Optimizing the Use of Televised Instruction

Experiments with various techniques of teaching have generally not permitted students to elect the combination of techniques they most prefer. Gordon discusses preliminary results that contrast with some of the findings reported to date.     

Universal service subsidies and cost overstatement: Evidence from the U.S. telecommunications sector

Utility subsidies are often defended as promoting universal service. However, specific support formulas may be poorly targeted and/or designed. The U.S. high-cost loop support (HCLS) program (formerly referred to as the Universal Service Fund (USF)), has been a key component of the FCC's USF program. With proposed initiatives for universal access to broadband, it is useful to critically evaluate how the HCLS creates a moral hazard problem. This study finds that companies receiving HCLS subsidies have an incentive to report high costs to the FCC in order to qualify for still higher support payments. Using data from 1136 rural telecom firms in 50 states (1992-2002), this study shows that some companies respond to current incentives by overstating costs (or incurring higher costs) as they approach the subsidy cutoff points. Compared to the no-subsidy group, companies at the point of greatest subsidy jump appear to overstate costs more due to larger marginal benefits. Such perverse incentives need to be recognized in future universal service initiatives.     

The Territorial Basis of the Division of Labor:

ABSTRACT: The study considers both the theoretical significance and operational measurement of the territorial basis of the division of labor. Two such measurements, the index of dissimilarity and the standardized index of dissimilarity, are discussed in detail with regard to their adequacy and applicability. In addition, a theory linking the territorial basis to technological efficiency and urbanization is presented and tests performed with data for the United States for each of the census years from 1900–1950. Positive relations were found between the three variables, lending strong support to the theory.     

The call for innovation

To help promote innovation in health care, nursing and finance leaders can: Begin by asking the "why" and "why not" questions. Earmark dollars for experimental care models. Advocate for eliminating legal and regulatory barriers that prevent innovation.     

Legal and Procedural Strategies for Employees Utilizing Arbitration for Statutory Disputes

This article § reviews the current United States law regarding arbitration of statutory disputes in the nonunion employment setting. The article is a literature review and offers no new research findings but rather focuses on the important legal and procedural strategies employees may use throughout the arbitration process. The article specifically advises the reader on selection of an attorney, selection of an arbitrator, selection of a third party administrator, the discovery process, and the requisite hearing procedure. Possible challenges to the arbitration process are also discussed. In addition, the article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration from an employee's point of view.     

The identification of predatory behavior in the presence of uncertainty

Out of the ongoing debate on what constitutes predatory behavior has surfaced the idea that it must entail a sacrifice of profits. The notion is that behavior which sacrifices profits must have an ulterior motive, namely an attempt to induce exit by rivals. This note makes the point that when incumbents must make choices before the resolution of uncertain events, a policy which sacrifices expected profits could be motivated by risk reduction. The issues surrounding the identification of predatory behavior in the presence of uncertainty are discussed, and a definition of predation which allows for uncertainty is presented.