This paper examines the determinants of profitability using operations strategy, productivity, and service measures in the context of the U.S. domestic airline industry. Data on ten carriers was collected on a quarterly basis between 1995 and 2007. An analysis is performed separately on data prior and post 9/11 attack. It is found that operations strategy and productivity measures are significant both before and after the 9/11 attack, whereas service measures are only significant before 9/11. Some managerial implications are provided. Additionally, it is found that the profitability of full-service carriers is improving faster than low-cost carriers after 9/11.

This paper examines the determinants of profitability using operations strategy, productivity, and service measures in the context of the U.S. domestic airline industry. Data on ten carriers was collected on a quarterly basis between 1995 and 2007. An analysis is performed separately on data prior and post 9/11 attack. It is found that operations strategy and productivity measures are significant both before and after the 9/11 attack, whereas service measures are only significant before 9/11. Some managerial implications are provided. Additionally, it is found that the profitability of full-service carriers is improving faster than low-cost carriers after 9/11.

The increase in foreign students in countries such as the US, the UK and Francesuggests that the international ‘education industry’ is growing in importance. Thepurpose of this paper is to investigate the empirical determinants of internationalstudent mobility. A secondary purpose is to give tentative policy suggestions to hostcountry, source country and also to provide some recommendations to students whowant to study abroad. Using pooled cross-sectional time series data for the US overthe time period 1993-2006, we estimate an econometric model of enrolment rates offoreign students in the US. Our results suggest that tuition fees, US federal support ofeducation, and the size of the ‘young’ generation of source countries have asignificant influence on international student mobility. We also consider other factorsthat may be relevant in this context.