Location decision of heterogeneous multinational firms

We examine how multinational firms with heterogeneous total factor productivity (TFP) self-select into different host countries. Both aggregate- and firm-level estimates suggest that more productive French firms are more likely than their less efficient competitors to invest in relatively tough host countries. Countries with a smaller market potential, higher fixed costs of investment or lower import tariffs tend to have higher cutoff productivities and attract a greater proportion of productive multinationals. This self-selection mechanism remains largely robust when we control for unobserved firm and country heterogeneity and address the potential TFP endogeneity.multinational firm, location decision, firm heterogeneity, productivity

Creative Brief for Bliss Cupcake Cafe

The baking and culinary industry is growing. In fact, in 2020, the market size of the global baking industry was $331.37 billion and is projected to reach$436.91 billion by 2026. Although the recent pandemic made those in the hospitality field struggle due to the canceling of special events such as birthday party gatherings, weddings, and holiday events, the industry is coming back stronger than pre-pandemic times through implementing new practices such as online ordering and delivery practices. With this, in the recent years, supply chain disruptors and inflation have caused materials and labor costs to increase and can be difficult on profit margins, especially for small businesses such as Bliss Cupcake Cafe (Boyarsky). However, Bliss has been able to continually grow and change with the times for the better, which has helped them stay successful throughout their 14 year run in Northwest Arkansas (NWA). Bliss Cupcake Cafe opened their doors to the public in Fayetteville, AR in 2009. They also have franchise stores in Rogers, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro, AR. They bake cupcakes every morning from scratch and have at least three gluten free options daily. They also have over 50 cupcake flavors available, as well as custom cakes, for special order purchase. Recently Bliss has been struggling with gaining interaction from customers on all social media accounts, but especially on Instagram and Twitter. They would also like to prioritize the importance of gaining top-of-mind awareness for bakeries/desserts in NWA. As a front counter employee at Bliss, I have observed the business’ operations first-hand and conducted secondary research to develop solutions that will help Bliss Cupcake Cafe improve its marketing efforts and overall awareness. I propose my ideas in the form of a creative brief and strategic pitch

Watchdog or Lapdog? The Role of U.S. Media in the International Humanitarian Intervention in Libya

Do media influence government or does government influence media? This paper seeks to answer this question by examining the recent international humanitarian military intervention in Libya in 2011 to see what, if any, effect media played in the decision-making process. To determine which player, U.S. government or U.S. media, was the opinion leader persuading the other to support humanitarian military intervention, the author chronologically compared articles written in major U.S. newspapers and U.S. government statements. The author concludes that neither the U.S. government nor the U.S. media played the primary role in the case. Rather, opinion leaders were the most persuasive, but U.S. media played an essential supporting role

Creative Brief for Bliss Cupcake Cafe

The baking and culinary industry is growing. In fact, in 2020, the market size of the global baking industry was $331.37 billion and is projected to reach$436.91 billion by 2026. Although the recent pandemic made those in the hospitality field struggle due to the canceling of special events such as birthday party gatherings, weddings, and holiday events, the industry is coming back stronger than pre-pandemic times through implementing new practices such as online ordering and delivery practices. With this, in the recent years, supply chain disruptors and inflation have caused materials and labor costs to increase and can be difficult on profit margins, especially for small businesses such as Bliss Cupcake Cafe (Boyarsky). However, Bliss has been able to continually grow and change with the times for the better, which has helped them stay successful throughout their 14 year run in Northwest Arkansas (NWA). Bliss Cupcake Cafe opened their doors to the public in Fayetteville, AR in 2009. They also have franchise stores in Rogers, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro, AR. They bake cupcakes every morning from scratch and have at least three gluten free options daily. They also have over 50 cupcake flavors available, as well as custom cakes, for special order purchase. Recently Bliss has been struggling with gaining interaction from customers on all social media accounts, but especially on Instagram and Twitter. They would also like to prioritize the importance of gaining top-of-mind awareness for bakeries/desserts in NWA. As a front counter employee at Bliss, I have observed the business’ operations first-hand and conducted secondary research to develop solutions that will help Bliss Cupcake Cafe improve its marketing efforts and overall awareness. I propose my ideas in the form of a creative brief and strategic pitch

Location Decisions of Heterogeneous Multinational Firms

We examine how multinational Örms with heterogeneous total factor productivity (TFP) self-select into different host countries. Both aggregate- and Örm-level estimates suggest that more productive French Örms are more likely than their less efficient competitors to invest in relatively tough host countries. Countries with a smaller market potential, higher Öxed costs of investment or lower import tariffs tend to have higher cutoff productivities and attract a greater proportion of productive multinationals. This self-selection mechanism remains largely robust when we control for unobserved Örm and country heterogeneity and address the potential TFP endogeneity.multinational firm, location decision, firm heterogeneity, productivity

Criminal background screening in affordable housing units in Austin, Texas

Since the 1970s the number of individuals with involvement in the criminal justice system has increased rapidly. Here in Texas, this number is alarmingly high. With over 5,000 individuals being released from correctional facilities in Travis County alone in 2007, this issue is very relevant to the Austin community. Current happenings in the city revolving around a ‘Ban the Box’ policy for employment have begun a momentum to look at the necessity of criminal background screenings to judge an applicant’s ability to be a good employee. This along with Austin Mayor Steve Adler’s recent 2015 proposition to effectively end veteran homelessness, have set the stage to create programs to aid people with criminal records obtain housing. Obtaining housing is increasingly difficult in Austin not only for people with criminal records. The price of housing has increased dramatically for both renters and owners making housing unaffordable for much of the population. This trend, coupled with criminal background screening practices, makes finding housing very difficult for many individuals. The city has multiple programs in place to incentivize the development of affordable housing through density bonuses and expedited reviews. These programs have led to a large number of affordable units scattered throughout the city; however, these units, like many across Austin, often have criminal background screenings practices that are overly broad and make housing unattainable for many individuals. A number of organizations across the country have created a series of best practices for criminal background screening that deconstruct stigmas regarding applicants with criminal backgrounds. If these practices were to be applied in Austin, especially to the current stock of affordable housing, it would create more opportunity and choice for applicants across the city to find housing.Community and Regional Plannin

A Cultural Resources Survey in Advance of the CR 101 Ramp Construction Project, Brazoria County, Texas

In April 2006, Atkins North America, Inc. (Atkins, formerly PBS&J), archeologists conducted an intensive archeological survey with shovel testing and trenching at the intersection of County Road (CR) 101 and State Highway (SH) 288. The survey was conducted for access ramps and associated bridge construction proposed by McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. The project is located on the west side of SH 288 beginning approximately 305 meters (1,000 feet) north of the SH 288/CR 101 intersection and terminating approximately 457 meters (1,500 feet) south of the same intersection. A bridge associated with the portion of the project crossing Mustang Bayou was also proposed. The project area (defined as the CR 101/SH 288 access ramps) lay entirely within existing Texas Department of Transportation right of way and subject to compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Antiquities Code of Texas. The investigation was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4110. Survey methodology was based on the recommendations of the Houston Potential Archeological Liability Map of the Texas Department of Transportation, and consisted of five shovel tests and two backhoe trenches. Approximately 2.23 acres were surveyed during this project. The survey located no cultural resources within the project area, and no artifacts were collected or curated. Based on the negative survey results, it was recommended that cultural resource consultations be considered complete for this project, and that the proposed construction be allowed to proceed without further archeological investigation. Project records will be curated at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin

Location decision of heterogeneous multinational firms

We examine how multinational firms with heterogeneous total factor productivity (TFP) self-select into different host countries. Both aggregate- and firm-level estimates suggest that more productive French firms are more likely than their less efficient competitors to invest in relatively tough host countries. Countries with a smaller market potential, higher fixed costs of investment or lower import tariffs tend to have higher cutoff productivities and attract a greater proportion of productive multinationals. This self-selection mechanism remains largely robust when we control for unobserved firm and country heterogeneity and address the potential TFP endogeneity

Location decision of heterogeneous multinational firms

We examine how multinational firms with heterogeneous total factor productivity (TFP) self-select into different host countries. Both aggregate- and firm-level estimates suggest that more productive French firms are more likely than their less efficient competitors to invest in relatively tough host countries. Countries with a smaller market potential, higher fixed costs of investment or lower import tariffs tend to have higher cutoff productivities and attract a greater proportion of productive multinationals. This self-selection mechanism remains largely robust when we control for unobserved firm and country heterogeneity and address the potential TFP endogeneity

Prostate cancer and supportive care:a systematic review and qualitative synthesis of men’s experiences and unmet needs.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, accounting for an estimated 1.1 million new cases diagnosed in 2012 (www.globocan.iarc.fr). Currently, there is a lack of specific guidance on supportive care for men with prostate cancer. This article describes a qualitative systematic review and synthesis examining men's experience of and need for supportive care. Seven databases were searched; 20 journal articles were identified and critically appraised. A thematic synthesis was conducted in which descriptive themes were drawn out of the data. These were peer support, support from partner, online support, cancer specialist nurse support, self‐care, communication with health professionals, unmet needs (emotional support, information needs, support for treatment‐induced side effects of incontinence and erectile dysfunction) and men's suggestions for improved delivery of supportive care. This was followed by the development of overarching analytic themes which were: uncertainty, reframing, and the timing of receiving treatment, information and support. Our results show that the most valued form of support men experienced following diagnosis was one‐to‐one peer support and support from partners. This review highlights the need for improved access to cancer specialist nurses throughout the care pathway, individually tailored supportive care and psychosexual support for treatment side effects