Large sample bias of maximum likeihood estimates from a series of sparse ixj tables

For a large series of IxJ tables, each containing two observations, the bias of the maximum likelihood estimates of log linear partial association parameters is shown to be equal to the parameters, regardless of the size of I and J. The partial association considered is that between row and column variables; the three way interactions are assumed to be O. This is a generalization of Andersen's results (1973a, 1973b) for a series of 2x2 tables.     

A game theoretical analysis of an extended manager-auditor-conflict

Horst Albach has dealt in his research very often with problems of the quality of balance auditing (Albach 1992, 2003). Sometimes his considerations show close relations to the current crisis of the financial market and its consequences. Some of his contributions were already made in times, when it was not yet expected that the dependency of auditors from clients could once become a serious deficit of auditing. Those aspects also become relevant now in connection with the crisis of the financial market.The misgivings that arise continuously in this context with regard to the correctness of submitted balance sheets have sparked off intense discussions in two directions in the Federal Republic of Germany. Whereas the USA has already realised a prohibition of this nature to a great extent through statutory provisions, a broad spectrum of additional consultancy services is still permissible in the Federal Republic of Germany in spite of similar initiatives on the part of legislators.The present paper analyses methodically in the framework of an extended manager–auditor game how the Nash equilibrium is altered in a non-cooperative two-person game through the behaviour of the players, if the supervisory board, as an exogenous party, detects with a specific probability the incorrect certification of a substantively incorrectly prepared balance sheet. At the same time, payoffs from consultancy services for both players are included in the analysis here. However, with a greater probability of detection of an incorrectly certified incorrect balance sheet, and through the reductions of consultancy payoffs, the supervisory board can work towards the product of audit and publication quality being increased.     

Impact of perceived second-hand consequences related to alcohol use on college students' drinking behavior intent: a test of feasibility

This article presents the results of an experiment designed to determine the impact of a group discussion about second-hand consequences of alcohol use on college students' intentions to consume alcohol. Participants were students enrolled in two large Community Health courses at a large Midwestern university (n = 184). After randomization of class sections into an intervention or a control group, intervention group students participated in a class discussion on the negative consequences college students experience as a result of other students' drinking behavior, prior to answering survey questions regarding their drinking behavior intent. Compared to controls who completed the questionnaire only, intervention group participants reported intent to limit themselves to fewer drinks per drinking occasion (p = .003) and fewer drinks per week (p = .004). The effects of the brief educational intervention were analyzed using structural equation modeling, to test the feasibility of a hypothesized intervention mechanism.     

Reliability models for categorical data

As assumed hypothetical consensus category corresponding to a case being classified provides a basis for assessment of reliability of judges. Equivalent judges are characterised by the joint probability distribution of the judge assignment and the consensus category. Estimates of the conditional probabilities of judge assignment given consensus category and of consensus category given judge assignments are indices of reliability. All parameters can be estimated if data include classifications of a number of cases by 3 or more judges. Restrictive assumptions are imposed to obtain models for data from classifications by two judges. Maximum likelihood estimation is discussed and illustrated by example for the 3 or more judges case.     

Changing bonuses and the resulting effects of employees’ incentives to an inspection game

The following paper analyses an intraorganizational conflict in materials management between a manager, a controller and the company management. By using a game theoretic approach, this paper especially seeks to answer the question: ‘Do bonuses change employees’ incentives when the focus is directed at the control level of company management?’ This analysis is based upon an application of a three-person inspection game. Within the three-person game a partial influence of a variation of penalties and bonuses is measured analytically. A simultaneous variation of the bonuses for the subordinated players, as the incentive effect to guarantee rational behaviour, is presented here as a simulation. While different intervals of bonus values, which also affect the payoff of the company management, and their influence on the equilibrium probabilities are examined, it becomes apparent that bonuses are able to neutralize each other in their effect on improved decision-making behaviours of the manager (inspectee) and the controller (inspector). But also a diverse variation leads to positive and negative effects on the manager’s behaviour.     

Out lesbians in nursing: what would Florence say?

Research and education on lesbian health has increased substantially in quantity and quality in the past 40 years, but little of this work has been produced by nursing scholars. We began our academic nursing careers as out lesbian faculty at the same college of nursing in the late 1980s, where we collaborated on the earliest studies of attitudes about lesbians in the nursing profession. Our paths diverged in the early 1990s, but we shared similar experiences in nursing education that highlight the structural and attitudinal barriers within nursing that have inhibited lesbian health studies. The deeply imbedded lesbian phobia within nursing has historic roots that plague contemporary research, education, and practice. In this article, we discuss the inclusion of lesbian health in nursing, share some of our personal stories about the obstacles we encountered, and end with suggestions for changing this stifling climate for future generations of lesbian health scholars.     

The influence of mutations: an evolutionary inspection game with three strategic actors

Suboptimal business decisions lead to corporate cost increases. The basis of the following study is a game theoretical model of Fandel and Trockel (Eur J Oper Res 226:85–93, 2013a), which analyses the relationship between bonuses and financial penalties in a three-person inspection game and the measures that counteract suboptimal decisions. In the present article we investigate from evolutionary perspectives whether the strategic behaviour of the actors described in an inspection game can be invaded by mutants and what risks emerge as a result. In a first step each of the three decision variables of the players will be discussed. It will become apparent that corporate optimal behaviour is realised when the actions of the business management or the controlling department are fixed. In a second step it will be shown that in games with three strategic variables mutations can undermine the solutions. In a third step we will investigate the model in consideration of monotonic payment and monotonic positive payment functions and divide the area of the solutions into octants to which we will allocate the influence of the mutations and demonstrate the circumstances under which a solution tending towards optimal corporate behaviour can be generated.     

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder–specific stimulant misuse,mood, anxiety,and stress in college-age women at high risk for or with eating disorders

ABSTRACT

Objective: To examine the misuse of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-specific stimulants in a college population at high risk for or with clinical or subclinical eating disorders. Participants: Four hundred forty-eight college-age women aged 18–25 at high risk for or with a clinical or subclinical eating disorder. Methods: Participants completed assessments of stimulant misuse and psychopathology from September 2009 to June 2010. Results: Greater eating disorder pathology, objective binge eating, purging, eating disorder–related clinical impairment, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and trait anxiety were associated with an increased likelihood of stimulant misuse. Subjective binge eating, excessive exercise, and dietary restraint were not associated with stimulant misuse. Conclusions: ADHD-specific stimulant misuse is associated with eating disorder and comorbid pathology among individuals at high risk for or with clinical or subclinical eating disorders. Screening for stimulant misuse and eating disorder pathology may improve identification of college-age women who may be engaging in maladaptive behaviors and inform prevention efforts.     

Health-Related Variables and Academic Performance Among First-Year College Students: Implications for Sleep and Other Behaviors

Abstract

The authors analyzed the effect of several health behaviors and health-related variables on grade point averages of a random sample of 200 students living in on-campus residence halls at a large private university. The set of variables included exercise, eating, and sleep habits; mood states; perceived stress; time management; social support; spiritual or religious habits; number of hours worked per week; gender; and age. Of all the variables considered, sleep habits, particularly wake-up times, accounted for the largest amount of variance in grade point averages. Later wake-up times were associated with lower average grades. Variables associated with the 1st-year students' higher grade point averages were strength training and study of spiritually oriented material. The number of paid or volunteer hours worked per week was associated with lower average grades.     

Converging and Diverging Governance Mechanisms: The Role of (Dys)Function in Long‐term Inter‐organizational Relationships

This paper explores the dynamic interplay of formal/informal governance mechanisms, in terms of functional and dysfunctional consequences for both sides of the dyad, in long‐term inter‐organizational relationships. Using two longitudinal cases of UK defence sector procurement (warship commissioning) we move beyond notions of complementarity and substitution in governance towards a more nuanced view where the governance mix of inter‐organizational relationships can be convergent or divergent. Our findings, showing that relationships can exhibit functional and dysfunctional behaviour simultaneously, lead us to conclude that mismatches in governance mechanisms can be positive as well as negative. In building a context‐dependent understanding of governance we both summarize the (dys)functions associated with formal and informal governance mechanisms and explore their impact on relationship exchange performance over time.