Invariant structures of prognosis curves in Forrester's World Dynamics

This paper deals with some results of various simulations with Forrester's World Dynamics. These simulations concern the temporal and quantitative fixing of limits in relation to initial values and deal with the effects of specific table functions in this model. In addition, they also treat the behavior of the curves in approaching the limits.     

Computation of the percentage points and the power for the two-sided Kolmogorov-Smirnov one sample test

Two recursive schemes are presented for the calculation of the probabilityP(g(x)≤S _n (x)≤h(x) for allx∈®), whereS _n is the empirical distribution function of a sample from a continuous distribution andh, g are continuous and isotone functions. The results are specialized for the calculation of the distribution and the corresponding percentage points of the test statistic of the two-sided Kolmogorov-Smirnov one sample test. The schemes allow the calculation of the power of the test too. Finally an extensive tabulation of percentage points for the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test is given.     

The influence of the economic crisis on quality of care for older people: system readiness for innovation in Europe

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of the recent economic crisis on the quality of long-term care for older people in Belgium and the Netherlands. A mixed-method approach was applied, primarily focused on conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews with health professionals working in a management role in organizations providing long-term care for older people. The results show that Dutch organizations seem to be prepared for the influences of the economic crisis on the quality of its care provision primarily in terms of a sound system readiness. At the same time, Belgian organizations seem to be prepared for the influences of the economic crisis on the quality of its care provision primarily in terms of a favorable sociopolitical context. Comparing two countries allows for reciprocal lesson-drawing. The conclusion drawn in this study is that a sustainable long-term care system requires above all stability and structure.     

A modified Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for a rectangular distribution with unknown parameters: Computation of the distribution of the test statistic

A recursive scheme for the calculation of the distribution of the test statistic of a modified Kolmogorov-Smirnov-test for a rectangular distribution with unknown parameters is given.     

Prediction of temporally aggregated systems involving both stock and flow variables

Two predictors for a system of temporally aggregated variables are discussed. One predictor is based on the disaggregated variables whereas the other one uses only information contained in the aggregates. In contrast to similar research on the topic it is explicity assumed that the system involves both stock and flow variables. It is shown that some results obtained by treating the two types of variables separately break down if the system contains both. In particular, equality of the two predictors under investigation holds only under extremely restrictive conditions in the latter case. The paper was presented at the European Meeting of the Econometric Society 1988 in Bologna.     

Editorial

Helmut Anheier is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Research Associate, Institute for Policy Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.     

The non-profit sector in East Germany: before and after unification

The paper describes how the non-profit sector in East Germany has passed through several distinct phases in recent years. It shows how the role of the non-profit sector under the system of party dominance and centralised economic and social planning signified a major contradiction of East German society: the artificial under-development of civic society in eastern Europe's most successful economy. During the first phase of the transition period in late 1989, the expression and manifestation of political views was predominant. With the disintegration of the socialist party-state, the needs for social service provision increased. West German organisations have increasingly become the dominant factor in East German non-profit sector affairs. The paper argues that the East German non-profit sector will emerge as a slightly poorer and more secular version of its West German counterpart.