Firm Size and Employment Dynamics: Estimations of Labor Demand Elasticities Using a Fractional Panel Probit Model

This paper examines the comprehensive discussion on the relationship between job creation, or destruction and firm size. More specifically, the study will determine whether the argument about small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) showing higher employment dynamics is confirmed or not. As such, the following work applies elasticities from a standard labor demand model derived from the estimations of fractional probit models for panel data, as process recommended in Papke and Wooldridge [2008; Journal of Econometrics 145(1–2): 121–133]. Elasticities are a useful measure of employment dynamics, if it is assumed that SMEs act on the same markets. The elasticity results from German establishment data illustrate that firm size does matter for the increase or decrease of employment. SMEs with less than 10 workers exhibit a higher employment dynamic, compared with other entities, at each respective percentile in the distribution of the wage share. Additionally, the outcome of the analysis weakly confirms the hypothesis that smaller firms are more restricted to capital markets, compared with large entities. The results also illustrate that firm size only explains one aspect of job creation and destruction. As stated in the well‐known Hicks–Marshall rules for elasticities of factor demand, the results illustrate that the reaction of labor demand on economic changes increases with the share of labor. Firms with a high share of labor also have larger elasticities, compared with firms with a strong use of capital. Both effects, the size effect and the effect of the proportion of labor, would blend in reality, and therefore, possibly lead to controversial results for the relationship between firm size and employment dynamics. In addition, a model with a negative relationship among both variables is too simple to explain the behavior of firms.     

Cohort effects in the educational attainment of second generation immigrants in Germany: An analysis of census data

Even though second generation immigrants make up ever increasing population shares in industrialized countries we know little about their social integration and wellbeing. This study focuses on the educational attainment of German born children of immigrants. Their schooling success still lags behind that of natives. This paper investigates school attendance and completed degrees of second generation immigrants and finds that even after controlling for characteristics the educational gap remains large and significant. The available evidence suggests that this group as a whole does not assimilate to native educational standards and instead increasingly falls behind.This research was completed while the author was guest at the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in Bonn, Germany. I am grateful for IZA217.gif" alt="rsquo" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">s hospitality and particularly for the help of Thomas K. Bauer. I thank the anonymous referees and the editors for very helpful comments. Responsible editors: David Card and Christoph M. Schmidt.     

“Projecting the Future by Looking Over One's Shoulder at the Past”: The Milken Institute's One-Sided Analysis of California's Future

The first Michael Milken Institute conference on 218837582033/xxlarge8220.gif" alt="ldquo" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">the state of the state of California,218837582033/xxlarge8221.gif" alt="rdquo" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0"> held November 5, 1999, identified 21st century 218837582033/xxlarge8220.gif" alt="ldquo" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">opportunities and challenges218837582033/xxlarge8221.gif" alt="rdquo" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0"> in light of recent economic and demographic trends. The panelists came from the banking/venture capital, industrial, real estate development, think tank and political spheres. Notably absent were delegates from the environmental community. Optimism reigned: The presenters considered that the shortage and soaring price of housing are major concerns, yet they could not view this as a contra-indication to future population increase. Possibilities of major ethnic clashes in a state where no ethnic group commands a majority went unaddressed. Both the conference materials and those present subscribed to the view that growth is good and bigger is better; no other indicators of quality of life were mentioned. Ecological overload and threats of collapsing eco-systems, the permanent water shortage foreseen by state planners beginning as early as 2015, and the increasing vulnerability to inevitable natural disasters as major earthquakes and droughts should population projections be fulfilled (today's 35 million will grow to 50 million by 2020; carrying capacity level is about 10 million) all went unmentioned. Those present left falsely reassured that for California the 21st century will largely be a replay of the 20^th.     

DO TRANSFER TAXES REDUCE INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSFERS?

We estimate the effect of taxes on intergenerational transfers by exploiting a sequence of Italian reforms culminating with the abolishment of transfer taxes. We use the Surveys of Household Income and Wealth from 1993 to 2006, which have data on real estate transfers, and information on potential donors and recipients. Difference‐in‐differences estimates indicate that the abolition of transfer taxes increases the probability of high‐wealth donors making a transfer by two percentage points and increases the area transferred by 9.3 square meters relative to poorer donors.     

Urban Aboriginal use of fringe financial institutions: Survey evidence from Prince George, British Columbia

This paper analyses the use of fringe financial institutions (FFIs), such as payday loan and check cashing providers, by urban Aboriginal people based on a survey undertaken in Prince George, British Columbia. We found that 60% of FFIs’ clients surveyed self-identified as Aboriginal. Their characteristics, compared to the non-Aboriginal FFI clients, included having lower average incomes, lower levels of education, more likely to be female, a higher incidence of being unemployed, higher levels of financial exclusion, and less satisfaction with the service provided by FFIs. We find that government policy towards regulating the FFI industry is inadequate for meeting the basic financial needs of urban Aboriginal people.     

新世纪以来中国近代灾荒史研究述评

灾荒史作为社会史研究的重要分支,历来备受海内外学者瞩目。近代灾荒的频发,使得灾难深重的中国面临前所未有的抗灾赈济局面。新世纪以来,为了深入剖析近代中国的社会变迁,学界除继续探讨近代灾荒的成灾诱因与过程外,开始尝试将灾荒与经济、文化、地理环境等诸多因素结合起来考察,从而拓展灾荒史的研究视域。     

土家语“撒叶嗬”（sa^55 je^21 xe^53）刍议

鄂西地区民间保留的丧葬习俗“撒叶嗬”（sa^55 je^21 xe^53）,不是汉语,是土家语,其意为“死神舞”。因其地汉化较早,虽然土家语消失,但其中拥含土家文化底蕴深厚的一些底层语言被借入汉语,受汉语影响,在形式上稍有变化而世代流传,使人神秘莫测,其含义更鲜为人知。故研究土家传统文化,必须考察与其相关的土家语言。如不精通土家语言,很难发掘其文化真谛。     

查韦斯“21世纪社会主义”之内涵

自从查韦斯上台执政以来,便高调宣称要在委内瑞拉甚至拉羡大陆建立“21世纪社会主义”。他利用各种机会,不厌其烦地宣传“21世纪社会主义”的理论和理想,并且坚称“21世纪社会主义”是“真正的社会主义”,是一种不同于“传统社会主义”的社会主义。但是,透过他所采取的各项具体政策,我们可以看到其“21世纪社会主义”不同程度地带有历史上曾经出现过的各种社会主义的影子,是多种社会主义的集合体。仔细分析起来大概有：民主社会主义、民族社会主义、科学社会主义、合作社会主义、自治社会主义以及农民社会主义等。     

关于21世纪的生命科学

生命科学和技术已成为全球政治家、经济学家和科学家十分关注的一个科技领域。作者从生命科学的角度 ,分析了在新世纪中人类所面临的问题 ,生命科学的前沿 ,及其对人类未来经济社会发展的影响。希望能使读者了解 2 1世纪的生命科学的特点 ,关注与生命科学密切有关的农业、医学、环境以及与人的生活的方方面面密切有关的多种生物学问题     

韩国面向21世纪基础数学教育课程述评

本文评介韩国面向２１世纪基础数学教育课程,并据此提出当前我国数学教育课程改革若干值得借鉴的建设性意见。