ESTIMATING TIME‐VARYING BARGAINING POWER: A FISHERY APPLICATION

We propose an unobserved‐components‐inspired approach to estimate time‐varying bargaining power in bilateral bargaining frameworks. We apply the technique to an ex‐vessel fish market that changed management systems from a regulated open‐access system to an individual fishing quota (IFQ) system over the timespan analyzed. We find that post‐IFQ implementation fishers do improve their bargaining power and thus accrue more of the rents generated by the fishery. However, unlike previous studies, we find that fishers do not move to a point of complete rent extraction. Rather, fishers and processors appear to be in a near‐symmetric bargaining situation post‐IFQ implementation. (JEL C22, L11, Q22)     

Out of the mainstream: sexual minorities and the mass media.

In a society dominated by centralized sources of information and imagery, in which economic imperatives and pervasive sources of values promote the search for large, common-denominator audiences, it is useful to look at the fate of those who, for one reason or another, find themselves outside of the mainstream. This paper addresses the general questions of minority perspectives in the context of the study of mass media content and effects. More specific attention is paid to the situation of lesbian women and gay men as members of the mass media audience.     

Designing completely randomized experiments to detect ordered treatment effects: an empirical study

In designing experiments the researcher frequently must decide as to how to allocate fixed resources among k factor levels (Cox (1958)). This study investigates the effects on the power of a test caused by changes in: the sample size (n); the number of factor levels (k); the allocation of fixed total observations (N) among k and n: the shift parameter (ø); the type of parent population sampled; and, the type of ordered location alternative involved. Using Monte Carlo methods the powers of eight test procedures specifically devised to detect ordered treatment effects under completely randomized designs were evaluated along with those of the more general one-way F test. The results are of interest to researchers in all fields of application.     

The multifaceted nature of prosocial behavior in children: Links with attachment theory and research

Prosocial behavior involves attempting to improve others’ welfare and plays a central role in cooperative social relationships. Among the manifold processes that contribute to prosocial development is the quality of children's attachment to their caregivers. Often, researchers have investigated the link between secure attachment and broad indices of prosociality. Recent theory and research, however, suggest that children's prosocial behavior is multifaceted, with distinct correlates and developmental trajectories characterizing specific prosocial behaviors. We offer a theoretical model of the role of parent–child attachment in the development of prosocial behavior, first broadly, and then with regard to comforting, sharing, and helping, specifically. Further, we review the empirical work on this topic from infancy through adolescence. Overall, evidence supports an association between secure attachment and prosociality, broadly defined, but results vary across comforting, sharing, and helping. We discuss potential explanations for the findings and outline directions for future research examining the role of attachment in shaping the diversity of prosocial behaviors across development.     

ACADEMIC PUBLICATION, MARKET SIGNALING, AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DECISIONS

Publication is an essential scientific activity, but dangers arise when it is the primary signal of professional ability. This paper presents a simple model of screening in academic job markets. Signaling pressures may bias research decisions toward orthodox, low-risk projects, denying science the bold hypotheses and vigorous competition necessary for significant advance. Screening mechanisms help explain patterns of development noted by some historians of science as well as differences in these patterns across disciplines. The paper concludes with some comments on signaling and scientific change in economics.     

A management science application in the courtroom: A jury selection model

This paper reports the results of a study involving the application of management science techniques to the area of jury research. A public opinion survey was conducted, entered in evidence in a motion for change of venue, and the survey data used to develop a jury selection model used by the defense in a second-degree murder trial. The case had involved considerable pre-trial publicity. From a defense perspective, the defendant received the least undesirable guilty verdict. Management science techniques employed involved statistical sampling, linear discriminant function, and regression analysis. Suggestions for other applications in jury research are offered.