On the Comparison of Run Orders of Unreplicated 2<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis></Superscript> Designs in the Presence of a Time Trend

The response from a factorial experiment carried out in a time sequence may be affected by uncontrollable variables that are highly correlated with the time in which they occur. In such a situation, one possibility is to randomize the run order of the experiment. Another possibility is to use a systematic run order that is robust against time trends. Since randomized run orders make the time trend part of the error, it can be hoped that systematic run orders will be more effective to identify truly active factors. In this paper, a simulation study is used to compare the performances of the randomized and the systematic run orders. The response from an experiment where we have observed a strong time trend is used to demonstrate the influence of a realistic time trend on the run orders under consideration. The performance of the run orders is then measured by taking the probabilities of false rejection and the probabilities of detection of active contrasts. Our results show that the randomized run order managed to keep the nominal level, while the systematic did not. Additionally, when there were active factors, then the systematic run orders did not achieve more power than did the randomized run order.     

Nonparametric density estimates consistent of the order of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis><Superscript>−1/2</Superscript> in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript>–norm

We introduce an approximate minimum Kolmogorov distance density estimate of a probability density f₀ on the real line and study its rate of consistency for n. We define a degree of variations of a nonparametric family of densities containing the unknown f₀. If this degree is finite then the approximate minimum Kolmogorov distance estimate is consistent of the order of n^–1/2 in the L₁-norm and also in the expected L₁-norm. Comparisons with two other criteria leading to the same order of consistency are given.Received June 2002     

Varieties of capitalism,neoliberalism and the economic crisis of 2008–?

This article examines the responses of national governments to the economic crisis that commenced in 2008. We argue that the current search for new bases for accumulation is leading to reforms designed to weaken the position of labour. Moreover, the tendency towards a weakening of labour's position was already evident across different ‘varieties of capitalism’ before the crisis erupted. We discuss the implications for comparative institutional analysis and stress the need for a renewed focus on the underlying dynamics of capitalist economies.