Economics Commons^™

Part 6: Economic Development Incentives: Compteting Against Ourselves, Regional Studies Institute, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Is the time-honored strategy of providing financial incentives to attract new firms the most productive way for our region to proceed, or instead should we be looking at alternatives such as “gardening” existing firms and creating “innovation districts”?

Part 5: The Impact Of Vehicle Tolls On Hampton Roads: Job Mobility, Residential Living Choices And Regional Cohesion, Regional Studies Institute, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

This was one of the hottest topics in Hampton Roads this past year and we analyze the probable effects of those tolls on our region.

Part 7: The Answer Is Always "Yes": How Our Cities Repeatedly Ignore The Evidence And Choose To Construct Unprofitable And Unneeded New Convention And Hotel Capacity, Regional Studies Institute, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

In a related chapter, we point out that our cities persistently ignore available evidence and choose to provide large financial subsidies for arenas, stadiums, convention centers and hotels.

Balancing Preservation And Promotion Of Natural Resources: A Case Study Of Newaygo County, Michigan, Jeffrey Koch

Student Research – Stevenson Center

Natural resource management (NRM) involves a multitude of levels and interests. Options for sustainable management must involve all stakeholders and balance levels of decision-makers, whether local, regional, or national. No one-size-fits-all approach applies to NRM; instead, co-management of resources and multi-stakeholder collaborations assist in achieving sustainable solutions, given the multiple interest groups involved in the commons. Through good governance, flexibility to change, and community engagement efforts, NRM has a better chance for success and sustainability.

Clearly, natural resources cross governmental boundaries and jurisdictions, and NRM strategies must compensate for this dynamic. The region of West Michigan contains a wealth of …

Occupy Wall Street, Distributive Justice, And Tax Scholarship: An Ideology Critique Of The Consumption Tax Debate, Partrick Crawford

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

[Excerpt] “This Article argues that the pro-consumption tax literature is wrong to claim that no legitimate fairness objections to the consumption tax exist. It argues that the persistent and widespread wariness about replacing our current hybrid consumption tax/income tax system with a pure consumption tax is, contrary to what the pro-consumption tax literature asserts, completely justified. In fact, our reservations about the consumption tax’s fairness reflect legitimate concern about the role of capitalist power in America, particularly over the past thirty years. Indeed, the more the nation continues to experience the social welfare effects of increased capitalist power, the more …

Corruption, Information, And Reelection Chances Of Incumbent Parties' Presidential Candidates In Developing Countries, Mavuto Kalulu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A large volume of literature shows that corruption affects economic growth through the lowering of the level investment. Slow economic growth is associated with high poverty levels. If corruption makes the voters economically and socially worse off, one expects the citizens to punish the corrupt politicians by not reelecting them. However, evidence shows that even in countries which are perceived to be highly corrupt, incumbents still do get reelected. Chad, for example, is ranked the third most corrupt country in Africa according to the 2010 Transparency International Report, and yet in 2011 presidential elections the incumbent was reelected. A possible …

Globalization And Income Convergence, Kaitlyn R. Wolfe, Andrew T. Young

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

The income convergence literature suggests that poor countries can catch-up to rich ones conditional on sharing certain characteristics with rich countries. Good institutions such as strong property rights and rule-of-law are key amongst those characteristics. From a policy perspective this is disheartening because economists have little understanding of how to transplant those institutions to developing countries. Worse, good informal institutions seem to be a necessary condition for formal institutions to “stick”. However, to the extent that good institutions can arise as a “spontaneous order” from individuals interacting with one another, allowing for an “open society” may be an effective development …

A Review And Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Alternative Teaching Methods On Student Learning In Economics, Ninos P. Malek, Joshua C. Hall, Collin Hodges

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

Drawing largely on educational literature outside of economics, we provide a survey of perspectives on alternative teaching methods. We then report results regarding the effectiveness of various alternative methods such as cooperative learning, class discussions, and the use of multimedia sources compared to lecture-only instruction. A difference-in-means test is utilized to compare gains in learning between control classes and treatment classes. Alternative teaching methods were not shown to increase student performance in a statistically significant manner.

Obedience And Income Levels, Kaitlyn Harger, Joshua C. Hall

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

We revisit the relationship between informal institutions and income levels. The empirical literature on institutions finds that indices of “informal institutions” such as trust, respect, respect, self-determination, and obedience are more important than “formal institutions” such as constitutional constraints in explaining income levels across countries. We add to this literature in two ways. First, we separate out the index of informal institutions into its component parts to see which informal institutions are primary. Second, we construct two new measures of obedience to test the robustness of obedience. Our reduced-form results indicate the primacy of obedience over other informal institutions

The Importance Of Credible Commitments In Marriage: The Effect Of Recognizing Homemakers' Contribution In Property Division At Divorce In Law On Marital Formation And Dissolution, Ho-Po Crystal Wong

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

The unilateral divorce reform in the 1970's has been accompanied by a secular de- cline in marriage. This paper investigates how the homemaking provision in divorce law that gives recognition to homemakers' contribution during marriage in divorce property division affects marital formation and dissolution. Hypothetically the provision enhances the commitment to homemakers in marriage, which would increase the incentives to form marriage as it encourages spousal co-operation in time-allocation and marriage-specific investment. I find evidence that the homemaking provision stimulates marriage using both state and individual level data. The law also lowers divorce risk for individuals married prior to the …

The Shale Revolution And Opec: Potential Economic Implications Of Shale Oil For Opec And Member Countries, Kyle Lemons

The Larrie and Bobbi Weil Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Work Group Composition Effects On Leadership Styles In Aircraft Manufacturing Organizations., Monica Lynn Dunnagan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

leadership styles

homogeneous versus heterogeneous

manufacturing leaders

contractor workforce

Grounded Labels From The Behavioral International Economic Development Growth Path Model On Economic Development Patterns From 2002-2012, Kenneth Thomas Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Economic models generally fail to adequately measure positive and negative growth paths in development through agrarian, industry, and service economies. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to design a new model that could accommodate both directions of growth and better measure development paths with particular attention to labors contributions. The theoretical foundation for this study was Walt Whitman Rostow's 5 economic stages of growth classifications. This Study attempted to find the most common economic growth path. While most development models use three to five classifications, this study used nine new classifications giving it a unique and specific look …

A Vision Of Capitalism, As It Was Meant To Be: A Social Purpose Business Plan For Foodshed Productions, August Miller

Capstone Collection

FoodShed Productions, a social enterprise is pursuing a mission: to raise the caring capacity of communities and resilience of our local environments through resident education in organic backyard farming. As a social enterprise, FoodShed Productions, a for-profit, earns its economic viability doing work more often associated with non-profits, measuring its worth by the social, environmental, and economic benefits of its operations. The communities in Boulder County, CO. are served by FoodShed Productions through a social process in which “We Build, We Coach, You Keep Growing,” toward the goal of self-reliance.

The topic of this CLC is a Social Purpose Business …

Community Vitality Connects Nebraska, Charlotte Narjes, Connie Hancock

Cornhusker Economics

Fostering the future of Nebraska is the underlying mission of the newly formed Community Vitality Initiative (CVI) launched by UNL Extension. The Community Vitality Initiative is focused on expanding partnerships to build communities where businesses thrive, entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need and young people want to return. Currently multi-disciplinary teams include faculty from the Departments such as Ag Economics and the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies and will include faculty from all the University campuses and service providers from outside of the University.

Great Powers, The Persian Gulf, And Global Oil: A Comparative Analysis, Katerina Oskarsson

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Using original data, this study explores the changing capabilities of the United States, China, and Russia in the conflict-ridden Persian Gulf since 1980. It reveals what such shifts mean for American hegemony, the international distribution of capabilities in the region, relations among the great powers, and global oil security.

Bank Lending Channel Effectiveness And Loan Sales In The Us, Sharmila K. King, Michael R. Jonas

College of the Pacific Faculty Articles

This paper examines whether banks that sell loans in the secondary market respond differently to a monetary policy innovation from those that do not engage in loan sales. We answer this question by measuring the policy response while controlling for loan sales activities. Using a simple theoretical model and U.S. bank-level Call Report longitudinal data for the period 1991Q1-2008 Q4, we conduct a dynamic panel regression analysis. We find that the long-run response to a typical policy shock is three times greater for mid-size banks engaging in loan sales. Given the increase in proportion of banks engaging in loan sales, …

Identifying The Factors That Influence Changes In Aggregate Sentiment Among The Masses: An Analysis Of The Measure Of Consumer Sentiment Through A Conflict Analysis And Resolution Lens, Michael Carl Letamendi

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

The University of Michigan's Survey Research Center developed a tool to quantify how people feel towards the state of the economy. Dr. George Katona, a psychologist and professor at the University of Michigan developed the Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS) in the 1940s. As decades of data were collected on aggregate consumer sentiment through the 50s and 60s, a discovery was made. The ICS seemed to indirectly predict the direction of the economy by accurately anticipating aggregate purchasing versus saving decisions. The index is even used today by the U.S. Government to measure consumer confidence and has been noted to …

Happiness In Public Policy, Laura Musikanski

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

The happiness movement represents a new paradigm where social, economic, and environmental systems are structured to encourage human well-being in a sustainable environment. Bhutan has adopted Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a way of determining its society’s success in contrast to purely economic goals and the singular use of the gross domestic product indicator. Bhutanese policy promulgation includes use of a GNH screening tool. In the United Kingdom, happiness indicators are being used to collect data and the government is starting to explore their application to policy. The Bhutanese GNH policy screening tool has been adapted for the grassroots activists, …

The Sharing Economy: Exploring The Intersection Of Collaborative Consumption And Capitalism, Ellyn E. Erving

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis explores how the sharing economy in America combines Collaborative Consumption ideas and social values with capitalist business models to make a profit. I discuss definitions of terms associated with the sharing economy, economic anthropological theories and case studies, as well as company and consumer motivations in sharing economy companies.

History, External Influence And Political Volatility In The Central African Republic (Car), Henry Kam Kah

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

This paper examines the complex involvement of neighbours and other states in the leadership or political crisis in the CAR through a content analysis. It further discusses the repercussions of this on the unity and leadership of the country. The CAR has, for a long time, been embroiled in a crisis that has impeded the unity of the country. It is a failed state in Africa to say the least, and the involvement of neighbouring and other states in the crisis in one way or the other has compounded the multifarious problems of this country. Some of these states have …

Masthead And Table Of Contents

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

The Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies (JADE) is sponsored by the Institute for the Advancement of Developing Economies (IADE). JADE is an academic journal that publishes research articles and case studies on innovation, entrepreneurship, and other social areas that will aid in the advancement of developing economies.

Assessment Of Land Use Dynamics And The Status Of Biodiversity Exploitation And Preservation In Nigeria, Abiodun Elijah Obayelu

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

Land is the most important natural resource that affects every aspect of human life, while biodiversity constitutes the most important working component of a natural ecosystem. Land use and biodiversity are agricultural and ecological challenges presently facing Nigeria in her efforts at addressing the issue of agro-ecosystem transformation and sustainable land productivity. This study employed secondary sources of information to assess land reform act in Nigeria, the methodological framework to analyze the linkages between land use change and biodiversity, effects of land use on biodiversity, status of biodiversity and suggests ways to solving land use problems and biodiversity loss. Findings …

Ubiquitous Consumer-Centric System To Combating Product Counterfeiting And Boosting Entrepreneurship In Developing Economies, Kingsley C. Nwosu

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

Counterfeiting has been a menacing problem to global economies; however, it has been more devastating to developing and under-developed countries as a result of its impacts on various aspects of the economic development and health conditions of those countries. The consequences are abundantly documented, evidential and troubling. In addition to the fact that counterfeiting results in distribution of fake, cheap, and substandard products, it has very dissuasive effects on the entrepreneurial fabrics of a society. As various governments and agencies attempt to combat the menace and mitigate the consequences, the perpetuators are becoming even more sophisticated and resolute – encouraged …

Determinants Of Non-Oil Export And Economic Growth In Nigeria: An Application Of The Bound Test Approach, Samson Adeniyi Aladejare, Abdulwahab Saidi

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

The effects of the recent global economic crises on Nigeria’s economy have reaffirmed the urgent need for economic diversification in the country. Although no country is immune to such global crises, the over reliance on oil export revenue by Nigeria expose her economy excessively to external shocks. Therefore, this research examines the impact of aggregate non-oil sector and its determinant on economic growth. The bound test approach was explored to examine the long and short run effects of the non-oil export and its ensuing determinants. The result reveals a significant effect of non-oil export on economic growth in both the …

European Union And African Union: A Study Of Regionalism For Global Integration And Development, Soji Oyeranmi

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

Scholars of international political economy have made remarkable inroad into the study of comparative integration endeavors across the globe. For examples, over the last few years, comparative studies of the North Atlantic Free Trade Area (NAFTA) and the European Union (EU) had been undertaken to reveal the factors that facilitated the success of each organization in their integration efforts at the regional level. Also a comparative study of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the European Union has also been undertaken. However, very little effort has been made to reveal the impact or power of regionalism on African development. …

The Global Economic Effects Of Going Green With A Focus On Industry Creation, Transformation, And Destruction, Karen Nelson

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Policy Behavior Of The Federal Reserve System: An Alternative Taylor Rule, Kara L. Binning

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Taylor's Rule was designed to be a suggestion to the Federal Reserve System as to where to set the federal funds rate. The dynamic equation used in this study is built off the original Taylor Rule and variations of the Taylor Rule created by other economists, such as Judd and Rudebusch (1998) and Fair (2001). However, this model uses monthly data rather than quarterly data, and uses slightly different measures of the economic indicators used as the explanatory variables in the equation. The main objective of this study is to test for structural changes in the Federal Reserve's policy behavior …

Social Hierarchies And The Formation Of Customary Property Law In Pre-Industrial China And England, Taisu Zhang

Faculty Scholarship

Comparative lawyers and economists have often assumed that traditional Chinese laws and customs reinforced the economic and political dominance of elites and, therefore, were unusually “despotic” towards the poor. Such assumptions are highly questionable: Quite the opposite, one of the most striking characteristics of Qing and Republican property institutions is that they often gave significantly greater economic protection to the poorer segments of society than comparable institutions in early modern England. In particular, Chinese property customs afforded much stronger powers of redemption to landowners who had pawned their land. In both societies, land-pawning occurred far more frequently among poorer households …

The Gathering Storm: Restructuring Sovereign Contingent Liabilities, Lee C. Buchheit, Mitu Gulati

Faculty Scholarship

The contingent liabilities of a sovereign, such as guarantees of the debts of third parties, can normally be kept off the balance sheet of the sovereign guarantor. That is their charm. As the debt to GDP ratios of many developed countries approach red-zone levels, contingent liabilities are increasingly being favored over direct, on-the-balance-sheet, borrowings.

But what happens if a country carrying large contingent liabilities needs to restructure its debt? The borrower dare not leave its contingent claims out of the restructuring. To do so would risk undermining the financial predicates of the sovereign’s economic recovery program should the beneficiaries of …