Clustering life trajectories: A new divisive hierarchical clustering algorithm for discrete-valued discrete time series

A new algorithm for clustering life course trajectories is presented and tested with large register data. Life courses are represented as sequences on a monthly timescale for the working-life with an age span from 16-65. A meaningful clustering result for this kind of data provides interesting subgroups with similar life course trajectories. The high sampling rate allows precise discrimination of the different subgroups, but it produces a lot of highly correlated data for phases with low variability. The main challenge is to select the variables (points in time) that carry most of the relevant information. The new algorithm deals with this problem by simultaneously clustering and identifying critical junctures for each of the relevant subgroups. The developed divisive algorithm is able to handle large amounts of data with multiple dimensions within reasonable time. This is demonstrated on data from the Federal German pension insurance. --Clustering,measures of association,discrete data,time series

Clustering life trajectories : a new divisive hierarchical clustering algorithm for discrete-valued discrete time series

A new algorithm for clustering life course trajectories is presented and tested with large register data. Life courses are represented as sequences on a monthly timescale for the working-life with an age span from 16–65. A meaningful clustering result for this kind of data provides interesting subgroups with similar life course trajectories. The high sampling rate allows precise discrimination of the different subgroups, but it produces a lot of highly correlated data for phases with low variability. The main challenge is to select the variables (points in time) that carry most of the relevant information. The new algorithm deals with this problem by simultaneously clustering and identifying critical junctures for each of the relevant subgroups. The developed divisive algorithm is able to handle large amounts of data with multiple dimensions within reasonable time. This is demonstrated on data from the Federal German pension insurance

Fixing the leak: Unemployment incidence before and after the 2006 reform of unemployment benefits in Germany

"From 2002 - 2004, the German government passed several laws that curtailed the generosity of the unemployment compensation system. One of the most ambitious changes was a considerable reduction in unemployment benefit entitlement lengths for older unemployed, which was effective during 2006 and 2007. We apply a difference-in-differences approach to show that the highly disputed reform induced a considerable decline in unemployment incidence among older workers. It thus sealed an important leak in the unemployment insurance system. Furthermore, we find a strong anticipation effect; unemployment entries of elderly workers peaked during the months preceding the reform." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))ältere Arbeitnehmer, arbeitsmarktpolitische Maßnahme, Arbeitslosengeld, Leistungsbezug - Dauer, Wirkungsforschung

Fathers at birth : women\u27s experiences of their partner\u27s presence during childbirth

Childbirth is an ordeal of nature. It is an experience that elicits a range of emotions for the labouring woman; recognition of which has highlighted women’s needs for psychological support during the birth process. Research has shown that a mother’s perception of a positive birth is influenced by how supported she feels throughout her experience. In Australia it is common practice for the labouring woman’s partner to be her main support person; however research into women’s experiences of this phenomenon is scarce. This research aimed to explore the lived experiences of women in this context, asking the question “what meaning do women ascribe to their experiences of their partners presence in childbirth?” Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Western Australian women who had given birth in their partner’s presence. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, five main themes were identified: an essential presence; psychological support; ‘on my side’; education and preparation; and strengthened relationship. It was found that the partners offered a unique approach to supporting the women, guided by the history they had together. The women felt it was important for their partner to be present for a range of reasons and his support was highly valued. It was also found that supporting fathers in their childbirth experience is fundamental to supporting mothers during childbirth. Understanding women’s experiences in this context provides a vital perspective on the ways in which partners can best engage in the childbirth experience and provide support in order to enhance birth outcomes. Further research is required to assess gaps in care for women giving birth, and the men supporting them, to improve service provision in this area

Fixing the leak: unemployment incidence before and after the 2006 reform of unemployment benefits in Germany

From 2002-2004, the German government passed several laws that curtailed the generosity of the unemployment compensation system. One of the most ambitious changes was a considerable reduction in unemployment benefit entitlement lengths for older unemployed, which was effective during 2006 and 2007. We apply a difference-in-differences approach to show that the highly disputed reform induced a considerable decline in unemployment incidence among older workers. It thus sealed an important leak in the unemployment insurance system. Furthermore, we find a strong anticipation effect; unemployment entries of elderly workers peaked during the months preceding the reform. --unemployment incidence,policy evaluation,administrative data

Large Blocks of Stock: Prevalence, Size, and Measurement

Large blocks of stock play an important role in many studies of corporate governance and finance. Despite this important role, there is no standardized data set for these blocks, and the best available data source, Compact Disclosure, has many mistakes and biases. In this paper, we document these mistakes and show how to fix them. The mistakes and bias tend to increase with the level of reported blockholdings: in firms where Compact Disclosure reports that aggregate blockholdings are greater than 50 percent, these aggregate holdings are incorrect more than half the time and average holdings for these incorrect firms are overstated by almost 30 percentage points. We also demonstrate that our fixes are economically and statistically significant in an analysis of the relationship between firm value and outside blockholders.

The Rise of the Sharing City: Examining Origins and Futures of Urban Sharing

With more than half the world’s population living in ever more economically productive cities, and urbanisation continuing apace, large-scale environmental problems resulting from unsustainable, excessively consumption-focussed life styles are doomed to happen. Meanwhile large amounts of equipment and infrastructure are barely used. The recently emerged Sharing City concept combines the benefits of Sharing Economy and Collaborative Consumption with urban development and community building, and promises to address at least some of those issues. This study seeks to gain a better understanding of the concept, and to offer an insight into its (partial) implementation. A literature analysis, qualitative interviews, and three case studies allow identifying major reasons for and enablers of the Sharing City’s emergence, driving forces, obstacles to implementation, and its potential. Structurally, the underlying changes in the global economy enabled it, as well as the recent economic crisis, changes in attitudes towards consumption and ownership, and the development and improvement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Driving forces behind the emergence of the Sharing City are identified in good access to ICT infrastructure, the presence of an energetic civil society and an accommodating city administration. Other drivers include a vibrant sharing business scene (as in San Francisco), an active municipality (like Seoul’s), and a sharing-enthusiastic population (as Berlin’s). Obstacles to the implementation and its dissemination are largely found in the legal frameworks governing four priority sectors for cities: food, transportation, housing, and jobs. Deficits are in both regulation that inhibits sharing but also a lack of regulation specifically for sharing. Sharing Cities can benefit the economic, environmental, social, and democratic dimensions of an urban community. One major criticism is levelled against the commercial expansion of sharing, which may be seen as an excessive marketisation of previously ‘private’ life spheres, subjecting ever-greater areas of life to the logic of commercial exchange