Formulating Hypotheses Graphically in Social Research

This article explores the proposition that the appropriate use of suitable forms of graphic communication can improve the formulation and presentation of hypotheses in quantitative social science research. The creative nature of scientific diagrams is discussed and the technological advances in computer graphic media are seen as part of a visual revolution which is markedly changing not only the way we see things but also the way we think and do things today. Brief historical views on the use of hypotheses and diagrammatic languages in science are given. The restricted use of graphic communication tools in social research academic documents is discussed and the importance of using well-designed data graphics in the production and transmission of scientific knowledge is highlighted. Hypotheses are conceptualised and their importance within social research is emphasised. A methodological approach for formulating hypotheses graphically is proposed based on the use of three types of language: notation, statement (ordinary language) and diagram. Some criteria are suggested for the selection of diagram type dependent on the related variables. Several examples are given covering the different models proposed.     

The effect of land-use restrictions on market values of single-family homes in Houston

This paper analyzes the effects of zoning and restrictive covenants on single-family housing prices in and around Houston, Texas. The calculation of a hedonic price index reveals that higher prices are paid for homes in neighborhoods with either type of land-use control than for comparable houses in neighborhoods without these controls. The premiums paid for these restrictions are not statistically distinguishable, but institutional constraints on these controls may explain why both forms continue to exist and to command market premiums.     

The Taiwanese love motel - An escape from leisure constraints?

The paper reports research derived from over 800 respondents who self-completed questionnaires while patronising love motels in the Taipei greater metropolitan region, Taiwan. The paper provides a brief history of Taiwanese love motels and distinguishes them from western massage parlours. Five clusters are found that are based on two primary canonical discriminate functions that explain 83 percent of the variance - the dimensions being sexual conventionality-adventurousness and comfort seeking. These dimensions are wholly consistent with the basic premise of the love motels, although additionally privacy for intimate relationships is also important. The survey questionnaire was based on a concept of physical and relationship constraints on leisure, and generally it was found that the ‘push’ factors based on a need to escape these constraints was weaker than the ‘pull’ factors of comfort and privacy.     

A Note on Affordability and the Optimal Share Price

Despite the increase in institutional ownership, decreased trading costs, and increased real personal savings, we find that the average stock price is lower today than it was in the 1920s. In the aggregate, the propensity to split is a function of recent market performance, personal savings, and the desirability of appearing to be a small firm. Our results indicate that, after decades of inflation and the average stock price falling, splitting stocks to return to an affordable trading range must be rejected as an explanation. This suggests that other economic forces are behind splits, whether traditional or behavioral in nature.     

Quality management practices and their relationship to buyer’s supplier ratings: a study in the Korean automotive industry

This research explores if quality management practices are different among suppliers whose performance is rated high, medium, or low by a common buying company and identifies which specific practices contribute to the differences. The entire population of first-tier suppliers to a Korean auto assembler was surveyed to measure use of quality management practices. Useable returns were received from 25% of the suppliers surveyed. To measure conformance quality and overall rating, suppliers were categorized into high, medium, and low performing groups based on the buying company’s data. Multivariate analysis of variance was done using general linear model (GLM-MANOVA) to explore differences in the high-, medium-, and low-performing supplier groups based on their use of quality management practices. No statistically significant differences were found when suppliers were categorized based on conformance quality. However, when categorized based on overall rating, the highest rated suppliers were found to emphasize process management and employee satisfaction to a greater degree than the lowest rated suppliers.     

The Peter Principle resuscitated: are promotion systems useless?

The challenge of developing and maintaining an effective organisation is intimately linked with HR activities that include selecting and motivating employees. Many organisations engage in an internal selection process designed to fill upper level positions with employees who have proven their worth at a lower level in the organisation. However, some observers have questioned whether this approach actually results in optimal individual and organisational performance. Using the Peter Principle as a starting point, this article examines the evidence for problems with merit‐based promotions, as well as various explanations that have been advanced for why these problems occur. This article then proposes a new model, based on contemporary management theory and evidence, which addresses the question of why promotions fail.     

HEALTH CARE ACCOUNTS—A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE*

Canadian statistics of the health care delivery system are generated under a variety of concepts, methodologies, definitions, and classifications by the numerous individual units, institutions, and organizations involved. This paper presents an overview and a framework for satellite accounts on health care delivery. Its objective is to enable the organization of economic and financial information on health care delivery activities from different sources into a set of consistent statistics detailing current expenditures, current revenues, purposes of spending, and source and application of funds in the health care delivery system. It is recognized that this economic framework is only a first stage in establishing a complete health information framework which could link economic with social and demographic data. A sample set of accounts for the province of Ontario in the fiscal year 1977-78 is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing such satellite accounts.     

Predictors of customer service training in hospitality firms

Small hospitality firms have a reluctance to embrace business improvement activities in general and customer service training in particular. In a survey of 255 hospitality firms, this study investigated a range of predictors for owner–managers to adopt specific customer service training activities, in a series of regression equations. It was found that, in general, those firms that placed more importance on customer service training were willing to take up more training activity. In addition, it was found that predictors for specific customer service training activities, such as benchmarking best practice or mystery shopping, varied between types of activity and with a general intention to consider customer service training.