Algorithms to compute CM- and S-estimates for regression

Constrained M-estimators for regression were introduced by Mendes and Tyler in 1995 as an alternative class of robust regression estimators with high breakdown point and high asymptotic efficiency. To compute the CM-estimate, the global minimum of an objective function with an inequality constraint has to be localized. To find the S-estimate for the same problem, we instead restrict ourselves to the boundary of the feasible region. The algorithm presented for computing CM-estimates can easily be modified to compute S-estimates as well. Testing is carried out with a comparison to the algorithm SURREAL by Ruppert.     

Marriage: Past, Present, Future?

If they existed, markets for sex and markets for children wouldshare a common feature: women sell and men demand. No societyallows the trade in children, instead we have marriage. Thisarticle discusses biological and legal aspects of reproduction,and their implications for gender roles and family forms. (JEL:J12, J13)     

Sex and the City

Throughout the industrialized world, young women outnumber young men in urban areas. This paper proposes that such a pattern may be linked to higher male incomes in urban areas. The argument is that urban areas offer skilled workers better labor markets. Assuming that there are more skilled males than females, this alone would predict a surplus of males. However, the presence of males with high incomes may attract not only skilled females but also unskilled females. Thus, a surplus of women in urban areas may result from a combination of better labor and marriage markets. Swedish municipality data support the results.     

The development of strategic management: Journal quality and article impact

Quality ratings of strategic management journals by experts correlate closely with objective quality measures of current article impact and cumulative journal influence. In part, journal quality seems determined by editors' research stature. Over 12 years, scholarly influence of strategic management periodicals has grown nearly three-fold, as two new journals directed to conceptual development of management as a whole have risen to prominence. Expansion of strategic management research and growth of its influence may be in response to challenges posed by the continuing crisis of managerial and business performance.