies. The study applied spatial autocorrelation and cluster analyses in ArcGIS, and statistical correlational analyses, and logical regressions in SPSS. Furthermore, the study used the 5-year (2014–2018) American Community Survey (ACS) database.At the county level, the results showed that a dense population, high median family income, and low poverty rate—among other variables—correlated with more pharmacies. In particular, total population (r(148) = .95) and population density (r(148) = .83) had a strong, positive relationship with the number of pharmacies in each county. Furthermore, the county level logical regression showed that total population and poverty rate significantly predict the number of pharmacies in each county, F(2, 146) = 648.91, P < .001, R2 = .95. At the census tract level, a low unemployment rate, high percentage of Hispanic Americans, and high median family income—among other variables—were associated with more pharmacies. In particular, total population (r(1967) = .28) had the strongest positive relationship with the number of pharmacies in each census tract. GIS global spatial autocorrelation and high-low cluster analyses further confirmed the spatial clustering of pharmacies in urban areas.Overall, results showed that counties and census tracts with lower populations and lower population densities tended to have fewer pharmacies. Because small populations and small population densities tend to couple with rurality, the results indicate that rural Georgia has less access to pharmacies than urban and suburban Georgia. In general, many pharmacy deserts exist in Georgia, and large urban areas have more access to pharmacies than rural areas and small cities. Rural areas of Georgia could experience the adverse effects of pharmacy deserts more than other non-rural areas. Overall, this analysis showed that there is a clear, positive relationship between rural counties and a lower number of pharmacies. Policy suggestions were proposed to increase access in pharmacy deserts.
Keywords: spatial equity, GIS, accessibility, pharmacy desert, spatial analysis_________________
Disparités pharmaceutiques dans la Géorgie rurale
RésuméLes enquêteurs de la présente étude ont identifié la Géorgie comme une zone qui pourrait potentiellement avoir des problèmes d'équité spatiale avec les déserts pharmaceutiques dans les zones rurales et les petites villes. Cependant, des études limitées ont été menées sur l'équité spatiale des pharmacies en Géorgie. Peu d'études ont étudié ces phénomènes au niveau de l'État, et peu ont effectué des corrélations spatiales. L'équité spatiale fait référence à l'idée que les personnes devraient avoir un accès égal ou quasi égal à certains services (Hu et al., 2019). Pour combler les lacunes de la littérature et aider à trouver des solutions aux déserts pharmaceutiques en Géorgie, la présente étude a analysé les modèles géographiques d'équité spatiale de la pharmacie. Étant donné que de grandes parties de la Géorgie sont rurales, une telle analyse élucidera comment l'équité spatiale affecte ces communautés rurales.Des analyses de corrélation, des régressions logiques et des analyses spatiales utilisant des systèmes d'information géographique (SIG) ont été effectuées pour comprendre la relation entre des variables telles que la race, le niveau de revenu, le taux de pauvreté et le nombre total de pharmacies. L'étude a appliqué l'autocorrélation spatiale et les analyses typologiques dans ArcGIS, ainsi que des analyses de corrélation statistique et des régressions logiques dans SPSS. De plus, l'étude a utilisé la base de données de l'American Community Survey (ACS) sur 5 ans (2014-2018).Au niveau du comté, les résultats ont montré qu'une population dense, un revenu familial médian élevé et un faible taux de pauvreté, parmi d’autres variables, étaient en corrélation avec un nombre plus élevé de pharmacies. En particulier, la population totale (r(148) = .95) et la densité de population (r(148) = .83) avaient une relation forte et positive avec le nombre de pharmacies dans chaque comté. De plus, la régression logique au niveau du comté a montré que la population totale et le taux de pauvreté prédisent de manière significative le nombre de pharmacies dans chaque comté, F(2, 146) = 648,91, P < 0,001, R2 = 0,95. Au niveau du secteur de recensement, un faible taux de chômage, un pourcentage élevé d'Hispano-Américains et un revenu familial médian élevé, parmi d’autres variables, étaient associés à un nombre plus élevé de pharmacies. En particulier, la population totale (r (1967) = 0,28) avait la relation positive la plus forte avec le nombre de pharmacies dans chaque secteur de recensement. L'autocorrélation spatiale globale du SIG et les analyses de classification typologique haut-bas ont confirmé le regroupement spatial des pharmacies dans les zones urbaines.Dans l'ensemble, les résultats ont montré que les comtés et les secteurs de recensement ayant une population et une densité de population plus faibles avaient tendance à avoir moins de pharmacies. Étant donné que les petites populations et les faibles densités de population ont tendance à se regrouper avec la ruralité, les résultats indiquent que la Géorgie rurale a moins accès aux pharmacies que la Géorgie urbaine et suburbaine. En général, de nombreux déserts pharmaceutiques existent en Géorgie, et les grandes zones urbaines ont plus accès aux pharmacies que les zones rurales et les petites villes. Les zones rurales de Géorgie pourraient subir les effets néfastes des déserts pharmaceutiques plus que d'autres zones non rurales. Dans l'ensemble, cette analyse a montré qu'il existe une relation claire et positive entre les comtés ruraux et un nombre plus faible de pharmacies. Des suggestions de politiques ont été proposées pour accroître l'accès aux déserts pharmaceutiques.
Mots clés: équité spatiale, SIG, accessibilité, désert pharmaceutique, analyse spatial
French Translations of Abstracts for Volume 15, Issue 3
No full textThis editorial includes the French translations of the titles, abstracts and keywords for Volume 15, Issue 3
What Makes Customers Satisfied with the Local Government Agency: A Case Study in Rural Michigan
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to report on how a local government agency in rural Michigan, USA, tried to understand residents’ perceptions of the community features, facilities, and services available to them, in order to better leverage customer value to benefit its current and potential customers and increase customer satisfaction with the city as a whole. A total of 705 questionnaires were completed, collected, and analyzed using SPSS. The results suggested that although customers and residents were satisfied with most of the services currently provided, they had concerns about several amenities made available by the provider. In addition, bivariate correlation analysis showed that 13 variables were significantly related to overall satisfaction with the local authority. These findings have important implications for research and practice. Recommendations are to the local authority are offered for remaining relevant to customers in the provision of services.
Keywords: Customer satisfaction, resident satisfaction, local government, small town development, rural local government
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Étude de cas : Ce qui rend les clients satisfaits de l’organisme gouvernemental local: une étude de cas dans le Michigan rural
Résumé
Le but de cet article est de rendre compte de la manière dont un organisme gouvernementale local du Michigan rural, aux États-Unis, a tenté de comprendre la perception qu'ont les résidents des caractéristiques, des installations et des services communautaires à leur disposition, afin de mieux tirer parti de la valeur client au profit de ses clients actuels et potentiels ainsi que d’augmenter la satisfaction des clients avec la ville dans son ensemble. Au total, 705 questionnaires ont été remplis, collectés et analysés à l'aide de SPSS. Les résultats suggèrent que même si les clients et les résidents étaient satisfaits de la plupart des services actuellement fournis, ils avaient des inquiétudes au sujet de plusieurs équipements mis à disposition par le fournisseur. De plus, une analyse de corrélation bivariée a montré que 13 variables étaient significativement liées à la satisfaction globale à l'égard de l'autorité locale. Ces résultats ont des implications importantes pour la recherche et la pratique. Des recommandations sont adressées aux autorités locales pour que la prestation de services aux clients demeure pertinente.
Mots-clés: Satisfaction des clients, satisfaction des résidents, gouvernement local, développement de petites villes, gouvernement local rura
Analysis of Key Propellants Affecting the Formation of Smart Rural Development in Iran
Get PDFSmart development is a sustainable development which can be obtained through increasing the use of innovation, knowledge, and learning. Promoting smart rural development requires policies to facilitate innovation, knowledge, and learning in the rural context. However, applying the concept of smart development into rural areas may be more complex. Smart development is not a concept of one size to fit all, but its application in rural areas requires the incorporation of various initiatives with widespread management. The present study was designed to analyze the key propellants affecting the formation of smart rural development in Jovein. For this purpose, the recent study was designed to determine the key propellants affecting the smart rural development; the indices were merged in pairs, converted into three indices, and the MICMAC quantitative model was used. The results of the study indicate that, based on the results of the MICMAC quantitative model the two following indices have been identified as key propellants in formation of smart rural development: (a) increasing people with higher education and tendency to stay in the village with a +5 direct impact and a +2567 indirect impact; and (b) creating interactive industrial activities such as tourism, food, and cultural
production with direct impact of +3 and the indirect impact of +2269.
Keywords: Sustainable development, key propellants, futurology, rural settlements, Ira
A Multiple Agencies and Counties Partnership: Improving Parental Substance Use and Services Delivery Outcomes through a Network Development And Collaboration
Get PDFCross-sector collaboration has been defined as connecting or sharing information, resources, activities, and capabilities by organizations in two or more areas to achieve together an outcome that could not be achieved by organizations in one area separately (Bryson, Crosby, & Stone, 2006). To collaborate, agencies may need to consider questions, such as why to collaborate; what theory or theories will guide the collaboration; what are characteristics of effective networks; what governing structure will be used; how to evaluate the effectiveness of the collaboration
network; and what are the benefits and challenges of collaboration. Because families are not being provided services within expected timeframes and because of a significant increase in foster care placements—which was largely driven by parental
substance use—there is a need for collaboration among service providers in Central Virginia. A Multiple Agencies and Counties Partnership (MACP) was formed to address these problems. The purpose of this article is to present a case study of the
development and accomplishments of MACP in Central Virginia and to relate the development and accomplishments of MACP to each of the aforementioned considerations, which may provide generalized lessons that other agencies may consider when collaborating.
Keywords: collaboration, substance use, community, lessons learne
Editorial
Get PDFTogether, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation. As the world navigates through the uncertainty of COVID-19, the Journal of Rural and Community Development (JRCD) will continue to operate. The timing of reviews may be delayed as reviewers deal with their own work-life changes. However, having always been operating remotely, at this point, the JRCD is fully functional.
We are excited to begin our fifteenth volume at the JRCD. It has been an exciting journey to get to this point. We are approaching the publication of 400 articles, a milestone that will be achieved with our second issue of this year. This first issue is very interesting with scholars from Canada, the United States, Switzerland, and Portugal. Topics include mental health, reflexive methodologies, the environment, community ties, employment, agritourism, and counterurbanites. We hope you enjoy this issue.
We also have some sad news. Dr. Kenneth Beesley, a friend, colleague, and founding editorial board member of the JRCD, passed away in March of this year. He is a well-known scholar in the fields of quality of life and community satisfaction. Dr. Beesley is especially known for coining the term ‘rural-urban fringe’ as well as his research on the horse industry. His insights, knowledge, and connections were influential in establishing the JRCD. Ken was an active reviewer until his retirement. He will be missed by many.
We hope to have the second issue published in early summer. We are also actively working on three special issues, including territories and social innovation, rural tourism, and comparative rural policy. We hope for one of these to be published in 2020. The other two should be published in 2021. We are also continuing to pursue the Research Notes section. We have published two, and several more are under consideration
Local Content and Mobile Labour: The Role of Senior Governments in Capturing Benefits for Local Communities
Get PDFRural resource-based regions are increasingly accommodating large mobile workforces to support renewed industrial investments. As large-scale resource development projects are mobilized, however, industries’ use of mobile work camps and outsourcing with established global supply chain networks may exclude rural
businesses and communities from associated economic benefits, particularly in the absence of local content policies. To date, however, research has largely focused on supply chain opportunities pertaining to the construction or operations of resource development assets, with limited consideration of the issues that must be considered in order for local businesses to capture benefits from mobile workforces. Drawing upon interviews with businesses in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, we use
issues unfolding in the new institutionalism discourse to explore the roles of senior governments in strengthening local benefits related to mobile workforces, as well as some of the challenges that existing policy roles and debates present to better position rural businesses in these resource-based regions. Our findings suggest that underdeveloped and under-resourced senior government policies, regulations, and processes are entrenching the role of rural regions as resource banks instead of creating a competitive playing field for rural businesses to capture, and locally
anchor, economic benefits.
Keywords: local content, rural businesses, mobile workforc
Protecting the Rights of Migrant Farmworkers in Quebec: To what Extent can Unionization Overcome the Effects of Precarious Immigration Status?
Get PDFVery little literature in Canada offers in-depth examination of efforts to unionize migrant farmworkers. Drawing on an empirical case study of farmworker unionization efforts in Quebec, this article makes the argument that, if the monumental efforts of the UFCW are unable to overcome the entrenched anti-union positions of consulates and employers, it is principally due to farmworkers’ precarious immigration status. We argue that both the willingness of the Quebec state to create policy excluding farmworkers from collective bargaining rights and farmworkers’ own doubtful evaluation of the relative costs and benefits of attempting to unionize are innately tied to an immigration system that places migrant farmworkers in a situation of “conditionality of presence and access” (Goldring & Landolt, 2013, p.3). We begin this article with an overview of the precarious and dangerous work conditions that would lead advocates to favour unionization, before turning to a literature review on the perspectives of different actors on farmworker unionization across Canada. Within Quebec (and in other provinces), the UFCW made exceptional efforts to organize this workforce, and here we present their struggle to achieve the right to unionize within the province. Ultimately, these unionization efforts failed, but what are their future prospects in Quebec? How do different Quebec actors—employers, consulates, advocates, and workers themselves—view unionization? We present original data from interviews before turning to a final discussion about the relative contributions and shortcomings of the potential unionization of migrant workers. While unionization can offer significant protections, we must also anticipate and address its shortcomings given the precarious immigration status of so many agricultural workers and invest in alternative forms of collective action.
Keywords: migrant workers, farmworkers, unionization, Quebec, immigration polic
Why Companies Fail to Earn the Social License To operate? Insights from the Extractive Sector In Tanzania
Get PDFIn this paper we explore the actions of companies operating in the extractive sector in Tanzania to address the question why their actions failed to earn these companies the social license to operate (SLO). We used focus group discussions to collect extensive qualitative data at various sites where extractive activities have been taking place in the country. Our findings how that although companies have implemented a number of actions in the form of corporate social responsibility projects, paid compensations for land taken over, and paid local taxes, such actions have not succeeded in earning them the SLO. We found that the role of central government is pervasive in the whole SLO granting process even though it is the local community that grants it. Thus, companies alone are unlikely to earn SLO in situations where government policies, which companies have to follow, are perceived by communities to be inequitable. We recommend that companies engage more effectively communities neighboring natural resources extraction sites and remain sensitive to the broader local political milieu that could affect the granting of the SLO. We further suggest that the companies’ efforts need to be buttressed by appropriate government policies. Finally, we make suggestions for future research.
Keywords: social license to operate; Tanzania, corporate social responsibility; extractive sector; community engagement