Probabilistic modelling of the joint labour decisions of husband and wife in farm households

When working with micro data one sometimes encounters situations involving qualitative choices in addition to the continuous choices that are the traditional focus of empirical analysis. One such situation arises when we study the increase in multiple job-holdings among farm operators in western economies. In these analyses we are both interested in the qualitative choice of entering the off-farm labour market and the continuous choice of determining labour supply in all occupations. This paper presents a unified framework for formulating such a discrete/continuous choices that include randomness within the decision-making process. We consider the joint labour decisions of operator and spouse through an agricultural household model that combines the agricultural production, consumption, and labour supply decisions in a single framework. We develop a probabilistic decision rule for participating in off-farm work and derive the demand functions in farm production and labour supply functions in off-farm sector.

Probabilistic Modelling of the Joint Labour Decisions of Husband and Wife in Farm Households

When working with micro data one sometimes encounters situations involving qualitative choices in addition to the continuous choices that are the traditional focus of empirical analysis. One such situation arises when we study the increase in multiple job-holdings among farm operators in western economies. In these analyses we are both interested in the qualitative choice of entering the off-farm labour market and the continuous choice of determining labour supply in all occupations. This paper presents a unified framework for formulating such a discrete/continuous choices that include randomness within the decision-making process. We consider the joint labour decisions of operator and spouse through an agricultural household model that combines the agricultural production, consumption, and labour supply decisions in a single framework. We develop a probabilistic decision rule for participating in off farm work and derive the demand functions in farm production and labour supply functions in off-farm sector.Consumer/Household Economics, Labor and Human Capital,

Visualizing Interdisciplinary Collaborations within Exercise Science: A Pilot Study

Exercise science is a growing field with sub-disciplines exploring various aspects of physical activity. Diverse perspectives allow the field to answer complex research questions, but little is known about the collaborative nature of exercise science today. Research practices have implications on undergraduate curriculum, likely incorporating experiential knowledge into course subject matter and providing diverse experiences for students entering the workforce. Therefore, the purpose of the pilot study is to visualize and quantify interdisciplinary collaborations within exercise science. Journal citation analysis and an adaptation of social networking theory were utilized to examine collaborative practices of exercise science faculty at the University of Arkansas during the 2018 calendar year. The model was replicated with exercise science faculty from a benchmark institution, School X, to assess feasibility. 70 articles were analyzed at the University of Arkansas (n=22) and School X (n=48). Total collaborations for the University of Arkansas and School X were 127 and 247 respectively. Collaborations occurred across 12 sub-disciplines at the University of Arkansas, with 13 sub-discipline collaborations occurring at School X. The pilot study presents a feasible method to study interdisciplinary collaborations within exercise science. Study findings support occurrence of interdisciplinary collaborations across the field, with collaboration trends specific to sub-disciplines. Research practices have curricular implications and educators must provide diverse experiences to prepare students to meet expectations of future employers. The visualization methodology would provide universities with a collaborative research environment the ability to market program strengths. Keywords: Exercise science, interdisciplinary collaborations, sub-disciplines, curriculu

A Qualitative Understanding of Occupational Engagement in College Students

The purpose of the current study is to examine the transition experiences of college students nearing graduation through the lens of occupational engagement. The construct of occupational engagement is defined as "...taking part in behaviors that contribute to the decision-maker's fund of information and experience of the larger world, not just the world as processed when a career decision is imminent" (Krieshok, Black, & McKay, 2009, p. 284). The Occupational Engagement Scale - Student, OES-S (Cox, 2008) was administered to 205 college seniors at a large Midwestern university. The OES-S is a 14-item questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale that has been empirically demonstrated to support the argument that the construct of occupational engagement is important to the success of college students. Ten students scoring in the upper 10% on the OES-S (five males and five females) and ten students scoring in the lower 10% on the OES-S (five males and five females) were contacted via email and asked for their participation in a 30-minute, in-person interview. Interviews were conducted on-campus, during the daytime hours, and at the convenience of each interviewee. Upon interviewee consent, each interview was audio-recorded. Audiotapes were transcribed and coded for themes. Due to the exploratory nature of the current study, existing literature did not serve as a basis for theme development. Therefore, a grounded theory approach was utilized, with themes emerging during the process of data analysis. Results are presented via eighteen sub-themes and categories falling under four meta-themes: 1) On (and Around) the Fence; 2) Internal Processes; 3) External Factors; and 4) Taking Action. It was ultimately concluded that the construct of occupational engagement as it has been operationally defined plays a critical role in the experience of transitioning from college for these 20 individuals nearing graduation. Limitations of the current study are discussed, and directions for future research are provided

Classroom Physical Activity Breaks Effect on Executive Function and Academic Achievement in Elementary School Students

Objectives: There were three aims in conducting this pilot study. First, determine the Plus Minus Task assessment\u27s reliability to measure the executive function of shifting. Second, determine the feasibility and acceptability of CPAB by students and teachers. Finally, determine the preliminary dose-response of acute physical activity on shifting in elementary students. Methods: This was a pilot study of a classroom physical activity break intervention. Utilizing a withinsubject, cross-over design, students participated in a practice day and then all three treatment conditions: a 10-minute seated lesson (control condition) and 5 and 10 minutes (experimental conditions) of classroom physical activity breaks. A Latin Square Design was employed to randomize the treatment conditions by classroom. Students participated in two treatments each week over two weeks. Data was collected through parent/guardian pre-study questionnaires and pre and post-tests of the Plus Minus Task. All methods and procedures were approved by the University of Arkansas Internal Review Board. Letters with information regarding this study were sent home to parents/guardians alerting them to the opportunity to participate along with their child. Consent and assent forms were made available to both parents and students to review and consider participation. Students who returned signed parent consent and student assent forms were allowed to participate. Participating teachers also signed consent forms. Both teachers and students participated in a post-study questionnaire and focus group interviews. Results: To our knowledge, this was the first study to find that the Plus Minus Task was a reliable test measure for assessing shifting in children aged 10 to 12. We also discovered that students enjoyed CPAB, looked forward to school on days they had CPAB, and expressed that these breaks helped them feel more awake and alert for future learning. Teachers were supportive of incorporating physical activity breaks in the future but time and specific benefits associated with activity breaks were concerns regarding future implementation. Lastly, it was determined that neither 5 nor 10 minutes of classroom physical activity promoted a positive change in a student\u27s shifting ability when compared to a 10-minute seated activity. Conclusions: This study found that students support CPAB and feel they are beneficial to their learning environment. We also determined that the Plus Minus Task was a reliable assessment tool to use with school-aged students to measure the executive function skill of shifting. Finally, while we did not find that acute physical activity positively affected students\u27 shifting abilities, research should continue to investigate the impact classroom physical activity has on students\u27 learning environment. CPAB provides students an enjoyable way to receive more physical activity during the school day while feeling more awake and on-task for future learning

Managerial Ability and Financial Statement Comparability

This study examines the relationship between managerial ability and financial statement comparability. We find that accounting comparability is associated with managerial ability. Specifically, firm-pairs by industry-year with similar managerial ability are associated with more comparable financial statements. We also find that firm-pairs with similarly low-level ability managers are associated with more comparable earnings than firm-pairs with similarly high-level ability managers. Overall, the results suggest that managers can impact the comparability of earnings and that less able managers are associated with more comparable financial statements

Disaggregated Financial Statement Comparability

This study develops a measure of financial statement comparability based on the disaggregated financial accounting components of earnings. The disaggregated financial statement comparability measure in this paper is contrasted with the aggregated (i.e., based solely on aggregate earnings) financial statement comparability measure used in prior research. The disaggregated framework allows for the measurement of comparability between two firms across multiple components of earnings, and enhances the ability to contrast a company's accounting system to that of other companies impacted by similar economic effects. This comparability measure is robust to a rigorous set of analyses, including tests of incremental informativeness, alternative specifications of comparability, and considerations regarding the information environment. The metric developed in this study extends financial reporting quality and financial statement comparability research based on its ability to capture the distinct components of earnings

Principles-Based Accounting Standards and Corporate Governance Considerations

Objectives: This paper examines the implications of principles-based versus rules-based accounting standards, specifically as related to corporate governance. Prior Work: The debate over the benefits and consequences of principles-based versus rules-based accounting standards has ensued for decades. However, comparing the approaches in a real-life, practical setting has proved challenging. Principles-based standards require increased managerial judgement, and accordingly, effective oversight is required by those responsible for corporate governance. Approach: This paper examines corporate governance surrounding the implementation of guidance under a “principles-based” piece of guidance that was subsequently supplemented with additional “rules-based” guidance in order to better enforce the intent of the original guidance. Results: Many firms needed the subsequent “rules-based” guidance in order to comply with the original intent of the “principles-based” guidance. Corporate governance does not appear to determine compliance. Implications: These results should be of interest to practitioners and regulators, and are important given the ongoing movement toward principles-based standards. The SEC [2016] is exploring whether existing prescriptive guidance in Regulation S-K should be replaced with a principles-based framework for financial disclosures. Value: This paper capitalizes on a unique setting provide a fresh analysis in the debate between principles-based and rules-based accounting standards