Does Drinking Really Decrease in Bad Times?

This paper investigates the relationship between macroeconomic conditions, alcohol use, and drinking problems using individual-level data from the 1987-1999 years of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We confirm the procyclical variation in overall drinking identified in previous research using aggregate sales data and show that this largely results from changes in consumption among existing drinkers, rather than movements into or out of drinking. Moreover, the decrease in alcohol use occurring during bad economic times is concentrated among heavy consumers, with light drinking actually increasing in these periods. We find no evidence that the decline in overall drinking masks a rise in alcohol use for persons becoming unemployed during contractions, suggesting that any stress-induced increases in consumption are more than offset by reductions resulting from changes in economic factors such as lower incomes.

The price of corporate social responsibility: the case of black economic empowerment transactions in South Africa

Since the demise of apartheid in South Africa, corporations have been encouraged to participate in the governmental goal of increasing corporate ownership by the black majority population. One vehicle that has arisen to help facilitate an increase in corporate ownership has been black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions. BEE transactions are essentially private placements of equity. Firms that have taken this socially activist position of selling portions of their equity, usually at a substantial discount, to black empowerment groups have received positive media attention in the name of “good corporate citizenship.” ; This study investigates the market performance of these BEE transactions, specifically addressing three questions. The first question is whether BEE transactions create or destroy wealth. To address this question we use an event study methodology to calculate the cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) associated with public announcements of BEE transactions. The second question is whether specific types of BEE transactions did better or worse than others. We address this question by analyzing the cross-sectional variation in the CARs associated with public announcements of BEE transactions. The third question is whether firms that engage in BEE transactions experience negative post-announcement price performance. This last question is motivated by popular press accounts of the exploitation of black empowerment groups by white-owned South African corporations. To address this question, we test whether BEE transactions have benefited white corporate South Africa at the expense of the participating black empowerment groups.

The Texas Penal Code\u27s Saving Clause.

Abstract Forthcoming

Characteristics of Production and Marketing Oriented Firms.

2 p

Marketing and Bargaining Cooperatives: How Do They Differ?

2 p

Texas Sequestration Statute Amended to Comply with Due Process Requirements - Tex. Laws 1975, ch. 470.

Abstract Forthcoming

Texas Agricultural Check-Off Act of 1969.

2 p

Bostonia. Volume 3

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

Bostonia. Volume 12

Founded in 1900, Bostonia magazine is Boston University's main alumni publication, which covers alumni and student life, as well as university activities, events, and programs

An Integrated Model for Graduate Training in Sociological Practice: The School of Community Service at the University of North Texas

This article contains a description of a model for training in sociological practice at the School of Community Service at the University of North Texas This model for training is predicated upon four themes in sociological practice: interventionist, multidisciplmary, humane, and holistic The article also contains a description and a discussion of various academic programs within the School which provide training with respect to these four theme