Leading by example in intergroup competition: An experimental approach

We investigate leading by example in a public goods game in scenarios with and without intergroup competition. Leading by example is implemented via a sequential decision protocol. We examine both one-shot and repeated interaction and make use of the strategy method to characterize followers' conditional responses to the leader's contribution. The results show that only follower but not leader behavior is affected by the introduction of intergroup competition. The change in follower behavior is best described as an increase in cooperation which is not conditional on the leader's decision. When groups interact repeatedly, we do not find that leading by example is able to foster cooperation by itself. It only significantly improves contributions when it is accompanied by intergroup competition.Public goods, Leading by example, Intergroup competition, Strategy method

Leading by Words in Privileged Groups

Koukoumelis et al. (2010, 2012) have shown that one-way communication enhances contributions to public goods. We investigate the effectiveness of one-way communication, when the benefits from the public good are asymmetric and the sender of a message is the main beneficiary of cooperation. Our results show that, in the absence of communication opportunities, contribution behavior may be inversely related to other group members' marginal benefits from the public good. The effectiveness of one-way communication, however, remains unaffected even though compliance with a sender's suggestion to cooperate generates unfavorable payoff inequalities for message receivers. The results also indicate that one-way messages have to relate to the experimental game to enhance cooperation. Merely "giving someone a voice" is not sufficient.Public goods, One-way communication, Privileged groups, Asymmetric marginal benefit

Co-operatives as an Aid to Small Business in Germany

Tridiagonal parametrizations of linear state-space models are proposed for multivariable system identification. The parametrizations are surjective, i.e. all systems up to a given order can be described. The parametrization is based on the fact that any real square matrix is similar to a real tridiagonal form as well as a compact tridiagonal form. These parametrizations has significantly fewer parameters compared to a full parametrization of the state-space matrices

Two-stub quarter wave superconducting resonator design

This paper describes the electromagnetic and mechanical properties of a 150 MHz λ/4, 3-gap structure with two loading elements, for the velocity range β=0.04–0.12 in the context of TEM-like λ/4 and λ/2 structures with multiple loading elements. A simple transmission lines model is presented and the results of Micro Wave Studio and simulations are discussed. The column of the multistub structures opens the opportunity to minimize current in locations allowing the exploitation of demountable joints and control the frequency splitting between the accelerating and other modes. These resonators are appropriate for the upgrade of the medium- and high-velocity sections of the ANU Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility. Because of the broad velocity range for which such structures can be tailored, they can also be used in spallation neutron sources and rare isotope accelerators

Possibilities of surface coating for thermal insulation

Calculations performed for pulsating heat sources indicate a relatively thin (200-1000 micron) coating can lower temperature both inside and on the surface of a construction material. Various coating materials (including zirconium dioxide) are discussed, together with possible thermic stresses and ways to deal with the latter

Accuracy, Unbiasedness and Efficiency of Professional Macroeconomic Forecasts: An empirical Comparison for the G7

In this paper, we use survey data to analyze the accuracy, unbiasedness, and the efficiency of professional macroeconomic forecasts. We analyze a large panel of individual forecasts that has not been analyzed in the literature so far. We provide evidence on the properties of forecasts for all G7 counties and for four diffierent macroeconomic variables. Our results show a high degree of dispersion of forecast accuracy across forecasters. We also find that there are large diffierences in the performance of forecasters not only across countries but also across diffierent macroeconomic variables. In general, forecasts tend to be biased in situations where forecasters have to respond to large structural shocks or gradual changes in the trend of a variable. Furthermore, while a sizable fraction of forecasters seem to smooth their GDP forecasts significantly, this does not apply to forecasts made for other macroeconomic variables.Evaluating forecasts, Macroeconomic Forecasting, Rationality, Survey Data, Fixed-Event Forecasts

Advertising, Consumption and Economic Growth: An Empirical Investigation

It is sometimes argued that more advertising raises consumption which in turn stimulates output and so economic growth. We test this hypothesis using annual German data expressed in terms of GDP for the period 1950-2000. We find that advertising does not Granger-cause growth but Granger-causes consumption. Consumption, in turn, Granger-causes GDP growth. The data imply that the immediate impact of more advertising on consumption is positive. However, the long-run effect is negative. Further- more, the immediate impact of higher consumption on growth is negative. But the long-run effect is positive. These results raise interesting questions for standard theory, political debates and advertising practioners.Advertising, Consumption, Economic Growth

Leading by Words: A Voluntary Contribution Experiment With One-Way Communication

In this paper, we study a voluntary contribution mechanism with one-way communication. The relevance of one person's words is assessed by assigning exogenously the role of the "communicator" to one group member. Contrary to the view that the mutual exchange of promises is necessary for the cooperation-enhancing effect of communication, we ï¬nd that, compared to a standard voluntary contribution mechanism with no communication, one-way communication signiï¬cantly increases contributions and renders them stable over time. Moreover, the positive effects of one-way communication persist even when communication is one-shot.Public goods experiment, Computer-mediated communication, Cheap-talk, Cooperation