Technology frontier, labor productivity and economic growth: Evidence from OECD countries

We use 29 OECD countries data spanning over 1960-2000 to study the growth strategy when countries are close to the technology frontier. Relying on a semi-parametric generalized additive model, we estimate labor productivity equations. We find that the number of agents enrolled in higher education is a determinant of growth. Moreover, when a country is sufficiently near the technology frontier thanks to an increasing R&D expenditure, it becomes optimal to invest in fundamental research, since after a short period of efficiency, business R&D can no longer ensure the transition toward the technology frontier, while higher education presents the opposite shape. These findings support the main assertion of Aghion and Cohen (2004) that countries which are near the technology frontier have to invest in higher education while those far away from the frontier make their technology level growing up by investing in primary and secondary schooling.Education, R&D, Labor Productivity, Economic Growth

The role of consumption and the financing of health investment under epidemic shocks

We study the behavior of consumption and health investment resulting from shocks undermining health capital accumulation. We examine the effects on subsequent life cycle of long-lived shocks undermining health with either an acceleration of health capital deterioration, or a decrease in health investment efficiency. We also address the issue of the financing of health investment. We provide new evidence based on nonparametric estimations which show complex non-linear interplay between life expectancy and health expenditure. We then develop a benchmark model where consumption and health capital enter additively in the utility function, featuring independence between the returns from ordinary consumption and health. Then, we depart from this setup by assuming non-additive preferences meaning that ordinary consumption also is crucial for health. We show that a shock undermining health which increases health expenditures and weakens the income base, not only affects savings but also compromises the consumption capacity, the human and physical capital of the economy, and undercuts the process of economic development. We also show that the magnitude of the effects strongly depends on the assumed preferences.consumption, health investments, savings, non-parametric estimation

A closer look at the relationship between life expectancy and economic growth

We first provide a nonparametric inference of the relationship between life expectancy and economic growth on an historical data for 18 countries over the period 1820-2005. The obtained shape shows up convexity for low enough values of life expectancy and concavity for large enough values. We then study this relationship on a benchmark model combining "per- petual youth" and learning-by-investing. In such a benchmark, the generated relationship between life expectancy and economic growth is shown to be strictly increasing and concave. We finally examine a model departing from "perpetual youth" by assuming age-dependent survival probabilities. We show that life-cycle behavior combined with age-dependent sur- vival laws can reproduce our empirical finding.Life expectancy, economic growth, perpetual youth, age-dependent mortality, nonparametric estimation

The Growth economics of epidemics

This paper examines in an endogenous growth theory perspective the mechanisms through which epidemics affect long term growth. Investment in both physical and human capital are key transmission variables in this respect. The paper distinguishes between Spanish flu like epidemics and AIDS like epidemics. Two-sector growth models are shown to better reflect the specific effects of epidemics. The effects of an AIDS like pandemic on savings and education effort are also modelled via life expectancy. The paper is closed by an extension of the celebrated Cuddington-Hancock model to account for the latter features. An application to the South African case is provided. The main finding points at a delayed effect of Aids on economic growth due to the recent sharp drop in llife expectancy in this country.Epidemics, Human capital, Life expectancy, Growth theory, Spanish flu, AIDS

Strategic Leadership for Managing Diversity

The changing workforce in organizations worldwide, including those in Africa, makes managing diversity a critical issue that must be a part of any organizational business strategy. This qualitative case study explored the success and failure of leadership strategies in managing diversity in organizations in the West African region and the adverse effects globalization, and ethnocentrism might have in managing diversity in the workplace. This study took place in Africa, and 15 participants from this West African organization participated in interviews and surveys. The data collection yielded themes the participants in the study thought could improve leaders\u27 capabilities in managing a diverse workforce. A thematic analysis of the interviews, survey respondents\u27 data, and organizational documents identified challenges and opportunities to achieve diverse workforce organizational goals. Among these challenges is implementing policies to advance an organization\u27s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to address the possible failure to create a leadership strategy for managing diversity within the Western African technology industry, resulting in decreased workers’ job satisfaction, retention, organizational success, and representation of women and minorities in senior leadership positions. This research paradigm used a constructive and transformative framework to study the named organization in which diversity in the workplace has become a reality because of the global business environment. The data coding and analysis used NVivo, and the survey questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistical analysis capabilities

A Content Analysis of Non-Profit Organizations Social Media: Through the Lens of Compliance-Gaining & Persuasion

Non-profit organizations utilize social media platforms like Instagram to reach the community, fundraise, convey their mission and vision, establish themselves, and educate others. This study examined whether the communication artifacts of selected nonprofit organizations employed Cialdini\u27s (2021) compliance-gaining strategies through an eight-week qualitative digital content analysis on Instagram to address the problem of understanding how non-profit organizations use Instagram tools to influence and persuade their audience. Compassion International (@compassion), CARE (@careorg), and Direct Relief (@directrelief), the three non-profit organizations chosen in this study, demonstrated the usage of Cialdini’s (2021) compliance-gaining strategies within their digital media communication strategy. Non-profit organizations operate in a highly competitive environment, with many organizations vying for attention and resources from donors and supporters. They must understand how to effectively use Instagram and compliance-gaining theory to influence and persuade their audience, ultimately increasing their impact and reach. How are these three non-profit organizations engaging and mobilizing their audience through this influence and persuasion to support their respective cause? Are there commonalities in how each non-profit organization is using Cialdini’s (2021) compliance-gaining framework? This study showed that the three non-profit organizations chosen effectively used Cialdini’s (2021) compliance-gaining framework on Instagram to influence and persuade their audience, while also contributing to the existing literature on social media marketing, compliance-gaining theory, and digital content analysis. The analysis provided valuable insights for communication professionals, marketers, and non-profit organizations seeking to create compelling social media campaigns

Experiências didáticas com o uso das TIC: Um olhar reflexivo

Trabalho apresentado no 31º SEURS - Seminário de Extensão Universitária da Região Sul, realizado em Florianópolis, SC, no período de 04 a 07 de agosto de 2013 - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar a experiência pedagógica realizada no subprojeto EDTIC (Experiências Didáticas com o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação). Este subprojeto faz parte de um Projeto de Extensão denominado “Ousadia no Diálogo”, que tem como objetivo principal subsidiar a formação de professores da Escola Básica. O EDTIC teve como foco primordial promover a articulação da informática com os conteúdos estudados em sala de aula a fim de criar um ambiente favorável à produção do conhecimento científico e estimular o desenvolvimento e a aprendizagem cognitiva do aluno. A metodologia teve como pressupostos a Teoria Histórico-Cultural e a Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica, no qual por meio da problematização do conteúdo proposto procurou-se instigar o aluno a pesquisar, analisar, sistematizar, para posteriormente chegar á síntese, ou O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar a experiência pedagógica realizada no subprojeto EDTIC (Experiências Didáticas com o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação). Este subprojeto faz parte de um Projeto de Extensão denominado “Ousadia no Diálogo”, que tem como objetivo principal subsidiar a formação de professores da Escola Básica. O EDTIC teve como foco primordial promover a articulação da informática com os conteúdos estudados em sala de aula a fim de criar um ambiente favorável à produção do conhecimento científico e estimular o desenvolvimento e a aprendizagem cognitiva do aluno. A metodologia teve como pressupostos a Teoria Histórico-Cultural e a Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica, no qual por meio da problematização do conteúdo proposto procurou-se instigar o aluno a pesquisar, analisar, sistematizar, para posteriormente chegar á síntese, ou O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar a experiência pedagógica realizada no subprojeto EDTIC (Experiências Didáticas com o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação). Este subprojeto faz parte de um Projeto de Extensão denominado “Ousadia no Diálogo”, que tem como objetivo principal subsidiar a formação de professores da Escola Básica. O EDTIC teve como foco primordial promover a articulação da informática com os conteúdos estudados em sala de aula a fim de criar um ambiente favorável à produção do conhecimento científico e estimular o desenvolvimento e a aprendizagem cognitiva do aluno. A metodologia teve como pressupostos a Teoria Histórico-Cultural e a Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica, no qual por meio da problematização do conteúdo proposto procurou-se instigar o aluno a pesquisar, analisar, sistematizar, para posteriormente chegar á síntese, o

Fixed Points of the Dickson Polynomials of the Second Kind

The permutation behavior of Dickson polynomials of the first kind has been extensively studied, while such behavior for Dickson polynomials of the second kind is less known. Necessary and sufficient conditions for a polynomial of the second kind to be a permutation over some finite fields have been established by Cohen, Matthew, and Henderson. We introduce a new way to define these polynomials and determine the number of their fixed points