Range Of Socio-economic Indicators Research Articles

Statistical analysis of current development of agriculture in Russian regions

Regional social and economic development is characterized by presence of wide imbalances in structure of industry specialization, which are largely due to spatial development of individual territories. As part of a statistical study of agro-industrial complex development in regions of Russia, uneven agricultural development of certain territories, their involvement, as well as degree of participation in single national economic complex of the country are reflected. At the level of statistical significance, two of the region’s most important in terms of accumulated agro-industrial potential are identified - Krasnodar Territory and Rostov Region. Based on the account of a wide range of socio-economic indicators, the subjects of the Russian Federation were ranked by integral indicator of development of agricultural sector and by urbanization level. The regions dominating for certain types of agricultural indicators were identified and their general dynamics over a long period of statistical observations were reflected. In the process of the research, a general conclusion is made step by step about development opportunities of agro-industrial complex in the regions in strategy for sustainable development of rural territories not only at the territorial level, but, more significantly, at the federal and local levels. In order to develop rural territories, among other things, it is necessary to create imperative social conditions that will preserve existing national economic potential and ensure fulfillment of not only production, but also demographic, cultural, historical and laborfunction in the village.

Auction design and auction outcomes

We study the impact of spectrum auction design on the prices paid by telecommunications operators for two decades across 85 countries. Our empirical strategy combines information about competition in the local market, the level of adoption and a wide range of socio-economic indicators and process specific variables. Using a micro dataset of almost every mobile spectrum auction performed so far—both regional and national—we show that auction design affects final prices paid. Two designs (SMRA with augmented switching and CCA with core pricing) result in auctions with systematically higher normalized returns. Further, we document that spectrum ownership appears to affect prices paid in subsequent auctions. We discuss the mechanisms of cost minimization and foreclosure faced by operators in different regulatory environments. Our findings have implications for policy-makers and regulators.

Citizen Representation in City Government-Driven Crowdsourcing

This article examines the citizen representativeness of crowdsourcing achieved through 311 systems—the non-emergency and quality of life service request reporting systems used by local governments. Based on surveys of San Francisco residents conducted in 2011, 2013, and 2015, our findings suggest that no systematic biases exist in participation rates across a range of socio-economic indicators. In addition, the findings provide evidence that participation may be responding positively to the city’s responsiveness, thus creating a self-reinforcing process that benefits an increasingly diverse and representative body of users. This inquiry builds on earlier studies of Boston and San Francisco that show that 311 systems did not bias response to traditionally disadvantaged groups (lower socioeconomic status or racial/ethnic minorities) at the demand level nor from high-volume users.

Auction Design and Auction Outcomes

We study the impact of auction design on the final prices paid by telecommunications operators for the past two decades across the world. Our empirical strategy combines information about competition in the local market, the level of adoption and a wide range of socio-economic indicators. Using a micro dataset of almost every mobile spectrum auction performed so far – both regional and national – we show that auction design affects final prices paid. Two combinations of lot pricing and package rules (SMRA with augmented switching and CCA with core pricing) result in auctions with systematically higher normalized returns. Further, the past history of spectrum awards appears to affect prices paid in subsequent auctions. Previous ownership of commercial lots is linked with higher prices paid per lot which varies across national and regional licences. We discuss the mechanisms of cost minimization and foreclosure faced by operators in different regulatory environments. Our findings have implications for policy-makers and regulators.

Representation and Beyond: Coproduction and the New Information Technology

This article examines the citizen representativeness of coproduction achieved through information technology. Our specific focus is 311 systems, which feature a dedicated telephone number to contact governments for service requests, and in many jurisdictions have expanded to include the Internet and smartphones. Our findings, based on surveys of San Francisco residents conducted in 2011, 2013, and 2015, suggest that no systematic biases exist in participation across a range of socio-economic indicators. We acknowledge the limitations of our study, but in light of the increasing integration of the new information technology into coproduction, research in this area consider an emerging model.

Socioeconomic Position and Adolescent Trajectories in Smoking, Drinking, and Psychiatric Distress

PurposeSmoking, drinking, and psychiatric distress are inter-related and may also be associated with socioeconomic position (SEP). This paper investigates the role of SEP in adolescent development across all three of these outcomes.MethodsData were self-reported by adolescents in the Twenty-07 Study (N = 1,515) at ages 15, 17, and 18 years. Latent class analysis was used to identify homogeneous subgroups of adolescents with distinct developmental patterns. Associations between developmental patterns and a range of socioeconomic indicators were then tested.ResultsFive classes were identified. A Low Risk class had low levels for all outcomes. A High Distress class had persistently high levels of distress, but was otherwise similar to the Low Risk group. A High Drinking class drank alcohol earlier and more heavily but also had higher levels of distress than the Low Risk group. Smokers were grouped in two classes, Early Smokers and Late Smokers, and both also had raised levels of drinking and distress. Early Smokers tended to begin earlier and smoke more heavily than Late Smokers. Relative to the Low Risk class, adolescents in a disadvantaged SEP were more likely to be Early Smokers and somewhat less likely to be in the High Drinking class. SEP was not consistently associated with membership in the High Distress or Late Smokers classes.ConclusionsAssociations with SEP are evident in opposing directions or absent depending on the combination and timing of outcomes, suggesting that a disadvantaged SEP is not a simple common cause for all three outcomes.

In Search of Development: Muslims and Electoral Politics in an Indian State

West Bengal's Muslim minority are in many respects excluded from both the developmental and political processes in the state. Muslims score significantly lower on a range of socio-economic indicators compared to other sections of the population, and their representation in the political sphere is poor. However, recent years have witnessed an increasing mobilisation of Muslim organisations seeking to address and overcome this ‘development deficit’. As part of this mobilisation in search of development, these organisations have used the Muslim electorate's strength of numbers to promote issues of concern to Muslim voters. In doing so they have succeeded in putting significant pressure on all political parties in the state, who for much of 2010 and 2011 were engaged in an intense political competition that culminated with the ouster of the incumbent state government at the 2011 assembly elections. In this paper I analyse the background for this recent emergence of a distinct Muslim voice in the debates over the state's development trajectory. I examine how some Muslim organisations have bargained for inclusion in West Bengal's development agenda by demanding that special quotas for Muslims be introduced in, e.g., education and government employment. Tellingly, this demand spawned prompt and positive responses from political parties in the state, who have gone to great lengths to accommodate Muslim demands for development. I argue that this overwhelmingly positive response is the result of successful and strategic operations in what Partha Chatterjee calls ‘political society’ by a marginalised Muslim electorate in search of development.

Culture and Wellbeing: The Case of Indigenous Australians

A recurring theme in Indigenous affairs in Australia is a tension between maintenance of Indigenous culture and achievement of socio-economic ‘equity’: essentially ‘self-determination’ versus ‘assimilation’. Implicit in this tension is the view that attachment to traditional cultures and lifestyles is a hindrance to achieving ‘mainstream’ economic goals. Using data from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, stronger attachment to traditional culture is found to be associated with enhanced outcomes across a range of socio-economic indicators. This suggests Indigenous culture should be viewed a part of the solution to Indigenous disadvantage in Australia, and not as part of the problem.

Culture and Wellbeing: The Case of Indigenous Australians

A recurring theme in the debate surrounding Indigenous affairs in Australia is a tension between maintenance of Indigenous culture and the achievement of 'equity' in socio-economic outcomes: essentially 'self-determination' versus 'assimilation'. Implicit in this tension is the view that attachment to traditional culture and lifestyles is a hindrance to the achievement of 'mainstream' economic goals. This paper argues the need for a renewed focus on the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, and for empirical evidence on the link between culture and socio-economic wellbeing instead of ideological debate. Using data from National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, a strong attachment to traditional culture is found to enhance outcomes across a range of socio-economic indicators. This suggests Indigenous culture should be viewed a potential part of the solution to Indigenous disadvantage in Australia, and not as part of the problem.

Suicide in Developing Countries (1)

Suicide is a global public health problem, but relatively little epidemiological investigation of the phenomenon has occurred in developing countries. This paper aims to (1) examine the availability of rate data in developing countries, (2) provide a description of the frequency and distribution of suicide in those countries for which data are available, and (3) explore the relationship between country-level socioeconomic factors and suicide rates. It is accompanied by two companion papers that consider risk factors and preventive efforts associated with suicide in developing countries, respectively. Using World Health Organization data, we calculated the average annual male, female, and total suicide rates during the 1990s for individual countries and regions (classified according to the Human Development Index [HDI]), and examined the association between a range of socioeconomic indicators and suicide rates. For reasons of data availability, we concentrated on medium HDI countries. Suicide rates in these countries were variable. They were generally comparable with those in high HDI countries from the same region, with some exceptions. High education levels, high telephone density, and high per capita levels of cigarette consumption were associated with high suicide rates; high levels of inequality were associated with low suicide rates. Epidemiological investigations of this kind have the potential to inform suicide prevention efforts in developing countries, and should be encouraged.