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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Economics

Major Themes in Economics

Journal

2012

Articles 1 - 7 of 7

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Cover - Table Of Contents Apr 2012

Cover - Table Of Contents

Major Themes in Economics

No abstract provided.


Introduction, Ken Mccormick Apr 2012

Introduction, Ken Mccormick

Major Themes in Economics

No abstract provided.


Explaining Differences In Unemployment Rates Across Iowa Counties In The Early Stages Of The Great Recession, Joslyn Sailer Apr 2012

Explaining Differences In Unemployment Rates Across Iowa Counties In The Early Stages Of The Great Recession, Joslyn Sailer

Major Themes in Economics

Iowa fared better than most other states in the recent recession. Yet within Iowa, there was considerable variation in how each county performed. I use a regression model to investigate the reasons for the differences. Counties that did better than average tended to have larger farm, retail trade, and real estate sectors; they also had larger percentages of both 15 to 19 year olds and Social Security recipients. Counties that fared worse than average typically relied more heavily on government employment.


Economic Development Strategy: The Creative Capital Theory, Zach Fairlie Apr 2012

Economic Development Strategy: The Creative Capital Theory, Zach Fairlie

Major Themes in Economics

This paper aims to identify the relationship between the Creative Capital theory and the unemployment rate. Using panel data from 370 Metropolitan Statistical Areas over a 12-year period, this study finds that talent, technology, and tolerance are not statistically significant determinants of the unemployment rate. The result is contrary to what Creative Capital theory suggests.


The Most Influential Factors In Determining The Happiness Of Nations, Julie Lang Apr 2012

The Most Influential Factors In Determining The Happiness Of Nations, Julie Lang

Major Themes in Economics

Previous research has found that the most influential factors determining the happiness of nations are the Human Development Index (HDI) and the GINI index. Using data from The World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Reports, The World Database of Happiness, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the New Economic Foundation's The (Un) Happy Planet Index 2.0, this study tests three regression models to determine what factors are most influential in determining the happiness of nations, holding everything else constant. All three models suggest that plentiful precipitation contributes to happiness. Two models imply that low corruption, a high …


Why Do Firms Repurchase Stock?, Jordan Voss Apr 2012

Why Do Firms Repurchase Stock?, Jordan Voss

Major Themes in Economics

The tremendous increase in share repurchases warrants an explanation. Why have firms increasingly turned to repurchases as a payout method? Undervaluation is commonly touted as the underlying reason behind repurchase decisions. This paper identifies several possible rationales behind repurchase decisions, in addition to undervaluation, by examining the relative advantages of share repurchases over dividends and the managerial incentives associated with share repurchases. The findings indicate managerial incentives are a key factor behind the decision to repurchase stock.


What Is The Source Of The Male Marital Wage Premium?, Aaron Strike Apr 2012

What Is The Source Of The Male Marital Wage Premium?, Aaron Strike

Major Themes in Economics

The male marital wage premium is the wage difference between married and unmarried men. This paper explores the potential sources of the male marital wage premium using cross-sectional and time series regression models from previous economic research. The studies examined suggest three possible explanations for the marital wage premium: marriage makes men more productive, marriage allows men to spend more time in the labor market, and men who earn above-average wages possess certain characteristics that make them more attractive in the marriage market. The studies examined favor the theories that men are more productive after marriage and higher wages increase …