Economics Commons^™

Public Sector Unions And Public Spending, Michael L. Marlow, William Orzechowski

Economics

This study examines the influence of public sector unions on the expansion of the public sector. Based on public goods theory, our paper models how unions influence the supply of and demand for public sector activities. On the demand side, public sector unions are special interests which advocate public sector expansion to policy makers; on the supply side, they exert pressure to maintain and expand monopoly powers. Empirical evidence supports the hypothesis that a positive relationship exists between public sector unionism and public spending.

Stigma And Self-Fulfilling Expectations Of Criminality, Eric Bennett Rasmusen

Eric Bennett Rasmusen

In modelling crime, economists have focussed on the expected cost of government sanctions to the criminal, but private sanctions--- notably economic or social stigma--- may be just as important. In the model here, workers decide whether to commit crimes and employers decide how much to pay ex- convicts. In one equilibrium, individuals refrain from crime and economic stigma--- the wage loss from conviction--- is high. In a second, pareto- inferior equilibrium, individuals commit crimes and stigma is low, because employers realize that nonconviction does not imply noncriminality. The model may help to explain large shifts in crime, such as that …

Profiling Unemployment Insurance Beneficiaries, Randall W. Eberts, Christopher J. O'Leary

Employment Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Spurious Regression Unmasked, Peter C.B. Phillips

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This paper argues that trending time series can admit valid regression representations even when the dependent variable and the regressors are statistically independent, i.e., in situations that are presently characterized in the literature as “spurious regressions.” Our theory is directed mainly at the two classic examples of regressions of stochastic trends on time polynomials and regressions among independent random walks. But it has more general applicability and, we think, wider implications. Contrary to established wisdom, our theory justifies regressions of this type as valid models for the data. The radical conclusion that emerges from this study is that there are …

Small Business Lending: Barriers And Trends, Zhongcai Zhang, Ziona Austrian

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

In recent years, small-business lending has been discussed widely among the commercial banking community, a reflection of both the growing relative importance of small businesses to the U.S. economy and the fact that large companies have developed the ability to access capital markets directly for debt and equity financing. Although their market share in small-business lending has been eroded in recent years by competition from depository and non-depository financial institutions, commercial banks remain the most frequently used source of financing for small businesses. Accordingly, this paper will focus on commercial banks. At some point during their operating history, most small …

Is The “Dominant Firm” Dominant? An Empirical Analysis Of At&T’S Market Power, Simran K. Kahai, David L. Kaserman, John W. Mayo

Economics & Finance

In this article, we estimate the degree of market power held by AT&T in the interstate long-distance market in the postdivestiture period. Our approach makes use of the dominant firm/competitive fringe model to impose the structure needed both to obtain estimates of the relevant structural parameters and to translate these parameters into an estimate of AT&T's residual demand elasticity and associated Lerner index. Because of the continued presence of regulation and other considerations, however, a direct estimation of the residual demand elasticity is not feasible. Consequently, we take a more indirect approach that combines estimation of the elasticity of fringe …

Assessment Of The Importance Of Small Business To Kalamazoo County's Economy And The Adequacy Of Services To Nurture Small Business Formation, George A. Erickcek

Reports

No abstract provided.

Planning Guidelines For Active Labor Programs In Hungary, Christopher J. O'Leary

Reports

No abstract provided.

A Reexamination Of Balassa's Productivity Bias Hypothesis, Mohsen Bahmani Oskooee, Farhang Niroomand

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Economic Development And The Distribution Of Land Rents In Singapore: A Georgist Implementation, Sock-Yong Phang

Research Collection School Of Economics

Independent Singapore, which has a tradition of free trade, has implemented large doses of Henry George's prescriptions. It has successfully captured land rents for redistribution through its land acquisition, public housing and other programs. These policies have been instrumental in the successful economic development of the island city state. Industrial estates on state-owned land were leased to foreign multinationals for export-oriented manufacturing which created the bulk of jobs in the sector. Commercial developments are built by the program. Affordable 99-year leasehold housing, built by the state, provided added economic incentives for employment, and helped keep inflation and wages down. Private …

Singapore's Experience With Car Quotas: Issues And Policy Processes, Sock-Yong Phang, Wing-Keung Wong, Ngee-Choon Chia

Research Collection School Of Economics

This paper examines the policy processes behind Singapore's car quotas. The policy, when filtered through the market mechanism, had a number of unintended consequences. The public's unhappiness with certain features and [`]loopholes' of the system resulted in many changes to the rules. The effects of recent measures to curb speculation on quota premiums are evaluated. Problems with Singapore's Weekend Car Scheme are also discussed. The lesson for transport policy makers elsewhere is that in attempting to deal with the road congestion problem through car ownership policies, an asset market for vehicles should be taken into account.

Downsizing America In The Twentieth Century: A Sociological And Theoretical Analysis Of The Shrinking Middle Class, Terreea Lynne Adams

Institute for the Humanities Theses

Downsizing is the process by which a firm decreases its number of employees, even during times of a strong economy, with the stated purpose of generating greater efficiency, productivity and of course, profit. The downsizing trend in the United States during the past three decades has resulted in an enormous shift in the structure of our society. Various theorists, sociologists and economists employ differing ways of looking at this downsizing trend and its effects on the largest segment of the population; that is, the middle class.

lndications of a healthy economy are low levels of unemployment and poverty-. Downsizing involves …

Developing Community Economic Outcome Measures, George A. Erickcek

Employment Research Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Economic Development And The Distribution Of Land Rents In Singapore: A Georgist Implementation, Sock-Yong Phang

PHANG Sock Yong

Independent Singapore, which has a tradition of free trade, has implemented large doses of Henry George's prescriptions. It has successfully captured land rents for redistribution through its land acquisition, public housing and other programs. These policies have been instrumental in the successful economic development of the island city state. Industrial estates on state-owned land were leased to foreign multinationals for export-oriented manufacturing which created the bulk of jobs in the sector. Commercial developments are built by the program. Affordable 99-year leasehold housing, built by the state, provided added economic incentives for employment, and helped keep inflation and wages down. Private …

South Dakota Nd United States Farming: Some General Comparisons, Department Of Economics

Economics Commentator

No abstract provided.

The Performance And Future Of Mandatory Allocation Of Credit To Selected Sectors In The Nigerian Economy, J. A. Babalola, F. O. Odoko

Economic and Financial Review

The paper examines the performance and likely future trend of mandatory credit allocation to selected sectors of the Nigerian economy. The result reveals that during both the pre-SAP and the SAP years, performance was below target. In terms of future mandatory a/location of credit by banks, the paper notes that instead of 'prescribing the total amount by which banks can expand credit, discretion should he given to banks to allow market forces to determine the allocation.

Export Processing Zone Programmes: Lessons For Nigeria From Other Countries, E. B. Hogan, E. A. Onwioduokit

Economic and Financial Review

The monumental success of the export-oriented South-East Asian countries has engendered a shift in emphasis among other developing countries towards export oriented development strategy in recent times. This paper examines the export processing programmes in Nigeria, drawing from the experiences of other countries where the programme is operational. The analysis confirms that the nature and extent of incentives available in Nigeria's EPZ scheme compares favourably with those provided by similar schemes elsewhere. However, the same cannot be said of infrastructural facilities such as roads, railways and communication. The need for improvement in these facilities is emphasized. Also, security, which is …

Foreign Private Investment In Nigeria - 1994, Central Bank Of Nigeria Cbn

Economic and Financial Review

The netjlow of foreign private investment into the Nigerian economy in 1994 reduced drastically to N3,907.2 million from N32,994.4 million recorded in the preceding year. The sharp decline was attributable to the unstable business environment which resulted from political agitation and labour unrest during the review period. Contributions of all the investment flow components fell, especially changes in foreign share capital and trade and suppliers credit facilities which plummeted to N429. 5 million and N214.8 mil/ion.from N5,0ll.4 and N17,803.l million recorded in the preceding year, respectively. While investments of all the other regions declined, investment flows.from companies of Asian origin …

Monetary Policy And Commercial Bank's Performance In Nigeria: Some Theoretical And Empirical Extensions, Michael O. Nyong

Economic and Financial Review

This study provides richer insights into the performance of commercial banks in Nigeria using more indicators and more refined methodologies. It sheds more light on the critical factors responsible for differential performance among the banks. The high levels of profitability declared by banks in the light of their high levels of under-capitalization imply excessive risk-taking which is incompatible with prudent banking behaviour. We also found that the size of banks exert a positive and statistically significant effect on their performance. The result suggests that the promotion of large banks may be in the interest of maintaining a safe and sound …

Ashwani Saith. The Rural Non-Farm Economy: Processes And Policies (Geneva, Ilo) 1993., S. O. Etafo

Economic and Financial Review

The study examines the likely impact of rural, non-farm economy (RNFE) growth on rural inequalities and agrarian differentiation processes; possible demand constraints; and the success or failure of specially targeted rural, non-farm programmes (for example, Graneen Bank in Bangladesh, the People's Commune in pre-1978 rural China and IRDP interventions in India). The author establishes economic conditions and institutional environment that would enable the RNFE to grow, with a decisive impact on rural poverty. The study, intended to be a precursor to a full-length study of the rural, non-farm economy (RNFE) in developing economies, runs into five chapters. Chapter 1 is …

Direct Payment Of Taxes Through Designated Banks., Mallam I. Usman

Bullion

This paper examine the Federal Government policy on direct payment system of tax through designated Nigerian Banks. The main objective of the scheme is to improve the administration of taxation in Nigeria by making it more convenient to tax payers in terms of time saving, reducing the incidence of fraud which has, over the years, depraved Government of needed revenues, minimizing the risk of carrying cash, providing transparency and -improved accountability, and of course, enhancing revenue yield substantially.

Efficient Administration Of Credit For Small Scale Industrial Development., C. M. Anyanwu

Bullion

Industrial development involves the development of a technical arrangement that moves an economy from the traditional method of production to a more complex system of mass manufacture of a variety of goods and services involving technology and management techniques. Industrialization tends to propel growth and quicken the achievement of structural transformation and diversification of economies. It enables a country to utilize fully its factor endowments and depend less on the external sector for its growth and sustenance. Through industrialization, an economy gains the versatility and resilience that enable it to raise the standard of living of its people and cope …

Money Supply, Inflation And The Nigerian Economy, Paul A. Ogwuma

Bullion

Experience in many countries, including Nigeria, show that fiscal policies, in particular, intended primarily to stimulate output growth and enhance real income often end up as a major source of financial imbalances and macro-economic instability. The accompanying high inflation has critical allocative and distributional implications that can be detrimental to the growth process. It is against this background that, this short paper attempts, to identify the relationship between monetary growth and inflationary developments in Nigeria and the implications for economic growth. Following this Introduction, Thus, the challenge of maintaining monetary stability has often been a difficult one, the world over, …

Research And Economic Policy In The Nigerian Public Sector., Ojo M. O.

Bullion

The paper examines the role of research for economic policy management in the Nigerian public sector. The subject is treated comprehensively for the information of participants. It further discusses some conceptual issues, the policy framework for economic management, appraisal of policy research in the public sector, the observed problems in national policy research and some proposals for improvement.

Problems And Prospects In Agricultural Financing In Nigeria Under Economic Deregulation., Odu Paul C.

Bullion

The paper focus on the government economic deregulation in Nigeria in 1986 which was discussed in sections. Section I of the paper reviews the trends in the agricultural finance sector before and during SAP. The perspectives of agricultural lending under deregulation is discussed ln section II. Section III analyses the formal and informal credit to agriculture, and section IV reviews the policy implications/solutions of deregulation under agricultural financing, while section V concludes the paper.

Review Of Competition, Commitment, And Welfare By Kotaro Suzumura, Eric Bennett Rasmusen

Eric Bennett Rasmusen

A short review of a book on oligopoly theory.

Economics Of Time And Ignorance: 1996 Intro Survey, Mario Rizzo

Mario Rizzo

This is a review of the developments in Austrian-subjectivist economics during the period 1985-1996 from the perspective of the themes developed in the first-edition of "The Economics of Time and Ignorance." It is also a concise statement of a modern understanding of the classic ideas of Austrian economics with a view to seeing their connection to a broader set of perspectives in economics. (The version available here is the final draft of the text available in the book published by Routledge. This is available from Routledge as an e-book or from various Amazon.com sellers.)

An Ambitious Agenda For Economic Growth, Murray L. Weidenbaum

Murray Weidenbaum Publications

An extensive array of expenditure, tax, and regulatory reforms could help in shifting the American economy to a sustainable higher growth path. Carrying out needed changes requires more than developing attractive new programs; it also means making a continuous stream of hard choices.

The State Of The Nigerian Petroleum Industry: Performance, Problems And Outstanding Issues, M. O. Ojo, B. S. Adebusuyi

Economic and Financial Review

This paper examines developments in the Nigerian petroleum industry in view of its prominent role in the economy and notes outstanding issues and other relevant policy implications. The paper also discusses the industry's organizational and operational structure and assesses its performance in terms of production, local consumption and exports of crude oil and refined products as well as oil revenue. Major findings are that although the sub-sector continues to account for the bulk of federally-collected revenue, the growth in crude oil output, average crude export volume as well as refined petroleum products consumption have been declining, while the performance of …

Catherine Bonser-Neal. "Does Central Bank Intervention Stabilize Foreign Exchange Rates? Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank Of Kansas City, Vol. 81, No. 1, First Quarter 1996 (14pp), Peter I. Nwaoba

Economic and Financial Review

The paper tried to establish whether central bank intervention could reduce exchange rate volatility by stopping speculative attacks against a currency. The author's concern centered on the fact that exchange rate volatility has increased since the adoption of flexible exchange rate system in 1973 and the subsequent interventions by most central banks. She observed that many European countries have intervened in foreign exchange markets when deemed necessary to reduce volatility and possibly keep exchange rates within a band around a target rate. But opinions still differ on whether these interventions could stabilize exchange rates. The paper, therefore, sought to present …