The effects of absent fathers on adolescent criminal activity: an economic approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
David M. Zimmer

Abstract Simple ordinary least squares estimates indicate that absent fathers boost probabilities of adolescent criminal behavior by 16–38%, but those numbers likely are biased by unobserved heterogeneity. This paper first presents an economic model explaining that unobserved heterogeneity. Then turning to empirics, fixed effects, which attempt to address that bias, suggest that absent fathers reduce certain types of adolescent crime, while lagged-dependent variable models suggest the opposite. Those conflicting conclusions are resolved by an approach that combines those two estimators using an orthogonal reparameterization approach, with model parameters calculated using a Bayesian algorithm. The main finding is that absent fathers do not appear to directly affect adolescent criminal activity. Rather, families with absent fathers possess traits that appear to correlate with increased adolescent criminal behaviors.

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 302-308
Author(s):  
SJ Balaji ◽  
Abimanyu Jhajhria ◽  
Sant Kumar ◽  
T Kingsly Immanuelraj ◽  
Amit Kar

Exploring linkages between agriculture, nutrition and human health has become an emerging field of research. Literature shows us both positive and negative externalities of agriculture on nutrition and health. Hence, the first step towards exploring agriculture–nutrition linkages would be ‘establishing’ the relationship between agriculture and nutrition, and thereby human health. This study, while doesn’t explicitly model and estimate complex linkages, attempts to study the direction, strength and magnitude of agriculture on nutritional status in rural India. Using a panel data covering 1991–2012, the study explores the linkages at two stages. Analysis indicates a ‘positive causality’ of agriculture on human nutrition and the ordinary least squares estimates provide evidence for it. Fixed effects estimates confirm the ‘positive causality’ after controlling for the effects of several factors. The study concludes that agriculture has a significant positive influence on nutrition, and thereby on health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1247-1264
Author(s):  
Simplice Asongu ◽  
Rexon Nting ◽  
Joseph Nnanna

PurposeIn this study, we test the so-called “Quiet Life Hypothesis” (QLH), which postulates that banks with market power are less efficient.Design/methodology/approachWe employ instrumental variable Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effects, Tobit and Logistic regressions. The empirical evidence is based on a panel of 162 banks consisting of 42 African countries for the period 2001–2011. There is a two-step analytical procedure. First, we estimate Lerner indices and cost efficiency scores. Then, we regress cost efficiency scores on Lerner indices contingent on bank characteristics, market features and the unobserved heterogeneity.FindingsThe empirical evidence does not support the QLH because market power is positively associated with cost efficiency.Originality/valueOwing to data availability constraints, this is one of the few studies to test the QLH in African banking.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farhan Basheer ◽  
Saqib Muneer ◽  
Muhammad Atif ◽  
Zubair Ahmad

The primary purpose of the study is to explore the antecedents of corporate social and environmental responsibilities discourse practices in Pakistan. The industry sensitivity, government shareholding, block holder ownership, print media coverage, environmental monitoring programs, and strategic posture are examined as antecedents of corporate social and environmental responsibility practices. A multidimensional theoretical perspective namely stakeholder theory (ST), institutional theory (IT), agency theory (PAT), and legitimacy theory (LT) is used to conceptualize the phenomena. All the four of perspective theories (positive accounting theory, legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory, and institutional theory) claim that there are ‘pressures’ that impact the organization. How much ‘pressures’ are recognized, managed or satisfied differs from one perspective of theory to the other. To estimate the data, this study uses three sets of panel data models, i.e., the pooled ordinary least squares model (POLS) or constant coefficients model, fixed effects (FEM or least squares dummy variable/LSDV model) and random-effects models. The final sample is comprising of 173 firms over eight years from 2011 to 2017. The firms listed in PSX are included in the sample. Overall the findings of the study have shown agreement with the proposed results. However, the study has provided more support to the institutional theory and stakeholder theory. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Stakeholders Theory, Agency Theory, Pakistan


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 40-41
Author(s):  
Hankyung Jun

Abstract Self-employed workers are often reported to have better health than salaried workers. Whether this is because self-employment has health benefits or healthier workers are self-employed is not clear. Self-employed workers may have higher job satisfaction due to higher levels of self-efficacy and autonomy, but may also experience higher job stress, uncertainty, and lack of health insurance leading to mental health problems. Self-employed workers in the U.S. may have different characteristics than those in Mexico and Korea given different working and living environments as well as different institutional arrangements. This study will examine the association between self-employment and mental and cognitive health for older adults in the U.S., Mexico, and South Korea. It uses harmonized panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, and the Mexican Health and Aging Study. We compare the health and selection effect of self-employment using a pooled logistic model, fixed-effects model, and a bivariate probit model. In addition to comparing self-employed and salaried workers, we analyze differences between self-employed with and without employees. By using rich data and various models, we address reverse causality and estimate the relationship between self-employment and health. We show that the positive health effects of self-employed workers in the U.S. disappear once controlled for unobserved heterogeneity, indicating the possibility of healthier workers selecting into self-employment. Interestingly, for Korea and Mexico, healthier individuals seem to select into wage work which reflects the difference in working conditions across countries. Further analysis will show effects by business size.


Author(s):  
Mara Madaleno ◽  
Victor Moutinho

Decreased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are urgently needed in view of global health threat represented by climate change. The goal of this paper is to test the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, considering less common measures of environmental burden. For that, four different estimations are done, one considering total GHG emissions, and three more taking into account, individually, the three main GHG gases—carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane gas (CH4)—considering the oldest and most recent economies adhering to the EU27 (the EU 15 (Old Europe) and the EU 12 (New Europe)) separately. Using panel dynamic fixed effects (DFE), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) techniques, we validate the existence of a U-shaped relationship for all emission proxies considered, and groups of countries in the short-run. Some evidence of this effect also exists in the long-run. However, we were only able to validate the EKC hypothesis for the short-run in EU 12 under DOLS and the short and long-run using FMOLS. Confirmed is the fact that results are sensitive to models and measures adopted. Externalization of problems globally takes a longer period for national policies to correct, turning global measures harder and local environmental proxies more suitable to deeply explore the EKC hypothesis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Greene

Plümper and Troeger (2007) propose a three-step procedure for the estimation of a fixed effects (FE) model that, it is claimed, “provides the most reliable estimates under a wide variety of specifications common to real world data.” Their fixed effects vector decomposition (FEVD) estimator is startlingly simple, involving three simple steps, each requiring nothing more than ordinary least squares (OLS). Large gains in efficiency are claimed for cases of time-invariant and slowly time-varying regressors. A subsequent literature has compared the estimator to other estimators of FE models, including the estimator of Hausman and Taylor (1981) also (apparently) with impressive gains in efficiency. The article also claims to provide an efficient estimator for parameters on time-invariant variables (TIVs) in the FE model. None of the claims are correct. The FEVD estimator simply reproduces (identically) the linear FE (dummy variable) estimator then substitutes an inappropriate covariance matrix for the correct one. The consistency result follows from the fact that OLS in the FE model is consistent. The “efficiency” gains are illusory. The claim that the estimator provides an estimator for the coefficients on TIVs in an FE model is also incorrect. That part of the parameter vector remains unidentified. The “estimator” relies upon a strong assumption that turns the FE model into a type of random effects model.


2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 624-639
Author(s):  
Samantha L. Viano ◽  
Seth B. Hunter

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to replicate prior findings on teacher-principal race congruence and teacher job satisfaction and extend the literature by investigating trends over time and if the relationship between race congruence and teacher job satisfaction differs by principal race and region. Design/methodology/approach The study sample comes from four waves of cross-sectional data, the nationally representative Schools and Staffing Survey, administered between 2000 and 2012. The analysis is conducted using ordinary least squares and school-year fixed effects with a comprehensive set of covariates. Findings The relationship between race congruence and teacher job satisfaction is attenuating over time and is likely explained by the lower job satisfaction of white teachers who work for black principals. Some evidence indicates teacher-principal race congruence has greater salience in the Southern region of the country. Find evidence that teachers with race-congruent principals report more workplace support than their non-race congruent colleagues. Research limitations/implications Future studies should investigate why racial congruence has more salience in the Southern region of the country and for white teachers who work with black principals. At the same time, results indicate that teacher-principal race congruence might no longer be a determinant of teacher job satisfaction, although further studies should continue investigating this relationship. Originality/value Findings on the changing nature of the relationship between principal-teacher race congruence and teacher job satisfaction over time as well as the differing nature of race congruence in the Southern region of the country are both novel findings in the literature.


2020 ◽  
pp. 636-645
Author(s):  
Hussain Karim Nashoor ◽  
Ebtisam Karim Abdulah

Examination of skewness makes academics more aware of the importance of accurate statistical analysis. Undoubtedly, most phenomena contain a certain percentage of skewness which resulted to the appearance of what is -called "asymmetry" and, consequently, the importance of the skew normal family . The epsilon skew normal distribution ESN (μ, σ, ε) is one of the probability distributions which provide a more flexible model because the skewness parameter provides the possibility to fluctuate from normal to skewed distribution. Theoretically, the estimation of linear regression model parameters, with an average error value that is not zero, is considered a major challenge due to having difficulties, as no explicit formula to calculate these estimates can be obtained. Practically, values for these estimates can be obtained only by referring to numerical methods. This research paper is dedicated to estimate parameters of the Epsilon Skew Normal General Linear Model (ESNGLM) using an adaptive least squares method, as along with the employment of the ordinary least squares method for estimating parameters of the General Linear Model (GLM). In addition, the coefficient of determination was used as a criterion to compare the models’ preference. These methods were applied to real data represented by dollar exchange rates. The Matlab software was applied in this work and the results showed that the ESNGLM represents a satisfactory model. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-56
Author(s):  
Vesna Karadžić ◽  
Nikola Đalović

Abstract The subject of research in this paper is the profitability of the biggest banks in the European financial market, some of which operate in Montenegro. The profitability of banks is influenced by a large number of factors, including internal banking and external macroeconomic factors. The aim of this paper is to use statistical and econometric methods to examine which factors and with what intensity affect the profitability of large banks in Europe. The empirical analysis used highly balanced panel models with annual data on 47 large banks from 14 European countries over the period 2013-2018. Three static panel models were estimated and evaluated (pooled ordinary least squares, model with fixed effects and model with random effects), as well as dynamic model utilizing general methods of moments. The POLS model was chosen as the best, confirming that all macroeconomic factors have a statistically significant impact on the profitability of big banks, while the impact of internal factors, which are controlled by the bank’s management, is not significant. GDP growth rate, inflation rate and market concentration have a positive effect on profitability, while the membership of the European Union has a negative impact on profit, meaning that banks with headquarters outside the EU are more profitable.


2021 ◽  
pp. 348-363
Author(s):  
S. Denysov ◽  
Yu. Filei

The article examines the issue of combating criminal offenses in the field of economics. It is emphasized that economic crime is caused by destructive tendencies in the development of market relations in the economy and social sphere. Lack of real protection of legitimate economic relations, lag of law-making activity from the needs of economic practice, unsystematic adoption of legal acts concerning certain elements of the economic system. Recently, there has been a process of merging economic and criminal offenses, as well as merging with organized crime. Penetrating into various spheres of the economy, criminal associations seek not only to establish control over the activities of specific enterprises but also to create their own structures capable of occupying a leading position in the infrastructure of individual industries. The intellectual level of criminal activity increases, the scope, and methods of encroachment expand. The reasons for committing mercenary crimes in the economic sphere are both objective and subjective. Thus, in the determination of crime involved both biological and social characteristics of man. An economic criminal does not perceive himself as a criminal, although he admits that he is breaking the law. The problem here is that the media is very one-sided coverage of the image of the traditional criminal, as well as the fact that economically criminal behavior is difficult at first glance to distinguish from socially obedient. Economic criminals justify their crimes by committing them with the tacit consent or approval of public opinion. They deny causing harm to citizens, and also claim that almost all businessmen do the same. If the profit significantly exceeds the possible punishment, then such a crime becomes profitable. Criminal behavior should not be economically or socially profitable. At the same time, it is important to improve the economic and social living conditions of the people.


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