Currency devaluation and trade balance: Evidence from the US services trade

This study aims to revisit the effectiveness of using currency devaluation as a policy tool to improve trade balance by estimating the exchange rate elasticities of services trade between the US and rest of the world with quarterly disaggregated services trade data from 1999 to 2015. Empirical results reveal that the impacts of currency devaluation on individual services trade are mixed and largely depend on the nature of services. Using currency devaluation to raise export services trade and reduce import services trade seems to be more effective in the long-run but not in the short-run. It is interesting to note that some individual services trades are insensitive to exchange rate changes. The estimates also reveal that most categories of services trade are income elastic and economic growth plays a key role in determining the imports and exports of services trade.     

金融危机背景下加强对上海市外来务工人员的保障与服务思考

2008年发生在美国的金融危机,很快席卷全球,不仅影响到中国的实体经济,还影响到中国的劳动力市场,农民工群体深受影响：就业形势严峻,生存生活状况令人担忧。文章以上海市为例,探讨金融危机背景下加强上海市外来务工人员的服务与保障问题。     

两岸全面“三通”视域下的闽台休闲农业合作研究

闽台休闲农业合作具有得天独厚的优势,两岸关系新形势为其深入发展提供了难得的机遇和宽广的舞台。台湾休闲农业从20世纪60年代中期逐步兴起,通过政策积极引导和支持整个产业健康有序发展;从业者突出地方特色,根据市场需求不断创新经营管理理念和形式,推行社区经营理念,建立营销网络系统,注重体验参与,完善服务体系,重视生态环境和资源的保护,突出休闲主题及文化建设,为闽台休闲农业成功合作积累了丰富的宝贵经验。福建休闲农业起步晚、底子薄、基础差,应积极对接和借鉴台湾休闲农业发展经验,尊重农民意愿,提高其思想认识;加强政府引导,提升服务品质;科学规划,构建独特的空间结构;以市场为导向,构筑共同的休闲农业市场;以绿色休闲为主题,实现休闲农业的可持续发展,获取最佳的生态、经济和社会效益。     

大学生志愿服务活动开展机制研究

大学生志愿服务活动让大学生志愿者在奉献爱心服务社会中实现了自身的价值追求,对于社会主义核心价值体系和和谐社会建设也具有深远意义。然而志愿活动在主观认知、组织管理、制度保障等方面尚存不少问题,需要从参与、管理、保障三个方面对大学生志愿服务活动机制进行进一步的探索和完善。     

从劳动价值论看图书馆服务性劳动

图书馆劳动属于服务性劳动,在社会化高技术生产条件下,其劳动成为社会商品生产的重要组成部分。马克思的劳动价值论认为,商品价值是人类一般抽象劳动的凝结。物质生产与精神生产提供的使用价值尽管载体形式有所不同,但两者在本质上反映的都是一种相同的生产交换关系。     

服务业集聚能否促进城镇化进程——基于中国省际面板数据的分析

本文基于2000—2010年我国省际面板数据,采用面板单位根检验和固定效应模型分析,研究了我国服务业集聚对城镇化进程的影响.结果表明:从全国来看,服务业集聚对城镇化进程具有促进作用;从东中西部地区来看,服务业集聚对各地区的促进作用存在差异,对西部地区的作用大于东中部地区;从东中西部地区城镇化各影响因素的弹性系数来看,东部地区对城镇化进程影响最大的为服务业集聚,中部地区为经济发展水平,而在西部地区,服务业集聚与工业水平具有同样重要的作用.     

Recent health trends in the Native American population

This paper reviews the changes in the health status of Native Americans since the mid-1950s, how the disease pattern differs from non-Natives, and regional differences within the Native American population. Despite some limitations, data from the Indian Health Service indicate that substantial decline in the infant mortality rate and mortality from such infectious diseases as tuberculosis and gastroenteritis has occurred. With the exception of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, the risk of death from most causes are higher among Native Americans than the total US population. Geographic variation in disease rates can be demonstrated, most notable in diabetes. The unique pattern of diseases among Native Americans reflect the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. Genetic susceptibility plays a significant role in some diseases, such as diabetes, while for others, the generally lower socioeconomic status, higher prevalence of certain health risk behaviors and lower utilization of preventive services in the Native American population are important determinants.     

Disentangling system contact and services: A key pathway to evidence-based children's policy

There is often a disconnect between the best available research and the policy decisions governing the functioning of large child-serving systems. This paper argues that this is, in part, due to conflating system contact with actual service provision. When outcomes are understood in terms of contacts as compared to services, this can lead to inappropriate or inadequate policy responses. Empirical data on contact and services for four large child-serving systems (child welfare, education, juvenile court, and mental health) are presented to illustrate this dilemma. Multi-sector services and need for collaboration are also briefly reviewed. Recommendations are made for improving data infrastructure and research to help bridge the gap between what policy makers see and actual system functioning. This is presented as a key step on the path to achieving evidence-based policy to support children's well-being.