Singularity and Autoregressive Disturbances in Linear Logit Models

The implications of including autoregressive disturbances in linear logit models of demand systems are explored. It is argued that the normality assumption of the error terms is more appropriate in the linear logit model than in a share equation model with additive disturbances (commonly found in the literature). Autoregressive disturbances and their implications for model estimation are discussed in that context. Both theoretical arguments and empirical evidence are presented in favor of the logit specification given the presence of serial correlation.     

Passion,Intimacy, and Commitment in Casual Sexual Relationships in a Canadian Sample of Emerging Adults

Research on casual sexual relationships (CSRs) among emerging adults is prevalent, yet our empirical and theoretical knowledge of relationship processes involved in these relationships is limited. The present study’s objective was to compare four CSR partner types (acquaintance, friend, non-dating partner, ex-romantic partner) on passion, intimacy, and commitment, the components of Sternberg’s triangular theory of love. A total of 441 Canadians aged 18–25 years who were not in a romantic relationship, and who reported having had more than one sexual contact with their last CSR partner, completed an online survey. Across all partner types, passion was highest, followed by intimacy and commitment. Levels of passion, intimacy, and commitment generally increased with partner familiarity. However, CSR partner type differences on the three components were partially explained by CSR components (i.e., frequency of sexual activity, frequency of social activity, whether partners saw each other with the main goal of having sex, sexual exclusivity agreement, and hopes about the relationship). Results are consistent with CSRs’ emphasis on sexuality, and, to a lesser extent, emotions. However, they challenge the mainstream and scientific conflation of CSRs with an absence of emotional bond, commitment, or love.     

Causes of Disaster: Sloppy Management

The loss of control associated with accidents and disasters can have severe negative consequences for the organizations involved. Some disasters are caused by inadequacies of management, or by unprofessional behaviour but others arise when disaster preconditions are generated as a result of the normal functioning of larger managerial and technical systems. During the incubation period preceding a major incident, therefore, two levels of correction need to be considered to avoid disasters. ‘Sloppy management’ of various kinds can be tackled by establishing, strengthening and asserting appropriate forms of management control. The system properties which constitute disaster preconditions are less immediately accessible to management control. At both levels managers in pursuit of high reliability should expect to have to make a range of trade-offs.     

Measuring living standards with proxy variables

Very few demographic surveys in developing countries have gathered information on household incomes or consumption expenditures. Researchers interested in living standards therefore have had little alternative but to rely on simple proxy indicators. The properties of these proxies have not been analyzed systematically. We ask what hypotheses can be tested using proxies, and compare these indicators with consumption expenditures per adult, our preferred measure of living standards. We find that the proxies employed in much demographic research are very weak predictors of consumption per adult. Nevertheless, hypothesis tests based on proxies are likely to be powerful enough to warrant consideration.