Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Inequality, Group Entitlements and Populism

This paper offers a theoretical framework that explains how financial inequality and misbeliefs about group entitlements among voters foster voting in favour of populist parties. When a banking shock occurs in an economy with heterogeneous agents, the central bank independently chooses the optimal degree of monetization to balance financial and monetary instability, while agents choose between a populist party and a classical party to select the degree of bank bailout, which is paid through a proportional tax. Agents vote according to a behavioural mechanism that we call “democratic rioting”: “aggrieved” agents benefit psychologically from voting for the populist party. The banking shock triggers a higher probability of voting for a populist party in the presence of financial inequality and misbeliefs about group entitlements.
Tax, transfers, and income inequality in New Zealand during 1988-2013

This dissertation investigates the role tax and transfer policy changes played in the evolution of New Zealand disposable income inequality between 1988 and 2013. Across ﬁve papers, the key changes in tax and transfer policies are identiﬁed, the labour supply response of individuals to the changes are estimated, and the impact of these changes on the income distribution is quantiﬁed. Overall, nearly 40% of the increase in income inequality during this period is attributable to changes in the tax-transfer system. The tax and transfer payment changes investigated in this dissertation cover the gradual ﬂattening of the tax scale over the 1980/90s, the reduction in beneﬁt payments following the 1991 Mother of All Budgets, the introduction of Working for Families in 2005, and the erosion of transfer payments relative to the average wage throughout the period. Given these changes, the efﬁcacy of the tax transfer system for meeting vertical and horizontal equity goals is evaluated using data from the Household Economic Survey (HES). The redistributive effect of tax-transfer policy fell from 22.6 Gini points to 18.2 Gini points between 1988/91 and 2011/13, with a corresponding decline in the amount of vertical equity in the tax-transfer system. Between the same periods the degree of horizontal inequity rose,although this was predominantly the result of greater targeting in the tax-transfer system. The adjustment in the structure of the tax-transfer system not only leads to a change in tax liabilities and transfer payments, but also generates a behavioural change by individuals with regards to the number of hours they would be willing to work. Preference parameter estimates over hours of work and income are generated for individuals in the sample, with imputed wages estimated for those who are out of work. A tax-transfer microsimulation model, that utilises wage and preference parameter estimates, is then used to construct counterfactual scenarios where the tax-transfer system of a given year is applied to the population of other years. For example, the tax-transfer system of 1988-1991 is applied to the population in 2010-2013 in order to create a scenario representing what the disposable income distribution in 2010-2013 would look like with the 1988-1991 tax-transfer system. Estimates from this process suggest that nearly 40% of the increase in disposable income inequality between the 1988/91 and 2010/13 periods was due to the change in payments and labour supply behaviour associated with tax-transfer policy adjustments. Other potential drivers of income inequality change were investigated by reweighting the HES data of one period to more closely represent the population of another period. Although shifts in the share of individuals in part time work also generated an increase in income inequality, the lift in higher educational attainment over this period is estimated to have reduced income inequality more sharply (by nearly 22%). The shift in the age distribution towards prime-aged work was not associated with any change in the aggregate income inequality measure.
Best of both worlds? Independent lists and voter turnout in local elections

ABSTRACT How does the presence of independent lists influence voter turnout in municipal and sub-municipal elections? Despite the persistence of independent lists in local elections of European countries, this question has remained underexplored. Our paper examines the influence of independent lists on voter turnout both theoretically and empirically. In the theoretical discussion, we outline two competing hypotheses. On one hand, the best of both worlds hypothesis predicts that owing to increased choice for the voters, the presence of nonpartisan lists would increase voter turnout. On the other hand, the competing hypothesis suggests the opposite due to higher information costs associated with independent lists. We test our hypotheses using data from four election cycles of Portuguese municipal and sub-municipal levels of government. Since 2001, Portugal’s electoral law allows the participation of nonpartisan lists of candidates in local elections. The empirical analysis employs fractional probit and beta regression models and finds strong support for the best of both worlds hypothesis, both at the municipal and the sub-municipal levels.
Urban Sustainability and the SDGs: A Nordic Perspective and Opportunity for Integration

Urban sustainability has been used to cover multiple aspects of urban development. Terms related to sustainability have been generously used to advance ubiquitous and hard-to-measure targets not least in response to global and national sustainable development (SD) targets. However, ad-hoc and governed urbanization processes differ. In addition to different development pathways, local differences in interpretation of sustainability exist. This renders a global urban sustainability discourse disconnected from local practice. In this paper we focus on the Nordic cities, combining what is known about the similarities of the cities and societies, their recent development and highlights. Comparing with the global sustainability discourse spearheaded by the UN development goals (SDGs) we analyze the potential links in Nordic urban development to the global aims, as well as the local action taken via ex-ante review and assessment. With increasing demands for transformative change in urban planning and other institutions due to environmental, social and economic challenges, we demonstrate where strengthening the urban sustainability agenda is particularly needed. Findings show surprisingly little focus on socially just and cross-thematic development pre-SDGs, while it is expected that the dominant technocratic focus will give way to these other aspects necessary to address sustainability under the current SDG framework.
Modeling copper demand in China up to 2050: A business‐as‐usual scenario based on dynamic stock and flow analysis

In this paper, we develop a dynamic stock model and scenario analysis involving a bottom‐up approach to analyze copper demand in China from 2005 to 2050 based on government and related sectoral policies. The results show that in the short‐term, China's copper industry cannot achieve a completely circular economy without additional measures. Aggregate and per capita copper demand are both set to increase substantially, especially in infrastructure, transportation, and buildings. Between 2016 and 2050, total copper demand will increase almost threefold. Copper use in buildings will stabilize before 2050, but the copper stock in infrastructure and transportation will not yet have reached saturation in 2050. The continuous growth of copper stock implies that secondary copper will be able to cover just over 50% of demand in 2050, at best, even with an assumed recycling rate of 90%. Finally, future copper demand depends largely on the lifetime of applications. There is therefore an urgent need to prolong the service life of end‐use products to reduce the amount of materials used, especially in large‐scale applications in buildings and infrastructure.
Modeling the impact of internal state on sensory processing

Modeling the impact of internal state on sensory processing Grace Wilhelmina Lindsay Perception is the result of more than just the unbiased processing of sensory stimuli. At each moment in time, sensory inputs enter a circuit already impacted by signals of arousal, attention, and memory. This thesis aims to understand the impact of such internal states on the processing of sensory stimuli. To do so, computational models meant to replicate known biological circuitry and activity were built and analyzed. Part one aims to replicate the neural activity changes observed in auditory cortex when an animal is passively versus actively listening. In part two, the impact of selective visual attention on performance is probed in two models: a large-scale abstract model of the visual system and a smaller, more biologically-realistic one. Finally in part three, a simplified model of Hebbian learning is used to explore how task context comes to impact prefrontal cortical activity. While the models used in this thesis range in scale and represent diverse brain areas, they are all designed to capture the physical processes by which internal brain states come to impact sensory processing.
STATE POLICY IN DOMESTIC COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AT THE XX-XXI CENTURIES

Purpose: The aim of the study is to investigate the state policy in domestic computing technology development at the turn of the XX-XXI centuries. Methodology: The methodological basis of the study was the principles of historicism, objectivity and reliability. Main Findings: In a number of industry organizations, with the direct participation and under the guidance of the department members, unique automated systems are developed. Hence, the country needs to restructure and modernize its industrial potential, the dialogue between authorities and leading scientists, the training of highly qualified specialists in the field of engineering, etc. Applications: The research findings can be used by universities, cultural organizations, technology-media institutes and by graduate students in social sciences. Novelty/Originality: This paper studied Russia’s participation in the international division of labor. Russia’s entry into the global information community required the consideration of international standards during the creation of systems, which needed academic science support.
Socio-Ecological Niche and Factors Affecting Agroforestry Practice Adoption in Different Agroecologies of Southern Tigray, Ethiopia

This study was carried out in the southern zone of Tigray to identify and characterize traditional common agroforestry practices and understand the existing knowledge of farm households on the management of trees under different agroforestry in different agroecologies. We conducted reconnaissance and diagnostic surveys by systematically and randomly selecting 147 farming households in the three agroecologies of the study area. A logit regression model was employed to determine how these factors influence farmers’ adoption decision. The findings indicate that a majority of the households (46.3%) were engaged in homestead agroforestry practices (AFP), followed by live fence (25.9%) and farmland or parkland (15%) agroforestry practices. The study identified Carica papaya, Malus domestic, Persea americana, Mangifera indica, Ziziphus spina-christi, and Balanites aegyptiaca as the most dominant fruit tree species found in the home garden agroforestry. In total, 68% of the households had some of these fruit trees around their home gardens. We also established the three most dominant agricultural production systems as: i) Agricultural production system, composed of fruit tree + cereal crops + Ziziphus spina-christi + Balanites aegyptiaca and/or acacia species; ii) agricultural production system, consisting of cash crops, like Coffee arabica and Catha edulies + fruit trees + Cordia africana + Balanites aegyptiaca and/or acacia species; and iii) agricultural production, composed of fruit trees + vegetables within a boundary of Sesbania sesban and other acacia species in the modern irrigated land. Furthermore, 90.16% of the households in the highlands reported a shortage of farmland for planting trees as the main constraint. About 34.44% farmers reported using leaves of Cordia africana, Balanites aegyptiaca, pods of acacia species, and crop residue as the main source of animal fodder. In total, 86.4% of the households also recognized the importance of multipurpose trees for soil fertility enhancement, control of runoff, microclimate amelioration, environmental protection, and dry season animal fodder. According to the logit model analysis, sex, family size, educational level, and landholding significantly (p < 0.05) influence the household’s role in the adoption of agroforestry practices. Based on these findings, farmers used different adaptation strategies, such as planting of multi-purpose trees (34.7%), conservation tillage to minimize both erosion and runoff potentials as soil conservation strategies (27.2%), varying planting dates, use of drought tolerant crop varieties (16.3%), and others based on farmers’ indigenous knowledge passed down from generation to generation. We conclude that agroforestry practices are important components of farming systems in Tigray, resulting in diversified products and ecological benefits that improve socio-ecological resilience. Therefore, we recommend that agroforestry practices are mainstreamed into development plans, especially in agriculture.
LTV, Macro Economics and ROE to Stock Return in Real Estate and Property Companies Listed on LQ 45 Period 2009 – 2017

The purpose of this research is to exemine the effect of Loan to Value (LTV), exchange rate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Interest Rate and Return on Equity (ROE) to return of property stock that entered at LQ 45 in Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2009 - 2017. Using selected 5 Real Estate and Property Companies as research samples. Panel Data Regression Tehniques were use for this research. The result of this research is LTV partially has no significant effect on stock return, partial exchange rate has no significant effect on stock return, GDP partially significant effect of stock return interest rate partially does not have significant influence retun share, ROE partially significant effect of stock return and there is simultaneously significant influence between LTV, exchange rate, GDP, interest rate and ROE to stock return.
The short-term stock market reaction to cross-border M&As and the impact of the asset seeking motive: The case of Indian firms.

During the last decade the number and value of cross-border M&As by emerging market firms has increased. This thesis examines the stock market reaction to Indian cross-border M&A announcements and the impact of the strategic asset seeking motive on this stock market reaction using the event study methodology and OLS regression models. I find support for a positive stock market reaction, i.e., positive cumulative abnormal returns. A positive impact of the strategic asset seeking motive is only partly supported. There is support for the positive impact of the target being located in a developed country. However, there is no support for the positive impact of the bidder being active in the service sector. There is also no support for a positive association between the level of technology exports in the host country and cumulative abnormal returns.
Unlocking Value with Supplier Relationship Management Practices A case study of how to utilize SRM as a competitive tool

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) is treated as a strategic and holistic approach in order to manage suppliers that are critical or important to the business. The purpose of SRM is to have a long-term relationship where mutual growth and increased value can be achieved. A case study was performed at a Swedish manufacturing company, where 13 qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. The purpose of the study was to investigate how SRM can empower the purchasing and supply management in a global manufacturing company. In order to do so, the current state of SRM operations as well as the best practice of tools and processes from literature was identified. The study was conducted in order to provide improvement areas and suggestions of how the case company can generate additional value and gain process efficiency from SRM activities. The findings synthesize that SRM concern five key areas that are interrelated and needs to be worked with as a whole in order to succeed with SRM practices. The five areas that respectively consist of several tools and managerial implications are Holistic Approach to SRM, Segmentation of Suppliers, Relationship Management, Performance Measurement, and Supplier Development. The result of the master thesis shows that there is a great potential of implementing SRM in the case company. Many things can and need to be done in order to unlock value. A starting point is to follow the nine recommendations that were suggested in the end of this report which that concludes the results of how SRM can empower the purchasing and supply management in the company. The recommendations regard the following areas: Orientation, goals and vision, Coordinating purchasing, Segmentation, Governance structure, Managing relations, Key Performance Indicators, Review meetings, Procure-to-pay process efficiency and Internally follow up SRM.
Entrepreneurial Orientation, Business Strategy, and Small Medium Enterprise's Performance

There are determining factors that are directly related to the generation of opportunities that maximize performance of the small medium enterprise (SME). This research paper focuses on a quantitative paradigm to measure the entrepreneurial orientation, business strategy and SMEs’ performance as variables. A causal model was developed from the literature, from which a set of hypotheses was posed and a questionnaire was made. A sample of 95 small and medium entreprise in Denpasar was subject to the questionnaire. The findings suggest, entrepeneurial orientation have the most important effect on marketing performance rather than business strategy. The results are based on a rather small sample of exporting SMEs in Denpasar Bali; therefore, the generalizability of the results cannot be assured. But this study will sheds more light on the little researched themes of entrepreneurial orientations in the context of SMEs.
Consumers’ Attitudes Towards the Introduction of Robots in Accommodation Establishments

Robots are increasingly discussed in academic literature as well as public discourse because of their introduction into consumers’ lives. The increased usage of robots in industry will meet with resistance from customers in the service industry as well as employees in industry, as their capabilities increase and they are used to augment or replace human labour. This article explores data gathered from a 2017 survey of 393 Iranian consumers to determine how Iranians perceive the use of robots in hotels, indicating which tasks Iranian consumers find robots can do for them and those that they want humans to continue doing. The findings reveal that Iranian consumers’ attitudes towards having services performed for them by robots is largely driven by general attitudes towards robots, a recognition of the advantages of robots compared to humans, experience with robots, and the social skills of robots. It is noteworthy that no demographic variables explored seem to play a role in shaping attitudes towards service in hotels by robots.
Multidimensional Parallelization for Streaming Text Processing Applications Based on Parabix Framework

Streaming text processing is important for transforming and analyzing the rapidly growing data in modern society. Unfortunately, text processing software written using the sequential byte-at-a-time processing model fails to take full advantage of the resources available on modern processors for many reasons, including significant branch misprediction penalties due to the input-dependent branching structures of text processing applications, cache miss penalties for table-based operations applied per byte of input, and logical complexity that makes it difficult to process more than a single-byte at a time. Common solutions to process text streams that have dependencies from start to end may involve state machine or recursive algorithms, which are generally considered hard to parallelize and hence ill-suited for multicore or manycore processors. However, the Parabix approach to text processing has recently been shown to offer a promising alternative, based on the concept of bitwise data parallelism: a transform representation of text that uses the full width of available processor registers at a density of one bit per input byte. This dissertation investigates the further development of the Parabix framework to incorporate multidimensional parallelization, combining Parabix methods with several different models of multithreading such as task parallelism, data parallelism and pipeline parallelism as well as with GPU-based SIMT processing. A form of data-pipeline parallelism is developed and shown to be beneficial for text-processing applications even with strong sequential state dependencies. Compilers for both pure pipeline parallelism and data-pipeline parallelism are developed and integrated into Parabix framework to provide automated multithreading support for any Parabix applications. Methods for task parallelism and data parallelism are also developed, but need to be customized by the programmer for specific applications. GPU support is added to Parabix framework by translating LLVM IR into PTX, which can be compiled into binary code and run on GPU devices. Programmers can simply choose to use NVPTX driver instead of CPU driver for code that is executed on GPU. Several applications based on Parabix are implemented and tested with different parallelization techniques to analyze the advantages and limits of multidimensional parallelization extensions of Parabix framework. In data-pipeline mode, we are able to achieve 215% speedup compared with the sequential version on a quad-core machine. The GPU implementation has its limitations but can give up to 310% speed-up.
Fiscal Policy Driven Bond Risk Premia

We estimate a New-Keynesian model with heterogeneous agents to study the impact of level and volatility shocks to fiscal policy on the term structure of interest rates and bond risk premia. We derive three key insights from the theoretical model. First, government spending level shocks generate positive covariance between marginal utility to consume and inflation, making nominal bonds poor hedges against consumption risk and result in positive risk premium. Second, variability in the nominal term premium is caused by variation in the real term premium while inflation risk premium is remarkably stable over time. Fluctuation of the real term premium is entirely driven by government spending volatility shocks. Third, at the zero lower bound (ZLB), impact of level and volatility shocks to government spending are amplified. This is especially pronounced for volatility shocks producing substantial bond risk premium when the ZLB is binding.