How skilled were English agricultural labourers in the early nineteenth century?1

Using the wage accounts of two different farms in the 1830s and 1840s, matched with census records to determine the age of the workers, this article estimates age‐wage profiles for male and female agricultural labourers. Females earned less than males, and had less wage growth over their life cycles. Male wage profiles peaked at age 30–5, earlier than the wage profiles of workers today. Before the age of 30 wage growth was more rapid than increases in strength, but less rapid than wage growth among factory workers. If wage increases after the age of 20 indicate skill acquisition, then male agricultural labourers acquired a significant amount of skill, but less skill than contemporaneous factory workers.     

Capital Market Experience for Financial Accounting Students*

Abstract. In this paper we present an innovative teaching tool for introductory financial accounting students that promotes active learning using methods at the frontier of market research. We describe the implementation of an asset market where students assume the role of traders in order to learn the role of information in price formation. We discuss the pedagogical questions which are addressed in the design of this market, and we relate the responses to questionnaires distributed to students at the end of the quarter. When we control for prior grade point averages (GPAs) of students, we find that those who participate in the market had better classroom performance. Résumé. Les auteurs présentent ici un instrument pédagogique innovateur, à l'intention des étudiants des cours d'introduction à la comptabilité financière, favorisant l'apprentissage dynamique grâce à l'utilisation de méthodes voisinant de près l'étude de marché. Ils décrivent la mise en place d'un marché de biens où les étudiants assument les fonctions de négociateurs en vue d'apprendre quel est le rôle de l'information dans la formation des prix. Ils analysent les questions pédagogiques que soulève la conception de ce marché et font état des réponses des étudiants aux questionnaires qui leur sont distribués à la fin du trimestre. Lorsqu'ils contrôlent les notes moyennes antérieures des étudiants, les auteurs constatent que ceux qui ont participé au marché font preuve d'un rendement supérieur en classe.     

Double‐Cola and Antitrust Issues: Staying Alive in the Soft Drink Wars

This case study is the story of the underdog in the soft drink wars. It is a testament to the meaning of brands and the lengths that loyal consumers go to for Double‐Cola, one of many small regional brands that struggle to compete against industry giants. It also offers insights into current antitrust issues within the regulatory environment and the lack of protection given to small brands in their fight to stay alive. Consequences for consumers, bottlers, and small manufacturers are explored.     

Financial Identity‐Processing Styles Among Young Adults: A Longitudinal Study of Socialization Factors and Consequences for Financial Capabilities

Using identity theory as a basis for conceptualizing and clustering the financial identity‐processing styles of young adults, this study examines antecedent socialization factors and consequent financial capabilities associated with those clusters. Using two‐timed longitudinal surveys (N = 1,511) of college students, we proposed and confirmed three financial identity‐processing styles, resembling Berzonsky's three identity‐processing styles (i.e., informational, normative, and diffused‐avoidant). Labeled Pathfinders, Followers and Drifters: these three clusters were profiled with respect to their socialization factors and financial capabilities. We concluded that identity theory can be applied to the financial domain, financial identity‐processing styles are influenced by socialization factors (e.g., parents, learning), and these styles have consequences for individuals' financial capabilities (financial knowledge, self‐efficacy, attitudes, and behaviors). Insights from this study may inform the design and implementation of effective financial parenting, financial education and intervention programs, and identify those young adults who may benefit from education and intervention efforts .     

The wages and employment of female day‐labourers in English agriculture, 1740–18501

Using a new sample of farm accounts from 84 farms throughout England, this article provides measures of regional variation and changes over time in female wages and employment in agriculture. Female wages were not fixed, but changed over time and responded to high demand for female labour. The female‐male wage ratio fell between 1750 and 1850, except in the industrial north west. In 1851 approximately 19 per cent of agricultural day‐labourers were female. In the industrial north west, opportunities for factory employment reduced the supply of females to agriculture, but elsewhere the relative demand for female labour in agriculture declined.     

EFFECT OF FIBRE CONTENT AND METHOD OF APPLICATION OF SELECTED INTERFACINGS ON PERFORMANCE OF GARMENTS AFTER REPEATED LAUNDERING

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of fibre content and method of application of selected interfacing fabrics on appearance of garments after repeated laundering. Experimental fabrics were three interfacings of 100% polyester sew-in, 100% rayon and 100% polyester fusible, and two white fashion fabrics of polyester/cotton durable press treated and 100% cotton. Thirty blouses were constructed and divided into six groups representing six combinations of fashion and interfacing fabrics. Evaluation methods included appearance, dimensional stability and stiffness. Data were statistically analysed using t tests and Pearson rank order correlation coefficient. Results showed that method of applying interfacing fabrics had a significant effect on appearance of the combined fashion and interfacing fabrics. Sew-in method resulted in satisfactory appearance throughout repeated laundering for polyester/cotton DP fabric. Deterioration of adhesive resin of fusible interfacings in the laundering process resulted in significant shrinkage and poor appearance. Also, relationship was found between per cent shrinkage and appearance ratings indicating that as per cent shrinkage increased, appearance ratings decreased. Effect of fibre content of interfacings on appearance was not significant. However, interfacing fabrics were found to be the major contributor to shrinkage of composite fabric and not the fashion fabrics. Poor appearance of fusible interfacings was related also to per cent loss of stiffness.     

Part II. Discussion of Five More Consumer Topics and Suggestions for Future Research*

This a continuation of a paper which appeared in the last issue of the Journal of Consumer Studies and Home Economics. The first part of the paper dealt with studies of consumer representation, particularly in the nationalized industries (which show its weaknesses and inadequacy); with studies of information and education (which show the limited usefulness and slow progress of each); and with work done on the real needs of consumers (which shows the deep uncertainties which exist about what those real needs are). Here five further topics of consumer research are considered and suggestions are made for future research.