Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Primary Reasons For Not Attending Farmers' Market. Do Market Features And Consumer Characteristics Matter?, Autumn Milliner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The number of farmers’ markets has been growing, but consumer attendance does not appear to rise at the same rate. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate primary reasons for not attending. Specific objectives were: (1) describe the consumer characteristics of individuals who do not attend farmers’ markets (2) investigate the consumer characteristics and market amenities that influence a consumer’s choice to not attend a farmers market (3) estimate the variables that impact a consumer’s level of interest in subscribing to a CSA and (4) assess and estimate the relationship between consumer characteristics and their willingness to pay …

Interdependence Across Foreign Exchange Rate Markets- A Mixed Copula Approach, Richard Adjei-Boateng

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to study the dependence structure of exchange rate pairs using a mixture of copula as opposed to a single copula approach. Mixed copula models have the ability to generate dependence structures that do not belong to existing copula families. The flexibility in choosing component copulas in this mixture model aids the construction of a system that is simultaneously parsimonious and flexible enough to generate most dependence patterns in exchange rate data. Furthermore, the method of mixture copulas facilitates the separation of both the structure and degree of dependence, concepts that are respectively embodied in …

Optimal Control Theory And Estimation Of Parameters In A Differential Equation Model For Patients With Lupus, Peter Agaba

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

System Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects many parts of the body including skin, joints, kidneys, brains and other organs. Lupus Nephritis (LN) is a disease caused by SLE. Given the complexity of LN, we establish an optimal treatment strategy based on a previously developed mathematical model.For our thesis work, the model variables are: Immune Complexes (I), Pro-inflammatory mediators (P), Damaged tissue (D), and Anti-inflammatory mediators (A). The analysis in this research project focuses on analyzing therapeutic strategies to control damage using both parameter estimation techniques (integration of data to quantify any uncertainties associated with …

Workforce Investment Act In Western Kentucky: An Evaluation Of Program Service Outcomes, Matt S. Luckett

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Workforce development programs designed to provide individuals with the skills necessary to gain employment have been in existance for over 80 years. The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was a federal workforce development program that ran from 2000 to 2014. The WIA provided three main programs: youth, adult, and dislocated worker. The focus of this research was to evaluate the individual services in the adult and dislocated worker programs in the Western Kentucky Workforce Investment Area and identify the most effective service in each program.

The adult and dislocated worker programs each offered three tiered services: core, intensive, and training. Individuals …

Implementation Of A New Enterprise Resource Planning System, Lacy Payne

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The objective of this thesis was to upgrade an Enterprise Resource planning system that was outdated into a new age Enterprise resource planning system based centered on a scheduling algorithm. This was a key change that needed to be made to transform the company from old thinking to new. Primarily the testing of this implementation was done through mapping of processes, followed by trial and error, and finally improving and sustaining the processes it took to use the system correctly. The mapping of the processes was completed by the Process Manager as well as the Lead, Supervisor, or Manager of …

Positively Perceived Impacts Of Cellular Phones On Nigerian Society, Azuakolam Nwosu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examined the positive perceived impacts of cellular phones in the Nigerian society.The purpose of the study was to analyze the impacts of this technology in Nigerian society These impacts analyses were on the perceived changes in safety and well-being amongst users, satisfactions amongst users, and perceived connectivity amongst users of this technology. The researcher used employed facilitators to distribute survey in several cities in Nigeria. One Hundred and twenty-four people participated in survey questionnaires using five scale points. Results were summarized using descriptive statistics at 95% confidence interval level. From the results, the hypothese were retained that underserved …

Developing, Refining, And Validating A Survey To Measure Stereotypes And Biases That Women Face In Industry, Erin D. Webb

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Almost any woman who has worked in a male dominated industry has faced a gender stereotype or bias of some type. Some of these women have even developed coping mechanisms to counteract these biases and make day-to-day interactions at work tolerable. Gathering information to reveal these stereotypes and biases can pose a distinctive challenge. Many women do not want to reveal the challenges that they have faced in their careers, and the vastness of types of challenges makes asking the correct questions very difficult. Through testing, this study has developed a valid data collection instrument that can be used to …

Plain & Simple: The Will To Live Sustainably In An Unsustainable World, Brandi Nichole Button

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Sustainability is a buzzword covering a variety of fields and subjects. For the purposes of my research sustainability is “the ability to keep going over the long haul. As a value, it refers to giving equal weight in your decisions to the future as well as the present” (Gilman 1). The sustainability movement refers to activists, educators and researchers who are dedicated to finding high quality ways of living in the world that are environmentally benign for all who are now living as well future generations to come (Gilman 1). This research focuses on three women who engage in voluntary …

A Normal Truncated Skewed-Laplace Model In Stochastic Frontier Analysis, Junyi Wang

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Stochastic frontier analysis is an exciting method of economic production modeling that is relevant to hospitals, stock markets, manufacturing factories, and services. In this paper, we create a new model using the normal distribution and truncated skew-Laplace distribution, namely the normal-truncated skew-Laplace model. This is a generalized model of the normal-exponential case. Furthermore, we compute the true technical efficiency and estimated technical efficiency of the normal-truncated skewed-Laplace model. Also, we compare the technical efficiencies of normal-truncated skewed-Laplace model and normal-exponential model.

Cagan Type Rational Expectations Model On Time Scales With Their Applications To Economics, Funda Ekiz

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Rational expectations provide people or economic agents making future decision with available information and past experiences. The first approach to the idea of rational expectations was given approximately fifty years ago by John F. Muth. Many models in economics have been studied using the rational expectations idea. The most familiar one among them is the rational expectations version of the Cagans hyperination model where the expectation for tomorrow is formed using all the information available today. This model was reinterpreted by Thomas J. Sargent and Neil Wallace in 1973. After that time, many solution techniques were suggested to solve the …

Jefferson's Abomination In The Valley: A Study Of The Economic Effects Of The Embargo Of 1807 On Louisville's Frontier Economy, Williams Lewis

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis examines the effects of the Embargo of 1807 on Louisville and its surrounding areas. The purpose of this study is to discover if the interior suffered to the same degree as other regions of the country as a result of Thomas Jefferson's trade restrictions. Louisville is the focus area because it is not only representative of the Ohio Valley and the interior but also because it marked the end of civilization and the beginning of the frontier. Distinctions between class, economic status, and occupation between the inhabitants of Jefferson County are also observed. This particular approach leads to …

The Effects Of Human/Wildlife Conflict On The Potential For Community-Based Ecotourism In The Kasigau Region Of Southeast Kenya, Natalie Mountjoy

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Many believe community-based ecotourism (CBE) can assist in conservation efforts and community development; however, little research has been done to assess the potential of CBE in a specific region. As part of a large, long-term, international research project, I define three problematic areas that may impede successful CBE efforts in the Kasigau location of southeast Kenya: bushmeat utilization, community attitudes and wildlife abundance. Samples of meat purchased from butcheries and meat markets are identified to species using molecular analysis, community attitudes are ascertained via written social surveys and transect sampling methods are used to determine the relative abundance and diversity …

Some Barriers To Development In Cameroon, Kenya And Swaziland, Matthew Moore

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In the study of development, researchers attempt to identify and measure the independent variables believed to influence economic growth and social development indicators in countries throughout the world. These researchers employ quantitative cross-national research methods, also known as the variable-oriented approach, while others may pursue a more case-oriented approach and examine a handful of countries employing a historical-comparative method. Education is a variable that has been identified in both of these research traditions to be positively related to the development of a country. However, when the effects of education on development are examined cross-nationally, it is clear that the countries …

The Effects Of Avian Influenza Outbreak On U.S. Poultry Prices, Shang-Ho Yang

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Even in the absence of proven human-to-human transmission of the disease, the uncertainty surrounding bird flu could devastate regional economic growth and financial markets. Confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. According to WHO (World Health Organization), experts indicate that there is a possible risk of infection to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds during an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry. On May 8, 2006, WHO reported on 207 cases that resulted in 115 people's …

Analysis Of Economic Models Through Calculus Of Variations, Raman Arora

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis is a combination of two science fields: Mathematics and Economics. Mathematics is often used to formulate a clear and concise solution to economic problems. In my observation calculus of variation has often been used in various macroeconomic problems. This mathematical method deals with maximizing or minimizing of various objective functions given a set of constraints. This topic brings out one of the best ways to show the relationship between mathematics and economics. My thesis consists of three parts: The first chapter contains a review of the calculus of variations. Basic definitions and important conditions have been stated. The …

Globalization, Urban Competitiveness, And Human Capital: Davidson County, Tennessee's Place In The Equation, James Russ

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Profound changes in the structure of the global economy since the end of World War II have drastically affected the way governments, businesses, and individuals interact with one another. The development of regional trading alliances (European Union, NAFTA, APEC), the end of the Cold War, and the rapid development of information technologies have contributed to new global economic theories that are being adopted by places large and small. Simply put, economic paradigms have changed. Local concerns have become more prevalent in the public debate over economic, political, and societal changes as a whole. The goal of my research is to …

Economic Impact Of Rock Climbing On The Communities Surrounding The Red River Gorge, Kentucky, William Hobbs

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The sport of rock climbing has exploded in America over the last decade resulting in millions of climbers flocking to the available areas near and far from their home. Such traffic demands clear and effective policy-making from land managers, public and private, in order to conserve and protect valuable natural resources. The Red River Gorge area hosts thousands of climbers each year and contains over 1,000 climbing routes in ten separate areas with an array of amenities for lodging, food, and other recreation. However, no research has been completed to determine the benefits of these climbing resources for local businesses …

A Study Of The Stochastic Behavior Of Durable Goods Consumption, Alexander Lebedinsky

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The author of this thesis examines the stochastic behavior of durables consumption in the rational expectations/permanent income hypothesis framework. The testing in this paper parallels the studies conducted by other researchers, who basing their work mainly on quarterly data rejected the frictionless rational expectations/permanent income hypothesis. The distinctive feature of this thesis is that the models are examined using monthly instead of quarterly data. The results of the estimation are compared to the results based on quarterly data. The results show that estimates obtained using monthly data seem to be more consistent with the frictionless rational expectations/permanent income hypothesis than …

Neoliberalism And Nafta: A Case Study Of The Coffee Commodity System And Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico, Chad Gesser

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In the Western Hemisphere global capitalism and regional trading blocks have become more pronounced with the passing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). I examine the impacts of the neoliberal changes prior to and after the implementation of NAFTA in the community of Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico. World-systems analysis is the theoretical outline. The global commodity chains approach is used to examine the coffee commodity system that links the United States and Mexico. This thesis includes qualitative and quantitative data that were developed from fieldwork research in Mexico and in the community. The qualitative data suggest that the impacts …

Exploring Social Polarization In Jefferson County, Kentucky: An Analytical Approach, Jason Finley

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to explore the processes of social polarization, an increasing gap between the rich and poor, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, to determine the spatial characteristics involved and to investigate useful methodological tools. I argue that social polarization processes are evident in Jefferson County, and I attempt to describe and analyze the emerging spatial characteristics of polarization in the study area. The study area comprises the thirteen market areas of Jefferson County, which were broken down into 3 socioeconomic regions based on the natural breaks of market area median household income. Each market area is analyzed …

A Study Of The Efficiency In Four Foreign Exchange Markets Using The Survey Data, Jiamei Zhu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this paper is to reexamine the efficiency condition in four foreign exchange market: U.S.—British, U.S.—Canadian, U.S.—Japanese, U.S.—German. Survey data was used to separate the risk premium arguments from irrationality. Only two markets are considered efficient based on the statistical test: U.S.—Canadian, U.S.—Japanese. Three models were conducted to explain the risk premium which is the factor causing the bias between the forward and the spot rate in the U.S.—German and the U.S.-Japanese markets. Lag Model (Model 2) turns out to be the only model that can explain the risk condition in the U.S.—Japanese market. All the three tested …

An Empirical Investigation Into The Causes Of The Dollar's Decline (1985-1993), Ricky Stagg

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In this paper, the writer develops and estimates a synthesis of the monetary and the portfolio-balance approaches of exchange rate determination in an attempt to explain the dollar's recent depreciation. Since 1985, the U.S. dollar has declined against the German deutsche mark and the Japanese yen. Different explanations have arisen as to the cause of the dollar's depreciation. Some economists blame U.S. monetary policy makers for flooding the world with dollars. Others ascribe fault to fiscal policy makers for not being able to bring the budget and current account deficits under control. And still others attribute most of the U.S.'s …

The Effects Of Social Security On Private Saving, Zhenghong Lu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this paper is to re-estimate the impact of Social Security on aggregate private saving behavior by using new time series data for the period 1947 through 1993. The analysis is based on the life-cycle hypothesis developed by Modigliani and Ando. Feldstein's extended life-cycle model, incorporating Social Security Wealth (SSW) into the traditional life-cycle model, provides the building block for this paper. A Generalized Least Squares (GLS) procedure is used to perform the time series analysis in order to avoid autocorrelation, which is usually associated with the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) procedure. Compared with OLS estimations, the results …

Will Seek Funding Help Bring Equity In Educational Output To Kentucky's School Districts?, William Winfrey

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Constitution of the United States gave the individual states the responsibility of providing an adequate minimum education to their citizens. With this responsibility came the additional responsibility of financing the educational process. I will examine the historical thoughts on funding, emphasizing Kentucky, past and present. An ordinary least squares regression analysis will be used to predict the success of the Support Educational Excellence in Kentucky formula. Success is defined as bringing equity of testbased outputs to all school districts. The model and variables are then examined and conclusions drawn concerning the new funding formula.

An Economic Study Of The Relative Profitability Of Alfalfa Production And Marketing Practices, David Claycomb

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The seasonality of the price of alfalfa hay in Kentucky was studied as well as the potential cost or profitability of storage of this hay. Economic comparison of alfalfa hay production to other farm enterprises was carried out. In addition, an estimate of the value of two qualities of alfalfa hay was calculated based on 1991 prices. The analysis of 41 years of marketing data demonstrated significant differences (P<.01) in price with seasonal lows in June/July and a steady increase in price to a high in March. In general (based on $100 per ton hay and 12% interest) the alfalfa hay producer could lose from $5 to $10 storing hay and selling at a later date. There were some specific conditions where he might have realized a return to storage of $0.16 to $1.48 per ton. A further evaluation of average (KY Feeder) and good (KY Pride) quality hays indicated that current prices of $70-$75 and $100 per ton respectively were the prices where a dairyman would be able to include this hay in the cow's total diet. Even with problems of quality and quantity of alfalfa hay, the economic returns to the production of alfalfa hay were favorable when compared to other crops in Kentucky with the additional benefit of alfalfa being a crop that can result in reduced soil erosion from sloping land. Returns above variable costs can be from $120 to $400 per acre depending upon yield and sale price. However, an understanding of seasonality of price as well as storage costs need to be considered by alfalfa hay producers to assure realizing the above returns.

An Analysis Of The Behavior Of The Risk Premium In The German Deutschemark Forward Market: A Comparison Of Pre- And Post-German Reunification Of 1990 Exchange Rates, Paul Newton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The German reunification of 1990 and the methods of economic integration exerted considerable pressure on both the German economy and the deutschemark. This thesis addresses the issue that the reunification undermined the stability of the deutschemark, detectable through a change in the implied risk premium. Emphasis is placed on the forward deutschemark in the context of interest rate parity in order to detect a change in the implied risk premium. By using three month U.S. and German bank Certificate of Deposit rates as the basis for the IRP calculations, a considerable shift in this implied risk premium was detected and …

Monetarism, Federal Reserve Policy And The Monetarist Experiment, Richard Cantrell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the period between the fourth quarter of 1979 through the third quarter of 1982 with respect to Federal Reserve policy. This period is known as the "Monetarist Experiment" because the Federal Reserve announced that it would be adopting monetarist principles in the implementation of its policy. Supporters of monetarism claim that this was not a true monetarist experiment because the Federal Reserve implemented policy incorrectly. Using statistical and time-series regression analyses, I address this question and conclude that the "Monetarist Experiment" was nothing of the kind. Federal Reserve policy never actually changed …

Are Major League Baseball Players Compensated For The Ability To Attract Fans?, Mark Tudor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A question asked by many baseball fans during the past two decades has been, “Do baseball players really earn multimillion dollars salaries by simply playing a game?” Previous studies have attempted to show that they go generate enough revenue for a given club to justify these exorbitant earnings. In fact, these studies show that, until recently, baseball players have been exploited by owners who have been reaping major profits at the expense of the players.

Most studies utilize fan attendance to generate revenue figures in their respective regression equations. The intent in this paper is to determine if baseball players …

A Study Of Kentucky’S Agricultural Performance Using Shift-Share Analysts, David Neal Cundiff

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In this paper the theory that Kentucky has a comparative advantage in agricultural employment, when compared to the United States, is examined. In order to test this hypothesis, a dynamic shift-share analysis was conducted using the thirteen major economic sector of Kentucky over the period 1970 to 1989. The resulting regional shift components, or competitive components, give support to the theory that a comparative advantage for Kentucky in agriculture does exist. Annual regional shift components, as well as their dynamic counterpart, possess predominately positive values, indicating outperformance by Kentucky’s agricultural sector when compared to the United States economy as a …

Does Sex Discrimination Exist In Faculty Salaries At Western Kentucky University? An Empirical Examination Of The Wage Gap, Reed Vesey

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis examines wage differentials between male and female faculty salaries at Western Kentucky University. A human capital model of salary determination is examined by using regression analysis on relevant personal and job characteristics of faculty members. A large portion of the wage gap between men and women is explained through differences in the personal and job characteristics. A portion of the wage gap remains unexplained, however, the probability of discrimination playing a substantial role in salary is very small.