MODELING ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH UNPREDICTABLE SHOCKS: A STATE-LEVEL APPLICATION FOR 1960-90

A Barro-type economic growth model is estimated for the 50 states in the U.S. using data for three decades beginning in 1960. Frontier estimation techniques are used to test for the presence of state-specific shocks to economic growth that are independent of the usual, normally-distributed random errors. We find that large, positive shocks to growth occur during the period 1960-90. Our results indicate that the error term structure assumed each other OLS may not be appropriate for modeling economic growth.Economic growth, Frontier estimation, Shocks, U.S. states, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

The Impact Of Consolidation And Strategic Considerations In The Motorcoach Industry

Little has been written about the motorcoach industry, an industry that is largely comprised of small family-run businesses, and an industry that has witnessed a changed competitive environment during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s due to the impact of consolidation.  In this paper, the author (an insider to the industry) discusses the motorcoach industry and the effect of consolidators.  Using survey data drawn from163  motorcoach owner/operators from across the country in early 2002, the author discusses the rising insurance cost crisis as the major concern by many operators in the industry.  The link between consolidation effects and insurance costs are examined.  From this analysis, strategic considerations for motorcoach owner/operators to ensure future viability are provided

Analysis of the spurious spectral components appearing about the S-band carrier

Analysis of telemetry spurious spectral components in downlink S band carrier of manned space flight networ

X-ray polarimetry with an active-matrix pixel proportional counter

We report the first results from an X-ray polarimeter with a micropattern gas proportional counter using an amorphous silicon active matrix readout. With 100% polarized X-rays at 4.5 keV, we obtain a modulation factor of 0.33 +/- 0.03, confirming previous reports of the high polarization sensitivity of a finely segmented pixel proportional counter. The detector described here has a geometry suitable for the focal plane of an astronomical X-ray telescope. Amorphous silicon readout technology will enable additional extensions and improvements.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Vietnams Developing Markets: How Do Perceptions And Strategies In The Negotiation Process Differ From The U.S.?

Growth in international trade has had a profound effect on executives and managers in their need to better understand differences in effective cross-cultural negotiation skills. The recent opening up of trade with Vietnam points to a need to better understand how the Vietnamese negotiating style differs from the U.S. style as managers are called upon to recruit the best and brightest in an increasingly competitive labor market. In this paper, survey data, taken separately from university students in the U.S. and Vietnam, are used to examine differences in the negotiation process. The results confirmed that cultural differences lead to differences in perceptions and strategies employed in the negotiation process. Theoretical and practical implications for managers involved in negotiations with the Vietnamese as well as directions for future research are discussed

Industry-wide response to terror: a political economy analysis of the owner/operator sector of the U.S. motorcoach industry post 9-11

The authors develop a political economy framework to study the post- September 11th environmental changes and firm responses in the owner/operator sector of the U.S. motorcoach industry. Based on a comprehensive analysis of both evolutionary and revolutionary changes in the competitive and regulatory environments faced by the firms in this industry, their policy and strategic responses to the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, on U.S. soil are examined. The industry’s response is captured (i.e., collective action response) by surveying 163 firms operating and competing in the owner/operator sector of the U.S. motorcoach industry. Several descriptive statistics are synthesized and analyzed for a structured presentation of the survey findings. In conclusion, contributions and limitations of this study, as well as directions for future research, are outlined