Demand system estimation in the absence of price data: an application of Stone-Lewbel price indices

This article evaluates the feasibility of estimating a system of demand equations in the absence of price information using the approach developed by Lewbel (1989). Stone-Lewbel (SL) price indices for commodity groups are constructed using information on the budget shares and the Consumer Price Indices (CPIs) of the goods comprising the commodity groups, which allows for household-level prices to be recovered. This study evaluates how susceptible are elasticities and marginal effects estimates from traditional parametric demand systems to the CPI used in the construction of the SL prices. To do this, three alternative regional CPIs are considered for the construction of the SL prices: monthly, quarterly and a constant (unity) price index. Elasticities and marginal effect estimates are computed for eight food commodity groups using the Exact Affine Stone Index (EASI) model as the parametric demand system and data from the United States Consumer Expenditure Survey. The estimates proved to be robust to the alternative regional CPIs considered in the construction of SL price indices, even to the absence of one. Hence, the results suggest that it is possible to accurately estimate a demand system even in the absence of price information.     

设立基金:当代成人职业教育经费筹措的有效手段

20世纪80年代以来，为缓解成人职业教育的经费紧张，韩国、新加坡、英国、德国、埃及和欧盟设立不同的基金，以筹措成人职业教育的经费。设立基金，可以有效地筹措成人职业教育的经费，可以有效地促进落后地区的成人职业培训和可以为其成员提供较为全面的成人职业教育、教学服务。这条世界不少国家筹措成人职业教育经费的有益经验，值得我国成人职业教育学习和借鉴。     

粮价上涨最终受益者是农民吗?

与国际范围内粮食价格快速上涨同时,中国粮食市场自2006年9月出现新一轮的粮价上涨。物价上涨在2008年春节前后达到了高峰,特别是食品价格上涨较快。国内粮价不断攀升,看似农民收入增加,但伴随着一系列的农产品生产资料的价格增加,农业间接成本投入的攀升,农民最终收入所剩如何?     

坚持以人为本创建一流高职院校的思考

创建一流的高职院校,必须坚持以人为本。坚持以人为本,集中体现在教育必须以育人为本,以学生为主体;办学必须以人才为本,以教师为主体;发展必须从实际出发,统筹兼顾,和谐发展。     

Forecasting in Short-Term Planning and Management for a Casino Buffet Restaurant

SUMMARY

Demand fluctuation accounts for an important consideration in a restaurant's daily operational decisions. Good short-term planning and management require accurate forecasts of daily demand. The objective of this study is three-fold: (1) to apply, evaluate, and compare different methods of forecasting customer counts for an on-premises buffet restaurant of a local casino in Las Vegas, (2) to describe and propose a combined forecasting approach for this casino buffet restaurant, and (3) to explore the concept of revenue and capacity management for this buffet restaurant. Eight forecasting models were tested and evaluated by two common error measures. The results suggest that a double moving average model was the most accurate model with the smallest MAPE and RMSPE. Extensive discussions on forecasting and planning/management in buffet operations are provided along with recommended future research.     

Fiscal deficits,monetary reform and inflation stabilization in romania

Developing countries have witnessed an increase in foreign bank participation during the last decade. Using bank level data for the period 1991–2001, we examine the influence of foreign banks on the financing of small firms in Tanzania. Despite dominating the banking sector, results suggest that the financing of small firms by foreign banks is insignificant compared to domestic banks. Clearly, there is a need for a new approach to policy that will encourage significant foreign bank lending to small firms.     

浅谈高职院校科研管理

高职院校同本科院校一样承担着培养人才、科学研究和为社会服务三大功能。但是目前高职院校在科研管理方面存在不少问题：只重视申报课题，不太重视“做”课题；片面追求课题数量，忽视课题质量；没有建立一支强有力的科研团队；科研成果难以转化。为此，必须采取切实有效措施：多渠道争取课题来源，加强课题申报的组织工作；完善科研管理制度；打造一支强有力的科研团队；强化科研成果转化工作。     

中职学校《职业道德与法律》教学刍议

《职业道德与法律》是中等职业学校必修的一门德育课程,本文针对目前各中职学校在本学科教学中存在的两大问题提出建议以提高教学质量,实现培养目标。     

高职教材发展阶段理论研究

正如产品具有经济周期一样,职业教育的发展也必将具有诞生、生长、成熟及至衰败几个阶段,而教材作为教育过程中的重要道具,也有一个与之相匹配的发展过程。本文就是从教材发展过程中的几个阶段进行研究。     

对高校精品课程建设的思考与建议

精品课程建设项目是实现＂名师名课＂教学资源共享的重要举措,是我国高等教育质量工程的重要组成部分。文章对精品课程的内涵进行了追溯,对高职院校精品课程建设过程中出现的一些问题进行了思考和分析。