Downward Mobility From the Middle Class: Waking Up From the American Dream

Examines trends in Americans falling out of the middle class, ranking 20 or more percentiles below their parents, or earning 20 percent or more below their parents' real income, and contributing factors across race/ethnicity and gender

U.S. Intragenerational Economic Mobility From 1984 to 2004: Trends and Implications

Compares changes in the economic positions of 25- to 44-year-olds between 1984 and 1994 and between 1994 and 2004, in relative and absolute terms. Analyzes characteristics of those in the bottom quintile and factors that contribute to economic mobility

Work and Income Security From 1970 to 2005

Analyzes long-term trends in family income and the importance of stable full-time, full-year work in providing economic security and upward mobility, with a focus on low-income working families. Examines the factors behind upward and downward mobility

DILSTORE software for ecological status assessment of lakes based on benthic diatoms

Until recently, only few diatom indices were developed for monitoring littoral zones of lakes. The available indices are not applicable for all lake types because species lists and environmental constraints’ ranges are different. So far, four diatom indices (SCIL, TDIL, S, TI) were developed that use attached diatoms for ecological status assessment therefore a need arose to ease index calculation similarly as it is a wide spread practice in status assessment of rivers by means of the well known OMNIDIA software. DILSTORE 1.1 software has three main functions; (i) calculation of diatom indices and community attributes; (ii) storage and listing of primary diatom data series and (iii) it contains a taxon name coder and a spelling-check program. It can be used as a peripheral aid to generate data sheets for the OMNIDIA. The DILSTORE 1.1 software was developed for IBM PC compatible computers, for Windows users. According to the experiences, the DILSTORE 1.1 software can make the regular lake monitoring practice considerably faster

Foreign Direct Investment and Indigenous Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Wales and Ireland

Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays an important role in the economic development strategies of several countries. FDI inflows bring in the latest technology, create employment and lead to tradable goods. FDI not only enables the transfer of intangibles to another country but also makes knowledge spillovers possible and therefore may play a major role in indigenous entrepreneurship. These knowledge spillovers can lead to the establishment of new indigenous enterprises in the host country leading to further economic development (Young, Hood & Peters, 1994). However, not all types of FDI have the same potential for knowledge spillovers. The potential for knowledge spillovers is related to the type of FDI and the level of human capital in the host country. FDI in high technology industries is more likely to generate knowledge-intensive spillovers (Buckley, Newbould & Thurwell, 1988). High levels of human capital (formal education, on-the-job training including industry, management and business development experience) make it easier for entrepreneurs to start high value-added firms. Individuals working in MNEs obtain higher levels of training and development than in local firms (Chen, 1983; UNCTAD, 1994) and wish to obtain the best returns for these skills. Individuals may feel unable to realize appropriate returns in the existing firm or may believe that the bureaucratic MNE does not value this knowledge, and seize the opportunity to create a new entity (Acs & Varga, 2004). While several studies examine the relationship between formal education and FDI (OECD, 2002), and other studies are concerned with the relationship between human capital and entrepreneurship (Bates, 1990), very few studies explore the relationship between FDI, human capital and entrepreneurship. Using a combination of case studies and Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) population surveys in four regions, we explore how the link between FDI spillovers and indigenous entrepreneurial activity varies by human capital and cultural context in Ireland and Wales

Job Differences by Race and Ethnicity in the Low-Skill Job Market

Based on a survey of employers, examines differences in wages and benefits among African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, and white workers in jobs that do not require a college degree. Compares job requirements, ages, education levels, and training

Low-Skill Jobs, Work Hours, and Paid Time Off

Based on a survey of employers, examines the scheduling demands placed on low-skill workers and the availability of sick leave, paid time off, and benefits allowing for the care of family members. Compares benefits for entry-level and next-step jobs

Job Placement Agencies and the Low-Skill Labor Market

Based on a survey of employers, assesses the use of different types of agencies to fill low-skill jobs, the types of jobs commonly filled, and employers' experiences with agencies, including the quality of the applicants and the challenges they face

Understanding the Demand Side of the Low-Wage Labor Market

Presents findings from a survey of employers on their less-skilled labor needs: who hires whom and how; with what requirements, wages, benefits, results, and factors for promotion; and what policies would help job seekers without a college education