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on Urban and Real Estate Economics |
| By: | Magliocca, Nicholas; McConnell, Virginia (Resources for the Future); Walls, Margaret (Resources for the Future); Safirova, Elena |
| Abstract: | This paper uses an economic agent-based model of land use in a hypothetical urban fringe community to examine the effects of large-lot zoning on land conversion, land prices, and the spatial configuration and density of new development. The model incorporates the actions of heterogeneous housing consumers, developers, and farmer/landowners who make economic decisions in land and housing markets. The model allows for population growth and simulates the evolution of land use patterns and prices over a 20-year time period. Zoning regulations in the form of minimum lot size restrictions imposed in an outlying area are shown to have effects that vary with the stringency of the regulations: 2-acre minimum lot sizes have little effect on the spatial patterns of development, but they do increase land and housing prices and result in higher incomes in the region; 5-acre minimum lot sizes push development toward the city center, leaving agricultural land in the zoned region undeveloped until quite late in the simulation period. While house prices are higher with 5-acre zoning, land prices in the zoned region fall, highlighting the countervailing influences of lot size restrictions on land prices. The new modeling approach allows for the tracking of the transitional dynamics of development, both over space and time as the urban area grows. |
| Keywords: | land use, agent-based model, zoning, urban sprawl |
| JEL: | R11 R12 R14 R38 |
| Date: | 2012–05–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-11-32&r=ure |
| By: | Albrecht Kauffmann |
| Abstract: | The comparison of cities with regard to their economic or demographic development may yield misleading results, if solely the cities in their administrative borders are the object of consideration. Frequently, historical borders of cities neither conform to the contemporary settlement structures, nor do they consider the mutual dependencies between cities and parts of their hinterland. Therefore, it is often claimed to use city regions as objects of comparison or for the sake of urban planning. Commonly, the delineation of functional regions is based on commuting flows from the municipalities in the hinterland of the core cities directed to the cores. A municipality is regarded as belonging to a certain city region if the share of out-commuters from this municipality to the respective core in the total mass of those employees who reside in that municipality is the largest one, and if this share exceeds a certain threshold value. However, commuting flows in the opposite direction are not considered. The method presented here delineates city regions on the base of bidirectional commuting flows. Hereby, various modifications regarding the characteristics of the employment base, the possibility of overlaps of regions, the formation of polycentric city regions, and of the minimum threshold value of mutual connectivity are applied to the sample of 81 German cities with more than 100 000 inhabitants. Finally, the effects of different kinds of regionalisation on the coefficients of regional specialisation of these cities and city regions are demonstrated. |
| Keywords: | city regions, functional urban regions, commuting, regional specialisation |
| JEL: | R12 R23 R58 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwh:dispap:4-12&r=ure |
| By: | Bruno DE BORGER; Stefan PROOST |
| Abstract: | This paper considers various policy measures to reduce traffic externalities in cities, including externality-reducing investments, tolls, emission standards, low emission zones, and bypass capacity to guide traffic around the city center. Using a simple model that distinguishes local and through traffic, we study the optimal use of these instruments by an urban government that cares for the welfare of its inhabitants, and we compare the results with those preferred by a federal authority that takes into account the welfare of all road users. Our results include the following. First, compared to the federal social optimum, we show that the city government will over-invest in externality-reducing infrastructure whenever this infrastructure increases the generalized cost of transit traffic. Second, comparing emission standards and road tolls, we find that cities with a lot of commuters will favor tolls, even though from the federal perspective standards are better. Third, when implementing low emission zones, the urban government will set both the fee for non-compliance and the standard at a higher level than the federal government. Moreover, at sufficiently high transit levels the urban government will prefer imposing a toll instead of implementing a low emission zone. Fourth, if the city can toll the urban infrastructure, it will only invest in bypass capacity when it is allowed to earn extra toll revenues on the bypass that exceed investment costs. Although the paper focuses on non-congestion externalities, most insights also hold in the presence of congestion. |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ete:ceswps:ces12.10&r=ure |
| By: | Ron Zimmer; Brian Gill; Kevin Booker; Stéphane Lavertu; John Wittle |
| Abstract: | Previous charter school research has shown mixed results for student achievement, which could be the consequence of different policy environments or methodological approaches with differing assumptions across studies. This analysis discusses these approaches and assumptions and estimates effects using a consistent methodology across seven locations. |
| Keywords: | School Choice, Charter Schools, Student Achievement |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7380&r=ure |
| By: | Winters, John V. (University of Cincinnati) |
| Abstract: | Quality of life differences across areas can be measured by differences in “real wages”, where real wages are computed as nominal wages adjusted for the cost of living. Computing cost of living differences involves several important issues, including how housing prices should be measured. Previous researchers typically have used some combination of rental payments and homeowner housing values, but housing values are forward-looking and may not reflect current user costs. This paper examines differences in quality of life estimates for U.S. metropolitan areas using, alternatively, rents and housing values. We find that the two measures of quality of life are highly correlated. Value-based estimates, however, are considerably more dispersed than rent-based estimates, likely because of the recent housing bubble and because housing values often provide an imperfect measure of the present user cost of housing. Researchers should be cautious in using housing values to construct quality of life estimates. |
| Keywords: | quality of life, amenities, rents, housing, wages |
| JEL: | R13 R21 R23 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6703&r=ure |
| By: | Crescenzi, Riccardo; Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés; Storper, Michael |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the geography of innovation in China and India. Using a tailor-made panel database for regions in these two countries, we show that both countries exhibit increasingly strong polarisation of innovative capacity in a limited number of urban areas. But the factors behind this polarisation and the strong contrasts in innovative capacity between the provinces and states within both countries are quite different. In China, the concentration of innovation is fundamentally driven by agglomeration forces, linked to population, industrial specialisation and infrastructure endowment. Innovative areas in China, rather than generate knowledge spillovers, seem to produce strong backwash effects. In India, by contrast, innovation is much more dependent on a combination of good local socioeconomic structures and investment in science and technology. Indian innovation hubs also generate positive knowledge spillovers to other regions. |
| Keywords: | China; Geography; India; Innovation; R&D; Regions; Socioeconomic conditions |
| JEL: | O32 O33 R11 R12 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:9038&r=ure |
| By: | Tobias Scholl (Schumpeter Center for Clusters, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Frankfurt University); Thomas Brenner (Working Group on Economic Geography and Location Research, Philipps University Marburg) |
| Abstract: | We present a new statistical method that detects industrial clusters at a firm level. The proposed method does not divide space into subunits whereby it is not affected by the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP). Our metric differs both in its calculation and interpretation from existing distanceâ€based metrics and shows four central properties that enable its meaningful usage for cluster analysis. The method fulfills all five criteria for a test of localization proposed by Duranton and Overman (2005). |
| Keywords: | Spatial concentration, localization, clusters, MAUP, distance-based measures |
| JEL: | C40 C60 R12 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pum:wpaper:2012-02&r=ure |
| By: | Karlsson, Charlie (Jönköping International Business School); Warda, Peter (Jönköping International Business School); Gråsjö, Urban (University West) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we quantitatively review the empirical literature on spatial knowl¬edge spillovers in Europe by means of meta-analysis to determine the extent to which such spillovers have been empirically documented as well as the spatial reach of these spillovers. In addition, we will apply meta-regression analysis to analyze the determinants of observed heterogeneity across and between publications. To our knowledge this is the first study of its kind. Our results show that if total local R&D expenditure in a European region increases by 1%, then the number of patents in that region, on average, increases by about 0.5%. Spatial knowledge spillovers induce a positive effect on local knowledge production, however, this effect proves to be small around 0.07%. Spatial weighting regime seems to matter. If R&D expenditures in other regions are weighted by distance in kilometers or minutes (instead of a binary contiguity matrix) then the spillover effect on average will be larger. Also, public R&D expenditure is found to have a lower impact on local patent production compared to the private R&D expenditure. |
| Keywords: | Knowledge spillovers; knowledge externalities; meta-analysis; Europe |
| JEL: | O32 O33 R19 |
| Date: | 2012–07–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0280&r=ure |
| By: | Christian Hott; Terhi Jokipii |
| Abstract: | In this paper we assess whether persistently too low interest rates can cause housing bubbles. For a sample of 14 OECD countries, we calculate the deviations of house prices from their (theoretically implied) fundamental value and define them as bubbles. We then estimate the impact that a deviation of short term interest rates from the Taylor-implied interest rates have on house price bubbles. We additionally assess whether interest rates that have remained low for a longer period of time have a greater impact on house price overvaluation. Our results indicate that there is a strong link between low interest rates and housing bubbles. This impact is especially strong when interest rates are "too low for too long". We argue that, by ensuring that rates do not deviate too far from Taylorimplied rates, central banks could lean against house price fluctuations without considering house price developments directly. If this is not possible, e.g. because a single monetary policy is confronted with a very heterogenous economic development within the currency area, alternative counter cyclical measures have to be considered. |
| Keywords: | House Prices, Bubbles, Interest Rates, Taylor Rule |
| JEL: | E52 G12 R21 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:snb:snbwpa:2012-07&r=ure |
| By: | Chisari, Omar Osvaldo; Mastronardi, Leonardo Javier; Romero, Carlos Adrián |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to analyze the spillover effects of national and local tax policies using a static bi-regional general equilibrium model for the Buenos Aires City (BAC) and the rest of Argentina. The BAC represents 7% of the population of the country, but 29% of its GDP. We analyze the reciprocal impact of fiscal policies on welfare of private agents and the spillover effects on the performance of the public sector of both regions. As expected, the model shows that national fiscal policies do have relevant effects on the activity level of the city and on the welfare of its inhabitants. However, more unexpectedly, it also shows that fiscal decisions at the level of the city have a significant impact on the rest of the country. The results show that: (i) an increase in BAC local taxes produce a decline in the welfare of households and in the activity levels, in both regions; (ii) an increase in national value added tax decreases the regional GDP in both regions, but in different proportions, and increases the regional unemployment rate. The results differ depending on the type of tax (sales or property). Production elasticities and the rule of indexation of wages are key factors that affect the quantitative and qualitative results. |
| Keywords: | Fiscal Federalism; Computable general equilibrium; Regional spillover effects |
| JEL: | H77 C68 D58 |
| Date: | 2012–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:40029&r=ure |
| By: | John Deke; Lisa Dragoset; Karen Bogen; Brian Gill |
| Keywords: | Student Achievement, Educational Services, Charter Schools, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–05–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7450&r=ure |
| By: | Valter Di Giacinto (Bank of Italy); Giacinto Micucci (Bank of Italy); Pasqualino Montanaro (Bank of Italy JEL classification: C32, E61, H54, R42, R53) |
| Abstract: | This paper contributes to the empirical literature on the magnitude of the network effects of public infrastructures, introducing a novel approach. After estimating the dynamics common to time series for the regional public capital stock, coordinated policy shocks are identified within a properly specified structural VEC model. The findings confirm previous evidence that transport infrastructures exert positive macroeconomic effects in the long run. At the same time, it is shown that this effect is attributable mostly to the impact of coordinated public policy shocks, as the literature on network externalities predicts. |
| Keywords: | public capital, transport infrastructure, public policy coordination, network externalities, VEC model. |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_869_12&r=ure |
| By: | Steven Glazerman; Ali Protik; Bing-ru Teh; Julie Bruch; Neil Seftor |
| Abstract: | By offering $20,000 per teacher, seven school districts piloting a transfer-incentive strategy, known as the Talent Transfer Initiative (TTI), filled 90 percent of their targeted vacancies in hard-to-staff schools with some of the districts' highest-performing teachers. A new study highlights the implementation experience and intermediate impacts of TTI, which is intended to expand disadvantaged students' access to the most effective teachers. Previous research conducted by Mathematica shows that, on average, low-income middle school students are significantly less likely to have access to the highest-performing teachers. |
| Keywords: | transfer incentives, randomized controlled trial, teacher effectiveness, value added |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7412&r=ure |
| By: | Zobena, Aija; Lace, I.; Benga, Elita |
| Abstract: | The main issue addressed in this study is interaction of development policy of agricultural and rural areas with the regional and cohesion policies. This paper is based on an empirical study of everyday commuting models and spatial practices of different social groups of rural people in Latvia. This article analyzes data from a survey “Place, capabilities, migration” conducted in 2011 with a total of 1009 respondents in Latvia. The theoretical basis of research is rooted in the mobility studies and sociological and geographical conceptualization of space and place. The main focus is on analysis of relationship between commuting, mobility and the placeattachment. What are the main reasons of rural population mobility and everyday commuting? What services and where rural people use? What should be done to make rural places more attractive for people as places of work and residence? |
| Keywords: | rural and local development, social cohesion, commuting, mobility, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, R58, |
| Date: | 2012–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:eaa126:126119&r=ure |
| By: | Emilie Dargaud (GATE Lyon Saint-Etienne - Groupe d'analyse et de théorie économique - CNRS : UMR5824 - Université Lumière - Lyon II - École Normale Supérieure - Lyon); Carlo Reggiani (School of Social Sciences - University of Manchester) |
| Abstract: | Horizontal mergers are usually under the scrutiny of antitrust authorities due to their potential undesirable effects on prices and consumer surplus. Ex-post evidence, however, suggests that not always these effects take place and even relevant mergers may end up having negligible price effects. The analysis of mergers in the context of non-localized spatial competition may offer a further interpretation to the ones proposed in the literature : in this framework both positive and zero price effects are possible outcomes of the merger activity. |
| Keywords: | horizontal mergers; price effects; spokes model |
| Date: | 2012–07–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00717467&r=ure |
| By: | Steven Glazerman; Allison Seifullah |
| Abstract: | Mathematica's final report on the Chicago Teacher Advancement Program (Chicago TAP) found that the program did not raise student math or reading scores, but it increased teacher retention in some schools. For example, teachers in Chicago TAP schools at the start of the program in fall 2007 were about 20 percent more likely than teachers in comparison schools to be in those same schools three years later (67 percent versus 56 percent retention rate). However, the program did not have an impact on student achievement overall in the four-year rollout period in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Although Chicago TAP increased the amount of mentoring, promotion opportunities, and compensation in participating schools relative to non-TAP schools, the program did not fully implement its performance-based pay or value-added components as intended. |
| Keywords: | Teacher Advancement Program (TAP), Chicago Public Schools, random assignment, student achievement |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–03–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7391&r=ure |
| By: | Harounan Kazianga; Dan Levy; Leigh L. Linden; Matt Sloan |
| Abstract: | This working paper found a program that constructed high quality “girl-friendly†primary schools in Burkina Faso increased enrollment of all children between 5 and 12 years old by 20 percentage points and increased girls’ enrollment 5 percentage points more than boys’. |
| Keywords: | BRIGHT Program, Burkina Faso, International, Education |
| JEL: | F Z |
| Date: | 2012–05–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7466&r=ure |
| By: | Emilie Dargaud (Université de Lyon, Lyon, F-69007, France ; CNRS, GATE Lyon St Etienne,F-69130 Ecully, France); Carlo Reggiani (School of Social Sciences - Economics, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK) |
| Abstract: | Horizontal mergers are usually under the scrutiny of antitrust authorities due to their potential undesirable effects on prices and consumer surplus. Ex-post evidence, however, suggests that not always these effects take place and even relevant mergers may end up having negligible price effects. The analysis of mergers in the context of non-localized spatial competition may offer a further interpretation to the ones proposed in the literature : in this framework both positive and zero price effects are possible outcomes of the merger activity. |
| Keywords: | horizontal mergers, price effects, spokes model. |
| JEL: | D43 L11 L13 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gat:wpaper:1222&r=ure |
| By: | MATSUURA Toshiyuki |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the timing and location of firms' headquarters relocation using Japanese firm-level data. The issue on the location choices for corporate headquarters has attracted the attention of not only academic researchers but also policy makers. Since the agglomeration of headquarters increases the demand for educated workers and service outsourcing businesses, it is important to clarify the determinants of the location choices of headquarters. In addition, in this paper, we pay attention to the heterogeneous impact of productivity on location choices. Our result suggests that high productivity firms are more likely to relocate their headquarters to high wage regions. |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:rdpsjp:12022&r=ure |
| By: | Andrew Caplin; Anna Cororaton; Joseph Tracy |
| Abstract: | We produce first results on the sustainability of homeownership for recent (2007-2009) FHA-insured borrowers. More than 15 percent of these borrowers have already been 90 days or more delinquent, while less than 7 percent have completed their graduation to sustainable homeownership by finally paying off all FHA mortgages. We project that the proportion who have been 90 days or more delinquent will rise above 30 percent within five years, while fewer than 15 percent will have completed their graduation to sustainable homeownership. We show that the FHA uses an outmoded econometric model that leads it to underestimate delinquency risk to borrowers and financial risks to taxpayers. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac use this same outmoded model. More accurate estimates would serve the cause of transparency and help policy-makers to determine these organizations' appropriate roles in the U.S. housing finance markets of the future. |
| JEL: | H81 |
| Date: | 2012–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18190&r=ure |
| By: | Robin Lake; Melissa Bowen; Allison Demeritt; Moira McCullough; Joshua Haimson; Brian Gill |
| Abstract: | A new Mathematica study, conducted with the Center on Reinventing Public Education, highlights approaches five successful charter school management organizations (CMOs) use to help improve student achievement. This report expands on a previous report showing that CMOs with the greatest positive impact on student achievement were most likely to establish consistent schoolwide behavior expectations for students, as well as use an intense approach to monitoring and coaching teachers. The latest report offers guidance for schools and districts looking to replicate these promising practices. |
| Keywords: | CMOs, Charter Management Organizations, Student Behavior, Teacher Coaching |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–03–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7402&r=ure |
| By: | Halkos, George; Tzeremes, Nickolaos |
| Abstract: | By using conditional directional distance functions this paper investigates the effect of regional economic growth on regions’ environmental efficiency in greenhouse gas emissions. A sample of ninety eight regions (NUTS 2 level) from Germany, France and the U.K. has been used and regional environmental inefficiencies have been obtained using both the unconditional and conditional output directional distance functions. The results reveal that German regions have the highest environmental efficiency levels. In addition it appears that the effect of regional economic growth on regions’ environmental efficiency levels varies between regions and countries due to different national administrative arrangements on the implementation of environmental policies. |
| Keywords: | Regional environmental efficiency; directional distance function; stochastic kernel; nonparametric regression |
| JEL: | Q50 Q56 R15 R11 C60 |
| Date: | 2012–07–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:40015&r=ure |
| By: | Ottaviano, Gianmarco |
| Abstract: | This paper studies how firm heterogeneity in terms of productivity affects the balance between agglomeration and dispersion forces in the presence of pecuniary externalities through a selection model of monopolistic competition with endogenous markups. It shows that firm heterogeneity matters. However, whether it shifts the balance from agglomeration to dispersion or the other way round depends on its specific features along the two defining dimensions of diversity: `richness' and `evenness'. Accordingly, the role of firm heterogeneity in selection models of agglomeration can not be fully understood without paying due attention to various moments of the underlying firm productivity distribution. |
| Keywords: | agglomeration; economic geography; heterogeneity; selection; trade |
| JEL: | F12 R11 R12 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:9046&r=ure |
| By: | Amy Dworsky; Keri-Nicole Dillman; M. Robin Dion; Brandon Coffee-Borden; Miriam Rosenau |
| Keywords: | Foster Care, Housing, Youth Aging Out, Family Support |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7446&r=ure |
| By: | Chisari, Omar Osvaldo; Mastronardi, Leonardo Javier; Romero, Carlos Adrián |
| Abstract: | Buenos Aires City (BAC) is the Argentina’s biggest city and the second largest metropolitan area in South America after Sao Paulo (Brazil). Assessing regional effects might be useful to take political or/and economic decisions, considering the dimension and the economic importance of Buenos Aires City. Taking into consideration the latter background information, the aim of this paper is to quantify the BAC’s interregional flows, evaluating direct and indirect regional effects with other regions of Argentina. At this regard, different levels of integration and dependence between BAC and the other regions country can be estimated applying and Interregional Input Output model. This is the first time a input-output matrix is constructed for Buenos Aires, which does not have a Regional Accounts System available. To tackle this problem, our model uses non-survey and calibration techniques. The paper focuses on the building process of that Input–Output Model and presents the estimations for intraregional and interregional tables. In particular, Argentina is separated in two regions, BAC and the rest of the country. The estimations to measure the Intraregional coefficients for each region are based on non-survey techniques, using Location Quotients (Simple Location Quotient, Cross Industry, Flegg’s Location Quotient and Augmented Flegg’s Location Quotient). Two common alternative ways to balance these matrices, the RAS and cross entropy methods are adapted to estimate the interregional coefficients. |
| Keywords: | Regional Input Output - Calibration techniques |
| JEL: | D57 R12 C67 |
| Date: | 2012–02–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:40028&r=ure |
| By: | Kenneth Fortson; Natalya Verbitsky-Savitz; Emma Kopa; Philip Gleason |
| Abstract: | Using data from Mathematica's experimental evaluation of charter schools, this methodological study examines the validity of four different comparison group approaches to test whether these designs can replicate findings from a well-implemented random assignment study. |
| Keywords: | within-study comparison, randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, nonexperimental, propensity score matching, nonexperimental design validity |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7443&r=ure |
| By: | Román Andrés Zárate |
| Abstract: | Economic literature has identified positive effects of peer abilities on individual achievement. However, the intuitive arguments supporting this evidence are not clear. This article presents a specific mechanism: cooperation and competition among group members; more precisely, the presence of positive and negative externalities in human capital accumulation. First, I develop an economic model that incorporates both kinds of externalities and shows the existence of an optimal level of competition between group members that maximizes human capital accumulation. Then, using data from PISA (2000) and an empirical strategy that controls for potential endogeneity issues, I find empirical evidence supporting the main results of the theoretical model. Namely, I find robust evidence of a non-linear effect of competition on academic performance. These results are consistent with the proposed model and the presence of positive technological externalities in educational production functions. |
| Date: | 2012–06–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000089:009795&r=ure |
| By: | Crescenzio Gallo; Franco Malatacca |
| Abstract: | The best tools to manage the exchange of information and services between heterogeneous subjects through new technological tools with particular reference to information systems are certainly the Web-based information systems. Leveraging the infrastructure of the Web, these systems may be able to handle multimedia data, to perform distributed and cooperative applications based on service, in addition to customizing applications and related data. This paper provides an overview on Web Information Systems with particular reference to GIS, presenting a description of the usage scenarios and a comparison between two significant platform for publishing spatial data. |
| Keywords: | information systems, GIS, web, spatial data. |
| Date: | 2012–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ufg:qdsems:01-2012&r=ure |
| By: | Mircea Epure; Diego Prior; Christian Serarols |
| Abstract: | Literature highlights the importance of university spin-offs and their assistance mechanisms. However, there is little evidence on how to select and operationalize the appropriate variables for assessing this type of firms. This paper provides tools to estimate and interpret the efficiency of spinoffs embedded in university-based support mechanisms. We thus contribute to the literature in at least two ways. First, we identify the specific inputs and outputs that are required by both the organizational and regional development perspectives. Second, an application considers a unique sample of spin-offs created at Catalan universities within a regional support program. Main descriptive results indicate that many efficient spin-offs have formal technology transfer agreements and emerge from universities with more technological background. Second stage analyses show that higher levels of innovation and specific academic knowledge or experience related with the university of origin are associated with higher efficiency. |
| Keywords: | university spin-off, regional development, efficiency, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, innovation |
| JEL: | M1 R1 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bge:wpaper:650&r=ure |
| By: | Joshua Furgeson; Brian Gill; Joshua Haimson; Alexandra Killewald; Moira McCullough; Ira Nichols-Barrer; Bing-ru Teh; Natalya Verbitsky-Savitz; Melissa Bowen; Allison Demeritt; Paul Hill; Robin Lake |
| Abstract: | A new analysis from the National Study of Charter Management (CMO) Effectiveness provides the first systematic evidence available on the effects of CMOs on the critical long-term outcomes of high school graduation and college entry. The study shows that some—but not all—CMOs substantially boost students' chances of graduating from high school and enrolling in postsecondary education. The study also shows that each CMO's impact on test scores is typically consistent across schools, suggesting that CMOs are having some success in promoting uniformity (whether in a positive or negative direction). Further, some CMOs have implemented policies, programs, and procedures that enable them to outperform other CMOs. |
| Keywords: | Charte School Management Organization, CMO, Diverse Student Impacts, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–01–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7302&r=ure |
| By: | Shi, Yingying |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the role of infrastructure capital in China’s regional economic development during 1990 to 2009 in a neoclassical economic growth model. Four types of infrastructure capital are discussed; electricity, road, rail, and land-line telephone. The results support a positive role of infrastructure in improving economic wellbeing in China. It shows that infrastructure has contributed to the convergence among China’s provinces. However, declining growth momentum from rapid increase of road infrastructure, in particular for the Western region, suggests that road development in the region has been growing too fast. The results counter the conventional wisdom of “road leads to prosperity” widely accepted among national and local governments in China. Thus, the seemingly productive infrastructure capital, when invested beyond a proper level or speed, will become unproductive. The results resonate with the theoretical literature on the inverse U shaped growth impact of infrastructure capital and the dominant “crowding out” of private capital if there is too much infrastructure. They also address the puzzle in the current literature debates as to the direction and magnitude of the growth impact of infrastructure capital. |
| Keywords: | infrastructure, economic growth, regional inequality, China, International Development, Production Economics, Public Economics, H54, O18, R11, |
| Date: | 2012–06–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126547&r=ure |
| By: | Fuwa, Nobuhiko; Balisacan, Arsenio M.; Mapa, Dennis; Abad Santos, Carlos; Piza, Sharon Faye |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the sources of rural non-farm sector growth in the Philippines, which has become the main driver of rural poverty reduction. We find that agricultural growth has significantly positive effects on service sector growth (with elasticity of about 0.20) but little effects on manufacturing growth, suggesting that rural labor force is sufficiently mobile or capital is relatively immobile across provinces. We also identify different roles played by national road networks, on the one hand, and local roads, on the other. We find that local road facilitates rural service sector development while national road facilitates agricultural growth. |
| Keywords: | sectoral linkages, nonfarm growth, agricultural development, road infrastructure, Philippines, Community/Rural/Urban Development, International Development, |
| Date: | 2012–06–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae12:126456&r=ure |
| By: | Aedin Doris (Economics,Finance and Accounting National University of Ireland, Maynooth); Donal O'Neill (Economics,Finance and Accounting National University of Ireland,); Olive Sweetman (Economics,Finance and Accounting National University of Ireland,) |
| Abstract: | This paper uses data on 9 year old Irish children to examine the determinants of mathematical achievement among young children. We find that boys perform better in maths than girls and that this gender gap is driven by differences at the top of the achievement distribution. While there is no difference between the proportion of boys and girls in the bottom quartile of the maths distribution, boys are significantly over-represented in the top quartile. We exploit the fact that single-sex schooling is widespread in Ireland to test whether the gender composition of schools affects this gender maths gap. Contrary to suggestions in the literature, we find no evidence that single-sex schooling reduces the gap. In fact the maths gap is larger for children educated in single-sex schools than in co-educational schools. |
| JEL: | J24 I2 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:may:mayecw:n224-12.pdf&r=ure |
| By: | Martha Bleeker; Susanne James-Burdumy; Nicholas Beyler; Allison Hedley Dodd; Rebecca A. London; Lisa Westrich; Katie Stokes-Guinan; Sebastian Castrechini |
| Abstract: | The Playworks program, an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, places full-time coaches in low-income schools to provide opportunities for organized play during recess and throughout the school day. Using random assignment, Mathematica and the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities (JGC) at Stanford University are conducting the first rigorous evaluation of the implementation and impact of the program across 25 schools. Findings based on the first cohort of schools included several significant, positive impacts. Playworks had a positive impact on teachers' perceptions of students' safety and feeling more included during recess. Teachers in Playworks schools also reported less bullying and exclusionary behavior during recess, and found transitions from recess to classroom learning were less difficult than teachers in control schools found. Teachers in Playworks schools reported significantly better student behavior at recess and readiness for class than teachers in control schools and were also more likely to report that their students enjoyed adult-organized recess activities. Students in Playworks schools reported better behavior and attention in class after sports, games, and play than students in control schools. Overall, most teachers, students, and principals reported positive perceptions of the Playworks program. |
| Keywords: | Playworks, Randomized Experiment, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–04–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7436&r=ure |
| By: | Susanne James-Burdumy; Brian Goesling; John Deke; Eric Einspruch |
| Abstract: | This article presents findings from the largest experimental evaluation to date of school-based mandatory-random student drug testing (MRSDT) and its effectiveness in reducing substance use among high school students. The study found that students who were subject to MRSDT reported less substance use in the past 30 days than comparable students in schools without MRSDT. |
| Keywords: | Adolescent, Alcohol Use, Cluster Randomized Trial, Drug Testing; High School; Substance Use |
| Date: | 2012–02–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7174&r=ure |
| By: | Dur, R.; Vollaard, B.A. (Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research) |
| Abstract: | Abstract: Field-experimental studies have shown that people litter more in more littered environments.Inspired by these findings, many cities around the world have adopted policies to quickly remove litter. While such policies may avoid that people follow the bad example of litterers, they may also invite free-riding on public cleaning services. This paper reports the results of a natural field experiment where, in a randomly assigned part of a residential area, the frequency of cleaning was reduced from daily to twice a week during a three-month period. Using high-frequency data on litter at treated and control locations before, during, and after the experiment, we find strong evidence that litter begets litter. However, we also find evidence that some people start to clean up after themselves when public cleaning services are diminished. |
| Keywords: | littering;public services;free-riding;field experiment. |
| JEL: | C93 H40 K42 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:kubcen:2012054&r=ure |
| By: | Heinrich Hock; Eric Isenberg |
| Abstract: | This working paper helps to address the issue of isolating the effect of each teacher on student achievement when the student is taught the same subject by more than one teacher. This paper considers and compares three methods—Partial Credit Method, Teacher Team Method, and Full Roster Method—to estimate teacher effects. Based on the analysis, the authors conclude that the latter two methods provide a more stable approach to estimating teacher effects on student achievement. Furthermore, the Full Roster Method offers the most promise for robust, practical implementation. |
| Keywords: | Methods, Co-Teaching, Value-Added Models, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–06–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7482&r=ure |
| By: | Yu Chen (School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow); Kenneth Gibb (School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow); Chris Leishman (Heriot-Watt University); Robert Wright (Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde) |
| Abstract: | This paper attempts to estimate the impact of population ageing on house prices. There is considerable debate about whether population ageing puts downwards or upwards pressure on house prices. The empirical approach differs from earlier studies of this relationship, which are mainly regression analyses of macro time-series data. A micro-simulation methodology is adopted that combines a macro-level house price model with a micro-level household formation model. The case study is Scotland, a country that is expected to age rapidly in the future. The parameters of the household formation model are estimated with panel data from the British Household Panel Survey covering the period 1999-2008. The estimates are then used to carry out a set of simulations. The simulations are based on a set of population projections that represent a considerable range in the rate of population ageing. The main finding from the simulations is that population ageingâ€â€or more generally changes in age structureâ€â€is not likely a main determinant of house prices, at least in Scotland. |
| JEL: | C53 J11 R31 |
| Date: | 2012–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:str:wpaper:1207&r=ure |
| By: | Roberto Felici (Bank of Italy); Elisabetta Manzoli (Bank of Italy); Raffaella Pico (Bank of Italy) |
| Abstract: | Using information on about 2 million house purchase loans to households, this paper analyses the effects of the financial crisis on this portion of the credit market. From 2008 to 2011 the total number and value of new mortgages decreased sharply. The results show that young households and non-EU immigrants have been affected more by the decline of new mortgages. The worsening of the economic cycle and the tightening of the lending standards by banks seem to have had a stronger effect on these types of household. Interest rate increases for different groups of household have been fairly similar, albeit greater for smaller mortgages. |
| Keywords: | mortgages, financial crisis, credit supply and demand, credit risk, interest rates on mortgage loans. |
| JEL: | D10 E51 G21 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdi:opques:qef_125_12&r=ure |
| By: | Kyle F. Herkenhoff; Lee Ohanian |
| Abstract: | Through a purely positive lens, we study and document the growing trend of mortgagors who skip mortgage payments as an extra source of "informal" unemployment insurance during the 2007 recession and the subsequent recovery. In a dynamic model, we capture this behavior by treating both delinquency and foreclosure not as one period events, but rather as protracted and potentially reversible episodes that influence job search behavior and wage acceptance decisions. With a relatively conservative parameterization, we find that the observed foreclosure delays increase the unemployment rate by an additional 1/3%-1/2% and increase the stock of delinquent loans by 8%-12%. When interpreted as an implicit line of credit, those that use their mortgage as “informal" unemployment insurance borrow at a real rate of at least 18%.> |
| Keywords: | Foreclosure ; Unemployment |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedlwp:2012-017&r=ure |
| By: | Steven Glazerman; Ali Protik; Bing-ru Teh; Julie Bruch; Neil Seftor |
| Keywords: | transfer incentives, randomized controlled trial, teacher effectiveness, value added |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7413&r=ure |
| By: | Pierdzioch, Christian; Rülke, Jan Christoph; Stadtmann, Georg |
| Abstract: | Recent price trends in housing markets may reflect herding of market participants. A natural question is whether such herding, to the extent that it occurred, reflects herding in forecasts of professional forecasters. Using survey data for Canada, Japan, and the United States, we did not find evidence of forecaster herding. On the contrary, forecasters anti-herd and, thereby, tend to intentionally scatter their forecasts around the consensus forecast. The extent of anti-herding seems to vary over time. For Canada and the United States, we found that more pronounced anti-herding leads to lower forecast accuracy. -- |
| Keywords: | Housing starts,Forecasting,Herding |
| JEL: | E37 D84 C33 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:euvwdp:320&r=ure |
| By: | Matthew Johnson; Stephen Lipscomb; Brian Gill; Kevin Booker; Julie Bruch |
| Abstract: | This report describes the value-added models (VAMs) created for the Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers. Pittsburgh's VAMs use not only state assessments but also course-specific assessments, student attendance, and course completion rates, aiming to produce estimates of the contributions of teachers and schools that are fair, valid, reliable, and robust. |
| Keywords: | Value-Added Models, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–02–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7439&r=ure |
| By: | Stephen Lipscomb; Hanley Chiang; Brian Gill |
| Abstract: | This report describes the development of value-added models for estimating the contributions of Pennsylvania teachers and principals toward the achievement growth of their students. Estimates were obtained during the first phase of a multiyear pilot to develop new evaluation systems for teachers and principals. The report also examines whether teachers with higher classroom observation scores on specific professional practices among those who participated in the first phase tended to have greater impacts on student achievement, as measured by value-added models. |
| Keywords: | Value-Added, Pensylvania, Teacher, Principal, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–04–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7445&r=ure |
| By: | Dan Goldhaber; Duncan Chaplin |
| Abstract: | This working paper illustrates—theoretically and through simulations—that the Rothstein falsification test is not definitive in indicating bias in value-added model estimates of current teacher contributions to student learning. |
| Keywords: | Rothstein Test, Value-Added Models, Teacher Quality, Student Achievement |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–02–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7333&r=ure |
| By: | Kirdar, Murat G.; Dayioglu, Meltem; Koc, Ismet |
| Abstract: | This study examines the effects of the extension of compulsory schooling from 5 to 8 years in Turkey—which substantially increased the grade completion rates not only during the new compulsory years but also during the high school years—on the equality of educational outcomes among various subpopulations. While longer compulsory schooling decreases the educational gap for most subgroups—in particular, the gender gap in rural areas, the ethnic gap among men in both urban and rural areas, and the ethnic gap among women in urban areas; at the same time, it increases the gender gap in urban areas as well as the ethnic gap among women in rural areas. For instance, the gap in the 8th grade completion rate between ethnic Turkish and Kurdish women in rural areas increases from 22.5 to 44.6 percentage points for the 1989 birth-cohort. These findings suggest that the differences among subpopulations in the change in schooling costs (both monetary and psychic) during the new compulsory schooling years, in the costs of non-compliance with the policy, in labor force participation, and in the drop-out behavior in earlier grades are the key underlying factors. |
| Keywords: | Compulsory Schooling; Gender; Ethnicity; Parental Schooling; Regression Discontinuity |
| JEL: | I21 J15 I28 J16 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39995&r=ure |
| By: | POTHIER, David |
| Abstract: | We study a model of occupational choice where workers must rely on their social contacts to acquire job vacancy information. Contrary to the existing literature, we allow for worker heterogeneity in terms of their idiosyncratic skill-types. In this case, the allocation of talent (the matching of skills to tasks) becomes a welfare-relevant consideration. A worker’s skill-type determines both his relative cost of specialising in different occupations and his productivity on the job. The model shows that relying on word-of-mouth communication for job search generates both positive externalities (due to improved labour market matching) and negative externalities (due to a poor allocation of talent). Which effect dominates depends on the properties of the job search and productivity functions. Taking into account worker heterogeneity shows that the degree of occupational segregation in competitive labour markets is generally not efficient. |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eui:euiwps:eco2012/18&r=ure |
| By: | Dan Goldhaber; Duncan Chaplin |
| Keywords: | Rothstein Falsification Test, Value-Added Models, Teacher Quality, Student Achievement |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2012–01–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7330&r=ure |
| By: | Sebastian Garmann |
| Abstract: | This paper measures the causal effect of coalition vs. single-party governments on fiscal policies using a data set of 396 municipalities in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia in the time period 1985-2004. Using a regression discontinuity design to take the endogeneity of the type of government into account, we exploit a discontinuity that comes through the change from a coalition to a single-party government at 50% of the seat share of the strongest party. Our results point to a significant effect of the type of government on personnel expenditures, while we do not find significant results for material spending and investment expenditures. These results differ substantially from simple OLS estimates. |
| Keywords: | Legislative organization; regression discontinuity design; local fi scal policy;coalition governments; government spending; panel data |
| JEL: | C21 D72 D78 H11 |
| Date: | 2012–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rwi:repape:0339&r=ure |
| By: | Marianna Brunetti (Faculty of Economics, University of Rome "Tor Vergata"); Elena Giarda (Prometeia & University of Bologna); Costanza Torricelli (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia & CEFIN) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we investigate household financial fragility and assess the role played by the composition of the household portfolio besides standard determinants of this condition (e.g. income, indebtedness, age, gender, financial literacy). We take the case of Italy, given the very peculiar portfolio composition (high level of housing and low level of indebtedness and portfolio diversification) and provide two main contributions. First, we propose a novel definition of financial fragility. Second, based on this new measure, we use data from the 1998-2010 Bank of Italy Survey on Household Income and Wealth to investigate the determinants of this condition. Our results confirm most usual markers of financial fragility and additionally highlight the role of homeownership, which is not related to the presence of mortgages but it is rather connected to specific socio-demographic features such as age and marital status. |
| Keywords: | financial fragility, household portfolios, housing |
| JEL: | D14 G11 C25 |
| Date: | 2012–07–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rtv:ceisrp:242&r=ure |
| By: | Enrico Beretta (Bank of Italy); Andrea Migliardi (Bank of Italy) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the characteristics of the cultural sector in Italy and its interactions with the production system as a whole. After stating a clear definition of the cultural sector, we analyze the demand and supply of culture in Italy, at a regional level. We carry out descriptive analysis of household cultural spending, the pricing of the different cultural activities, and the capability of regional cultural heritage to attract tourists. Then we examine, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the public financing of culture in the Italian regions, also on the basis of the opinions of a panel of qualified experts, expressly interviewed for this work. Finally we give an overview of the regulatory framework and of the main administrative features of the cultural sector. Some open questions arise from our work, as well as many options for policy measures: the distribution of competences between the different levels of government; the form and the extension of private involvement; the governance of cultural initiatives. |
| Keywords: | economics of culture, cultural tourism, local cultural policies |
| JEL: | L82 L83 Z10 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdi:opques:qef_126_12&r=ure |