Conditional higher order moments in metal asset returns

This study examines the role of higher order moments in the returns of four important metals, aluminium, copper, gold and silver, using the asymmetric GARCH (AGARCH) model with a conditional skewed generalized-t (SGT) distribution. Implications of higher order moments in metal returns are evaluated by comparing the performances of conditional value-at-risk measures obtained from the AGARCH models with SGT distributions to those obtained from the AGARCH models with normal and student-t distributions. With the exception of gold, the AGARCH model with the SGT distribution appears to have the best fit for all metals examined.     

Testing the Influence of Substitute Sites in Nature Valuation by Using Spatial Discounting Factors

This paper investigates the effect of nearby nature substitute sites on preferences for nature restoration. Contrary to prior studies, we use a respondent-centric approach to control for substitute sites. We assess each respondent-specific spatial context by computing densities of nature substitute sites within various ranges from each respondent’s home. This approach considers the use and non-use values of nature together. Data from three similar discrete choice experiments carried out in Flanders (Belgium) are compared. Different spatial discounting factors are tested to explore how the substitution effect behaves with regard to distance. Latent class analyses are performed to account for preference heterogeneity among respondents. We observe divergent behaviours across groups of respondents. The “distance-to-substitutes” affects how respondents gauge substitute sites. We find a significant influence of the squared average buffer distance but this effect varies in sign across case studies and classes of respondents. Our results demonstrate that individual-specific GIS data can significantly improve the representation of the spatial context and the transferability of value functions. However, the roles played by preference heterogeneity and nature perception on respondents’ capacity to value nature still deserves further attention in future research.     

What drives technology transitions? An integration of different approaches within transition studies

This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of transition drivers by reviewing four major strands of inquiry in transition studies: Multi Level Perspective (MLP); Strategic Niche Management (SNM); Transition Management (TM); Technological Innovation Systems (TIS). To the best of our knowledge, none of these contributions have so far provided a clear-cut classification of main drivers of transitions, as evidenced by the difficulty of practitioners in reaching goals as entrepreneurs, or policy makers in supporting economic growth. We believe that these theoretical streams share views relating the origin and drivers of transitions and that the analysis of the multi-level developments and systemic sub-processes by using the Integrative Propositional Analysis (IPA) allows for a more comprehensive identification of transition drivers. By mapping causal relationships within each perspective and by developing an integrative framework that takes in due account of overlaps between theories, we derived a new conceptual structure for the identification of transitions’ drivers.     

Psychological safety climate and workplace bullying in Vietnam’s public sector

The bureaucratic and impersonal nature of public management can fertilize workplace bullying and risks for psychological health and safety. Psychological safety climate (PSC) is an important indicator to reduce psychological hazards. Yet, there have been few studies conducted to examine the existence of PSC in the public sector in non-Western economies. This study examined the implementation of PSC and its effects on 274 employees from six branches of a Vietnamese public sector organization. The results suggest that senior management in organizations should consider positive work conditions and an effective system of policies, procedures, and practices for the prevention of psychosocial hazards.     

高职教育中专业的职业性意蕴

职业性是高职教育专业最突出的市场性特征,同时,职业性也广泛见诸于普通高等教育专业类型。在职业性标准上的区分,凸显两种类型教育专业不同的内在逻辑。     

灸下腹任脉穴治疗子宫内膜异位症疼痛的临床研究

目的艾条灸下腹任脉穴治疗子宫内膜异位症疼痛的效果。方法试验组选下腹任脉中极、关元、气海穴,进行艾条灸法,而对照组应用口服中药。结果两组经统计学处理无意义,但显效经统计学处理有意义,P<0.05。结论艾条灸下腹任脉穴治疗子宫内膜异位症疼痛,效果较好,有推广价值。     

高校党建工作中的“二微”运用刍议

微博和微信（＂二微＂）推动着移动互联网时代的到来,并极大地影响了青年党员的认知模式和行为方式。在高校的党建中,运用微博和微信开展工作无疑是大势所趋。本文立足＂微时代＂背景,分析微博和微信的特点,并就运用＂二微＂开展党建工作进行了探讨。     

基于RC-AHP模型的肉鸡产业“公司+农户”契约稳定性的评价研究

契约稳定对于"公司+农户"的经营模式具有重要的意义,而契约稳定的评价模型是衡量契约稳定的重要工具。本文以山东省五家肉鸡加工企业为例,基于RC-AHP方法构建契约稳定评价模型进行评价和分析。研究表明,资产专用性对契约稳定影响较大,交易不确定性和交易频率对契约稳定性的影响相对较小。同时,交易周期、市场价格的不确定性和物质资产专用性对契约稳定性也有重要的影响。     

User Fee Abolition and the Demand for Public Health Care

This research examines the effect of the abolition of user fees in South Africa, a policy implemented in 1994 for uninsured children under the age of six and the elderly uninsured, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. The analysis focuses on the implementation of the policy and the use of curative public healthcare services by children following strict and fuzzy regression discontinuity designs. The estimates point to statistically insignificant average and local average policy effects, even though the policy appears to have been implemented reasonably effectively, albeit imperfectly. In other words, the policy did not, on average, affect the use of curative public healthcare, at least for those children who should have benefited from the policy.