Aggregate Consumption and the Predictability of Asset Returns

This article analyzes the predictability of asset returns that are discounted using a consumption-based discount factor. The main objective of the analysis is to investigate how ancillary statistical assumptions affect the performance of this model. It is shown that, unlike tests of constant-discountrate models, tests of consumption-based models do not critically depend on statistical assumptions; for sufficiently high discount rates, there exist intuitively plausible rates of risk aversion for which appropriately discounted returns are unpredictable, regardless of the statistical specification. Test results are determined by serial correlation properties of prices and dividends and not by serial-correlation properties of returns.     

Lesbians Define Themselves: Diversity in Lesbian Identification

Ninety-nine self-identified lesbians provided definitions of what being a lesbian meant to them. A content analysis revealed two major categories: politically-based definitions and nonpolitical definitions. The political definitions included two highly interrelated subgroups, one of definitions based on woman-identification and the other including a broader world view that included affiliations with other oppressed groups. Nonpolitical definitions included four subgroups; those who defined lesbianism as sex/love with women, lesbianism as a true essence, just happening to love a woman, and lesbianism as only one small aspect of the person. There were only a few differences between women who cited political definitions and those with nonpolitical definitions. Lesbians who provided political definitions were more likely to identify themselves as feminists, were more involved in political activities and slightly more of them had a history of depression and eating disorders. Lesbians who provided nonpolitical definitions were more likely to have children, to have been raised in a conservative religion, and to think that they were born as lesbians. Various interpretations of the categories of definitions are provided.     

The Shared Cultural Experience: A Comparison of Religious Memes Created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Religious Media,and Church Members

Previous research suggests that Internet memes give voice to and unite otherwise silent and scattered social groups, making them popular in the most contemporary forms of practiced religion (Burroughs & Feller, 2015). This article aims to understand how religious institutions are utilizing memes to create a religious cultural experience compared to independent entities catering to the same audience. Researchers conducted a quantitative content analysis of 826 memes published by three distinct, interconnected entities affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including official Church organizations, unofficial Church organizations, and users with ties to the faith. Memes were examined for their content, form, and stance (Shifman, 2013). An analysis revealed that the LDS Church used its memes to present more serious, inspirational content, while users created memes that were more light-hearted and mixed LDS culture with pop culture. However, unofficial sources created more memes promoting LDS beliefs.     

Strategic framing to influence clients’ risky decisions

Theory and Decision - This paper develops a model of persuasive demand inducement in the expert–client relationship. The expert frames the decision on whether or not to buy expert services...     

On the meaning and contemporary significance of fascism in the writings of Karl Polanyi

Theory and Society - This paper assesses the contribution of Karl Polanyi, a theorist largely ignored in fascism scholarship, toward understanding fascism’s interwar rise and present-day...     

Author Correction: Aligning Needs and Capacities to Boost Government Competitiveness

Public Organization Review - The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The missing acknowledgements of the original article is provided below: Acknowledgements This...     

Rainfall events drive foraging choices by an urban coloniser

Using a seven-year data set of visitation of an inner city park by the Australian white ibis, we investigated whether rain events were correlated with ibis abundance in the park. The park is associated with high levels of anthropogenic food, but relatively low levels of natural food sources. For all magnitudes of rainfall tested, ibis abundance significantly decreased after a rainfall event, although stronger responses were associated with higher rainfall, with a 46% decline in ibis abundance following rainfall events of ≥60 mm. Average ibis abundance was higher during the dry, non-breeding period than during the breeding period, and variation associated with rainfall was particularly pronounced in the non-breeding period. However, the rainfall response was still evident in both periods. Results suggest that rainfall influences the ibis distribution in urban centres either by decreasing anthropogenic food supplied to the birds, forcing the birds to relocate to forage, or increasing the amount of natural food available elsewhere, or a combination of the two. Increased rainfall intensified the response by ibis, and our results demonstrate the importance of climatic processes on the behaviour of urban birds.     

Aligning Needs and Capacities to Boost Government Competitiveness

National competitiveness indices are often theoretical underdeveloped, limiting their engagement with academic literature. Because many are based on neoliberal ideology, a new approach is needed to incorporate governance and administration theory, and to enhance relevance to developing countries. This article introduces government competitiveness, a concept that recognizes overlooked factors like the role of social organizations, the use of diverse policy inputs and policy development processes, and the imperative to address human needs at all development stages. The conceptual foundation draws from systems theory, needs theory, and intervention stages theory to inform a comprehensive framework that bridges development scholarship and practice.