Airport privatization: A simple welfare analysis

The interest in privatization is not new to the world nor the study of economies, for that matter. The paper contains a critique of both proponent and opponent groups of economists and policy makers who deal with the issue of airport privatization. These groups primarily rely on anecdotal evidence to support their positions. At present, privatization can only be accepted or rejected on the basis of theory, politics, or ideology. In this paper a mathematical model and decision rule based on welfare analysis are developed that facilitate the process for transition of airports from a public enterprise to a private one.     

Inflation and the Income Share of the Rich: Evidence for 14 OECD Countries

This paper examines the distributional implications of inflation on top income shares in 14 advanced economies using data over the period 1920–2016. We use local projections to analyze how top income shares respond to an inflation shock, and panel regressions in which all variables are defined as 5-year averages to examine the impact of inflation on the position of the top-one-percent in the long run. Our findings suggest that inflation reduces the share of national income held by the top 1 percent. Furthermore, we find that inflation shocks and long-run inflation have similar effects on top income shares.     

Factors contributing to motorcycle fatal crashes on National Highways in India

This study analyses fatal crash patterns, and identifies the risk factors contributing to motorcycle versus non-motorcycle fatal crashes using binomial logistic regression on two-, four- and six-lane National Highways (NHs) in India utilizing police fatal crash data. The distribution of victims’ mode by striking vehicles shows that percentage share of striking vehicles (truck) against the victims’ vehicles (motorcycle) is 44%, 52% and 37% on two-lane NH-8, four-lane NH-24 and six-lane NH-1, respectively. Nine explanatory variables pertaining to fatal crash, victim, roadway and environment are considered for the model (using combined data of cited three NHs). The results of the logistic regression model (motorcycle versus non-motorcycle fatal crashes) show that for variable ‘collision type’, likelihood of occurrence of ‘rear-end’, ‘sideswipe’ and ‘head-on’ fatal crashes are 42-times, 35-times and 25-times more than ‘hit pedestrian’ respectively. Similarly, for variable ‘number of vehicle’, likelihood is thrice as ‘single-vehicle’ than ‘two or more vehicles’; and, for variable ‘number of lane’, probability is more on ‘two-lane’ NH-8 than ‘four-lane’ NH-24. Based on the study results, it is recommended to upgrade two-lane (undivided carriageway) to four-lane (divided carriageway) NHs to reduce ‘head-on’ collision.     

Evaluation of urban land supply policy in Iran

Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, several urban land laws and regulations, as well as a new urban land development policy, have been initiated in Iran. The implementation of these policies was mainly based on public land ownership as a fundamental principle. This paper evaluates the process of recent urban land development policy and focuses on the effectiveness of the policy in terms of land supply. It includes a discussion on the issue of public land ownership, an investigation of post-revolutionary urban land policies in Iran, a discussion on the evaluation of urban land development policy in terms of land supply, and finally, presents an argument on the relationship between public land ownership and urban development. The paper argues that alongside the primary advantages of public land ownership, such as urban growth control, preventing land speculation and providing land for various social needs, the land policy has succeeded to some extent in meeting residential land demand in the study period. However, in terms of the effectiveness of the land supply policies, the paper raises some concerns such as the centralized nature of the land development process, land wastage and isolation from the general process of planning.     

Non linear and asymmetric linkages between real growth in the Euro area and global financial market conditions: New evidence

This paper deals with transition mechanisms through which financial market conditions affect real economic growth in the Euro area. The informational content of financial variables for predicting real economic growth is assessed, allowing for asymmetric responses to shocks. A nonlinear framework is developed based on a smooth transition model for which the effects of shocks can vary across business cycles when financial indicators modify both the endogenous and state variables. Global financial variables are shown to significantly affect real growth in the Euro area, particularly during periods of recession. Changes in stock market index and yield slope have asymmetric effects on real growth. In recessionary periods, the slope of the US yield curve does not have a significant impact on growth in the Euro area.     

Women and culture of poverty (a qualitative study of the culture of poverty among the Iranian caretaker women)

This study examines the culture of poverty among women who are caretakers of their families and supported by the Behzisti Organization (an Iranian governmental Welfare Institution) of Sari Township. It employs Oscar Lewis’s theory of the culture of poverty to reveal the nature and dimensions of poverty as experienced by these women. Employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews, we spoke with 28 women and Behzisti assistants. These interview data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Resultant themes indicated general elements of poverty such as lack of literacy and the accommodation issue, but also indicated other outcomes of women in poverty, including irresponsibility, dis-participation, secrecy, gender bias, sexual vulnerability, forced remarriage, low- risking and beggary. For these women, poverty has multiple dimensions and a continuing trajectory.     

Local Asymptotic Power of Breitung's Test*

In this article, we derive the local asymptotic power function of the unit root test proposed by Breitung [Journal of Econometrics (2002) Vol. 108, pp. 343–363]. Breitung's test is a non‐parametric test and is free of nuisance parameters. We compare the local power curve of the Breitungs’ test with that of the Dickey–Fuller test. This comparison is in fact a quantification of the loss of power that one has to accept when applying a non‐parametric test.     

Trust orientations in the organic food distribution channels: A comparative study of the Canadian and French markets

The objectives of this research are to (i) identify supply side factors that determine trust/mistrust in OF products, and (ii) determine the distribution channel strategies to increase trust in OF products. A total of 80 individual in-depth interviews were conducted in Canada and France with managers from superstores, specialty stores, farmers, markets, producers and certification bodies. Results show a clear distinction between the Canadian and French OF distribution structures in terms of trust. Consequently, distributors have to adapt their strategies and tools in order to enhance trust in OF, in their distribution channel and in the overall food supply chain.     

A paradigm for examining second-order factor models employing structural equation modeling

We present here a paradigm for assessing second-order measurement models. Our approach is hierarchical in nature. We discuss the need for higher-order models from a conceptual perspective and illustrate how some common challenges in empirical research can be resolved through the deployment of higher-order modeling. Essentially, we argue that many constructs can be meaningfully described by a higher-order structure and testing for the existence of such structures requires a careful examination of alternative models. There is a need for conceptual as well as empirical support. In order to demonstrate our paradigm, we use data that relate to airline service quality. Our sample includes two databases. Responses from 170 individuals are employed for exploratory purposes and responses from 437 individuals are used for subsequent data analyses.     

An empirical analysis of price discrimination among countries

This article examines empirically the proposition that in recent years many less developed countries (LDCs) have been consistently overcharged for products exported to them from OECD countries. For a wide group of both developed and developing countries importing from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members, unit export values expressed in SUS per metric ton are statistically analysed and, in the case of the selected (homogeneous) agricultural products, the proposition doesnot receive conclusive support. The overall implications are presented along with suggestions for further research.The authors are from the College of Business Administration, San Diego State University.