Development of size labelling systems for women's garments

This paper reviews the development of size labelling systems for women's garments sold in the U.S.A. The review shows that three trends are evident: (1) a continuous decrease in the numerical codes of sizes; (2) an emphasis on large and petite sizes; and (3) the introduction of split sizes. Problems with the size labelling systems currently in use in the U.S.A. are also discussed. A survey of consumers' preferences regarding various size labelling system is recommended.     

Cross-national differences in satisfaction/dissatisfaction and complaint behaviour concerning apparel products

Consumer satisfaction/dissatisfaction with apparel products was compared among several European nations. The issues of complaint behaviour and the extent to which dissatisfied consumers took action were also studied. The data examined were from nine member nations of the Commission of the European Communities. The sample size was 9,153 respondents. Overall, respondents expressed satisfaction with apparel products; however, a minority of respondents in each country expressed dissatisfaction with such products. Chi-square tests of homogeneity determined relationships between countries and satisfaction/dissatisfaction with apparel. Differences in satisfaction/dissatisfaction among countries were found to be statistically significant. Moreover, whether consumers complained when dissatisfied and the type of complaining behaviour was found to vary significantly by country.     

Fiscal and Monetary Policy Coordination,Macroeconomic Stability,and Sovereign Risk Premia

In standard macroeconomic models, equilibrium stability and uniqueness require monetary policy to actively target inflation and fiscal policy to ensure long‐run debt sustainability. We show analytically that these requirements change, and depend on the cyclicality of fiscal policy, when government debt is risky. In that case, budget deficits raise interest rates and crowd out consumption. Consequently, countercyclical fiscal policies reduce the parameter space supporting stable and unique equilibria and are feasible only if complemented with more aggressive debt consolidation and/or active monetary policy. Stability is more easily achieved, however, under procyclical fiscal policies.     

Banning the Brahms

In the lifetime of a government ostensibly dedicated to free trade, not least in the arts, Jasper Parrott reveals how the Conservatives capitulated to entrenched union opposition, sanctioned by complaisant bureaucrats in restricting overseas orchestras playing to British audiences.