The Effects of Government Regulation on Teenage Motor Vehicle Mortality

This article investigates the impact of a number of policy manipulable variables on the motor vehicle mortality rate of white males between the ages of 15 to 24. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of alcohol. Utilizing data for the tune period 1970 to 1975, multivariate equations are estimated for three timemperiods inmorder to examine and compare the before, immtediate,and longer run (one-year) impact of the changes in these relevant variables on mortality rates.The results reveal that changes in the minimum legal purchasing age of alcohol has contributed significantly to a higher mortality rate not only in the state instituting the change but in the border states as well.

Challenges for the International Tourism Industry in Japan – An Agent for Economic Recovery and Development

Japan’s successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo is expected to bring a windfall to the tourism industry with an increasing number of visitors coming from abroad. Taking advantage of this opportunity to develop the newly-emerging tourism industry will be major task, but one that can significantly impact the future development of the country. The purpose of this paper is to undertake a review of the current situation of international tourism in Japan and examine the problems which may limit the international competitiveness of Japan’s tourism industry. We offer a number of solutions on how to improve tourism quality to better address the expectations of foreign visitors and for Japan to meet the goals of the Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Law (Act No.117 of 2006) which defines the basic plan for “Realizing a Tourism Nation”.Japan’s successful bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo is expected to bring a windfall to the tourism industry with an increasing number of visitors coming from abroad. Taking advantage of this opportunity to develop the newly-emerging tourism industry will be major task, but one that can significantly impact the future development of the country. The purpose of this paper is to undertake a review of the current situation of international tourism in Japan and examine the problems which may limit the international competitiveness of Japan’s tourism industry. We offer a number of solutions on how to improve tourism quality to better address the expectations of foreign visitors and for Japan to meet the goals of the Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Law (Act No.117 of 2006) which defines the basic plan for “Realizing a Tourism Nation”

The Implementation Of ISO9000 In Vietnam: Case Studies From The Footwear Industry

Following the implementation of "doi moi" or economic renovation policies in Vietnam in the late 1980s, State-Owned Enterprises have been forced to compete in a market economy environment. This new focus on competition necessitates a change in the quality management system. Looking at the process of ISO 9000 implementation in two Vietnamese footwear companies, this article examines the effect of different interpretations by top management of the need for and commitment to ISO 9000 certification. The results suggest that management attitude plays an important role in determining the process and impact of ISO implementation

Money demand instability and real exchange rate persistence in the monetary model of USD-JPY exchange rate

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.This paper proposes a hybrid monetary model of the dollar-yen exchange rate that takes into account factors affecting the conventional monetary model's building blocks. In particular, the hybrid monetary model is based on the incorporation of real stock prices to enhance money demand stability and also, productivity differential, relative government spending, and real oil price to explain real exchange rate persistence. By using quarterly data over a period of high international capital mobility and volatility (1980:01-2009:04), the results show that the proposed hybrid model provides a coherent long-run relation to explain the dollar-yen exchange rate as opposed to the conventional monetary model. © 2014

Inequalities in higher education in low‐ and middle‐income countries:A scoping review of the literature

Motivation:  Higher  education  is  regarded  as  a  key  instrument  to  enhance  socioeconomic  mobility  andreduce inequalities. Recent literature reviews have examined inequalities in the higher education systemsof  high-income  countries,  but  less  is  known  about  the  situation  in  low-  and  middle-income  countries,where higher education is expanding fast.Purpose:  The  article  reviews  the  academic  literature  on  higher  education  in  low-  and  middle-incomecountries using a research framework inspired by social justice and capability approaches. It considers the financial,  socio-cultural,  human,  and  political  resource  domains  on  which  people  draw,  and  how  they relate to access, participation, and outcomes in higher education.Methods: A literature search for studies explicitly discussing in-country  inequalities  in  higher  education revealed  22  publications. Substantial  knowledge  gaps remain,  especially  regarding  the  political  (and decision-making)  side  of  inequalities;  the  ideologies  and  philosophies  underpinning  higher  education systems; and the linkages between resource domains, both micro and macro.Findings:  The  review  highlights  key  elements  for  policy-makers  and  researchers:  (1)  the  financial  lens alone  is  insufficient  to  understand  and  tackle  inequalities,  since  these  are  also  shaped  by  human  and other non-financial factors; (2) socio-cultural constructs are central in explaining unequal outcomes; and (3) inequalities develop throughout one’s life and need to be considered during, but also before and afterhigher education.  The scope  of  inequalities  is  wide, and  the literature  offers a  few ideas  for short-term fixes such as part-time and online education.Policy implications: Inclusive policy frameworks for higher education should include explicit goals related to (in)equality,  which  are  best  measured in  terms  of  the  extent  to  which  certain  actions  or  choices are feasible for all. Policies in these frameworks, we argue, should go beyond providing financial support, and also address socio-cultural and human resource constraints and challenges in retention, performance, and labour market outcomes. Finally, they should consider relevant contextual determinants of inequalities.</p

Corruption in Vietnamese Higher Education

There is no doubt that the Vietnamese higher education system is in need of serious reform. Corruption is epidemic, and actions must be taken to change the environment in which these practices flourish. The recent decision by the Ministry of Education and Training to adopt new, stricter measures on national exams and the increased media attention on corruption are steps in the right direction. If Vietnam desires to obtain an international standard educational system, required reforms are necessary from all parties. Perhaps, most importantly, there must be a monumental change in the attitude and thinking by students, faculty, and parents. Education is a right and privilege that is earned, not a commodity to be sold by administrators and faculty

Velocity and money growth variability: evidence from Japan

This paper investigates the robustness of the Friedman hypothesis that states the volatility of money growth influences the velocity of money. Using data for Japan the Granger-causality method is implemented to test for the effect of the variability of the Japanese monetary aggregate M2+CDs on velocity. The regression estimates support the Friedman hypothesis.