Productivity and Proximity

Abstract: Papers examining a developed nation’s labour productivity frequently ignore spatial effects. We present empirical results indicating that geographical proximity matters for plant-level productivity.distance; labour productivity

Concordant Convergence Empirics

We present a new model to test the convergence hypothesis based on the ideas of concordance and then employ the model to test empirically for GDP per capita convergence across 97 countries. Our results suggest the presence of switching, while there is more ‘strong divergence’ than ‘strong convergence’.Convergence; Concordance; Income per capita.

Convergence towards a Steady State Distribution

The convergence literature frequently presupposes some unidentified steady state distribution. This paper presents a new method to identify the presence and rate of convergence to a steady state distribution. The method is illustrated with application to UK regional male wages.Convergence; Steady state; Average UK regional male wages

A statistical development of fixed odds betting rules in soccer

Two simple but seemingly profitable betting rules for betting on the away win in association football are developed. One rule is consistent with avoiding those games in which there is a clear favourite. The second rule is based directly on modelling bookmaker odds and assessing the residuals under the fitted model. Contrary to previous research the betting rule using the residuals suggests avoiding betting on those games where there are large discrepancies between bookmaker odds and predicted-model odds.Fixed odds betting rules; away win; bookmakers’ probabilities

Trusts

Covers cases on the doctrine of cy pres—general charitable intent

Gaming Global

The Gaming Global report explores the games environment in: five EU countries, • Finland • France • Germany • Poland • UK three non-EU countries, • Brazil • Russia • Republic of Korea and one non-European region. • East Asia It takes a culturally-focused approach, offers examples of innovative work, and makes the case for British Council’s engagement with the games sector, both as an entertainment and leisure sector, and as a culturally-productive contributor to the arts

Convergence across Spanish Provinces:Cross-section and Pairwise Evidence

Distribution free statistics are employed to investigate biennial income per capita convergence across 52 Spanish provinces over the period 1955-1997. Based upon ideas of concordance and discordance that capture convergence and divergence properties, the paper presents results that suggest convergence is dominant for the full sample over the entire period, swings in this trend between convergence and divergence are present and switching in rank does take place. When provinces are analysed in pairs some show strong evidence of divergence.Convergence; Steady state; Average UK regional male wages

Everyday mathematics of university students

In this poster abstract we highlight the preliminary results of an exploratory study investigating the ways in which university students use mathematics in their everyday lives. The study is part of wider research investigating the impact of mathematics computer games on mathematics anxiety in university students. A survey was distributed to 125 students across the University of Sheffield asking participants about the most common activities they take part in that involves mathematics, as well as any mathematics concepts involved. Responses predominantly came from undergraduates (49.6%). The most common activities included counting, measuring, and predicting. Future work would require the inclusion of students across different universities to increase the generalisability of the result