Social Networks and Ethnic Niches: An Econometric Analysis of the Manufacturing Sector in South Africa

This paper analyses the link between social networks and ethnic occupational niches in the manufacturing sector in South Africa. To this end, it employs the methodology of Bertrand et al. (2000) to minimise the omitted variable bias induced by standard approaches investigating network effects and adopts Models (1993) concentration index to define an ethnic niche. The results indicate that 25 percent of our sample is employed in ethnic niches in the manufacturing sector but that niche employment varies markedly by language group. With regards to the effect of social networks, increasing the quality or quantity of an individuals contacts by one standard deviation increases his probability of niche employment by 4 percent. Put differently, social networks magnify a policy shock affecting employment in ethnic niches by over 100 percent. This paper therefore highlights the importance of social networks, which channel workers into jobs that become ethnic niches, in the manufacturing sector in South Africa.

Preterm birth, an unresolved issue

Premature birth is the world's leading cause of neonatal mortality with worldwide estimates indicating 11.1% of all live births were preterm in 2010. Preterm birth rates are increasing in most countries with continual differences in survival rates amongst rich and poor countries. Preterm birth is currently an important unresolved global issue with research efforts focusing on uterine quiescence and activation, the 'omics' approaches and implementation science in order to reduce the incidence and increase survival rates of preterm babies. The journal Reproductive Health has published a supplement entitled Born Too Soon which addresses factors in the preconception and pregnancy period which may increase the risk of preterm birth and also outlines potential interventions which may reduce preterm birth rates and improve survival of preterm babies by as much as 84% annually. This is critical in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG 4) for child survival by 2015 and beyond.Fil: Belizan, Jose. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Hofmeyr, Justus. University of The Witwatersrand;Fil: Buekens, Pierre. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Salaria, Natasha. BioMed Central; Reino Unid

Income Inequality, Reciprocity and Public Good Provision: An Experimental Analysis

This paper analyses the impact of income inequality on public good provision in an experimental setting. A sample of secondary school students were recruited to participate in a simple linear public goods game where income heterogeneity was introduced by providing participants with unequal token endowments. The results show that endowment heterogeneity does not have any significant impact on contributions to the public good, and that consistent with models of reciprocity, low and high endowment players contribute the same fraction of their endowment to the public pool. Moreover, individuals appear to adjust their contributions in order to maintain a fair share rule.

Income Inequality, Reciprocity and Public Good Provision: An Experimental Analysis

This paper analyses the impact of income inequality on public good provision in an experimental setting. A sample of secondary school students were recruited to participate in a simple linear public goods game where income heterogeneity was introduced by providing participants with unequal token endowments. The results show that endowment heterogeneity does not have any significant impact on contributions to the public good, and that consistent with models of reciprocity, low and high endowment players contribute the same fraction of their endowment to the public pool. Moreover, individuals appear to adjust their contributions in order to maintain a fair share rule.

Popularising history: The case of Gustav Preller

African Studies Seminar series. Paper presented 10 August, 198

No chief, no exchange, no story

African Studies Seminar series. Paper presented September, 198