About LMD

The Labour Market Dynamics research programme seeks to contribute to a more detailed understanding of the various dynamics and mechanisms in labour markets in New Zealand, and particularly their impact on households and communities.

The Labour Market Dynamics research began with surveys in the Hawkes Bay, South Waikato and Waitakere regional labour markets in the mid-1990's. The aim was to explore changes that had occurred over the previous ten years in those labour markets and what households were doing in response to changes in labour demand, training and their own personal circumstance. The survey interviewed a large number of households in each regional labour market and then followed that with ethnographic research on approximately ten percent of those interviewed. Subsequently, the research has looked at information flows between various parts of the labour market in terms of demand and supply and the information that is available to the various players. In addition, non-standard work is an important element in all LMD investigations.

In 2003, the LMD team received a further grant from the Foundation for Research Science and Technology to look at sustainable employment. This research will examine the increasing variability of pathways into employment and the effect this has on individuals and communities as well as the responses from employers. One major objective will be to explore the way in which individuals understand and negotiate access to employment, including such questions as the contribution of training and education to various employment options and outcomes, the acquisition of skills, mobility and search techniques, social networks and the planning and aspirations of individuals. The second major objective concerns the strategies and expectations of employers in organising labour supply in a changing labour market. Recruiting and retaining workers will become increasingly important, especially with labour shortages and growing expectations about the skills and attitudes of employees.

Through the connection this study has with other Maori research projects, information emerging from this study will be disseminated to Te Puni Kokiri and other potential Maori end-users including Iwi, Maori authorities and Maori Trust Boards, urban Maori groups and prominent national Maori organisations such as the Maori Women's Welfare League.

The LMD Research Programme has formed linkages with other researchers and research organisations, both locally and internationally, as well as various local and central government agencies and bodies and other groups in the community and private and voluntary sectors. The research draws from a range of disciplines including sociology, economics, Maori Studies, management and international business from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Business of Massey University.

Our Logo

Our logo was designed for us by Cara Stuart from the Media Design School, Auckland.
Cara explains the design...

The koru is used as a symbol in the shape of an arrow to represent the pathways to sustainable employment we are exploring. The colour green suggests new life and growth - used to represent the growth of ideas in the LMD programme's research.

 

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