Estimation of a dynamic system of seemingly unrelated regressions with autoregressive disturbances

This paper examines the small sample properties of the asymptotically efficient estimator due to Hatanaka (1976) and Dhrymes and Taylor (1976) applied to a system of seemingly unrelated regressions characterized by both autoregressive disturbances and lagged endogenous variables. The results of several Monte Carlo experiments suggest that, in general, this estimation procedure performs well in samples of modest size. Two important situations in which the results are mixed are also reported.     

North-South interdependence: The case of the Federal Republic of Germany

This study examines economic relations between West Germany and the developing countries in the fields of trade, capital flows and migration of labour. Activity in most fields has expanded enormously since the mid-1960s; in addition the traffic has become markedly less one-way. For the purposes of analysis the developing countries are differentiated according to their economic capacity; prospects for co-operation with West Germany appear to differ markedly according to their stage of development. So German development policy, for its part, needs to employ a variety of different strategies. The more highly developed the partner country, the more the field can be left to private initiative, supported by a liberal foreign trade regime.     

INCOME-GENERATING FUNCTIONS IN A LOW INCOME COUNTRY: COLOMBIA

Income generating functions are statistical tools used to explain income inequality and other economic outcomes and behavior. These functions are often associated with a strict human capital framework, but they need not be. Instead, they may be viewed as a reduced form equation summarizing the relationship between income and various personal and locational characteristics. Following this latter interpretation, we develop the regression and analysis of variance approaches to income generating functions and estimate them empirically using micro-economic data from one low income country, Colombia. Proceeding to increasingly parsimonious specifications of income generating functions, insights are gained into the structure of incomes in Colombia.     

The Feminist Competition/Cooperation Dichotomy

Feminist literature sometimes posits that competition and cooperation are opposites. This dichotomy is important in that it is often invoked in order to explain why mainstream economics has focused on market activity to the exclusion of non-market activity, and why this fascination or focus is sexist. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the competition/cooperation dichotomy is false. Once the dichotomy is dissolved, those activities which are seen as competitive (masculine) and those which are seen as cooperative (feminine) are no longer mutually exclusive but are, in fact, dependent upon one another. It is shown that the outcome of competition (more and better knowledge) enhances, and in some cases makes possible, cooperation. The function of battle is destruction; of competition, construction. Ludwig von Mises     

Irish consumer perceptions of meat hazards and use of extrinsic information cues

The purpose of this research was to examine the factors that underpin risk perceptions for meat hazards and assess the degree to which these perceptions reflect overall concern. It also sought to identify any differences that exist in information use. A total of 238 meat customers were surveyed in Cork, Ireland. An analysis of consumer perceptions revealed a two-factor structure, 'dread' and 'unknown', similar to Slovic (1992). A perceptual map of the various hazards associated with meat clearly highlighted different groups of hazards and the differing perceptions associated with them. There were groupings between BSE, E-coli and Salmonella, antibiotics, growth hormones and genetic modifications, and saturated fats and cholesterol. Cluster analysis highlighted the differences in attitudes towards meat hazards across the sample population. However, an analysis of the demographic and behavioural variables found no distinguishable features across the identified segments, except in their use of written information. The butcher, quality assurance (QA) marks, country of origin and labelling were identified as the most helpful risk relievers. However, no significant differences were identified between perceived helpfulness and level of perceived 'dread' and 'unknown'. Use of written information by consumers (labels, quality marks and information brochures) was significantly related to their overall concern about hazards.     

Parenthood and wildland recreation consumption: An unexplored phenomenon

The effects of parenthood on consumer decision making have not been systematically studied in prior research of the wildland recreation phenomenon. The present study utilizes data from the most recent National Survey of Recreation to assess the direct effects of parenthood on wilderness-related or wildland outdoor recreation behavior. Additionally, a framework for the conceptualization of the interrelationship between human values, demographics, attitudes toward the environment, wildland management policy variables, attitudes toward wildland recreation, and wildland recreation consumption is proposed. The findings suggest that parenthood is an important variable in understanding wildland outdoor recreation consumption. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.