Household job search: A theoretical and empirical model

This article links the literature on family decision making and the economics of job search by examining job search by an unemployed individual within a household context. A theoretical model was developed which demonstrates the interdependence of the utility of household members when one is searching for work. The costs of search are borne by all household members while the benefits are captured in the searcher's expected future wage. A reservation wage was shown to be determined by household financing options, and the perception of relevant labor market parameters. An empirical model of the reservation wage for a sample of unemployment insurance recipients was estimated using two-stage least squares. Results, reported for male and female subgroups, support the hypotheses derived from the household job search model. In particular, the reservation wage was shown to depend on unemployment duration, labor market conditions, increased labor force participation of other household members, use of household assets to finance search, existence of dependents, and unemployment insurance benefits.     

Partnership and migration. A theoretical explanation of an empirical effect]

People who share a common household with their life partner tend to demonstrate very low residential mobility. Attempts to explain this have been fruitful to an extent, but controlling for appropriate third variables does not entirely account for the effect of partnership status on mobility. A simple microeconomic model makes a first attempt to explain the independent effect of partnership status on migration decisions. This first attempt is here expanded into a behavior theory model and an expanded model of decision making in the context of uncertainty. According to this analysis, within certain parameters, the decisive obstacle to the mobility of couples living together consists of the risks and costs associated with negotiations. The anticipation of possible negotiating problems frequently results in a potentially positive migration opportunity not even being considered for a decision. The proposed theoretical models are empirically tested using data from the study on migration potential undertaken by the University of Mannheim's Center for European Social Research.     

The learning evaluation: a theoretical and empirical exploration

In this article, the authors theoretically and empirically explore the concept of learning evaluation. They shed light on the positioning of the learning evaluation amid scholarly work on evaluations. Moreover, they describe the learning evaluation in practice in the Netherlands by going into a specific project called the Stimulation Program on Citizen and Environment. The theoretical and empirical quest gives insights into the problems with and possibilities of the learning evaluation. They think that their experiences can help the further development of theory about learning evaluation as well as aid in the practice of such evaluations.     

The complexity of social networks: theoretical and empirical findings

A great deal of work in recent years has been devoted to the topic of “complexity”, its measurement, and its implications. Here, the notion of algorithmic complexity is applied to the analysis of social networks. Structural features of theoretical importance — such as structural equivalence classes — are shown to be strongly related to the algorithmic complexity of graphs, and these results are explored using analytical and simulation methods. Analysis of the complexity of a variety of empirically derived networks suggests that many social networks are nearly as complex as their source entropy, and thus that their structure is roughly in line with the conditional uniform graph distribution hypothesis. Implications of these findings for network theory and methodology are also discussed.     

Beyond the polemics on the market: Establishing a theoretical and empirical agenda

This paper was written with the support of the Russell Sage Foundation as part of the Foundation's program in behavioral economics. It was prepared for the first annual seminar of the Center for Economy and Society, University of California, Santa Barbara, May 19-21, 1988. I thank Bernard Barber for his invaluable suggestions and insights into economic sociology. Charles Tilly helped me rethink and redefine my argument.     

Welfare for profit: moral, empirical and theoretical perspectives

Since the 1960s there has been an increasing number of proprietary agencies engaged in the delivery of social services in the United States. This development has generally been greeted with disfavour by welfare state advocates. Various arguments have been put forward against welfare for profit on moral, empirical and theoretical grounds. This paper analyzes these arguments and proposes several basic conditions that would seem to have significant bearing on the choice between profit and nonprofit providers for a given service.     

The quality of evaluations of foster parent training: An empirical review

A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to identify published evaluations of foster parent training programs (pre-service, in-service single session, and in-service multi-session). Results of the review of the literature revealed that few evaluations have been conducted on the preservice training programs most widely used and the results are mixed at best in the evaluations conducted. Moreover, the best evaluations of in-service training were for the programs least likely to be offered to foster parents: multi-session programs. Taken together, the results point to gaps in the knowledge base and directions for future research.     

Addressing self-selection bias in quasi-experimental evaluations of whole-school reform. A comparison of methods

This article discusses potential sources of self-selection bias in quasi-experimental evaluations of whole-school reform models and considers how individual student-level data might be used to provide valid impact estimates. Although repeated pretreatment and posttreatment measures of student performance can provide unbiased estimates under relatively weak assumptions, such data are difficult to obtain. The article develops an instrumental variable strategy that can be used to improve on common value-added estimators when only posttreatment measures of performance are available. Using data from New York City, the author shows that the instrumental variable strategy can provide estimates of model impacts similar to those provided by a difference-in-differences estimator provided that appropriate instruments are used.     

Reconstructing the Sexuality of Men with Learning Disabilities: empirical evidence and theoretical interpretations of need

Research and practice in sexuality and learning disability has directly and indirectly highlighted the pathological sexual behaviour of men with learning disabilities, particularly their abuse and exploitation of women with learning disabilities, and relatively high HIV risk sexual behaviour with men without learning disabilities. It is consequently argued that there has been a relative neglect of their wider sexuality and sexual needs. This paper reconstructs this wider agenda, drawing on empirical evidence and theoretical interpretations of need from research and sex education in support of the observations made. In identifying a range of key issues for sexuality work with men with learning disabilities and arguing that they require greater recognition and attention, the paper also provides directional pointers for informing such work and for responding more widely.     

What we know about social structure and homicide: a review of the theoretical and empirical literature

This article reviews what we have learned about social structure and homicide during the last 30 years, paying close attention to empirical tests of subculture, strain (both absolute and relative deprivation), and social disorganization theories. First, this review reveals that researchers have difficulty operationalizing culture in terms of values and instead often rely on regional location or group membership as a proxy for subculture. Though the findings relating subculture to homicide are inconsistent, however, culture should not be ignored. Second, the positive relationship between poverty and the spatial distribution of homicide rates is the most consistent finding in this literature, while empirical evidence of the effects of inequality on homicide is neither as strong nor as consistent. Finally, social disorganization is more consistent in explaining the variation of homicide rates than the subcultural and relative deprivation models, with elements of disorganization such as city size, family disruption, and heterogeneity all showing relatively consistent effects.     

Cultural evolution and economic growth: a theoretical hypothesis with some empirical evidence

This paper begins with a review of the literature on culture and development and finds that a “questionable” controversy divides the field: on one side are supporters of the ‘achievement motivation’, while on the other side are supporters of the ‘trust syndrome’, both in search of the ultimate attitude promoting economic development.This controversy is analysed through the lens of a broader conceptual framework, and a solution is proposed to settle the debate. The theoretical hypothesis asserts that economic culture, as any other aspect of culture, passes through stages of development. In the early stages, economic culture dwells on the problem of wealth distribution and, only later, does it focus on the core question of its growth. Using empirical data extracted from the World Values Survey Archives, we verify that during this latter stage both achievement motivation and trust syndrome are needed to promote economic growth.     

Cripping sexualities: An analytic review of theoretical and empirical writing on the intersection of disabilities and sexualities

This paper provides a review of some of the literature addressing the juncture of disabilities and sexualities and invites sociologists to build on this work and take part in this important intersectional field. First, I discuss the central relevance of an intersectional lens for making sense of the unique experiences of queer people with disabilities who are located at the crossroads of various stratified systems. Then, I discuss some of the many unique challenges that queer disabled people face when exploring their sexuality, establishing relationships, and remaining sexual. The invisibility, marginalization, and discrimination of queer people with disabilities in both queer and disability communities are the focus on the third section. The fourth section speaks to current theoretical dialogues between disability studies and queer theory that have illuminated new pathways for theorizing the intersection of disabilities and sexualities, “cripping” sociological theories, and reimagining disability within sociology. As I demonstrate, this literature is growing; however, myriad exciting opportunities for empirical and theoretical sociological exploration remain and I will conclude with a discussion of possible directions for future research.     

Second modernity as a research agenda: theoretical and empirical explorations in the 'meta-change' of modern society

In this article we are reformulating the theory of reflexive modernization as an empirical research programme and summarize some of the most recent findings which have been produced by a research consortium in Munich (integrating four universities, funded by the German Research Society (DFG)). On this basis we reject the idea that Western societies at the beginning of the twenty-first century move from the modern to the post-modern. We argue that there has been no clear break with the basic principles of modernity but rather a transformation of basic institutions of modernity such as the nation-state and the nuclear family. We would suggest, therefore, that what we are witnessing is a second modernity. Finally, we reform the theory of reflexive modernization in reaction to three uttered objections.     

Street crime,tourism and casinos: An empirical comparison

Only recently have researchers begun to study the causes of crime in tourist destinations, particularly in those areas which offer casino gaming. Critics, who cite the high crime rates of Atlantic City, New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada, fail to understand the relationship between tourism and crime. Casino gaming is a catalyst for tourism and one of the social consequences of tourism is increased crime.The mean crime rates of three tourist areas (including Atlantic City) and two urban centers in New Jersey were examined to determine if the rates were significantly different. Additionally, the study examined and identified which types of crime have changed since the advent of tourism in Atlantic City.Policy makers who reject gaming in favor of other mechanisms for urban revitalization need to take note. Tourist destinations have mean crime rates significantly different (higher) from urban areas, at least in New Jersey. Gaming-free tourism initiatives will have similar consequences for a community, as gaming has been identified to have had on Atlantic City.     

Household finances and well-being in Australia: An empirical analysis of comparison effects

This paper explores the importance of the household’s financial position for an individual’s level of well-being. Initially, the empirical analysis, based on the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, a large nationally representative panel survey, aims to ascertain the impact of the household’s monetary financial position on overall life satisfaction and financial well-being, with the latter being measured by financial satisfaction and subjective prosperity. The empirical analysis confirms that the household’s level of net wealth, assets and debt are important determinants of overall life satisfaction and financial well-being. The paper goes on to explore whether the financial situation of households in a comparison group influences an individual’s overall life satisfaction and financial well-being. The results suggest that the financial position of households in the comparison group is an important determinant of an individual’s level of overall life satisfaction and financial well-being, with information effects generally dominating comparison effects. In addition, the effects of the comparison group are asymmetric depending on whether a household’s financial position is above or below the average of the reference group.     

Disability management and functional capacity evaluations: A dynamic resource

Functional capacity evaluation (FCE), as an objective resource for disability managers, is an invaluable tool in the return to work process. Effective communication of expectations between the employee, employer, medical providers, disability management team, and the FCE provider contributes to enhancing the benefits of the FCE to all participants. Careful review of the results of the FCE as compared to the employee's other pertinent medical/functional information provides clarity for that person's rehabilitation goals and RTW potential. Finally, future opportunities and proactive uses for the FCE are shared.     

A contingent approach to strategy and tactics in formative and summative evaluations

A contingent approach to strategic and tactical choices in formative and summative evaluations is presented. Choices regarding evaluation phases and tactics were found to be dependent on evaluation goals (e.g., whether the evaluation has a formative or summative purpose) and contextual variables. A simulation was designed to pool the judgments of evaluators and users of evaluations to see how they felt evaluation strategy and tactics should change as the situation changes so as to increase the likelihood of evaluation success. Eight panels were constructed to examine eight different situations. The next step in this research is to determine whether following the pooled judgments does lead to greater evaluation success.