Purchasing power parity and uncovered interest parity: The Spanish case

This paper examines whether the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis holds in the long run when traded and non-traded goods are distinguished. Moreover, this hypothesis is analyzed jointly with the uncovered interest parity (UIP). The period from January 1986 to December 1995 was studied using monthly data corresponding to the consumer price index, short- and long-term interest rates, and spot exchange rates for Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain with each relative to Spain. Using Johansen's multi-equational cointegration technique, it was found that PPP does not hold even with the explicit consideration of the distinction between traded and non-traded goods as well as the difference between domestic and foreign interest rates. Furthermore, these two factors generate a systematic deviation between exchange rates and PPP.     

The role of brand utilities: application to buying intention of fair trade products

The authors focus on the ethical consumption and propose a model of buying intention of fair trade products, including the utilities of the fair trade generic brand as direct determinants. The authors measure the functional and symbolic utilities provided by this brand, together with the attitude towards the commercialising organisations, consumer concern and perceived knowledge about fair trade issues. The model is tested through a structural equation model on a sample of members (students, lecturers and staff) of a ‘Fair trade University’. The results confirm that perceived functional utility is the most important antecedent of the buying intention, while the symbolic dimension has a significant but weaker explanatory power. Conversely, the consumer attitude towards the organisation has no influence. The authors also highlight the importance of communication and concern to stimulate consumer behaviour.     

Americans' vacations

This paper explores the nature of Americans' vacations from the perspective of current trends in social and symbolic anthropology. Taking the viewpoint of the vacationers themselves, it suggests that there are two polar types of vacations that are recognized by Americans which are termed “Peasant for a Day” and “Queen (King) for a Day.” Each of these types inverts an aspect of American society, but depending on the class of the vacationer involved, the inversion takes on one of two forms: either dissolution or accentuation of the social hierarchy. Examples and variations of these two basic types of vacation are presented; both domestic and overseas holidays are discussed.     

Actinomycosis of the retroperitoneum and an extremity: CT features

A patient presenting with thigh and flank masses and back pain for 3 months proved to have actinomycosis involving the retroperitoneum and quadriceps muscle. Retroperitoneal involvement without intraperitoneal disease is rare. Computed tomography (CT), however, showed disease transgressing adjacent anatomic compartments with direct extension through the body wall and involvement of adjacent bony structures which is characteristic of actinomycosis.     

Household survey data for research on well-being and behavior in Central Asia

This paper summarizes the micro-level survey evidence from Central Asia generated and analyzed in the period 1991–2012. We provide an exhaustive overview over all accessible individual and household-level surveys undertaken in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – and of all academic papers published using these datasets. We argue that Central Asia is a fascinating region for the study of comparative economics given its dual experience of transition and development. However, the region is also understudied, in part due to lack of data, and especially due to a lack of panel data. We identify knowledge gaps derived from this lack of longitudinal surveys and suggest worthwhile areas for future research. Finally, we also present a new and novel individual-level panel dataset called “Life in Kyrgyzstan”.