How wages respond to shocks: asymmetry in the speed of adjustment

The time series of various economic variables often exhibit asymmetry: decreases in the values tend to be sharp and fast, whereas increases usually occur slowly and gradually. We detect signs of an analogous asymmetry in firms’ wage setting behaviour on the basis of managerial surveys, with employers tending to react faster to negative than to positive shocks in the same variables. As well as describing the presence of asymmetry in the speed of wage adjustment, we investigate which companies are more likely to demonstrate it in their behaviour. For this purpose, we apply the Heckman selection model and develop a methodology that improves identification by exploiting heteroscedasticity in the selection equation. The estimation results imply that companies operating in a more competitive environment have a higher propensity to react asymmetrically. We also find that businesses relying on labour-intensive production technology are more likely to react faster to negative shocks. Both of these findings support the hypothesis that this behaviour results from companies’ attempts to protect profit margins. JEL Classification: J30, J31, J33Asymmetry, survey, wage dynamics, Wage setting

Investing in Higher Education (Human Capital) Key Factors of Economic Development in Global Flows

The phenomenon of globalization began as simple trade exchanges, but it has since developed into a multifaceted phenomenon that affects all aspects of people lives and nations around the world, from the biggest and most developed, which have millions of residents, to those with only a few thousand people and a small area. Starting with the political, economic, social, cultural, technological, and exchange of experiences in all areas, the advantages of this phenomena are widespread and diversified. There is no disputing the fact that everyone agrees that raising the standard and quality of education is one of the top concerns for all nations, whether developed and developing. Although education is first and foremost a fundamental human right, it may also be seen as a tool for advancing economic growth in any nation and as a significant driver of productivity and efficiency in the local, regional, and global economies. It is beyond dispute that resources (human, financial, and natural) are important, but only effective utilization of those resources can guarantee ongoing economic progress and social wellbeing. Keywords: globalization, knowledge economy, human capital, information society, economic development DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/130-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

Подобрување на човековите права во здравствената заштита во Република Македонија

The rights of patients are based on the general human rights and are an important segment in the process of "Europeanization" of the Republic of Macedonia. The main goal of this study was to analyze the legislative framework of human rights in the health care in the Republic of Macedonia and its implementation in practice. Material and methods: The study was designed as a descriptive-analytical cross sectional study, in which a public health approach, an information-analytical method and evidence synthesis method were applied for the analysis of the relevant legislation. A survey was conducted on a representative stratified sample of patients in the Polog Region in the period from October to November 2017 in the Clinical Hospital Tetovo and the General Hospital Gostivar. Results: The legal system of the Republic of Macedonia was analyzed and compared with 6 transition countries, which had undergone a series of substantial reforms in recent years. The legislative framework in the Republic of Macedonia is a comprehensive frame for protection of patients’ rights, with which the patient is guaranteed legal rights in the process of treatment, respect and protection of his/her personality and integrity. The implementation of patients' rights in practice in this paper was analyzed by implementation of two rights of patients: the right on information about the recommended medical interventions and the right to accept and reject certain medical intervention. 85.2% of the interviewed patients had information on the right to information about the recommended medical interventions, and 14.8% didn’t have. 72.1% of the interviewed patients had personal experience for this right, and 27.9% didn’t have. Regarding the right to accept and reject certain medical intervention, 77% of the interviewed patients had information on this right, while 23% didn’t have. Personal experience was significantly smaller with this right, i.e. only 32.8% of the interviewed patients had personal experience, and 67.2% didn’t have. These differences were significant for both rights, for information and for personal experience. Conclusions: The human rights in the health care in the Republic of Macedonia are reflected in the national legislation, which is harmonized with the European and international legislation. However, it is necessary to improve the implementation of patients' rights in practice by raising the citizens' awareness about the knowledge of patients' rights and encouraging medical staff to respect the rights of patients and their compulsory application in practice.Правата на пациентите произлегуваат од општите човекови права и се важен сегмент во процесот на ,,европеизација“ на Република Македонија. Главна цел на оваа студија беше да се анализира легислативната рамка на човековите права во здравствената заштита во Република Македонија и имплементацијата во пракса. Материјал и методи:  Студијата е дизајнирана како дескриптивно–аналитичка студија на пресек, во која беше применет јавноздравствен пристап, информатичко-аналитичен метод и метод на синтеза на евиденција (evidence synthesis) за анализа на релевантната легислатива. Беше спроведено  анкетно истражување на репрезентативен стратифициран примерок на пациенти во Полошкиот Регион, во период од два месеци, октомври-ноември во 2017 година, во Клиничката болница во Тетово и Општата болница во Гостивар. Резултати: Беше анализиран правниот систем на Република Македонија и беше спореден со 6 држави во транзиција, кои претрпеа низа суштински реформи во последниве години. Легислативната рамка во Република Македонија претставува сеопфатна рамка за заштита на правата на пациентот, со која на пациентот му се загарантирани законски права во процесот на лекувањето, почитувањето и заштитата на неговата личност и интегритет. Во овој труд имплементацијата на правата на пациентите во пракса беше анализирана преку имплементацијата на две права на пациентите, и тоа: право на информираност за препорачаните медицински интервенции и право на прифаќање и одбивање на определена медицинска интервенција. 85,2% од анкетираните пациенти имале информации за правото на информираност за препорачаните медицински интервенции, а 14,8% немале. 72,1% од анкетираните пациенти имале лично искуство за ова право, додека 27,9% немале. Во однос на правото на прифаќање и одбивање на определена медицинска интервенција, 77% од анкетираните пациенти имале информации за ова право, а 23% немале. Значително помало беше личното искуство за ова право, односно само 32,8% од анкетираните пациенти имале лично искуство, а 67,2% немале. Разликите беа сигнификантни во одговорите за двете права, и за информацијата и за личното искуство. Заклучок: Човековите права во здравствената заштита во Република Македонија се рефлектирани во националната легислатива која е хармонизирана со европската и меѓународната. Меѓутоа,  потребно е подобрување на имплементацијата на правата на пациентите во пракса, преку подигнување на свеста на граѓаните за познавање на правата на пациентите и поттикнување на медицинскиот персонал за почитување на правата на пациентит

Soil Erosion RiskMapping Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System in the Tifnout-Askaoun Watershed, Southern Morocco

Soil erosion, a natural process accelerated by humans, is one of the serious environmental problems facing farmers in the Tifnout Askaoun watershed in the Taroudant province of southern Morocco. The objective of this study is the qualitative mapping of areas at risk of water erosion in the Tifnout Askaoun watershed using the AHP method (Analytical Hierarchy Process), this method consists of a weighting of the factors adopted by a comparison. in pairs of factors that control erosion in this area. The main factors considered in this study are slope, drainage density, land use, soil erodibility and erosivity of precipitation. The erosion risk map obtained for the study area shows that the erosion phenomenon is threatening the Tifnout- Askaoun region in southern Morocco.The risk map has four classes ranging from low to very high erosion risk. It shows that more than 48% of the study area has a high to very high risk of erosion. The result shows that erosion is very strong in the northern part of the study area around the Ifni lake, while the risk becomes low in the south near the Aoulouz and Mokhtar Soussi dams. The study has shown that the phenomenon of water erosion is very intense in the areas located in the High Atlas and the areas located in the Anti Atlas presents a risk of erosion low to medium

Ko Te Tāngata: For the people

The Council of Aotearoa New Zealand university libraries (CONZUL) launched a new strategy in 2022. One of the key strands is He Tāngata Rawe (our people). We are committed to focusing on creating and fostering environments that are culturally safe, inclusive and encourage diversity. We also lead people and culture related projects that enable our staff to develop and thrive. A number of our university libraries are on their own journey but this presentation will focus on the mahi (work) taking place at Te Whare Wānaga o Waikato in Aotearoa, NZ

Downward Nominal and Real Wage Rigidity:Survey Evidence from European Firms

It has been well established that the wages of individual workers are only marginally affected, particularly downwards, by shocks to their firms. This paper presents new evidence from a unique survey of firms across Europe on the prevalence of downward wage rigidity in both real and nominal terms. We analyse which firm-level and institutional factors are associated with wage rigidity. Our results indicate that downward wage rigidity is related to workforce composition at the establishment level in a manner that is consistent with related theoretical models (e.g. efficiency wage theory, insider-outsider theory). We also find that wage rigidity depends on the labour market institutional environment. Collective bargaining coverage is positively related with downward real wage rigidity, measured on the basis of wage indexation. Downward nominal wage rigidity is positively associated with the presence of permanent contracts and this effect is stronger in countries with stricter employment protection regulations.

The Margins of Labour Cost Adjustment: Survey Evidence from European Firms

Firms have multiple options at the time of adjusting their wage bills. However, previous literature has mainly focused on base wages. We broaden the analysis beyond downward rigidity in base wages by investigating the use of other margins of labour cost adjustment at the firm level. Using data from a unique survey, we find that firms make frequent use of other, more flexible, components of compensation to adjust the cost of labour. Changes in bonuses and non-pay benefits are some of the potential margins firms use to reduce costs. We also show how the margins of adjustment chosen are affected by firm and worker characteristics. JEL Classification: J30, C81, P5European Union, firm survey, labour costs, wage rigidity

Veganite kliendikäitumine ja sihtgrupile suunatud sotsiaalselt vastutustundlik turundus Eesti näitel

https://www.ester.ee/record=b5358825*es