Negative and Positive Partial Mobility: A Study of the Relative Changes in Human Development

In this paper, we have considered the issues concerning dynamic changes in HDI and its various components from a relative standpoint. The analysis of HDI mobility should entail directional movement introduced by Fields (in Distribution and development: a new look at the developing world. MIT Press, Cambridge, 2001). However, Fields’ analysis was in the space of absolute values. Here, we will try to extend this exercise to the positional mobility index by considering the question of improvement and deterioration in relative positions. This requires the concept of partial mobility where mobility is judged from the viewpoint of a particular group. We then try to introduce directional changes in partial mobility through axiomatic framework. Finally, we provide an illustrative example from the Indian data.     

Online Control Charts for Process Averages Based on Repeated Median Filters

Two types of estimates of process level, namely repeated median estimates (Siegel, 1982 Siegel , A. F. ( 1982 ). Robust regression using repeated medians . Biometrika 69 : 242 – 244 .[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) and full online estimates (Gather et al., 2006 Gather , U. , Schettlinger , K. , Fried , R. ( 2006 ). Online signal extraction by robust linear regression . Computational Statistics 21 : 33 – 51 .[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) based on repeated median filters, are used to develop control charts. The distributional properties of the estimates are studied using simulation and these are found to closely follow normal distribution. The repeated median being robust against outliers with asymptotically 50% breakdown value and having small standard deviation is found to be useful as a basis for monitoring process averages. The control charts using repeated median estimates have been recommended for general use.     

Big Data and Performance: What Can Management Research Tell us?

The special issue focuses on the theory and evidence linking the use of Big Data related technologies by businesses with their performance. Here we connect the papers accepted for the special issue to the overarching theme of Big Data as an emerging concept within the business management literature. We present two prominent case studies examining the use Big Data technologies on performance and strategy, followed by a discussion on how themes around Big Data and Performance may be examined from a theoretical perspective. Finally, based on a synthesis of papers in the current issue, we discuss the emerging issues and trends within the academic literature, relevant for future research.     

Robust Wald-type tests in GLM with random design based on minimum density power divergence estimators

Statistical Methods & Applications - We consider the problem of robust inference under the generalized linear model (GLM) with stochastic covariates. We derive the properties of the minimum...     

On removing Condorcet effects from pairwise election tallies

Condorcet profiles are responsible for a number of well known preference aggregation paradoxes. It is reasonable to claim that these profiles represent complete ties between the candidates and should therefore be excluded to determine election outcomes. Established profile decomposition techniques are of limited usefulness in extracting and removing Condorcet effects, because of the computational complexity involved, even if complete knowledge of voters’ rankings of all candidates are available. The paper discusses an easily implementable method of removing or reducing Condorcet effects from pairwise scores. Pairwise scores (and not complete knowledge of voters’ rankings) are often the only available data based on which an election winner has to be determined.     

PROPERTY RIGHTS AND LOSS AVERSION IN CONTESTS

We analyze the effects of property rights and the resulting loss aversion on contest outcomes. We study three situations: in “gain” two players start with no prize and make sunk bids to win a prize; in “loss” both the players start with prizes and whoever loses the contest loses their prize; and in “mixed” only one player starts with a prize that stays with him if he wins, but is transferred to the rival otherwise. Since the differences among the treatments arise only from framing, the expected utility and the standard loss aversion models predict no difference in bids across treatments. We introduce a loss aversion model in which the property rights are made salient, and as a result the reference point varies across treatments. This model predicts average bids in descending order in the loss, the mixed, and the gain treatment; and higher bids by the player with property rights in the mixed treatment. The results from a laboratory experiment broadly support these predictions. There is no significant difference in bids in the loss (gain) treatment and bids by property rights holder (nonholder) in the mixed treatment. A model incorporating both loss aversion and social preferences explains this result. (JEL C91, C72, D23, D74)     

Book Review: Jeffrey M. Berry and David F. Arons,A Voice for Nonprofits,The Brookings Institution,Washington, DC, 2003, 210 pp., appendix,notes, index, $26.95

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations -     

Optimization of product performance of a paint formulation using a mixture experiment

A paint manufacturing company was facing the problem of Vehicle Separation and Settling in one of its prime products. These two abnormalities are, in general, opposing in nature. The manufacturer tried several modifications in the existing recipe for the product but failed to control them. Experimentation was carried out using mixture design, a special type of designed experiment, and quadratic response surface models were fitted for both the responses. Finally, optimum formulation was obtained by simultaneously optimizing the two response surface models. During the determination of optimal formulation, different methods were compared. The optimum formulation is currently being used for regular manufacturing.