Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unionism and Wage Rates: A Simultaneous Equations Model with Qualitative and Limited Dependent Variables

A large number of studies have been made on the impact of labor unions on wage rates of workers. These studies generally have found positive and significant effects of unionism on wage rates. More recently, a few authors have studied the simultaneous effects between unionism and wages. Ashenfelter and Johnson [1972] used aggregated U.S. Manufacturing Industries Data and found that unionism had no significant impact on wage rates, but that the wage rate had a significant effect on the extent of unionism. Since the data they used were quite limited, they could only conclude that the magnitude of the effects of unionism on wage rates was uncertain. Schmidt and Strauss [1976] reached similar conclusions using macroeconomic data. Their mixed logit approach, however, is not based on choice behavior and does not fit into a traditional econometric framework. This study extends recent investigations of the joint determination of the extent of unionism and the effects of unions on wage rates, using macroeconomic data from the Survey of Economic Opportunity Sample of 1967. Economic considerations suggest that the propensity to join a union depends on the net wage gains that might result from trade union membership. The explicit inclusion of this interdependence between the wage gain equation and the union membership equation in the model represents our point of departure from the previous work of Ashenfelter and Johnson and Schmidt and Strauss. The model is a variant of a traditional simultaneous equations model with a binary qualitative variable (union membership) and limited dependent variables. In Section 2, the conceptual framework of the model is discussed. Properties of the data are presented in Section 3. Section 4 briefly discusses estimation methods, and empirical estimates are presented in Section 5. Finally, in Section 6, conclusions are drawn.
Modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in melanocytes

Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is constitutively produced by keratinocytes, but has no known epidermal target cell. We now report that normal human melanocytes (Mc) maintained in serum‐free, hormone‐, and growth factor‐supplemented medium lacking phorbol ester and choleragen constitutively express VEGF receptor‐1 (VEGFR‐1), VEGFR‐2, and neuropilin‐1. Furthermore, stimulation of Mc with VEGF165 isoform leads to phosphorylation of VEGFR‐2, the receptor responsible for most of the VEGF‐mediated effects in endothelial cells, suggesting that the receptor is functional. Interestingly, in Mc, VEGFR‐2 expression is induced by ultraviolet irradiation and is downregulated by VEGF and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Prolonged culture (>8 weeks) in the presence of phorbol ester abrogates VEGFR‐2 expression, explaining previous reports that Mc do not express VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2. These data suggest that VEGF may play a role in Mc behavior in skin.
Pertussis toxin and target eukaryotic cells: binding, entry, and activation

Pertussis toxin, a protein virulence factor produced by Bordetella pertussis, is composed of an A protomer and a B oligomer. The A protomer consists of a single polypeptide, termed the S1 subunit, which disrupts transmembrane signaling by ADP‐ribosylating eukaryotic G‐proteins. The B oligomer, containing five polypeptides, binds to cell receptors (most likely containing carbohydrate) and delivers the S1 subunit. Current knowledge suggests that expression of ADP‐ribosyltransferase activity in target eukaryotic cells arises after 1) nucleotides and membrane lipids allosterically promote the release of the S1 subunit; and 2) the single disulfide bond in the S1 subunit is reduced by reductants such as glutathione. This model suggests conditions for the proper use of the toxin as an experimental reagent. — Kaslow, H. R. ; Burns, D. L. Pertussis toxin and target eukaryotic cells: binding, entry and activation. FASEB J. 6: 2684‐2690; 1992.
Evaluating Boards of Directors: What Constitutes a Good Corporate Board?

This paper is an attempt to identify what constitutes a good board of directors, and this is based on a comparison between academic literature, corporate governance rating systems and our field research into board practices. We observed that “traditional” academic research focused on a limited number of quantifiable board characteristics, while practitioners attach greater importance to “soft” elements, which are nearly absent in the literature and in the governance ratings. These findings highlight the need for a better understanding of all elements that determine board effectiveness. Furthermore, our results identify three areas of improvement for boards of directors.
The Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Services

This paper has two main objectives: first, to consider country specific determinants that attract services FDI, and second, to compare the importance of these determinants vis-a-vis traditional determinants that attract manufacturing FDI. Using OECD countries as our sample, and 1980 to 2003 as our time period, we consider the determinants of inward FDI in a panel setting. Our results provide empirical evidence to support the view that no new theories may be necessary to explain the determinants of services FDI.
Determinants of Corruption Perceptions: Transitional vs. Developed Economies

In this paper we explore relationships between corruption perceptions and such characteristics as the size of shadow economy, GDP per capita, well-being, the Happy Planet Index (HPI), and quality of institutions. Special attention is paid to the comparison of transitional economies with countries that joined the European Union in 2004 and 2007, and developed countries. It is shown that irrespective of whether the economy is developed or transitional, negative dependence of corruption perceptions on shadow economy switches to positive if the size of the shadow economy increases over 15% of the official GDP. After the shadow economy passes 45%, the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index ceases to respond to growth of the shadow economy. Our estimates confirm that transition in countries is accompanied by growth of GDP per capita and a decrease in the level of corruption perceptions. For these reasons, transitional countries and countries where transition is over belongs to different clusters according to these indicators. This is not true for well-being and the HPI. It is not surprising that a regression analysis shows that "control of corruption" and "regulatory quality" are significant for reducing corruption perceptions both in transitional and other economies. It is interesting that "government effectiveness" and "voice and accountability" are significant only for transitional economies and insignificant in others. "Rule of law" and "political stability" are insignificant both in transitional and in developed countries
Transforming growth factor‐β1 ‐509T reduces risk of colorectal cancer, but not adenoma in Koreans

The proliferation of colorectal epithelial cells is regulated by various stimuli including cytokines and growth factors, thus the variants of those genes can modify the colorectal cancer risk. TGF‐β1 can act as both a tumor suppressor and a stimulator of tumor progression. TGF‐β1 C‐509T polymorphism in the promoter sequence has been associated with increased levels of plasma TGF‐β1 in individuals with T allele. To evaluate the potential influences of this polymorphism on colorectal adenoma and cancer risk, a case‐control study was conducted in Korea. A total of 646 subjects were prospectively enrolled in Seoul National University Hospital. Risk of colorectal neoplasms was evaluated separately for 244 patients with colorectal adenoma, 152 patients with colorectal cancer relative to 250 healthy controls. Genotypes were determined by the PCR‐RFLP method. ORs and 95% CIs were calculated by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The TGF‐β1 ‐509T allele containing genotypes posed a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (adjusted OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.28–0.92). But there was no association between this polymorphism and colorectal adenoma. Our results suggest that the TGF‐β1 ‐509T allele may have a protective role in the development of colorectal cancer, possibly consistent with its role as an inhibitor of epithelial malignant transformation. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 401–404)
Optimal Efficiency Control Strategy in Wind Energy Conversion System With Induction Generator

This paper presents an optimal efficiency control strategy for wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) with squirrel cage induction generators (SCIGs). The developed control scheme provides an optimal efficiency of the induction generator and maximum power extraction from the wind turbine. Thus, maximum power harvesting from the whole WECS is achieved and additionally expansion of the exploitable wind speed region toward the lower speed range is accomplished. A minimum electric loss (MEL) controller is introduced to minimize the generator electric loss and a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is used to maximize the wind turbine output power. Common input to the two optimal controllers is only the generator speed, while the measurement of the wind speed is not required. The controllers determine the optimal d- and q-axis stator current components of the SCIG through optimal conditions and, therefore, fast dynamic response of the WECS is accomplished. An experimental procedure is proposed to determine the MEL and MPPT controller parameters. Therefore, neither the knowledge of SCIG loss model, nor the characteristic curves of the wind turbine are required. The effectiveness and the operational improvements of the suggested optimal control scheme have been verified experimentally.
Employment Outcomes and Plant Closure in a Post-industrial City: An Analysis of the Labour Market Status of MG Rover Workers Three Years On

This paper examines how the loss of 6300 jobs from the closure of MG Rover (MGR) in the city of Birmingham (UK) in April 2005 affected the employment trajectories of ex-workers, in the context of wider structural change and efforts at urban renewal. The paper presents an analysis of a longitudinal survey of 300 ex-MGR workers, and examines to what extent the state of local labour markets and workers’ geographical mobility—as well as the effectiveness of the immediate policy response and longer-term local economic strategies—may have helped to balance the impacts of personal attributes associated with workers’ employability and their reabsorption into the labour markets. It is found that the relative buoyancy of the local economy, the success of longer-run efforts at diversification and a strong policy response and retraining initiative helped many disadvantaged workers to find new jobs in the medium term. However, the paper also highlights the unequal employment outcomes and trajectories that many lesser-skilled workers faced. It explores the policy issues arising from such closures and their aftermath, such as the need to co-ordinate responses, to retain institutional capacity, to offer high-quality training and education resources to workers and, where possible, to slow down such closure processes to enable skills to be retained and reused within the local economy.
Causal Relationship between Energy Consumption and GDP Growth Revisited: A Dynamic Panel Data Approach

This paper uses the panel data of energy consumption and GDP for 82 countries from 1972 to 2002. Based on the income levels defined by the World Bank, the data are divided into four categories: low income group, lower middle income group, upper middle income group, and high income group. We employ the GMM-SYS approach for the estimation of the panel VAR model in each of the four groups. Afterwards, the causal relationship between energy consumption and economic growth is tested and ascertained. We discover: (a) in the low income group, there exists no causal relationship between energy consumption and economic growth; (b) in the middle income groups (lower and upper middle income groups), economic growth leads energy consumption positively; (c) in the high income group countries, economic growth leads energy consumption negatively. After further in-depth analysis of energy related data, the results indicate that, in the high income group, there is a great environmental improvement as a result of more efficient energy use and reduction in the release of CO2. However, in the upper middle income group countries, after the energy crisis, the energy efficiency declines and the release of CO2 rises. Since there is no evidence indicating that energy consumption leads economic growth in any of the four income groups, a stronger energy conservation policy should be pursued in all countries.
Leadership and policy deployment: The backbone of TQM

This paper presents total quality management (TQM) as a comprehensive approach to improving competitiveness, effectiveness and flexibility through planning, organising and understanding each activity, and involving each individual at each level. It is useful in all types of organisations. Effective TQM ensures that management adopts a strategic overview of quality and focuses on prevention, not detection, of problems. It often requires a mindset change to break down existing barriers. Managements that doubt the applicability of TQM should ask questions about the operation's costs, errors, wastes, standards, systems, training and job instructions. TQM must start at the top, where serious obsession and commitment to quality and leadership need to be demonstrated. Middle management also has a key role to play in communicating the message. Every chief executive must accept the responsibility for commitment to a quality policy that deals with the organisation for quality, the customer needs, the ability of the organisation, supplied materials and services, education and training and review of the management systems for never-ending improvement. The culture of an organisation is formed by the beliefs, behaviours, norms, dominant values, rules and climate in the organisation. Any organisation needs a vision framework, comprising its guiding philosophy, core values and beliefs and purpose. The effectiveness of an organisation depends on the extent to which people perform their roles and move towards the common goals and objectives. TQM is concerned with moving the focus of control from the outside to the inside of individuals, so that everyone is accountable for his/her own performance. Effective leadership starts with the chief executive's vision and develops into a strategy for deployment. Top management should develop the following for effective leadership: clear beliefs and objectives in the form of a vision; clear and effective strategies and supporting plans; the critical success factors and core processes; the appropriate management structure; employee participation through empowerment. The vehicle for achieving excellence in leadership is TQM. Using the construct of the Oakland TQM Model, the four Ps and four Cs provide a framework for this: Planning, Performance, Processes, People, Customers, Commitment, Culture and Communications. The paper concludes with reflections from the author after 30 years a ‘quality professional’ on leadership and policy deployment as the backbone of TQM and introduces research themes for ‘quality in the twenty-first century’.
Equity retention and initial public offerings: the influence of signalling and entrenchment effects

Within the context of initial public offerings (IPOs) the value of firms at the point of flotation appears to be positively and significantly related to the amount of equity retained by the original owners. But certain theoretical arguments and some limited empirical evidence suggest that the form of the relationship between firm value and retained equity may need further consideration. UK data is used for the first time to examine the relationship between equity retention and firm value at flotation. Empirical results indicate that the relationship is not significantly positive across the whole range of possible values. Firm value is found to be positively and significantly related to low and medium levels of equity retention, but not to high levels of retained equity. This adds to the evidence for other markets and casts further doubt over whether the retained equity variable is acting as a signal or has quite such a uniform effect as is commonly suggested in the literature.
Dispersion Forms: An Interaction of Market Access, Competition, and Urban Costs

This paper analyzes a two-region model including multiple industries with different transport costs. Two results are derived. First, dispersion occurs for small transport costs, but the specific dispersion patterns depend on the level of urban costs. This results from an interaction of the market-access effect on consumers, the market-access effect on firms, the competition effect, and the urban-cost effect. Second, decreasing transport cost tends to let industries with lower transport costs disperse, although the shares of industries locating in the larger region are not in order of their transport costs. We further provide some empirical data concerning the second result.
The Effects of Employment Protection on Labor Turnover: Empirical Evidence from Taiwan

This paper investigates the effects of employment protection legislation on the rates of hiring, separation, worker flows, job reallocation, and churning flows for the case of Taiwan. Our empirical identification takes advantage of a reform created by Taiwan's enactment of Labor Standards Law, which has substantially increased the costs of firing, and the implementation of the law's enforcement measures. Moreover, our identification also exploits the fact that the stringency of the law's provisions and the intensity of the law's enforcement vary with establishment size. On the basis of the monthly data at the establishment level for the period 1983-1995, we find that Taiwan's Labor Standards Law and its enforcement measures have dampened labor turnover for medium-sized and large establishments, while that of small establishments was not affected.
The Roles of Distributor in the Supply Chain–Push-pull boundary

The purpose of this paper is to study the roles of the distributor in the supply chain and to explore its positive contributions. We find that the distributor should act as a push and pull boundary (also called decoupling point) of the supply chain. The definition of decoupling point is needed to be enhanced when the concept of the decoupling point is applied to an industry, like the electronics industry, due to the fact that several decoupling points along a supply chain are possible. The distributor, as a decoupling point, needs to resolve the overstock risk pooled from the upstream parties due to the economies of scale in the production process. On the other hand, the distributor needs to provide fast delivery service with small order quantities and to satisfy the high availability requirement from its downstream parties by providing postponement services to her partners in the supply chain.
Psychic distance and environment: impact on increased resource commitment

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical driven model, explaining the interaction between psychic distance and environment on increased (subsequent) resource commitment decisions made by firms in their internationalization process. Increasingly, contrary to the Uppsala internationalization process (IP) model, firms are engaging in direct investment, rather than exporting as an initial step into overseas markets. Yet, it remains unclear how psychic distance affects firms engaged in increased resource commitment, especially in the initial phase of their international expansion when uncertainty is higher.Design/methodology/approach – Building theory by integrating two key theories of internationalisation (IP model and eclectic paradigm), the paper explains increased resource commitment. Comparing firm types, the study also fills the research gap of recognising multinational enterprises (MNEs) as heterogeneous in their internationalization experience. Psychic distance and environment ar.
Persistence of firm-level profitability in the European dairy processing industry

Based on autoregressive (AR) models and Arellano-Bond dynamic panel estimation, this article analyses profit persistence in the European dairy processing industry. The sample comprises 590 dairy processors from the following five countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The AR models indicate that cooperatives which account for around 20% of all firms in the dairy processing sector are not primarily profit oriented. In addition, the results point toward a high level of competition as profit persistence is rather low even if cooperatives are excluded. The panel model reveals that short- as well as long-run profit persistence is influenced by firm and industry characteristics.
Young Workers’ Job Insecurity and Employment Uncertainty in Times of Crisis: Exploring the Impact of Governance, Economic Resources and Trust in Central-Eastern and Western Europe

The paper is concerned with a better understanding of the job insecurity and labour market uncertainty youngsters confront on the labour market in Europe shortly before and during the Great Recession. The main thrust of the paper is to explore youth insecurity and uncertainty in notably the Central and Eastern European countries (CEE) compared to Western European countries with a particular focus for the role played by young people’s skills, the level of trust in society, and for the ways of governance as indicated by the social models the countries represent. We use the European Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS) and the European Social Survey (ESS). We ran discrete choice logistic and probit regression models on the three variables of interest: objective and subjective job and employment insecurity. At the individual level the findings substantiate the existence of strong correlates between people’s skills, their level of social and institutional trust and objective and subjective job and employment insecurity. At the country level we show that the observed insecurity gaps between insiders and outsiders are strongly skill-based notably in the Nordic countries as well as strongly age-based notably in the Southern regimes. The patterns of insecurity and uncertainty in the CEE countries are skill-based and age-based at the same time, and mirror their relative low levels of trust and their high levels of job insecurity in some countries and employment insecurity in others.
Capital mobility: evidence from four South Asian economies

This paper examines the degree of capital mobility in four South Asian economies, namely, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The paper extends the Shibata and Shintani (1988) model to incorporate the interest rate differential. While the empirical results appear to be country specific, in general, capital does not appear to be mobile in South Asia. The results suggest that the interest rate differential is not related to changes in consumption in South Asia.