Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Operation Was Successful But The Patient Died: The Politics Of Crisis And Homelessness In Post-Katrina New Orleans, Evan Casper-Futterman

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

On July 4^th, 2007, a small group of housing activists set up a tent city encampment in a plaza adjacent to New Orleans City Hall. The action resulted in the creation of Homeless Pride, a small group of politicized Plaza residents. Six months later, hundreds of homeless people were moved from the park, and it was fenced off. Using archival videos, interviews, and news media, this thesis analyzes the opportunities and constraints that activists, service providers, and local officials faced in light of two intersecting and overlapping contexts. The first context is the immediate crisis of the levee …

Fun With Numbers: Disclosing Risk To Individual Investors, Christian A. Weller

Christian Weller

This paper discusses the need for better information on investment risks. The information should be relevant, concise, and accessible to individual investors. More and better information on factors that are likely to influence an investment’s performance and investors’ decisions should eventually lead to better investment decisions – more savings and higher retirement incomes. This paper presents a number of ways to disclose risk to individual investors. There are three numerical and three visual representations to risk. The discussion centers on the pros and cons of each risk representation. All risk descriptions show relevant information, are concise, and more or less …

States To The Rescue: Policy Options For State Government To Promote Private Sector Retirement Savings, Christian A. Weller, Amy Helburn

Christian Weller

We provide an overview of retirement plan proposals that could be implemented at the state level. All aim to increase participation in retirement savings, mainly by lowering the cost of doing so and possibly by offering some employer or government matches to employee contributions. The proposals vary widely on how much risk employees are exposed to. Some proposals leave most of the risks of saving for retirement – investment, market, and longevity risk – with the employee, while others try to eliminate them all. The tools of risk management range from well-diversified index funds and default investments to required offers …

Demographic Analysis Of Recovery Act Supported Jobs In Massachusetts, Quarters 1 And 2, 2010, David Sparks, Paige Ransford, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Christian Weller, Meryl Thomson, Robert Turner

Christian Weller

Massachusetts policy makers decided to go beyond existing ARRA federal reporting requirements and collect additional data in order to gauge the effectiveness of ARRA’s fiscal policy by counting the number of individuals who have received an ARRA-funded paycheck. In addition, policy makers wanted to look at some of the demographic characteristics of this population. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the data that the MA Recovery Office collected during the first and second quarters of 2010, with a particular focus on job creation and retention by race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, and geographic location. Highlights of the report include: …

Public Input For Municipal Policymaking: Engagement Methods And Their Impact On Trust And Confidence, Alan Tomkins, Lisa M. Pytlik Zillig, Mitchel Herian, Tarik Abdel-Monem, Joseph A. Hamm

Mitchel Norman Herian

Municipalities across the country use various methods of public input to inform managers and elected policymakers about citizen’s preferences and perspectives regarding budget matters or performance measures. One benefit of actively involving the public on key governmental decisions is the belief that it enhances the public’s trust and/or confidence in government. Does it make a difference in the public’s confidence assessments which public engagement technique is used? If enhancing the public’s trust/confidence is a specific objective of a public engagement, which technique is to be preferred? This article presents public trust and confidence data we have been collecting as part …

Citizen Satisfaction Survey Data: A Mode Comparison Of The Derived Importance–Performance Approach, Mitchel Norman Herian, Alan J. Tomkins

Mitchel Norman Herian

The purpose of this article is to provide evidence regarding the comparability of results provided by two survey methods—a random phone survey and a nonrandom online survey—using the derived importance–performance approach to examine service satisfaction data at the local level. Specifically, we measure whether nonprobability opt-in online survey results produce results that are convergent or divergent to random phone survey results. The findings show that the phone and online survey techniques yield divergent results when simple univariate statistical techniques are employed but produce similar results when the data are analyzed using the more advanced derived importance approach. Though preliminary, the …

Review Of Studies In Public Opinion: Attitudes, Nonattitudes, Measurement Error, And Change , Mitchel Herian

Mitchel Norman Herian

The editors of this book are Willem E. Saris, professor of political science at the University of Amsterdam and teacher at the ESADE business school of Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, and Paul M. Sniderman, Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor of Public Policy and professor of political science at Stanford University. In Studies in Public Opinion: Attitudes, Nonattitudes, Measurement Error, and Change, they have brought together a collection of research that deals with the problems that consistently seem to plague public opinion research. The book, which is accessible to those with a keen interest in, and understanding of, public opinion research, …

Local Budgeting And Public Participation: Contextual Predictors Of State Laws Mandating Public Input, Mitchel Norman Herian

Mitchel Norman Herian

This paper examines the political, economic, and institutional variables associated with the presence of state laws that mandate the use of public input in local budgeting. The results show that political and institutional variables can help explain the presence of such laws, but the relationships between variables of interest shift depending on whether laws aimed at cities or counties are the focal point and on which types of public input methods are under consideration. The implications for both theories of public participation in budgeting and intergovernmental relations are discussed within.

Reducing Failure To Appear In Nebraska: A Field Study, Mitchel N. Herian, Brian H. Bornstein

Mitchel Norman Herian

Failure to appear (FTA) rates in the U.S. can be as high as 25-30% depending on jurisdiction and type of offense. These failures to appear are costly for the criminal justice system as they can lead to inefficient use of time and resources, and FTA can also be costly for defendants by leading to additional court dates, enhanced penalties, and even collateral consequences such as suddenly missing work while detained on the FTA charge (even though the original offense did not result in a detention). What’s more, minorities are more likely to fail to appear than Whites, raising a race …

Sharing Health Records Electronically: The Views Of Nebraskans, Tarik Abdel-Monem, Mitchel Herian

Mitchel Norman Herian

In November of 2008, the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center implemented a public input project to gather information from Nebraskans about electronic sharing of medical information. One hundred and sixty eight Nebraskans completed an online or paper copy survey, and 34 of those survey respondents also participated in a deliberative discussion. Comfortable with Sharing Medical Information Electronically • Nebraskans have positive views about electronic sharing of medical information. • Nebraskans understand the benefits of electronic health information exchange. • Nebraskans have concerns about who should have the authority to access their electronic health information. Experienced with Information Technology and …

Examining Public Perceptions Of Career And Technical Education In Nebraska, Mitchel Herian

Mitchel Norman Herian

KEY FINDINGS Perceptions of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses o The Nebraska public believes that CTE prepares students for careers and college, and that CTE courses are just as important as traditional academic subjects. o However, substantial proportions of Nebraskans believe that CTE students are not as respected as students who take more traditionally academic courses. Career Awareness and Exploration o Most Nebraskans believe that students should begin to learn about potential careers in middle school and that activities such as job shadowing and internships should be made available in high school. o Large proportions of respondents said they …

Examining The Perceptions Of Career And Technical Education In Nebraska, Mitchel Herian

Mitchel Norman Herian

This report contains the findings of the survey: “Examining the Perceptions of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Nebraska.” The purpose of the survey was to measure the perceptions of Nebraska Educators regarding CTE in Nebraska. The results of the study are intended to inform standards revisions in Nebraska Career Education. The survey was administered to Administrators, Math and Science Teachers, Counselors and CTE Instructors in Nebraska during November and December, 2009. Over 1,000 Nebraska Educators participated in the survey. The relatively large sample size allows for multiple comparisons to be made of various groups of educators in the state. …

Decision Models For Foreclosed Housing Acquisition And Redevelopment: A University Of Massachusetts Multi-Campus Collaborative Project - Processes And Findings To Date, Michael P. Johnson Jr., Jeffrey Keisler, Senay Solak, David Turcotte, Rachel B. Drew, Armagan Bayram, Emily Vidrine

Jeffrey Keisler

The recent housing foreclosure crisis has had devastating impacts on individuals, communities, organizations and government. In response, several community development corporations (CDCs) have sought new ways to assist neighborhoods suffering from the myriad effects of high foreclosures, including neighborhood instability, increased vandalism and crime, lower property values, and economic disinvestment. This research project focuses on activities of community-based organizations that acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties to support neighborhood stabilization and revitalization. However, the costs of pursuing this strategy far exceed the resources available to typical CDCs. Thus, our project seeks to solve the following decision problem: What subset of a …

Ddasaccident796, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At 10.02 AM, During the transfer of the fuses from Searcher [Victim No.2] to ISS [Victim No.1], one fuse fall on the soil and detonate close to the right foot of the ISS. Injures occurred.

What's Up With The Economy?, Barry Bluestone

Barry Bluestone

No abstract provided.

Toward A New Grand Bargain: Collaborative Approaches To Labor-Management Reform In Massachusetts, Barry Bluestone, Thomas A. Kochan

Barry Bluestone

No abstract provided.

The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2009: Positioning Boston In A Post-Crisis World, Barry Bluestone, Chase Billingham, Jessica Herrmann

Barry Bluestone

No abstract provided.

The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2010: Taking Stock In An Uncertain Time, Barry Bluestone, Chase Billingham, Jessica Casey, Anna Gartsman

Barry Bluestone

No abstract provided.

The Greater Boston Housing Report Card 2011: Housing’S Role In The Ongoing Economic Crisis, Barry Bluestone, Chase Billingham

Barry Bluestone

No abstract provided.

Maintaining Diversity In America’S Transit-Rich Neighborhoods: Tools For Equitable Neighborhood Change, Stephanie Pollack, Barry Bluestone, Chase Billingham

Barry Bluestone

No abstract provided.

Rethinking A Carbon Tax In An Era Of Budget Deficits, Chad Covert

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Growing Apart? Ethno-Regional Identity Politics, Tensions And Threats To The Nigerian State, 1960-2010, Ali Simon Yusufu Bagaji

Ali Simon Yusufu Bagaji

The notion of democracy, the motive behind party formation, ethno-regional spread of parties, voting behaviour and pattern of electoral results, and pre and post election crises among other fissiparous tendencies are all indications that Nigeria is a highly divided society. This article examines manifestation of ethno-regional identity politics, and how identity has re-focused political participation, struggles and conflicts in the Nigerian federation. It concludes that despite institutionalisation of measures aimed at preventing the use of any form of divisive identity in the Nigerian body politic. Nigeria, after over fifty years of state-building and political engineering, appears to be growing apart.

The Oecd And Phases In The International Political Economy, 1961-2011, Judith Clifton, Daniel Díaz-Fuentes

Judith Clifton

In 2011, the OECD turned fifty. To provide a broad foundation for further thinking on this organization, we analyse its evolution over half a century from two perspectives: phases in the international political economy and the literature on IPE. By so doing, we uncover two paradoxes. Firstly, we find that the organization’s evolution closely mirrored major phases in the postwar international political economy until recently. However, the OECD’s long-term dependence on theWest has now become an obstacle to its efforts to adapt to the latest phase, characterised by the rise of non-Western powers. Secondly, we show that, during the OECD’s …

Socio-Statistical Research On The Internalization Of European Administrative Space Principles In The Romanian Public Administration, Ani Matei

Lucica Matei

The authors propose an analysis of the public administration reform in Romania by assessing whether the Romanian civil servants perform their duties according to the regulations of the European Administrative Space.

The paper offers a socio-statistic perspective on the internalization of the European Administrative Space principles, namely, the rule of law, openness towards citizens, and public administration responsibility in a Romanian context, after the European Union accession. Designed within the framework of modern theories of organizational sociology that see internalization as a process of organizational learning and change, and using a relevant sample of Romanian civil servants, the paper offers …

Secondary Markets: The Quiet Economic Value Creator, John Mayo, Scott J. Wallsten

Scott J. Wallsten

No abstract provided.

The Value Of Government Mandated Location-Based Services In Emergencies In Australia, Anas Aloudat, Katina Michael, Roba Abbas, Mutaz M. Al-Debei

Dr. Mutaz M. Al-Debei

The adoption of mobile technologies for emergency management has the capacity to save lives. In Australia in February 2009, the Victorian Bushfires claimed 173 lives, the worst peace-time disaster in the nation’s history. The Australian government responded swiftly to the tragedy by going to tender for mobile applications that could be used during emergencies, such as mobile alerts and location services. These applications, which are becoming increasingly accurate with the evolution of positioning techniques, have the ability to deliver personalized information direct to the citizen during crises, complementing traditional broadcasting mediums like television and radio. Indeed governments have a responsibility …

Understanding Controversies And Ill-Structured Problems Through Argument Visualization. Curriculum And Learning Materials For Problem-Based Learning In Small Groups Of Students Who Work Autonomously On Projects With The Interactive Agora Software, Including An Exemplary Reader On Genetically Modified Plants, Michael H.G. Hoffmann

Michael H.G. Hoffmann

No abstract provided.

Reintegrating And Employing High Risk Youth In Liberia: Lessons From A Randomized Evaluation Of A Landmine Action An Agricultural Training Program For Ex-Combatants, Christopher Blattman, Jeannie Annan

Global CWD Repository

Following the 2011 elections, one of the most pressing challenges for the President, government ministries and international organizations will be boosting youth incomes and employment, especially that of high-risk youth. What kinds of programs can boost employment and incomes and reduce the risk of social instability? This report details findings from an impact evaluation of a reintegration and agricultural livelihoods program for high-risk Libe-rian youth, and draws out lessons for employment policies in 2012 and beyond. This report builds on recent IPA studies of rural conflict resolution and civic education programs, and analysis of conflict trends and patterns in Liberia. …

Postmortems On The Affordable Care Act (Book Review), Rick Mayes

Political Science Faculty Publications

Nearly two years after the Affordable Care Act became law, books are appearing by Washington insiders who detail how the legislation came about. The two reviewed here discuss and dissect topics related to the health reform law from decidedly different points of view.

Accelerating Innovation Via Industry-Scale Open Innovation Networks: A Case Study In The Us Automotive Industry, John Skardon

All Dissertations

Innovation is a key driving force of economic growth in the United States and other developed countries. A wide range of public policies seek to stimulate growth while curbing its excesses. As the rate of innovation continues to slow across many industry segments, state and federal policy makers continue to look for new ideas to stimulate growth. Between the extremes of antitrust and industrial policy lies a fertile and mostly unexplored area where government and industry may collaborate. Industry-government collaboration so far has had mixed success. Innovations in organizational form that utilize networks to link entrepreneurs, publically funded research, and …