Competition and quality in regulated markets: a differential-game approach

We investigate the effect of competition on quality in regulated markets (e.g., health care, higher education, public utilities) taking a di¤erential game approach, in which quality is a stock variable. Using a Hotelling framework, we derive the open-loop solution (providers commit to an optimal investment plan at the initial period) and the feedback closed-loop solution (providers move investments in response to the dynamics of the states). If the marginal provision cost is constant, the open-loop and closed-loop solutions coincide, and the results are similar to the ones obtained by static models. If the marginal provision cost is increasing, investment and quality are lower in the closed-loop solution: in fact, quality drops to the minimum level in steady state, implying that quality competition is e¤ectively eliminated. In this case, static models tend to exaggerate the positive effect of competition on quality. Our results can explain the mixed empirical evidence on competition and quality for regulated markets.Regulated markets; Competition; Quality

Are specific skills an obstacle to labor market adjustment? Theory and an application to the EU enlargement

We argue that the existence of large amounts of specific human capital makes costly and slows down the adjustment in the labor market after large reallocation shocks. To illustrate this point we build a theoretical framework in which young agents’ career is heavily determined by initial education, and analyze the transition to a new steady-state after a sectoral demand shift. An interesting case study is the EU enlargement, which led to modernization of many sectors in eastern countries and to a fast decline of traditional industries. Using labor force data from a large economy with rigid labor markets, Poland, and a small open economy with increased flexibility, Estonia, we document and find support for our claim. Quantitative exercises suggest that the overspecializaton of the labor force in Poland explain to a large extent the much higher and persistent unemployment compared to Estonia during the period of EU enlargement. JEL Classification: J30Enlargement, Labor Reallocation, Matching, Specific Skills, Vocational Education

From The Editor-In-Chief

The American Journal of Health Sciences (AJHS) welcomes articles in the field of health sciences and related fields. This journal publishes papers that significantly contribute to the understanding of the health sciences. Using a wide range of research methods including statistical analysis, analytical work, case studies, field research and historical analysis, articles examine significant research questions from a broad range of perspectives. The goal of AJHS is to publish papers devoted to the dissemination of health science practice, research, and education knowledge. AJHS is a widely cited, completely open access journal that is an essential for health sciences education professionals and practitioners. Article topics may include but are not limited to all aspects of health services research, nursing education, management of health services, sports education, allocation of healthcare resources, evaluation of different health markets and health services organizations, international comparative analysis of health systems, health economics, and health policies and regulations

Are Specific Skills an Obstacle to Labor Market Adjustment? Theory and an Application to the EU Enlargement

Countries react differently to large labor reallocation shocks. Some minimize the costs by adapting rapidly, while others suffer long periods of costly adjustment, typically high and persistent unemployment and temporary output losses. We argue that the existence of large amounts of specific human capital slows down the transitions and makes them costly. We illustrate this point by building a theoretical framework in which young agents' careers are heavily determined by the type of initial education, and analyze the transition to a new steady-state after a sectoral demand shift. In the absence of mobility, it can take as much as a generation for the economy to absorb the shock. An interesting case study is the European Union enlargement, which led to a modernization of many sectors in Eastern countries and to a fast decline of traditional industries and agriculture. Using labor force data from a large economy with rigid labor markets, Poland, and a small open economy with increased flexibility, Estonia, we document our main claim, namely that specialized education reduces workers' mobility and hence their ability to cope with economic changes. We find that holding a vocational degree is associated with much longer unemployment duration spells, relatively large wage penalties when changing jobs and higher likelihood of leaving activity for elder workers. Quantitative exercises suggest that the over-specialization of the labor force in Poland led to much higher and persistent unemployment compared to Estonia during the period of EU enlargement. Traditional labor market institutions (wage rigidity and employment protection) increased, but to a much lesser extent, the unemployment gap.enlargement, labor reallocation, matching, specific skills, unemployment and vocational education

Viability of Consumer Grade Hardware for Learning Computer Forensics Principles

We propose utilizing budget consumer hardware and software to teach computer forensics principles and for non-case work, research and developing new techniques. Consumer grade hardware and free / open source software is more easily accessible in most developing markets and can be used as a first purchase for education, technique development and even when developing new techniques. These techniques should allow for small forensics laboratories or classroom settings to have the tooling and framework for trying existing forensics techniques or creating new forensics techniques on consumer grade hardware. We\u27ll be testing how viable each individual piece of hardware is as well as combinations along with seeing at which point utilizing forensics-grade hardware becomes necessary in order to proceed

Factors Influencing the Decision of High School Graduating Seniors in Corozal, Puerto Rico, to Pursue University Studies

A university education has become a ticket out of poverty for persons living in highly competitive labor markets. Consequently, access to higher education and the factors that motivate university enrollment have long been studied. However, prior to this study, no noteworthy studies with a focus on high school students and their perceptions about higher education had been conducted in Puerto Rico. This lack of research is surprising because Puerto Rico has one of the world\u27s most competitive job markets where a university degree can mean the difference between dependence on welfare and governmental assistance and a life of self-sufficiency and relative affluence. This study explored the characteristics and motivational forces that drive high school seniors in the three schools of one of Puerto Rico\u27s central towns, Corozal, to either continue or end their formal education after high school. The study employed demographic and personal information data, in addition to responses to questions from a survey instrument administered to all enrolled high school seniors in the town\u27s two public and one private high school. These data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression techniques, and, in the case of open-ended responses, qualitative content analysis. Logistic regression analysis determined that the significant indicators of university attendance among Corozal\u27s high school seniors are grade point average, residence type, maternal education level, private high school attendance, self-reported artistic talent and family size. Among the articulated reasons for not pursuing tertiary studies, respondents listed motivational factors such as needing a break from school, practical considerations such as the need to work to support their child or other family members, and low perceived returns on the time and effort required to get a college degree

Massive Open Online Courses for Employability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: a Rapid Assessment of Evidence

This report summarises the evidence base regarding the use of open online learning for supporting employability, innovation and entrepreneurship within the European area. It was written as part of the European MOOC Consortium – Labour Markets project (EMC-LM). MOOC platforms in the European MOOC Consortium (EMC) look for solutions to reach better the labour market. This streamlined review of literature draws on scientific literature, project reports, policy documents, case studies and other resources to describe the potential for MOOCs to stimulate and empower organisations to use open education as part of their programs of continuous education (CE) and continuous professional development (CPD) or continuous vocational training (CVT). This report identifies several interstices where the worlds of higher education, vocational educational, training and open online learning come are converging. Evidence is provided for the contention that, through enhancing opportunities for flexible delivery of education, MOOC can innovate the way that we approach degree programmes, lifelong learning, CE and CPD. The information gathered in this report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of relevant material but does not claim to be exhaustive. This report was written as part of the EMC-LM project as a way to establish a shared understanding of the possibilities for collaboration and innovation. The references provided are nonetheless a great starting point for any investigation of the potential of MOOCs for workplace and lifelong learning. Approaches which emphasize the flexible delivery of learning are especially suited to workplace upskilling. For greatest impact and relevance, collaboration should cross disciplinary and professional boundaries, involving a wide range of stakeholders. Employability can be supported through improved management of work transitions; more flexible training options; new routes between education and work; building credibility in CPD; enhancing soft and transversal skills; and developing new mechanisms for authenticating non-formal learning. Innovation can be encouraged by working with greater transparency and sharing; improved dialogue between stakeholders; adopting a reflective attitude towards technology; and through policies which support and motivate new approaches. Entrepreneurship can be moving beyond the knowledge transfer model of entrepreneurial education; drawing stronger connections between theory and practice; promoting collaboration between researchers and practitioners in education and entrepreneurship; and encouraging entrepreneurial culture

The UK Open Textbooks Report

Open Textbooks are openly licensed academic textbooks, where the digital version is available freely, and the print version at highly reduced cost. They are a form of Open Educational Resource (OER) that has seen signi cant impact and success in the USA and Canada. The UK Open Textbook project was funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation with two main aims: firstly to promote the adoption of open textbooks in the UK, and secondly to investigate the transferability of the successful models of adoption to the UK. The project was led by The Open University (UK) OER Hub team in partnership with 2 US based open textbook providers and champions, OpenStax and the Open Textbook Network, and WonkHE and the University of the West of England (UWE). Initial research into the differences between the US and UK context highlighted that textbook use in these two contexts varies considerably and that there was little existing research into UK textbook use. The UK Open Textbook project carried out both an initial literature review and a survey of UK educators during the project. The cost of textbooks is a more significant barrier in the USA, and their usage tends to be more heavily mandated. However, participation costs for UK students are increasing, and textbooks represent a contributing factor. In our 2018 survey with UK Higher Education (HE) educators, it was noted that whilst there is an initial low awareness of OER, respondents had a strong interest in pursuing their adoption. UK Open Textbooks was a project focused on engagement. Through a number of workshops at a range of higher education institutions (HEIs) and targeted promotion at speci c education conferences, the project successfully raised the pro le of open textbooks within the UK. The project focused particularly on STEM subject textbooks and in spite of contextual differences between UK HEIs and their counterparts in North America there was considerable interest and appetite for open textbooks amongst UK academics. This was partly related to cost savings for students and institutions, but more significant factors were the freedom to adapt and develop textbooks. Open textbooks were also viewed as a possible means to counteract the disinterest of commercial publishers in developing books for smaller markets. This report reflects upon the current use of textbooks at UK HE level and the potential for open textbooks. It contextualises and presents the tried and tested methods used to engage with stakeholders at events and workshops and reports back on our findings and outcomes from this activity. Finally this report also presents some of the case studies curated and created during the project; illustrating current best practice and use of open textbooks. The UK Open Textbooks project successfully raised awareness of open textbooks and OER over a one year period, and through the project’s activity discovered that higher and further education is a potentially fertile ground for the use of open textbooks and further development in this area

Wishing for better jobs: Understanding the mismatch between education and youth employment in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the second most populated country on the continent of Africa, with a high density of young people. Its economy remains largely based on agriculture, however, in recent years, slow structural change can be seen. Concurrently, youth education has been on the rise. Due to this phenomenon, the educated youth are now trying to match their skills with current employment opportunities. As a consequence, unemployment rates for the educated youth are the highest in the country. The purpose of this study is to investigate the developments between education and the labour market, specifically in the case of youth, by providing a comprehensive overview of secondary data gathered by the Ethiopian National Labour Force Surveys (NLFS) in 1999, 2005 and 2013. The study discusses the possible effects of the simultaneously launched Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) on the size and scope of youth unemployment. Results show clear evidence of a skills mismatch, resulting from the insufficient quality of education to undeveloped markets without open internet usage. Low job creation has resulted in high unemployment of the educated youth, especially in the urban areas. The results from this study suggest that measures need to be taken to match education and employment in order to sustain a highly populated country

Printoo – from here to the Internet of Things

This thesis is a pedagogical case study on Strategy applied to Innovation, using Printoo – a product by Ynvisible – as a setting. Hence, the focus of this case is to describe and analyze the challenge of this company and its managers to define a fit strategy for its new, innovative product. Printoo’s concept is highly innovative and it is inserted in an area of technological development with great potential – Printed Electronics. Several tools and trends influence this area, such as the Makers culture, Crowdfunding, Open-Source and the increasing use of Technology in Education. Furthermore, there is a debate on implementing the concept of the Internet of Things – in which Printed Electronics may have a role. From the interviews and analysis performed, this paper has two key conclusions. The first one is that Ynvisible should focus on both Printoo – a series of kits of Printed Electronics technologies components – and on the company’s own proprietary Electrochromic displays – that are included in Printoo – in order to maximize the power it has over the potential profits that will derive from this innovation, because Printoo is highly imitable and the displays are not. Nevertheless, Printoo is an important marketing tool to promote Ynvisible’s displays and other components from suppliers. The second conclusion is that Education is an important market that Printoo should address, and that the approach should combine continuous improvement – of the technologies that the kits contain and of the experiences they allow to perform – and service improvement – as courses and workshops – which actually Ynvisible is starting to do. Other markets are also important, such as the Makers, Open Source market and the Prototyping market