Why Do the Gains from Trade Reform Vary Between Countries?

This paper assesses, both theoretically and empirically, the determinants of differential gains from trade policy reform across countries. The theoretical model shows that asymmetrical features of the world economy, including the relative size of the differentiated products sector in each country, the dominance of domestic markets by indigenous producers, trade costs, and the relative importance of exports, all play an important role. Results from a multi-region computable general equilibrium model substantiate the proposition that the initial pattern of asymmetry is relatively more important than scale and varietal effects, despite the fact that the latter have received more attention in the literature.     

Resource Utilization and Economies of Size in Secondary Schools

This paper identifies the determinants of costs per pupil in English secondary schools. A distinction is made between the short run and the long run in order to estimate the separate effects on costs per pupil of short‐run variations in school output and school size. A school’s capacity utilization rate is used to indicate short‐run deviations in output from pupil capacity, and pupil capacity is used as an indicator of school size to capture scale effects on costs per pupil. The statistical analysis uses both published and unpublished data for secondary schools in England. Two separate analyses are undertaken, one for grant‐maintained schools alone and the other for all schools. A separate analysis is undertaken for grant‐maintained schools since cost data are available only for schools in this sector. Staff hours per pupil is used as a proxy for costs per pupil for schools as a whole. The main finding is that costs per pupil and staff hours per pupil are both highly significantly negatively related to both school size and the capacity utilization rate of schools. A range of other variables are also estimated to have a significant effect on costs per pupil in secondary schools. The main finding is that there is scope for reducing the costs of schooling in the secondary schools sector in England.     

Serie → Nursing English <Emphasis Type="Bold">Aids</Emphasis>

Zusammenfassung   Nach wie vor ist AIDS nicht heilbar und daher ein Thema, mit dem wir uns intensiv besch?ftigen müssen. Natürlich auch in der Pflege.     

Visions of Best Value: Modernizing or Just Muddling Through?

This article presents an empirical analysis of current local authority capacity and future plans to implement the Best Value framework. It analyses the perceptions of two groups of practitioners who are among the closest to what is currently taking place in individual authorities and will play a key role in implementing the new regime. The article highlights important differences between the views of local authority 'Best Value officers' and external auditors. It concludes that the prospects for fundamental improvements in local services depend on a more strategic approach to the capacity problems facing authorities which are willing to change but lack some of the tools and technologies required.     

Serie → Nursing English <Emphasis Type="Bold">Was haben Sie gesagt,Schwester?</Emphasis>

Zusammenfasung   Die Kommunikation mit Patienten aller Altersstufen kann schwierig sein, wenn diese schwerh?rig sind. Und wenn Patienten noch dazu ?lter und eventuell verwirrt sind, dann wird die Kommunikation im Krankenhaus noch komplizierter. Heute erfahren Sie, wie man mit der Situation umgehen kann, wenn Ihr Patient nur Englisch spricht. N?chster Kurs für das Auffrischen Ihrer Pflegeenglischkenntnisse: 17.12.2008 – „English*Practice*Reflection”     

The determinants of corporate divestment in the UK

It has been widely suggested that since the early 1980s many diversified firms narrowed the scope of their activities by refocusing on their core businesses, primarily through divestment activity. This study examines the extent and determinants of divestment across a large sample of UK firms over the period 1985–1989. Divestment is analysed using both a proportions and count data (Poisson and negative binomial regressions) approach. The results confirm that corporate divestment is not merely a reflection of managerial idiosyncrasies or mean reversion behaviour in the activities undertaken, but is a purposeful response to exogenous change in a manner broadly consistent with both the agency theoretic and strategic views of the firm.     

MEASUREMENT AND DETERMINANTS OF EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE FURTHER EDUCATION SECTOR IN ENGLAND

This study uses data for nearly 200 further education providers in England to investigate the level of efficiency and change in productivity over the period 1999–2003. Using data envelopment analysis we find that the mean provider efficiency varies between 83 and 90 percent over the period. Productivity change over the period was around 12 percent, and this comprised 8 percent technology change and 4 percent technical efficiency change. A multivariate analysis is therefore performed, which shows that, in general, student-related variables such as gender, ethnic and age mix are more important than staff-related variables in determining efficiency levels. The local unemployment rate also has an effect on provider efficiency. The policy implications of the results are that further education providers should implement strategies to improve the completion and achievement rates of white males, and should also offer increased administrative support to teachers.     

Realoptionsbewertung — Eine Fallstudie

Ohne Zusammenfassung