Maximizing product mix profitability - what's the best analysis tool

This paper takes a look at product mix profitability and compares several alternative methodologies for selecting the optimal product mix. It is argued that the optimal product mix is not determined using traditional accounting methodologies and that dropping marginally profitable products based on the accounting rules will give you less than optimal profitability. This paper looks at two different ways for coming up with the optimal product mix: one using theory of constraints (TOC) and another using linear programming.     

ECONOMIC RESPONSE TO A CRIME DETERRENCE PROGRAM: MANDATORY SENTENCING FOR ROBBERY WITH A FIREARM

This paper reports the results of the application of intervention analysis, an interrupted times series methodology, to test the deterrent response of criminal offenders faced with changes in the penalty structure for the crime of robbery with a firearm. The results are consistent with the hypothesis of general deterrence as set out by Becker and extended theoretically and tested empirically by others. Offenders in Arizona metropolitan areas rapidly reduced the number of robberies with a firearm supplied as penalties for firearm use became more severe. This finding suggests legislation which punishes those who choose to use such weapons in illegal activities may be effective while leaving intact the rights of private citizens to own firearms. One disturbing finding was that a Portion of the deterrent effect of harsher mandatory sentencing for firearm use in robbery may have been offset by substitution of other types of robbery not covered by the new legislation.     

What does it cost, and does it help the patient?. Interview by Wesley Curry

At the ACPE National Conference in San Antonio on May 17, 1990, David M. Eddy, MD, PhD, described serious problems with the information infrastructure for medicine, and discussed the implications of these failings for the quality and cost of medical care. Physician Executive discussed the issues raised in Dr. Eddy's presentation and reports his comments in this article. Dr. Eddy is Professor of Health Policy and Management, Duke University, Durham, N.C.     

Race, Gender, and Opinion Toward Black and Female Presidential Candidates

Using data from the 1974 and 1978 General Social Surveys, publicopinion toward blacks and women as presidential candidates wasexplored. We tested the hypotheses that white males would beleast likely to support presidential candidates from both groups,while black females would be the most likely to express thissupport. We found that although blacks in general were moresupportive of black candidacies than were whites, women werenot consistently more supportive of female candidates. Whileblack women were more likely than black males to support femalecandidates, among whites few gender differences were found.     

Perceptions of the Work Environment and Implications for Women's Career Choice: A Survey of University Faculty Women

This article reports the results of a survey of female faculty. Overall, respondents indicated positive perceptions of their academic environment and a strong interest in mentoring female students.     

“审美性”与“体贴”——论《红楼梦》的女性文化意涵

<红楼梦>是中国最具性别反省向度的一部小说,本文从观察小说大观园女儿国中的群体生命面向的特色,以及此中人们之间的关系这两个层面入手,并参之以西方女性主义关怀伦理学的观点,以呈现女性文化的特色.<红楼梦>所构建的"女性文化",呈现了一个"审美"的生命面向,此中人的存在或者是从事的活动,都带着一种当下的、偶兴的,以及充满意趣的审美性.他们也用这样的美感来观照自己与他人,所以,群聚本身并不明显地通向一个具有如传统儒家价值的目标意义.而也在这样的审美特质上,他们彼此之间也发展了一种超越功利性与实用性的"体贴"关系.在这种关系里,他们有别於父权的上下名位序列的关系,而构作了一个平面网络关系,彼此之间互为主体,当他们以对方为主体而全心挹注在对方身上时,温暖的情谊便在其中流动.<红楼梦>呈现的女性文化对比著男性文化总带有较多的理想色彩,因为那是一个超越了名位阶级的人人为主体的平等关系,以及不带功利与道德价值判定的审美世界.自然,我们也可从中解读出文本中对於传统男性文化的反省,以及对於女性文化的向往.