Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Performance And Contributions Of The Green Industry To Utah's Economy, Lara Gale

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Landscaping and nursery enterprises, commonly known as green industry enterprises, can be found everywhere in Utah, and are necessary to create both aesthetic appeal and human well-being in the built environment. In order to understand the impact that events such as economic shocks or policy changes may have on the green industry, the baseline performance and contribution of the industry must be specified for comparison following these shocks. This study provides a summary and evaluation of the current performance of the green industry in Utah, and estimates the industry’s contributions to Utah’s economy in terms of transactions between industries, employee …

Utah County Level Drought Effect On Cattle Inventories 1981-2016, Fred Openshaw

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Utah cattle industry generates 20.6% of sales value for the agricultural sector. As well, this industry encompasses about 34.4% of Utah farms. Besides these figures, Utah cattle ranchers depend heavily upon both public and private lands for grazing as a primary source of feed for their herds. The soil moisture levels of pasturelands impacts the forage yield for a particular year. As a result, the primary purpose of this research is to determine if drought impacts Utah county cattle inventory numbers and what the magnitude of the impact is by analyzing data from 1981 to 2016. A secondary purpose …

Institutional Adaptation To Water Scarcity In Utah Irrigation Companies, Grant Patty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A review of how water institutions in the American West have changed in response to arid conditions as a means of examining the possibility of further change as an adaptation to climate change induced water scarcity. Two institutions are examined, prior appropriation and shares.

While much of the American West operates under prior appropriation formally, irrigators have found Coasian methods of lowering transaction costs by forming irrigation companies. Irrigation companies own appropriative rights and redefine them, typically as shares. Lower transaction costs allow irrigators to trade more freely within companies, though trades between companies still face high transaction costs.

Using …

Barriers To Health Care Access For Refugees In Cache County, Utah, Michael Timo Hoggard

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The United States has a rich history of resettling refugees. The United States resettled hundreds of thousands of refugees at the conclusion of World War II, and has resettled more than 3 million refugees since 1975 (Refugee Council USA, 2016). A refugee is a forcibly displaced person who will not or cannot return to their country of origin because of fear of physical harm or persecution (United Nations, 1951). Refugees are distinct from other forms of immigrants in many ways: refugees do not choose their country for resettlement, they receive government assistance upon arrival, their residency and work permits are …

The Relationship Between Water Shortage Concern And Age In Utah, Viviane S. Baji

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

It is unclear whether current water supplies in Utah will be able to accommodate the needs of the future. Population in the state is expected to double by 2050 and climate change models predict declines in water availability in the region. Public perceptions of the adequacy of the water supply (and concerns about potential shortages) are key factors that could influence water use behaviors and support for public policy interventions. This paper explores the research question: "Are young people in Utah more concerned about water shortages than older cohorts?" It was expected that young people would be more concerned about …

Exploring The Relationship Between Utah's Wages And Utah's Real Estate Values, S. Scott Laneri

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This paper uses a variety of multiple regression analysis techniques to attempt to answer whether a direct relationship exists between Utah's employee wages and Utah's residential real estate values. Unexpected declines in real estate values can have seriously negative impacts on businesses, individuals, and local governments in Utah. Conversely, unexpected increases represent missed opportunities. Researchers have used various statistical and mathematical methods to explain or predict changes in real estate values, but no method has consistently predicted values for a long period of time or across multiple geographical areas. This paper focuses on exploring the relationship between variables in Utah …

The Benefits Of Animal Traceability Systems On A Foot-And-Mouth Disease Outbreak In Utah, Christian Michael Ukkestad

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent decades, a number of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks have occurred in countries that had been FMD-free for many years. The last FMD outbreak in the United States occurred in 1929 and the country contains a naïve livestock population, meaning it is susceptible to an outbreak. In the event of an FMD outbreak in the United States, the speed at which the source and contacts between livestock can be identified impacts both the implementation and effectiveness of mitigation strategies. The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the impact of higher levels of animal traceability on the immediate welfare …

Feasibility And Co-Benefits Of Biomass Co-Firing: Case In Utah, Bibek Paudel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research examines the physical and economic feasibility of 5% biomass co-firing in the coal-fired power plants of Utah. Transportation models is used to find out the physical feasibility of 5% biomass co-firing, as well as locate the supply zone for each power plant that would minimize the transportation cost. Additional cost required for 5% biomass co-firing and the economic benefits associated with biomass co-firing are calculated. The additional cost required for 5% biomass co-firing is estimated to be $34.84 million. Previous studies on CO₂ emission reduction are used to compute the economic benefit attain from CO₂ reduction …

Determinants Of Residential Water Conservation: The Case Of Salt Lake City Utah, Eric A. Coleman

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This study evaluates the effectiveness of demand-side water conservation policies in Salt Lake City, Utah for the years 1999 to 2002. We add to the existing residential water demand literature by exploring panel estim ation techniques with disaggregated household level data. Alternative policies used to induce water conservation are di scussed based on estimates of demand schedule parameters. We find that public conservation .campaigns have had negli gible impacts on the city's water use. There have been, however, statistically significant reductions in consumption due to price changes despite minimal price increases. Our findings should enable local and state policymakers to …

The Economic Impact Of Federal Land On County Governments In Utah, Daniel C. Hope

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

County governments cannot assess property taxes on federal land, yet local governments are required to provide similar services as they do on all other areas of the county. Federal government payment programs have been implemented to compensate county governments for the expenditures incurred due to federal land.

In the mid-1960s, the Public Land Law Review Commission implemented and completed a study which analyzed whether selected individual states and counties were being compensated for the expenditures incurred on federal land. It also estimated tax revenues local governments would receive if federally owned acreage was privately owned. The study then compared these …

Utah's Transportation Solution: Future Vision, Bryan Ray Farris

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In the vision statement for the future of the State of Utah drafted by the Utah Tomorrow Committee one of the primary objectives outlined is to “Build a statewide economy and infrastructure that supports a broad spectrum of opportunity for all citizens while advancing the standard of living and maintaining a high quality of life.” This statement has been reiterated by many over the last several years as the state continues to grow, experiencing along with that growth many pains along the way.

Measuring Nonuse Values For Wilderness Designation In Utah-By Contingent Valuation Method, Van R. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since 1964, when Congress wrote the Wilderness Act, there has been an increasing amount of controversy between opponents and advocates of wilderness. Wilderness areas in Utah are not immune to this controversy. Public policy makers and land managers are in the middle of this debate. They have the responsibility to assess the resource and estimate the benefits and costs associated with creating policy.

This thesis focusses on helping policy makers and land managers recognize a benefit currently not being assessed. Nonuse values are values other than in situ use, where individuals have a value for existence of wilderness or a …

Agribusiness Management In Utah Dairies, Rick L. Hirschi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis outlines the theoretical factors impacting dairy profitability. The theoretical portion includes: a general review of production and profit maximization theory, a review of related studies, and an outline of the variables impacting dairy profitability.

An empirical study follows using data gathered from three applied technology centers in Utah in conjunction with dairy herd improvement production records for the farms where these data were available. The empirical section includes a synopsis of the methods and procedures used to collect and analyze the data. Regression analysis was used to determine the significant production and financial factors influencing returns per cow; …

A Comparison Of Models To Forecast Annual Average Potato Prices In Utah, Glade R. Erikson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Potatoes are a capital-intensive crop. A farmer who is considering expanding his potato acreage must carefully consider revenue requirements to offset the high costs of raising the crop. A method to forecast annual farm potato prices would be useful not only to the farmer, who is considering potato acreage expansion (or contraction), but also to the potato buyers.

Seven forecasting models were considered: (1) a simultaneous equation model (with five equations); (2) a Box-Jenkins type ARIMA model; (3) an exponential smoothing model; (4) a moving-average model; (5) a trend model; (6) an "opposite" model; and (7) a current, or naive, …

Economic Analysis Of Dryland Wheat Tillage Practices In Box Elder County, Utah, Michael Dale Bond

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the economic viability of various dryland wheat tillage systems, many of which were developed from years of cooperative research efforts.

In the study three conventional tillage methods were analyzed along with ten conservation tillage practices. The study farm consisted of 2000 acres, of which 1000 acres are classified as land 1 and its wheat yield is assumed to be 35 bushels per acre for non-continuous tillage methods and 23 bushels per acre for continuous tillage methods. The remaining 1000 acres are classed as land 2 and its assumed wheat yield is 30 …

A Simulation Of The Economic Effects Of Alternative Soil Types And Nitrogen Sources On Nitrate Leaching On Irrigated Agriculture In Utah, Gilbert D. Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The economic impact of reducing the amount of nitrate leached out of the root zone under irrigation in the arid West was examined. A general introduction into the nature of the problem and a review of the literature was provided in chapter I. In chapter ll the economic incentives of irrigation management were evaluated under the assumptions of both profit-maximizing and utility-maximizing (in reducing cost and effort expended in irrigation) decision-making criteria. The results indicate that there is a coincidence of interests of the farmer and the environment. Both behaviors result in less nitrate leaching than less profitable or less …

Tourism Dependency And Its Correlation To Selected Socioeconomic Indicators In Utah, Diane S. Gooch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper investigates the relationship between tourism and well being, or quality-of-life, within eighteen counties in Utah. To evaluate the relationship, comparisons of the counties' differing levels of tourism versus their levels of welfare are necessary. To make these comparisons, three basic steps were followed. First, a social ordering model was derived. The proposed social ordering model was based upon Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of human needs. By utilizing his theory, both economic and noneconomic indicators were identified, and a basis was provided upon which to judge the differing positions of well-being. Factor analysis was applied to this model …

An Historical Overview Of The Evolutions Of Institutions Dealing With Water Resource Use And Water Resource Development In Utah 1847 Through 1947, John Swenson Harvey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis studies the development of social and legal institutions that have controlled the pattern of water development in Utah from 1847 to 1947. The thesis is divided into three parts to facilitate the study of the diverse influences on water development. The first part deals with the mormon church and pioneer influences and private development during the late 1800s. The second begins with statehood and records the changes in the state's institutions up to 1947. The third part is a summary of the entire process. It relates pioneer, private, and state influences to each other and the current (1989) …

The Effects Of Stochastic Water Availability On Water Allocations In Utah, Gustavo A. Martinez Gerstl

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A methodology to estimate stochastic surface water flows was developed and applied to a case study area using chance constrained programming model. The results were analyzed as to the effects on different areas of production in Utah.

Optimal Exploitation Of Petroleum Resources Using The Average Reservoir Data For The Walton Canyon Reservoir In Summit County, Utah, Behrouz Helmi-Oskoui

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main concern of this study is to obtain an optimal time path of crude oil and natural gas production by controlling the pressure at the bottom of any producing well in Walton Canyon Reservoir. To achieve this goal, the following objectives were obtained: (a) an estimation of the reservoir properties at different levels of the reservoir pressure; (b) an estimation of an optimal time path of joint production using the estimated reservoir properties and the expected prices and costs in the absence and presence of severance, state, and federal income taxes, and depletion of allowances; and (c) an analysis …

Utah Employer Attitudes Towards Sponsoring Day Care For Employees, Diane Hart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this study were to: 1) examine and contrast hospital administrator attitudes and manufacturing company president (or manager) attitudes in relation to the possibility of having more Utah employers establish organized day care facilities on sites of employment, and 2) determine which factors of employee composition and available facilities and services affect employer attitudes towards day care involvement.

Information from the questionnaire developed for the study was statistically analyzed by the Pearson r correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance. Many factors proved to be statistically significant.

Overall, it was found that hospitals were more interested in day …

An Assessment Of The Apparel Industry In The State Of Utah And Needed Training In Vocational Clothing In Utah High Schools, Ann Sessions

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to make an assessment of the industry and needed qualifications of sewing machine operators in the apparel industry in the State of Utah. Feedback received may serve as guidelines in curriculum development for vocational clothing classes. Information was gathered by means of a questionnaire administered to plant or personnel managers. The questionnaire was hand carried or mailed to fifty-six plants across the state. Ninety-eight percent of the plants responded and were used in the statistics.

The questionnaire ellicited information on the following items:

1. The following points about Utah's apparel industry:

a. Availability of …

The Economics Of Fertility In Utah, Carl E. Enomoto

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this thesis are to determine the economic forces influencing birth rates in Utah and to compare their influences with those found in similar studies for the United States. To do this, an economic model describing fertility behavior was used. Data for the model was collected primarily from Census Bureau reports for the year 1970.

Defining Efficient Water Resource Management In The Weber Drainage Basin, Utah, Keith D. Wilde

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is a state institution, but its primary function is collecting money for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to pay for the Weber Basin Project. Different classes of water users pay markedly different fees for identical Project services. More than half of the water developed by the Project is not used consumptively, yet supply facilities continue to be built in the Basin because they are less expensive to their owners than prices charged for the underused capacity of the Project. Paradoxically, some Basin residents are bitterly resentful of both the District and the Bureau, claiming …

Snowmobiling In Utah: An Analysis Of Consumer Characteristics, Site Quality, And Carrying Capacity, Richard A. Haws

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A consumer characteristic profile of the snowmobile owners in Utah was compiled and compared to the general population in Utah and the United States. Other statistics were compiled which included user preferences of snowmobiling sites and machine characteristics.

Data were collected by a mail survey of snowmobilers during the 1974-75 snowmobiling season. Approximately 315 questionnaires were analyzed. Additional data were collected from the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation.

Total economic rent values were estimated for 58 sites in Utah. These values were then separated into location and quality values. This was done by reallocating trips to sites by means …

Economic Analysis Of Dairying In Gunnison Valley, Utah, Craig L. Mangus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to measure factors that affected the profitability of dairy operations in Gunnison Valley, Utah. Special attention was paid to economies of size, return on dairy capital and benefits accruing to the owners of dairies in the valley . Also, within the scope of this study was the subject of economic development and its accompanying impacts on an economy.

A census of the dairy operations in Gunnison Valley was conducted to acquire data on dairy capital owned, cow numbers and quantities of milk produced and returns to the owners of dairies of both a monetary …

Socioeconomic And Medicare Status Differences Between Elderly Church Service And Lds Private Pay Hospital Patients, Edward L. Soper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the kind and degree of differences that existed in the socioeconomic status and access to financial resources of elderly members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to determine if differences existed between Church Service and private pay elderly hospital patients in economic status, type of housing, housing costs, marital status, sex, number and degree of access to children, savings and other assets.

Certain elderly members of the LDS Church were found to be significantly deficient economically because of inadequate income, low lifetime earnings and high medical expenses. Findings …

An Analysis Of Junior Livestock Shows In Utah, Mark Jay Bingham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to discover any trend developing in youth participation in junior livestock shows in Utah and to identify the factors which affect youth participation. Junior livestock show records and 4-H enrollment figures from Cache and Box Elder Counties and the State of Utah, were studied to obtain necessary statistical information. A survey was constructed and issued to former and present 4-H members. Economic theory was employed in order to compare the survey data and participation statistics. The paper is divided into three major parts: similarities and differences between the Cache and Box Elder County Fair …

A Statistical Analysis Of Apprentice Program Dropouts And Completers In Utah: 1969-1974, Mark Douglas Randle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine a sample of former Utah apprentices who either completed or dropped out of a registered apprenticeship program during the five-year period from 1969 to 1974. Comparisons were made between the dropouts and completers in order to determine how the two groups differed and what factors influenced their decisions to complete or cancel their indentures.

Significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to their opinions of the training they received as apprentices. Especially significant differences were seen between the dropouts; and completers' responses to the questions related to their on-the-job …

An Evaluation Of Land Use Controls In Logan, Utah, William Earl Kuttler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of economic, political, and religious power as it relates to a person's ability to get zoning decisions passed in his favor by the Logan City Commission and the Logan Planning and Zoning Commission. Data for the study was collected from the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Commission. The theory behind the incentives to seek zoning alterations is discussed prior to the actual work.