The Influence of Social Pressure and Nationality on Individual Decisions: Evidence from the Behaviour of Referees

This study considers the influences on agents’ decisions in an international context. Using data from five seasons of European cup matches it is found that football referees favour home teams when awarding yellow and red cards. Previous research on referee decisions in national leagues has identified social pressure as a key reason for favouritism. While social pressure is also found to be an important influence in this study, the international context reveals that referee decisions are also influenced by the nationality of the referee and club, and the reputation of the league.social pressure, decision-making, referee behaviour, home bias, football

The influence of social pressure and nationality on individual decisions: evidence from the behaviour of referees

This study considers the influences on agents’ decisions in an international context. Using data from six seasons of European cup matches it is found that football referees favour home teams when awarding yellow and red cards. Previous research on referee decisions in national leagues has identified social pressure as a key reason for favouritism. While social pressure is also found to be an important influence in this study, the international context reveals that referee decisions are also influenced by the nationality of the referee and team, and the reputation of the league.

Participation, Spectatorship and Media Coverage in Sport

This article considers the relationship between active participation in sport, sports spectatorship and television viewing habits using data from the 2005 DCMS Taking Part Survey. We find robust evidence that participation and sports spectatorship are symbiotically linked. In contrast, increase TV viewing per se leads to a reduction in participation.spectator demand; sporting participation; count models

The Influence of Social Pressure and Nationality on Individual Decisions: Evidence from the Behaviour of Referees

This study considers the influences on agents’ decisions in an international context. Using data from five seasons of European cup football matches it is found that referees favour home teams when awarding yellow and red cards. Previous research on referee decisions in national leagues has identified social pressure as a key reason for favouritism. While social pressure is also found to be an important influence in this study, the international setting shows that nationality is another important influence on the decision-making of referees. In considering principal-agent relationships account needs to be taken not only of how agents (referees) decide under social pressure but also of how national identity shapes agents’ decision making.social pressure, nationality, decision-making, referee home bias, football

Histochemical changes at the resection margin and their relationship to recurrent colorectal cancer

Imperial Users onl

Influence of Moderate Training on Gait and Work Capacity in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Preliminary Field Study

This field study examined the influence of moderate intensity training on gait patterns and work capacity of individauls with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS). FS is a chronic condition of unknown etiology, characterized by muscle tenderness, pain and stiffness and often accompanied by depression and fatigue which seems to occur primarily in middle aged females. There is no known cure for FS but treatment often includes a prescription of mild exercise. Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of mild exercise on work capacity and gait patterns in FS patients. Participants were 14 females (age 47.0±7.6 y) who participated in a 10 wk community based aerobic, strength and stretching program designed for FS individuals. Subjects were evaluated pre- and post-program and at a 2 month follow up. Work capacity was estimated by a sub-maximal PWC 170 cycle ergometer test and a Borg perceived exertion scale. Gait was assessed using OptoTrack three dimensional kinematics with 16 channel analogue data acquisition system. Trunk flexibility was also assessed. No significant change in estimated work capacity of flexibility was seen between pre- post- and follow up times. Nevertheless, a significant increase in self selected walking speed (p \u3c 0.05) and a trend toward a more normal gait pattern that was sustained in the follow up testing was noted. We had previously also reported a significant improvement in muslce pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms in this population consequent to the training program. It was concluded that mild exercise training that does not influence work capacity or trunk flexibility can nevertheless positively influence gait mechanics and fibromyalgia symptoms in female FS patients

The NHS plan: an economic perspective

The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, presented an ambitious blueprint for the transformation of the way the NHS delivers health care. The backdrop to the Plan is the substantial increase in resources for the NHS promised for the next 5 years. At the heart of the Plan is the aim of ensuring these resources are used effectively to provide a health service “designed around the patient”. After reviewing the perceived flaws in the current system and dismissing the notion of alternative systems of health care funding, the main part of the Plan outlines the strategy for tackling the shortcomings. The discussion is wide-ranging and includes not only those areas we would expect to see covered, such as the interface between health and social care and the performance management system, but also issues such as investment in infrastructure, the relationships between the NHS and the private sector and key personnel issues such as the supply of health care professionals and their contractual arrangements. This discussion paper summarises the main elements of the Plan before focusing more closely on seven key themes on which economic analysis has a distinctive insight to offer – investment, information, labour markets, the independent sector, waiting times, performance management, and patient and carer responses. Some of the preconditions for success of the Plan are outlined and gaps in the available evidence to support various aspects of the Plan are highlighted. Our conclusions suggest that there is reason to be optimistic that the Plan will deliver many of its lofty aspirations if two key conditions are met. First, that front-line staff are on board and have the resources and the will to help implement the Plan; and second, that political expediency and the desire to achieve short-term goals does not drive out the commitment to the long-term aims for the NHS.The NHS Plan

Book review: beautiful game theory: how soccer can help economics by Ignacio Palacios-Huerta

Beautiful Game Theory uses soccer to test economic theories and document novel human behaviour. Ignacio Palacios-Huerta offers insights into game theory and microeconomics, covering topics such as mixed strategies, discrimination, incentives, and human preferences. Peter Dawson approves of the mix between analytical rigour and stories, and there are many aspects that would interest journalists and policy-makers alike