Does multidimensional forced-choice prevent faking? Comparing the susceptibility of the multidimensional forced-choice format and the rating scale format to faking

A common concern with self-reports of personality traits in selection contexts is faking. The multidimensional forced-choice (MFC) format has been proposed as an alternative to rating scales (RS) that could prevent faking. The goal of this study was to compare the susceptibility of the MFC format and RS format to faking in a simulated high-stakes setting when using normative scoring for both formats. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups (total N = 1,867) and filled out the Big Five Triplets once under an honest instruction and once under a fake-good instruction. Latent mean differences between the honest and fake-good administrations indicated that the Big Five domains were faked in the expected direction. Faking effects for all traits were larger for RS compared to MFC. Faking effects were also larger for the MFC version with mixed triplets compared to the MFC version with triplets that were fully matched regarding their social desirability. The MFC format does not prevent faking completely, but it reduces faking substantially. Faking can be further reduced in the MFC format by matching the items presented in a block regarding their social desirability

Change in urban concentration and economic growth

The paper investigates (1) the evolution of urban concentration from 1985 to 2010 in 68 countries around the world and (2) the extent to which the degree of urban concentration affects national economic growth. It aims to overcome the limitations of existing empirical literature by building a new urban population dataset that allows the construction of a set of Herfindahl-Hirschman-Indices which capture a country’s urban structure in a more nuanced way than the indicators used hitherto. We find that, contrary to the general perception, urban concentration levels have on average decreased or remained stable (depending on indicator). However, these averages camouflage diverging trends across countries. The results of the econometric analysis suggest that there is no uniform relationship between urban concentration and economic growth. Urban concentration is beneficial for economic growth in high-income countries, while this effect does not hold for developing countries. The results differ from previous analyses that generally underscore the benefits of urban concentration at low levels of economic development. The results are robust to accounting for reverse causality through IV analysis, using exogenous geographic factors as instruments

Modeling faking in the multidimensional forced-choice format: the faking mixture model

The multidimensional forced-choice (MFC) format has been proposed to reduce faking because items within blocks can be matched on desirability. However, the desirability of individual items might not transfer to the item blocks. The aim of this paper is to propose a mixture item response theory model for faking in the MFC format that allows to estimate the fakability of MFC blocks, termed the Faking Mixture model. Given current computing capabilities, within-subject data from both high- and low-stakes contexts are needed to estimate the model. A simulation showed good parameter recovery under various conditions. An empirical validation showed that matching was necessary but not sufficient to create an MFC questionnaire that can reduce faking. The Faking Mixture model can be used to reduce fakability during test construction. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11336-021-09818-6

Urban structure, location of economic activity and aggregate growth: empirical evidence and policies

This thesis explores two distinct but related aspects of the relationship between the spatial location of people within a country and national economic growth. The first three essays set out to establish whether a country’s urban structure impacts economic growth at the aggregate level. Each paper explores a different aspect of the location of people, including the level of urban concentration and the size of a country’s cities. The analyses rely on cross-country regressions and employ different estimation techniques, including fixed effects, system GMM and instrumental variables. Particular attention is paid to whether the relationship differs between developed and developing countries and how contextual factors, such as a country’s economic structure and government capacity, shape the relationship. Across the three papers, the results consistently suggest that concentration and larger cities can be growth promoting at the country level; however only in developed countries or if certain contextual factors are met. The findings add to a growing body of empirical literature which questions the universal validity of the benefits of agglomeration for economic growth. Furthermore, they specifically address a gap in the empirical literature which so far had failed to link city size to aggregate growth as opposed to city-level productivity. The fourth essay moves to the policy level and analyses Special Economic Zones (SEZs) – a policy which isfrequently employed to influence the location of economic activity and people. Specifically, it studies the performance drivers of SEZs. A scarcity of data has limited quantitative research on this topic so far. The analysis relies on a novel dataset, which resorts to nightlights as SEZ performance proxy and covers zone and policy characteristics for SEZs in 22 countries. The findings partially confirm, but also refute the dominant knowledge on the viability of SEZs. While larger zones tend to perform better, growth is difficult to sustain over time and particularly hard to achieve for high-technology focused zones. Other factors commonly assumed to matter, such as the nature of the zone operator, the incentive package and programme set-up, seem to be highly context dependent. Furthermore, contextual factors, such as proximity to markets and a pre-existing industrial base, influence zone performance

Urbanization, cities and economic growth: trends, recent evidence and policy implications

Susanne Frick re-examines ideas about the link between urban agglomeration and economic development and suggests new policy thinking is needed to stimulate economic growth in developed and developing countries

Towards economically dynamic Special Economic Zones in emerging countries

Despite a massive recent proliferation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), there is virtually no quantitative research on what drives their dynamism. The aim of this paper is to address this gap and analyse the factors influencing SEZ performance – proxied by economic growth – in emerging countries. The paper relies on two novel datasets, using night-lights data to proxy for SEZ performance and containing a wide range of SEZ policy variables and characteristics across a large number of countries. The main results of the analysis indicate that a) zone growth is difficult to sustain over time; that b) trying to upgrade the technological component or value-added of the economy through SEZ policies is often challenging; and that c) zone size matters: larger zones have an advantage in terms of growth potential. Furthermore, country context significantly determines SEZ performance. Firms look for low cost locations, but in close proximity to large cities. Proximity to large markets as well as pre-existing industrialization also increase SEZ performance. In contrast, incentives and other program specific variables are highly context-specific and not structurally correlated with SEZ performance

Konzeption eines entscheidungsunterstützenden Systems zur operativen Planung intermodaler Verkehre mittels Multiagentensystemen

Die operative Planung intermodaler Transportketten besteht aus vielfältigen, wechselseitig miteinander verknüpften Entscheidungsproblemen. Dieser Beitrag präsentiert einen konzeptionellen entscheidungsunterstützenden Ansatz zur simultanen Lösung dieser Frage-stellungen auf Basis von Multiagentensystemen. Durch die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit verfolgte verteilte Modellierung von Strukturinformationen und Optimierungsmechanismen wird dem Umstand Rechnung getragen, dass in einem weit verzweigten Transportnetz eine kaum zu überschauende Anzahl von Akteuren in stark dynamischen Beziehungen zueinander steht, wodurch eine Abbildung eines globalen Modells nahezu unmöglich wird