An occupational hazard? Sex segregation in tourism employment

This article presents data from an exploratory study carried out over a 12 month period using qualitative research methods. The study tests theoretical concepts adapted from the model of the ‘vicious circles of job segregation’ (Collinson et al., Managing to Discriminate. Routledge, London, 1990) in the specific context of tourism organizations. It examines factors which contribute to the sex segregation of employment in selected tourism organizations, and the role of equal opportunities policies in resisting segregationary practices. The findings of this initial research conclude that participating tourism organizations rationalize job segregation in relation to the culture of tourism. In addition, the informality of internal recruitment systems serves to reproduce existing organizational structures. There is evidence to suggest that use of equal opportunities policies can provide one possible means of resistance to such segregation.     

Dissecting the Random Component of Utility

We illustrate and discuss several general issues associated with the random component of utility, or more generally unobserved variability. We posit a general conceptual framework that suggests a variance components view as an appropriate structure for unobserved variability. This framework suggests that unobserved heterogeneity is only one component of unobserved variability; hence, a more general view is required. We review a considerable amount of empirical research that suggests that random components are unlikely to be independent of systematic components, and random component variances are unlikely to be constant between or within individuals, time periods, locations, etc. We also review evidence that random components are functions of (elements of) systematic components. The latter suggests considerable caution in the use and interpretation of complex choice model specifications, in particular recently introduced forms of random parameter models that purport to estimate distributions of preference parameters. Several areas for future research are identified and discussed.     

Quick and easy choice sets: Constructing optimal and nearly optimal stated choice experiments

In this paper we compare a number of common strategies for constructing discrete choice experiments. Two of the strategies, including one based on theoretical constructions for optimal discrete choice experiments, produce designs that are better than those that come about from random grouping and from using the L^MA construction. A simple account of this theoretical construction is given.     

An Empirical Observation on Central Bank Independence and Real Output

This note reviews the relation between central bank independence and real output for the 1970s and 1980s. A new statistic, based on the total amount of real output available in a decade, is proposed in order to broaden the analysis of the impact of central bank independence on real output. The results show that, although there is no correlation between central bank independence and average growth, central bank independence had a significantly negative impact on the sum of real output during the 1980s. For the 1970s, central bank independence had no influence on the total quantity of real output.     

Allocation of time for meal preparation in a transition economy

The decision of how much time to allocate to meal preparation is an endogenous variable to be determined by the opportunity cost of time, preference between market and nonmarket goods and leisure, and household production technology. Using consumer survey data collected in Bulgaria in 1997, this study measured the effect of household income on the amount of time allocated to meal preparation after controlling the effects of demographic, socio‐economic and other characteristics of households. We used the first‐hurdle dominance model to distinguish non‐meal preparers from meal preparers. Since the overall pattern of allocating time between market work, household activity and leisure in a particular country is likely to be conditional on the stage of its economic development, this study presents a unique opportunity to assess the rationality of the time allocation behavior of consumers in an economy in transition from a centrally‐planned to a market‐oriented system. Results showed that household income did not influence the decision of how much time to allocate to meal preparation. While the insignificant linkage between income and time allocation to meal preparation could be due to the differences in preference and household production technology. It can be also attributed to the legacy of four decades of a central‐planning system and underdeveloped food manufacturing and service industries. ©2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.     

Do Migrants Rob Jobs? New Evidence from Australia

This study contributes to the recent debate on immigration and unemployment in Australia by investigating the causal linkage between immigration and unemployment. The question of whether 'immigrants rob jobs' is examined by identifying the sources of unemployment through causal linkages between unemployment and other key variables such as immigration. The research finds no Granger causality between immigration and unemployment, but does run from industrial structural change to the high unemployment rate in Australia. This research also finds that both GDP growth and immigration inflow reinforce each other in the course of economic development in Australia.     

Capacity of Mass Participant Sport Events for the Development of Activity Commitment and Future Exercise Intention

Mass participation sport events are often cited as increasing population-level physical activity, but empirical evidence is scarce as to their effectiveness. The current research examined the developmental role of these events in increasing positive attitudes toward physically active leisure by a) determining its motivational capacity and b) investigating how sport event participation contributes to activity commitment and future exercise intentions. A multiattribute survey was distributed on-line to participants of a running event held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (N = 2,791) three months after the event. Inferential statistics revealed that 10 motives directed participation across 75% of the population. Multivariate multiple linear regression analyses revealed event participation motives combined with event satisfaction and physical activity involvement explained 30% of running commitment and 31% of future exercise intentions. Most notably, the event promoted stronger attitudes toward regular exercise among participants who were more satisfied with their event experience, least active before the event, and had completed fewer prior organized events. This evidence demonstrates that mass participant sporting events can serve as important social and environmental correlates of physical activity.     

The composition of government spending and the multiplier at the zero lower bound

We investigate the size of the multiplier at the ZLB in a New Keynesian model. It ranges from around −0.25 to +1.5, depending on the extent to which the government spending is productive, substitutable or not for private consumption.     

Using stated preference discrete choice modelling to inform health care decision-making: A pilot study of breast screening participation

This study was an important start to explore the feasibility of applying stated preference discrete choice modelling (SPDCM) for use in developing breast screening participation enhancement strategies. It needs to be followed by further research to establish model validity and authoritative results. In the meantime a random effects binary probit choice model was estimated using a main effects with selected 2-way interaction design and a convenience sample of Australian breast cancer screening participants. A response rate of 48% was obtained. Clear preferences for different service configurations were revealed and used to demonstrate how potential strategies to enhance future participation rates of women placed on routine recall could be identified. As anticipated accuracy of screening was the most important attribute of the service to influence the probability of uptake but others were screening time, travel time, information about screening benefits and the desire for privacy lending support to the view that benefit assessment goes beyond health factors. In summary, the SPDCM approach can be regarded as a judicious approach for helping decision-makers improve screening participation.