Other Economics Commons^™

Determinants Of Wealth Inequality In Central America: A Panel Data Analysis Of Socioeconomic And Institutional Factors, Jose Manuel Fernandez Pou

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This study applies a non-linear panel threshold regression model to examines the factors of economic development in Central America, with an emphasis on institutional and socioeconomic factors. Using data acquired between 2000 and 2023 the research evaluates how different variables like trade openness, FDI, financial development, education spending, inflation and population growth impacts the growth of GDP at different levels of institutional quality. The results demonstrate that institutional quality levels create a distinct threshold effect when trade openness and FDI fail to promote growth in weak institutional settings while inflation volatility strongly hinders growth. FDI and financial development show positive …

Beyond The Road Trip: Investigating The Impact Of Travel Fatigue On Nba Team Performance, Anthony Pugliese

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the impact of travel fatigue on NBA player performance. In this paper we will look at key variables such as back-to-back games and long-distance travel. By using specific team by team data on factors like game results, travel distance, and rest days. This study examined how specific factors like time zone shifts and travel length influences winning percentage and player efficiency. This paper will also show a regression analysis and visual data to back up results using real life data. The results showed that team performance decreased significantly when teams were at a higher rate of travel …

The Contemporaneous Impact Of Unemployment And Income Inequality On Violent Vs Property Crime Rates In New England: A Panel Data And Machine Learning Approach, Cora Sousa

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the possible impact of unemployment and income inequality on property and or violent crimes in the New England region in the United States from 2003 to 2022. Using a panel data analysis looking at unemployment rates and factors of income inequality in New England states, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont, along with demographic factors like race and gender aim to find a relationship between unemployment and income inequality with crime rates. Economic distress, usually caused by unemployment, can cause an individual to commit crimes due to hard times. Using machine learning decision trees …

The Price Of Victory: A Machine Learning Analysis Of How Salary Dispersion Influences Team Success In Major League Baseball, Joseph Belsanti

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper examines the effect of salary dispersion on team success in Major League Baseball (MLB). Using data from 29 MLB teams over eight seasons (2012-2019), this study uses multiple models, such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), panel data regressions, and Random Forest machine learning, to investigate the degree – if any – that inequalities in a team's payroll impacts success, measured by winning percentage. The study's results show that, contrary to prevailing theories, salary dispersion – measured by a Gini coefficient – is not a significant predictor of a team's winning percentage (team success). Instead, team performance metrics, such …

The Impact Of Tariffs And Institutional Quality On Economic Growth In Latin America: A Panel Data Analysis, Blaisedel Frampton

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the relationship between tariffs and economic growth in Latin American countries and how institutional quality may impact this relationship. The study will use data from the World Development Indicators Data Bank. The data used comes from 18 high- or middle-income countries within South America and the Caribbean from the years 2003 to 2023. Results from this study were found using a fixed-effects regression model. The results from this study show that overall, there is a negative correlation between tariffs and economic growth in South America. There is also a positive correlation between institutional quality and economic growth …

Passive Vs. Active Etfs: A Comparative Data Analysis Of Market Performance And Investor Behavior, Herrick Louis

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the long-term performance of passive vs active ETFs. Using a comparative analysis of historical returns from 2015 to 2024, Regression modeling, and time Series Analysis, I assessed whether passive investing offers a strategic advantage overactive management. Drawing on data from VOO Passive, SWANX active, Bitcoin, and MAG 7 technology ETFs, and the Financial Sector.

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Gendered Happiness: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Oecd Countries, Anusha Khan

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper explores how socioeconomic factors influence life satisfaction across OECD countries and how these effects vary by gender. Using a cross-sectional dataset, the study runs three separate regressions, total, men’s, and women’s happiness to test whether factors like health, education, safety, and support networks impact life satisfaction differently for men and women. A Random Forest model is also used to validate the robustness of selected predictors. Findings show that health and support matter universally, but men’s well-being is more closely tied to educational attainment, while women’s happiness is more sensitive to feelings of safety.

Decarbonization Under Carbon Policy And Pricing Shifts: A Machine Learning-Driven Synthetic Control And Panel Data Analysis, Chanboremey Teng

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This study evaluates the effectiveness of carbon pricing instruments – Carbon taxes and Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) – in reducing CO2 emissions per capita across 152 countries from 1990 to 2023 using dynamic panel regressions with fixed effects. The analysis estimates both short-run and long-run effects while controlling economic structure, energy mix, and environmental policy stringency (EPS). The results show that ETS policies yield the strongest long-term reduction in emissions at approximately 7.35%, followed by carbon taxes at 5.6%, and EPS regulatory measures at 6.35%. However, when all three instruments are modeled together, the marginal effects of pricing mechanisms weaken, …

Does Name, Image, And Likeness Increase Gender Inequality In College Athletics?, Aimee Christenson

Political Science Theses and Capstones

In June of 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association adopted its first interim policy regarding Name, Image, and Likeness. From here, college athletes have been able to benefit from opportunities regarding their brand as an athlete. While this development has been historic in its expansion of rights to athletes, it highlights the inequities between male and female athletes. Title IX requires equal opportunity for male and female students. This research raises questions about whether NIL is increasing the disparity between male and female athletes. To answer this question, I looked at NIL data collected by Kyle Ems on the NIL …

Ruchir Sharma: What Went Wrong With Capitalism, Vernon L. Smith

ESI Publications

A review of Ruchir Sharma's What Went Wrong With Capitalism.

Religion And Economic Development: Past, Present, And Future, Sascha O. Becker, Amma Panin, Steven J. Pfaff, Jared Rubin

ESI Working Papers

This chapter examines the role of religion in economic development, both historically and today. Religion's influence varies globally, with high religiosity in countries like Pakistan and low rates in China. Despite declines in some Western countries, religion remains influential worldwide, with projected growth in Muslim populations due to higher fertility rates. Religion continues to shape societal norms and institutions, such as education and politics, even after its direct influence fades. The chapter explores how religious institutions and norms have impacted economic outcomes, focusing on both persistence and decline. It also examines cultural transmission, institutional entrenchment, networks, and religious competition as …

Religion, Culture, And Politics, Jared Rubin

ESI Working Papers

This chapter presents a conceptual framework for understanding the interaction of religion, ideology, and politics. The framework’s key insights are: i) culture and ideology provide a shared mental framework for interpreting the world; ii) ideology is malleable, and it can be used to justify a wide set of empirical realities in a manner that is consistent with the prevailing mental framework; iii) religion is particularly adept at shaping this mental framework because it attempts to explain the unknown; iv) because co-religionists share a mental framework that depends on a (religious) interpretation of events, religions are particularly likely to be co-opted …

How Influential Are Digital Technologies On Good Governance And Quality Institutions In Asean?, Ismail Aremu Muhammed, Ahmed Masood Khalid, Gamini Premaratne

Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

How do Digital Technologies (DT) affect the quality of governance and institutions in ASEAN? We address this question through employing a panel data technique on 10 ASEAN countries over the period between 1996 and 2022. The findings reveal that DT are influential in the quality of governance and institutions in these countries. Specifically, fixed broadband subscriptions, individuals using the internet, and mobile cellular subscriptions are vital in promoting good governance and quality institutions in ASEAN. Moreover, government effectiveness and rule of law responded and improved more significantly with the development of DT. It was concluded that effective government policy and …

Climate Change Demands Free Markets, Glen Lyons

Journal of New Finance

William Nordhaus won a Nobel Prize for work on the economics of climate change. He advocated for the government policy of carbon pricing arguing that climate is a public good, free riders undermine action, there are unpriced negative externalities, and individuals can’t slow climate change. Nordhaus assumes that climate science is certain enough to design effective policy. This paper challenges that thinking and shows that individuals can and ARE slowing climate change. I will also review the risks of government policy, highlight the uncertainty in present day climate science, and conclude by showing that free markets are the best “policy”.

From Home To Abroad: The Intergenerational Impact Of Household Member Migration On Women’S Economic & Social Empowerment In Egypt, Menna Elgohary

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates to what extent the migration of a household member to an Arab country leads to increased social and economic empowerment among Egyptian women of two age categories (15-35 and +35) over two waves. Determined through Principle Component Analysis (PCA) of panel data from Egypt Labor Market Panel Surveys in 2018 and 2023, composite indices of social and economic empowerment serve as dependent variables in an IV 2SLS regression model. The model assesses whether household member migration, proxied by migration prevalence on the district (qism) level as an IV, causes a significant increase in social and economic empowerment …

Ecological Influences On Informal Property Rights: Experimental Evidence, Erik O. Kimbrough

Economics Faculty Articles and Research

This paper explores the possibility that informal property right systems evolve unique features as a function of the characteristics of the resources over which they are established. We develop an experimental environment that allows us to test this hypothesis by comparing the emergence of property in (virtual) land when resource yields are either high- or low-variance and renewable or non-renewable. Previous research suggests that high-variance resources may lead to relatively insecure claims to property. Intuition suggests that this may be amplified when those resources are renewable. The experiments confirm that informal property rights adapt to resource characteristics in a manner …

Beauty Comes With A Price: But How Much Is It Worth It, Fabliha Afia

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The global skincare market, valued at 104.24 billion dollars in the year 2022, is very heterogeneous, ranging from prestige brands to more drugstore types. Even when the same key ingredients are present, the latter often sells for much higher due to branding and packaging and the aura of prestige created. This capstone project entitled "Beauty comes with a price: but how much is it worth?" investigates if such higher costs are justified due to superior quality or are driven by non-functional factors. It systematically compared the high-end versus drugstore skincare products in categories like sunscreens, serums, and exfoliants with respect …

Happiness And Giving Behavior: Empirical Evidence From Indonesia, Rahmatina Awaliah Kasri

International Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Sustainability

Purpose - This study aims to analyze the impact of happiness and other factors such as attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, religious beliefs, and past behavior on the intention to donate money through a social or religious institution. This study is expected to contribute to understanding the psychological and sociocultural factors that drive donation intentions, particularly in social and religious contexts.

Design/methodology/approach - Primary data was collected through online questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). This research successfully collects data from 156 respondents who live in Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) area of Indonesia.

Findings - The analysis suggested …

Does Halal Industry Impact Economic Growth? An Empirical Evidence From Muslim Countries In Asia, Mohamad Soleh Nurzaman

International Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Sustainability

Purpose - This study examines the impact of the halal industry on economic growth in Muslim-majority countries, particularly in Asia, home to most of the global Muslim population.

Design/methodology/approach - Using a quantitative approach, this study applies panel data regression based on neoclassical growth theory. It analyses data from 2015 to 2022, using the Global Islamic Economy Indicator to measure the halal industry’s development. Economic growth is represented by constant GDP per capita, with foreign direct investment, inflation, and population growth as control variables.

Findings - The results show that the halal food sector has a significant positive effect on …

Influence Of Destination Image, Travel Motivation, Religiosity, And Worship Facilities On Public Interest In Visiting Muslim-Friendly Tourist Destinations In Indonesia, Ronald Rulindo

International Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Sustainability

Purpose - This study explores the factors influencing public interest in visiting Muslim-friendly tourist destinations in Indonesia, focusing on destination image, travel motivation, religiosity, and worship facilities. By examining these factors, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of how cognitive and affective perceptions, religious considerations, and infrastructure impact travel decisions. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for tourism stakeholders to enhance the competitiveness of Indonesia’s halal tourism industry

Design/methodology/approach - Using primary data, this research applies Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyze responses from 182 participants collected through convenience sampling.

Findings - Results indicate that the …