Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Benchmarking Study Of The Lehigh Valley, Jason Faberman, Stephanie Laski

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

This study benchmarks the Lehigh Valley to nine other metropolitan areas within the United States. These areas represent a wide array of economic growth levels. Charlotte, Portland, Seattle, and Nashville represented high growth cities. Minneapolis and Lancaster represented moderate growth cities. Hartford, Flint, Rochester and the Lehigh Valley represented low growth cities. Three analyses attempted to identify reasons for economic growth. The study period included the years 1970 through 1995. All three analyses looked at regional growth relative to the nation. A study of each region’s industry mix compared the diversity of this mix to the overall employment growth of …

The Effects On Labor Of Post-Industrial Globalization: A Comparison Of Marxist And Non-Marxist Paradigms, Louis Hyman

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

In this paper I will be examining the changes in labor conditions that have occurred during the last ten years, how they are intimately linked to new notions of information technology and the rise of a global economic perspective. I will compare the [Marxist and non-Marxist] trains of thought as well, and attempt to provide a notion of where I believe them to be sufficient and lacking. If these new notions of globalized post-industrial labor resolve the antagonism between Labor and Capital, they would signal a critical shift in the socioeconomic dynamics of the world, similar in importance to the …

The Economic Impact Upon Modern U.S. Elections, James Jackson

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

Economic voting has been blamed for Bush’s loss in 1992, Carter’s loss in 1980, and attributed to Clinton’s win in 1996. I intend to dispel the myths against economic voting by showing that it does occur, and examining the four different manners in which it occurs: retrospective, prospective, pocketbook and sociotropic voting.

Editor's Note: The bibliography for this article is missing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Comparative Analysis Of Max-Planck Gesellschaft And Akademie Der Wissenschften In The Years 1945-1989, Victoria Kats

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

The Realm of Science claims to be an autonomous entity, governed by its own rules and institutions. In practice it is difficult to test the extent to which different enveloping political systems affect economics of basic research, as too many cultural and historical differences would distort such a comparison. Unique historical circumstances make East and West Germany the best available ground for setting up an experiment with both experimental and control groups within societies and organizations. Testing the influence of socialistic pressure on economic performance of scientific institutions, the analysis of East German Academy of Sciences and West German Max …

Free Agents, Fire Sales, And Fungoes: An Econometric Examination Of Team Success In Major League Baseball, Corey R. Maynard

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

This paper explores what good organizational strategies baseball teams use to put themselves into the group of those that win more often than they lose, and conversely, what poor strategies cause teams to fall into the group of those who lose more than they win.

The Exchange Rate Mechanism And The Ruble Devaluation Of 1998, Philip Porter

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

I will first examine what I see as the common sense fundamentals of the exchange rate mechanism, noting as I go, the relationship with the current Russian crisis. In my examination, I will take the simplest approach, assuming free trade, unrestricted capital movements and negligible transaction costs. Concluding, I will delve into the quagmire of the Russian situation.

Fun, Games & Economics: An Appraisal Of Game Theory In Economics, Jamus Jerome Lim

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

Game theory has had a profound influence on many fields of the social sciences since its rise to prominence more than fifty years ago. This paper provides an overview of the main concepts in game theory and studies four main areas of its application in economic problems – oligopolistic competition, externalities & public goods, market equilibrium and general equilibrium. The conclusion is that game theory has found a natural place in economics and will continue to contribute to it for many years to come.

An Economic Analysis Of Child Care: Bias, Refinement, And Powerful Insight, Ben Fritz

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

This paper considers the various ways in which the child care market operates (and fails), both in reality and in terms of economic models. Economic theory shows that child care should have a significant impact on women's’ decision to enter the labor market, and I consider whether this is true in practice, as well as how the child care market operates compared to the demonstrated need. Economic analysis shows that child care has a significant impact on women’s participation in the labor force, both in theory and in practice.

Gender Differences In The Causes Of Non-Completion Rates Among Oregon Apprentices: A Case Study Of The Metro Electrical Jtpc, Portland, Oregon, Kerstin Rock

University Avenue Undergraduate Journal of Economics

This paper will address the question of why women drop out of apprenticeship programs at a higher frequency than men. I will examine if there are in fact substantial differences in human capital and social characteristics between female and male apprentices and whether the influence of these characteristics on the probability of finishing depends on the sex of the apprentice. I hypothesize that the reasons apprentices quit prematurely will differ significantly between sexes, especially in reference to educational background, experience, and family situation.