Analysis Of Microdata Research Articles

認知的ソーシャルキャピタルとしての法意識・規範意識・契約観と対人信頼感の関連

Relationships between four elements of cognitive social capital (i.e., law-abiding spirit, normative consciousness, attitude toward contracts, and trust) were examined as part of the “East Asia Value Survey” conducted by the Institute of Statistical Mathematics. To avoid aggregation bias, micro-data analysis, such as multiple group structural equation modeling with categorical variables, was conducted. A significantly positive relationship between normative consciousness and trust was found for China; however, the relationship between law-abiding spirit and trust was nonsignificant. Additionally, in China, token acknowledgement affected responses to law-abiding-spirit questions but did not affect responses related to normative consciousness. Attitude toward contracts and trust had a positive relationship in Japan and China but a negative relationship in Taiwan and Singapore. This research also showed that the way demographic variables affect each element of social capital varies according to countries/areas.

Downward Nominal Wage Rigidity in Europe: An Analysis of European Micro Data from the Echp 1994-2001

This paper substantially extends the limited available evidence on existence and extent of downward nominal wage rigidity in the European Union and the Euro Area. For this purpose we develop an econometric multi-country model based on Kahn’s (1997) histogram-location approach and apply it to employee micro data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP) for twelve of the EU’s current member states. Our estimates for the degree of downward nominal wage rigidity on the national as well as the EU-wide level point to marked downward nominal wage rigidity within the European Union.

Ichiro Iwasaki. « Industrial Structure and Regional Development in Central Asia: A Microdata Analysis on Spatial Allocation of Industry ». Central Asia Survey, vol. 19, n° 1, (2000), pp. 157-183.

L’interet de cet article est que l’auteur a procede a une sorte de radiographie de l’industrie des pays d’Asie centrale en utilisant des donnees micro-economiques datant du premier semestre 1992. L’auteur degage ainsi un certain nombre de conclusions interessantes telles que le fait que les structures industrielles de ce pays ne montrent pas de veritables specialisations, que la production industrielle est tres inegalement repartie par regions, que la part des petites entreprises est reduite,...

Remote access systems for statistical analysis of microdata

Statistical Agencies manage huge amounts of microdata. The main task of these agencies is to provide a variety of users with general information about for instance the population and the economy. However, in some cases users request additional, more specific information. Many agencies have therefore set up facilities that enable selected users to obtain tailor-made statistical information. A remote access system is an example of such a facility where users can submit queries for statistical information from their own computer. These queries are handled by the statistical agency and the generated, possibly confidentialised, output is returned to the user. This way the agency still keeps control over its own data while the user does not need to make frequent visits to the agency. For some years, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) and Luxembourg Employment Study (LES) have made use of an advanced remote access system. At Statistics Netherlands and at other statistical institutes recently the need for a similar system has been expressed. In this article, we discuss the characteristics, limitations and desired properties of a remote access system. We illustrate the discussion by the system used at LIS/LES.

Long-Run Differences in Wealth: A Microdata Analysis of US White-Black Differences in Wealth Directly after Mass Emancipation of Southern Slaves

This study analyzed racial inequality by decomposing historical black-white differences in wealth using regression decomposition. This technique decomposes economic differences into the portion explained by differences in characteristics and the unexplained portion due to different returns to a set of characteristics (See, e.g., Blinder 1973 and Oaxaca 1973). Preliminary results confirm that the size and source of contemporary black-white wealth differences have historical roots: In 1870, at least 75 percent of white-black wealth differences were not explained by characteristic differences described by the classical model. This is consistent with wealth decompositions of late-twentieth century data that show three-quarters of white-black differences were unexplained (See, e.g., Blau and Graham 1990). Furthermore, this study found that 77.8 percent of white-black wealth differences were not explained in states that abolished slavery well before the Civil War while 87.9 percent of white-black wealth differences were unexplained in states that abolished slavery after the Civil War.

Concentration Effects, Spatial Mismatch, or Neighborhood Selection? Exploring Labor Market and Neighborhood Variations in Male Unemployment Risk Using Census Microdata from Great Britain

A classification of census enumeration districts has recently been added to the 1991 British Census 2% Sample of Anonymised Records (SAR). Through the use of multilevel modeling techniques, the area classification information on the SAR is used to investigate geographical differences in unemployment. Previous research has indicated that where a person lives can affect their propensity to unemployment. However, the understanding of these relationships are confounded by the reciprocal nature of the relationship between unemployment, housing, and geographical location. This paper examines the relative importance of the individual, the type of neighborhood of residence, and the local labor market in which one lives in explaining variations in unemployment risk. It also examines the role of housing tenure at an individual and contextual level in mediating this relationship. Two competing hypotheses are evaluated. The first is that local concentrations of unemployment are the result of the process of neighborhood selection. The other suggests there are contextual affects on unemployment risk, which may include access to job opportunities and “concentration effects.” The paper concludes that most neighborhood level variation in unemployment is due to housing market effects, particularly neighborhood selection. As well as offering insights into the relationship between unemployment and geographical location, this paper aims to demonstrate methodological innovations in the analysis of census microdata. In particular it shows how area classifications can be used in conjunction with microdata in a multilevel modeling framework, to get a better understanding of the role of individual and contextual factors in social processes.

Inflation and Price Adjustment: An Analysis of Microdata

I use large datasets on prices by products and stores from recent inflationary periods in Israel to compare simple menu cost models with simple uncertain and sequential trade (UST) models. The main empirical findings are (a) price erosion due to inflation explains only a tiny fraction of the variation in nonzero nominal price changes, (b) stores whose last nominal price change was relatively low are likely to choose a nominal price change that is relatively high, (c) stores that reduce their nominal price charge a lower price relative to stores that increase their nominal price, and (d) relative price variability is not related to inflation. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: E300, E310, D210.

Are Recessions Good for Your Health?

This study investigates the relationship between economic conditions and health. Total mortality and eight of the ten sources of fatalities examined are shown to exhibit a procyclical fluctuation, with suicides representing an important exception. The variations are largest for those causes and age groups where behavioral responses are most plausible, and there is some evidence that the unfavorable health effects of temporary upturns are partially or fully offset if the economic growth is long-lasting. An accompanying analysis of micro data indicates that smoking and obesity increase when the economy strengthens, whereas physical activity is reduced and diet becomes less healthy.

Industrial structure and regional development in Central Asia: A microdata analysis on spatial allocation of industry

The evaluations made up to now of the regional industries of Central Asia established during the Soviet era have not, on the whole, proved satisfactory. Some evaluations deride the Central Asian industrial societies as monocultural, stating that they overspecialized in cotton planting and processing. Others vehemently criticize Soviet regime policies, judging the modernization policies as ‘tragic’ for having attempted to establish a division of labour intended to perpetuate the exploitative processes of the Soviet communist party leadership and central government. 1 To be sure, many of the harsh assessments of the Central Asian industrial structure are grounded to some extent in scientie c analysis. However, more than a few of these analyses rely on fragmentary statistical information or are derived from estimates and hypothesizes based on roundabout descriptions taken from the Soviet literature. This is in part the result of the closed political and scientie c nature of the Soviet Union and the consequent inability of Western researchers to conduct comprehensive econometric analyses of Soviet industry. This paper investigates the outcome of the Soviet government’s so-called ‘socialist industrial allocation’ (sotsialisticheskoe razmeshchenie promyshlennosti) policies, and also seeks to improve our understanding of how the Central Asian countries are making the transition to the market by examining their industrial structure, that is, their historical preconditions. This is done through an empirical investigation of the industrial structure and spatial development of Central Asia utilizing as primary sources microdata from approximately 4,600 industrial e rms for the e rst half of 1992. The last few years have seen a growing volume of research based on microdata analysis or on-site surveys of individual factories. This paper also represents an attempt to utilize data which has become available since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

99/03753 The impact of economic regulation on attempts to curb expense preference behavior: a micro-data analysis of CEO compensation schemes for electric utilities: Mixon, Jr., F. G. and Upadhyaya, K. P. Energy Economics, 1999, 21, (2), 185–194

99/03753 The impact of economic regulation on attempts to curb expense preference behavior: a micro-data analysis of CEO compensation schemes for electric utilities: Mixon, Jr., F. G. and Upadhyaya, K. P. Energy Economics, 1999, 21, (2), 185–194

Foreign exchange allocation and productivity growth in post-war Japan: a case of the wool industry

This paper examines functions of the foreign exchange allocation system which was employed in Japan until early 1960s, focusing on the case of the wool industry. Through analysis of historical documents, we make clear that the MITI utilized this system for such policy goals as export promotion, management of investment and production capacity etc. Using micro-data analysis, we confirm that allocation of foreign currency was based on clear and objective criteria, that generated rents actually promoted export and investment, and that its essential roles could be found in efficient use of foreign currency and mitigation of productivity differences between firms.

The impact of economic regulation on attempts to curb expense preference behavior: a micro-data analysis of CEO compensation schemes for electric utilities

This study uses a large, micro data set to present evidence which suggests that owners of regulated electric utilities have little incentive to structure CEO compensation packages in an effort to curb potential expense preference behavior. Because such potential behavior occurs, or would occur, at no cost to the firm (or the firm's owners), little incentive exists to structure compensation schemes in a way that would curb such behavior (e.g. by compensating them with incentive bonus plans and stock options). The results presented here augment those which examine other industries (e.g. banking) in an effort to point out the relationships between ownership organization, political involvement and expense preference behavior.

Statistics New Zealand's Data Laboratory

Statistical microdata is an essential input to social science and economic research. Demand for microdata has been growing with increased emphasis on policy integration and targeting. As well, technological and methodological advances mean that researchers are increasingly able to undertake microdata analysis. With the introduction of the Data Laboratory, Statistics New Zealand's microdata is more accessible for significant research projects. This presentation will look at eligibility for using the Data Laboratory, the process that researchers will need to follow and some of the conditions that are imposed.

Tariff jumping DFI and export substitution: Japanese electronics firms in Europe

Analysis of micro data on Japanese electronics firms establishes that the rapid increase in Japanese manufacturing investments in the late 1980s has for a substantial part been induced by EC antidumping and other trade restricting measures targeting Japanese firms. Evidence is found at the firm level that such `tariff jumping' investment has substituted for exports from Japan. On the other hand, firms which invested in EC distribution activities, acquired EC firms, or produce components within a vertical Keiretsu, export relatively more to Europe. The latter finding suggests that subcontractor firms were able to expand components exports by supplying the European manufacturing plants of their parent firms.

Exit from the Meatpacking Industry: A Microdata Analysis

AbstractWe model the determinants of plant exit from the cattle‐slaughter industry using probit to distinguish between plant‐level (e.g., age, scale, and scope) and market‐level (e.g., market share, concentration, and competitive fringe) factors. Market variables are shown to be less important determinants of exit than plant‐level factors, though a significant tendency for very small plants to exit already highly concentrated markets is apparent. Government actions to stem the industry's consolidation must consider the trade‐off between welfare gains from the reduction of market power and welfare losses from foregone technological efficiency improvements.

Alcohol involvement in recreational boating: implications for safety regulation

The intent of the recently enacted federal anti-alcohol recreational boating legislation is to reduce boating accidents by reducing alcohol consumption by boat operators. This legislation implicitly assumes that alcohol consumption by operators is a determinant of operators being at fault in boating accidents. The results of this paper, based on a multivariate analysis of microdata, support this assumption for non-fatal but not for fatal boating accidents. However, alcohol involvement was found to be a significant determinant of the severity of boating accidents (i.e. fatal versus non-fatal accidents). These results suggest that alcohol involvement causes boating fatalities but does not cause the operator to be at fault in fatal boating accidents. A policy implication is that laws proscribing intoxication during boating should be directed not just at operators, but at all water recreationists.

Local Industrial Dominance and Earnings Attainment

Drawing on the ecological concept of local industrial dominance, we examine how the industrial distribution of the metropolitan labor force influences workers' earnings. Industrial dominance is defined as the proportional overrepresentation of the local labor force in a given industry or industrial sector. A contextual analysis of census microdata for the largest 125 SMSAs shows that, within industries and sectors, workers in metropolitan areas in which their industry is dominant have significantly higher earnings than workers in areas in which that industry is less dominant. These results holdfor two different measures of dominance andfour racelsex groups. The effects of local dominance on earnings appear stronger for industries in the core and state sectors, for financial, business and personal service functions, andfor public administration. The influence of dominance is partly explained by the tendency of locally dominant industries to be composed of larger establishments.

Purchased child care, optimal family size and mother's employment: theory and econometric analysis.

This paper develops a model of family size decisions in which couples choose explicitly a combination of mother's time and purchased childcare (childminder, nanies) for the care and rearing of children. The theoretical model implies that the impact of the mother's wage on her complete fertility varies with the market price of childcare, and that this effect increases (becoming less negative or more positive) with the level of her wage. Econometric analysis of British micro-data confirms the main predictions of the model.

EFFICIENCY OF JOB MATCHING MECHANISMS: A CROSS‐NATIONAL COMPARISON

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present paper is to gain insight into the efficiency of the labour market information and job matching mechanisms by means of a cross‐national analysis of labour force micro data for the Netherlands and the United States. First, the impact of personal and regional unemployment on the decision to migrate is investigated Second, job search success is evaluated by measuring the impacts of the regional Labour market situation and migration on the tre‐employment probabilities of the unemployed in both countries. The result is that the Dutch information system which allows nationwide job search from the home area without migration is superior to the U.S. system of speculative migration.

Will Developing Country Nutrition Improve with Income? A Case Study for Rural South India

Aggregate estimates of food expenditure are consistent with such a possibility, implying income/expenditure elasticities close to one. However, the high degree of aggregation at which such estimates are made means that the considerable increase in price per nutrient as income increases is ignored, and the nutrient elasticities are therefore overstated. Estimates for a rural south Indian sample indicate that this bias is considerable and that the true nutrient elasticities with respect to income may be close to zero.