Understanding Ransom Kidnappings and Their Duration

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 849-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Detotto ◽  
Bryan C. McCannon ◽  
Marco Vannini
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Comparative Statics ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ability To Pay ◽  
Unique Data

Abstract What factors drive the length of a kidnapping experience? A theoretical model is developed to conduct comparative statics. A unique data set covering all kidnappings for ransom in Sardinia between 1960 and 2010 is analyzed. Factors related to the ability to pay and cost of abduction matter. Policies aimed at deterring kidnapping have mixed effects on its duration.

scholarly journals Historical Returns of the Market Portfolio

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Doeswijk ◽  
Trevin Lam ◽  
Laurens Swinkels
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Asset Pricing ◽  
Corporate Finance ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Oxford University ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Market Portfolio ◽  
Editorial Decision ◽  
Published Paper

Abstract We create an annual return index for the invested global multiasset market portfolio. We use a newly constructed unique data set covering the entire market of financial investors. We analyze returns and risk from 1960 to 2017, a period during which the market portfolio realized a compounded real return in U.S. dollars of 4.45%, with a standard deviation of annual returns of 11.2%. The compounded excess return was 3.39%. We publish these data on returns of the market portfolio, so they can be used for future asset pricing and corporate finance studies. Received March 4, 2019; editorial decision October 9, 2019 by Editor Jeffrey Pontiff. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.

The Dynamic Interplay between Recorded Music and Live Concerts: The Role of Piracy, Unbundling, and Artist Characteristics

2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 67-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Papies ◽  
Harald J. van Heerde
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Music Industry ◽  
The Other ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Recorded Music ◽  
Music Market ◽  
Dynamic Interplay

The business model for musicians relies on selling recorded music and selling concert tickets. Traditionally, demand for one format (e.g., concerts) would stimulate demand for the other format (e.g., recorded music) and vice versa, leading to an upward demand spiral. However, the market for recorded music is under pressure due to piracy and the unbundling of albums, which also entail threats for the traditional demand spiral. Despite the fundamental importance of recorded music and live concerts for the multibillion-dollar music industry, no prior research has studied their dynamic interplay. This study fills this void by developing new theory on how piracy, unbundling, artist fame, and music quality affect dynamic cross-format elasticities between record demand and concert demand. The theory is tested with a unique data set covering weekly concert and recorded music revenues for close to 400 artists across more than six years in the world's third-largest music market, Germany. The cross-format elasticity of record on concert revenue is much stronger than the reverse elasticity of concert on record revenue. The results show the key role of piracy, unbundling, and artist characteristics on these cross-format elasticities, which have implications for the business model of the music industry.

scholarly journals Anger, Anxiety and Corruption Perceptions: Evidence from France

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 893-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Birch ◽  
Nicholas J Allen ◽  
Katja Sarmiento-Mirwaldt
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Political Judgement ◽  
People’S Perceptions

This article assesses the roles of anxiety and anger in shaping people’s perceptions of politicians’ integrity. Drawing on recent work on the role of affect in shaping political judgement, the article develops a theoretical model of the anticipated role of anger and anxiety in structuring reactions to allegations of political misconduct. The model is tested on a unique data set that includes results of an experiment fielded as part of a survey carried out in January 2013 among a representative sample of the French adult population. The analysis finds that those in whom politically dubious actions generate anxiety are more sensitive to contextual details than other respondents, although the role of anger in modulating ethical judgements is less clear-cut, dampening attention to information about negatively assessed behaviour but enhancing attention to information about behaviour that is assessed more positively.

Changes in and Continuity of Regionalism in South Korea

Asian Survey ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-440
Author(s):  
Hyun-Chool Lee ◽  
Alexandre Repkine
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Econometrics ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Vote Choice ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Region Of Origin ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Political Issue ◽  
International Context ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Highly Sensitive

We use spatial econometrics on a unique data set covering 229 Korean regions to analyze the outcome of Korea’s 2017 presidential election. We see strong statistical evidence of spatial correlation, suggesting that neighboring regions vote similarly, which is in accord with findings in the international context. Our findings are distinct in that we see little evidence that Korea’s 2017 outcome was driven by the economic disparities between the southeast and the southwest, a highly sensitive political issue in the country. Voters’ region of origin and age are the two most important factors in vote choice, irrespective of the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of their regions.

scholarly journals Does lean cure variability in health care?

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1229-1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oskar Roemeling ◽  
Martin Land ◽  
Kees Ahaus
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Quasi Experiment

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the roles that employee-initiated Lean improvement projects play in health care. Lean ideas are introduced to improve flow in health care. Although variability is detrimental to flow performance, it is unclear whether Lean initiatives set out to reduce this variability and the associated buffers. Design/methodology/approach Longitudinal field research is combined with an exploratory field-quasi-experiment. First, a large set of Lean interventions were explored and their focus classified. Semi-structured interviews with practitioners supported the initial findings regarding the focus. Second, this study investigated whether a knowledge deficiency could explain the identified focus through a quasi-experiment in which the authors’ stimulated knowledge on the roles of variability and buffers and then classified subsequent interventions. Findings The results reflected a narrow application of Lean, with most interventions directed at reducing direct waste. A quasi-experiment demonstrated that a small investment in knowledge enables the focus to shift toward buffers and variability issues – i.e. toward a more complete Lean approach. Research limitations/implications This research supports the commonly held view that there is a tendency to focus on waste. Furthermore, a lengthy experience of Lean does not guarantee interventions will focus on buffers and variability, issues with arguably a higher complexity compared to obvious waste. However, small investments in knowledge can broaden the focus of practitioners’ interventions. Originality/value This study is one of the first to research the focus of Lean interventions through a data set spanning several years. The results are based on a unique data set covering a large number of documented Lean interventions.

Dividend policy in Norwegian banking before 1914

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Fredrik Øksendal
Keyword(s):  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Dividend Policy ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Commercial Banking ◽  
Strong Preference ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Securities Markets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Set Up

This article discusses the dividend strategy adopted by Norwegian commercial banks before 1914. Based on a unique data set covering all banks in the period 1882– 1913 as well as six other institutions for the pre-1882 period, I identify the existence of a strong bias towards the payment of high and stable dividends to shareholders. The origins of such bias lie in the specific institutional set-up of commercial banking, the expectations of shareholders and the absence of developed securities markets. Combined with a strong preference for high gearing, this feature contributed to increase the fragility of the Norwegian banking system.

scholarly journals Does the crowd mean business? An analysis of rewards-based crowdfunding as a source of finance for start-ups and small businesses

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe Cox ◽  
Thang Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Start Ups

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which rewards-based crowdfunding really does provide financial support for start-ups and small businesses relative to other types of activity such as creative and cultural projects. Design/methodology/approach The paper reports findings from a series of multiple regression on a unique data set covering around 205,000 rewards-based crowdfunding projects across a number of leading platforms in the USA, the UK and Canada. Findings The authors report two main findings. First, rewards-based crowdfunding is highly inequitably distributed and that success is concentrated within a relatively small number of platforms and campaigns. Second, crowdfunding campaigns explicitly related to business perform relatively poorly compared with those in other categories; particularly those in creative areas such as music and dance. Originality/value These findings call into question the extent to which rewards-based crowdfunding really is a means by which significant numbers of start-ups can bridge gaps in the provision of finance.

scholarly journals The Dynamics of Conflict in Southern Thailand

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Engvall ◽  
Magnus Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Physical Geography ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
Hotspot Analysis ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
International Borders ◽  
Southern Thailand

The prolonged insurgency in Southern Thailand has claimed thousands of victims since the outbreak of major violence in 2004. Drawing on a unique data set covering all violent incidents since 2004, a hotspot analysis shows that the bulk of the violence is concentrated in clusters of sub-districts forming hotbeds of conflict. Drivers of conflict are identified through a comparative analysis of the hotspots of violence with less violent areas. The analysis shows that identity manifested in language use and religious practices (rather than international borders, infrastructure, and physical geography) influence the prevalence and patterns of violence.

scholarly journals Microfinance and Vulnerability to Seasonal Famine in a Rural Economy: Evidence from Monga in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Berg ◽  
M. Shahe Emran
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Economy ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Estimation Strategy ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Unique Data ◽  
Primary Mechanism ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Microfinance Institution

AbstractThis paper uses a unique data set on 143,000 poor households from Northern Bangladesh to analyze the effects of microfinance membership on a household’s ability to cope with seasonal famine known as Monga. We develop an identification and estimation strategy that exploits a jump and a kink at the 10-decimal land ownership-threshold driven by the Microfinance Institution screening process to ensure repayment by excluding the ultra-poor. Evidence shows that microfinance membership improves food security during Monga, especially for the poorest households who survive at the margin of one and two meals a day. The positive effects on food security are, however, not driven by higher income, as microcredit does not improve the ability to migrate for work, nor does it reduce dependence on distress sale of labor. The evidence is consistent with consumption smoothing being the primary mechanism behind the gains in food security of MFI households during the season of starvation.

scholarly journals Horizontal interactions in local personal income taxes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Lundberg
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Personal Income ◽  
Set Covering ◽  
Tax Rates ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Relative Population ◽  
Tax Rate ◽  
Local Council

AbstractTheories of inter-jurisdictional tax and yardstick competition assume that the tax decisions of one jurisdiction will influence the tax decisions of other jurisdictions. This paper empirically addresses the issue of horizontal dependence in local personal income tax rates across jurisdictions. Based on a large data set covering Swedish municipalities over a period of 14 years, we test for interactions across municipalities that share a common border, across municipalities within a distance of 100 km of each other, and across municipalities with similar political representation in the local council. We also test the hypothesis that the tax rate of relatively larger municipalities has a greater influence on their neighbors' tax rate compared to the influence of their smaller neighbors. Our results suggest that when lagged tax rates are controlled for, the horizontal correlation across municipalities that share a common border or are within a distance of 100 km from each other becomes insignificant. This result is of importance as it suggests that lagged tax rates should be included or at least tested for when testing for horizontal interactions or mimicking in local tax rates. However, our results support the hypothesis of horizontal interactions across municipalities that share a common border when the influence of neighboring municipalities is also weighted by their relative population size, i.e. relatively larger neighbors tend to have a greater impact on their neighbor's tax rates than their relatively smaller neighbors. This is of importance as it suggests that distance or proximity matters, although only in combination with the relative population size. We also find some evidence of horizontal dependence across municipalities with similar political preferences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document