Charitable Giving of Alumni

A bstract . This research examines the "age-donation" profile of gift-giving alumniai a large public university , based on a pooled micro-data random sample of 4,242 alumni (1926/27-1989/90 graduates) who gave cash gifts during the 1975/76-1989/90 fiscal years. The covariance regression model results indicate lack of statistically significant difference between gift-giving women and men. However, the School of Business graduates , alumni who proceeded to obtain graduate degrees from this university, and alumni members of non-Greek social organizations gave significantly more. Moreover, alumni contributions varied systematically over the business cycle and a 1962 Federal Court Order to desegregate the university racially reduced donations but not significantly. Given the 63-year cycle studied, the growth rates of alumni donations of money are projected to decline after roughly age 52, which falls short of the typical retirement age.     

Developing the evidence base of patient and public involvement in health and social care research: the case for measuring impact

While patient and public involvement (PPI) in health and social care research has progressed successfully in the last decade, a range of difficulties with the evidence base exist, including poor understanding of the concept of impact, limited theorization and an absence of quantitative impact measurement. In this paper, we argue that a paradigm change towards robust measurement of the impact of involvement in research is needed to complement qualitative explorations. We argue that service users should be collaboratively involved in the conceptualization, theorization and development of instruments to measure PPI impact. We consider the key advantages measurement would bring in strengthening the PPI evidence base through a greater understanding of what works, for whom, in what circumstances and why.     

Graduate School Alumni Donations to Academic Funds: Micro-data Evidence

A bstract . The giving profile of graduate degree alumni of a Carnegie-classified, U.S. "Doctoral Universities I" institution is investigated in this paper. For fundraising purposes, the likely gift-giving alumni are males holding old vintage Doctoral, MBA or MS degrees; however, they neither received their second graduate degree nor earned their baccalaureate degrees at this institution. Graduate degree alumni have decreasing giving profiles for many years following completion of their first graduate degree but this decrease bottoms out later in life. It continues seven more years for alumni who earned a second graduate degree at the university. The "wealth-accumulation" effect of giving tends to dominate the "earnings-effect." Doctoral degree alumni have the highest giving profile among graduate school alumni. Racial desegregation of the university is positively and strongly related to alumni giving. Inferences of the giving profile of undergraduate degree alumni reported in past work do not extend to graduate school alumni.     

Fertilizer market liberalization and private retail trade in Kenya

This paper examined the factors influencing the entry and sales decision of private traders in fertilizer retail trade in a liberalized market using survey data from Kenya. A two-stage econometric model is used to examine traders’ entry and sales decision. The results provide insights into factors that are associated with private retail traders’ entry and sales decisions in an era of liberalized fertilizer markets. It shows substantial entry into fertilizer retail trade following market liberalization. Relatively limited investments in trading assets and equipment are predicted to hold back firm expansion. Implications drawn from the study provide insights into likely research and policy interventions.     

Productivity Change of Nigerian Insurance Companies: 1994–2005

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to estimate the productivity change of Nigerian insurance companies and to rank the companies analysed in the sample according to their productivity score. This benchmark exercise provides the companies analysed with a view of how their relative productivity can be upgraded. For this purpose, the non‐parametric Luenberger productivity model is used. For comparative purposes, the non‐parametric Luenberger–Hicks–Moorsteen productivity indicator is also used. The companies are ranked according to their total productivity for the period 1994–2005, using both models, which produce variations in the respective results. Economic implications arising from the study are derived.     

Union-nonunion compensation differentials across plant sizes: Evidence from CPS 1983

Previous empirical work on the relationship between plant size and union-nonunion differentials has focused either on wages (Podgursky, 1986) or benefits (Bramley, Wunnava, and Robinson, 1989; Freeman, 1981). This note extends this research by simultaneously focusing on both wages and benefits. There are several arguments that can be made in explaining union-nonunion differentials across plant sizes: (1) union threat effects, (2) efficiency wage effects, and (3) wage dispersion effects. Our study focuses on measuring the union-nonunion differential in total compensation. For this end, estimates of total compensation are obtained using Mellow's suggestion (1982) for combining hourly wage information with qualitative data on pensions and health insurance, and Ross's imputations (1989) for holidays and vacations benefits. Our results, based on the May 1983 CPS supplemented by BLS data on pensions, health insurance, holidays, and vacation benefits indicate significant union-nonunion total compensation differentials exist only for workers in establishments with less than 500 workers. These results are consistent with Podgursky's wage differential findings.     

Strategies and impact of agro-allied parastatals reform in Nigeria

This study examines the reform of agro‐allied parastatals in Nigeria and determine the impact financially, economically and socially. Three enterprises, Flour Mills of Nigeria Limited (FMNL), Okitipupa Oil Palm Company (OOPC) and Nichemtex Industries Limited (NIL), were privatized in Nigeria under a reform programme aimed at improving the performance of agribusinesses in the country. The exercise was successfully conducted through public offer of shares and private placement. The reform led to an improvement in profitability, productivity, financial leverage and liquidity position of the enterprises. The social impact of privatization was also favourable. It has no adverse consequences on job security, level of employment and participation of employees in trade union matters. Successful implementation of the reform was due to several factors including high level of professional competence and dedication of officials connected with the reform, a high degree of transparency and strict compliance with laid down guidelines. At the enterprise level, the positive changes recorded by the enterprises came about through the adoption of a number of coping strategies such as the maintenance of diverse product mix, expansion of export potentials and upgrading of product quality, improved marketing management, technological restructuring and improved techniques of sourcing raw materials. At the macro level, some policy actions such as trade policy reforms and price liberalization also played significant role in enhancing the performance of the enterprises after privatization.     

Human and Institutional Capacity Building and Utilization in Science and Technology in Africa: An Appraisal of Africa's Performance to-date and The Way Forward

Abstract: The paper notes that much effort and resources have been invested in educating and training many Africans both at home and abroad. Similarly, a variety of purposeful African scientific and engineering institutions, have been established across the entire continent by African governments, and in several cases, with the support of donors and international organisations. This paper assesses how African countries have fared in the process, particularly in three critical areas: nurturing of these institutions, provision of an environment in which science and technology could thrive, and the development and utilisation of Africa's human resources. In suggesting action plans for the future, the paper discusses how other countries of the world are preparing for the future and the steps Africa must take in order to be able to compete effectively and successfully in the global market of the new millennium. The paper concludes that if Africa is to be relevant in the 21^stcentury and be the master of its own destiny, each African country must understand the dialectics of institution building, particularly in science and technology, and the roles of such institutions in national development agenda. Above all, each African country must place a premium on visionary leadership and a priority on the recognition and effective utilisation of the talents, abilities and the creativity of its citizens. Résumé: L'article indique que beaucoup d'efforts et de ressources ont été consacrés à la formation d'un grand nombre d'Africains sur place et à l'étranger. Parallèlement, une série d'institutions africaines scientifiques et techniques a été créée par les gouvernements africains à travers tout le continent et, dans plusieurs cas, avec le soutien des bailleurs de fonds et des organisations internationales. L'article évalue le comportement des pays africains dans le processus et, en particulier, dans trois domaines essentiels: l'entretien de ces institutions, la mise en place d'un environnement favorable à l'épanouissement de la science et de la technologie, le perfectionnement et l'utilisation des ressources humaines africaines. En proposant des plans d'action pour l'avenir, l'auteur examine comment d'autres pays du monde préparent l'avenir et les mesures que l'Afrique doit prendre pour pouvoir soutenir avec efficacité et succès la concurrence sur le marché mondial du nouveau millénaire. En conclusion, l'auteur fait remarquer que si l'Afrique veut rester dans le peloton au 21 èrne siècle et maîtriser sa propre destinée, chaque pays africain doit comprendre la dialectique du renforcement institutionnel, en particulier, dans les domaines scientifiques et technologiques, et les rôles que ces institutions doivent jouer dans le programme de développement national. Chaque pays africain doit, par-dessus tout, privilégier une conduite futuriste des affaires et accorder la prioritéà la reconnaissance et à l'utilisation efficace des talents, des compétences et de la créativité des citoyens.