Cost containment measures instituted in the early 1980s are responsible for moving the health care industry to a more competitive composition. As a result of placing hospitals in a more cost conscious environment, they will no longer be able to finance uncompensated care through cross-subsidization. In three separate empirical studies, this dissertation investigates issues concerning the consequences procompetitive actions may have on the provision of hospital care to the poor. / In the first study, Certificate of Need (CON) regulation is likened to regulation allocated on a public interest standard. To test this analogy, probit analysis is used to isolate the objectives of CON regulators as reflected in their decisions regarding hospital investment applications. The results reveal some tendency for regulators to favor hospitals providing relatively large amounts of uncompensated care. This suggests that the benefits of CON protection are used to reward hospitals for providing uncompensated care. / The second study examines efficiency among hospitals providing different levels of uncompensated care. If the few hospitals providing the majority of uncompensated care are relatively inefficient, a more competitive market may force them to change their mode of operation, be bought out, or even close down. Estimates of a multiproduct cost function indicate that hospitals providing relatively large amounts of uncompensated care are less efficient on average. Thus, competition in the health care industry will not only affect the financing of indigent care, but also the providers. / The third study offers a more accurate depiction of those who generate uncompensated care and the hospitals that provide it. Previous studies have relied on characteristics of the uninsured population to make inferences about those who generate uncompensated care. A unique survey from Florida includes patient characteristics along with the amount of uncompensated care generated. Estimates from a type-two tobit model indicate that many of the conclusions derived from studies of the uninsured also hold true for the indigent. Of particular interest is the result that many of the indigent are employed but uninsured. Thus, policies aimed at the employed uninsured are likely to be effective at alleviating the problem of uncompensated care. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-03, Section: A, page: 0742. / Major Professor: Gary Michael Fournier. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1989.

The economic value (as measured by consumer's surplus) and the economic impact (as measured by sales, employment and wages and salaries) were estimated for Florida's east and west coast recreational and commercial king mackerel fisheries using 1986 data. In 1986, the king mackerel fisheries in Florida were economically more important to both the nation (using consumer's surplus) and to the state of Florida's economy (using sales, employment and wages salaries impact) than the commercial king mackerel fisheries in Florida. These conclusions held even assuming large errors in estimation. / A short-run economic allocation model was implemented for Florida's east and west coast king mackerel fisheries to evaluate the economics of allocating king mackerel stocks between recreational and commercial fishermen. Computer simulations, based upon estimates using 1986 data, revealed that maximum of consumer's surplus, sales, employment and wages and salaries would have been achieved if the entire 1986 commercial catch would have been allocated to recreational fishermen. This conclusion held even under extreme assumptions designed to bias the results towards the commercial fishery. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-09, Section: A, page: 3151. / Major Professor: Frederick W. Bell. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.

Through an exploration of the political economy of trade, this study examines the causes of cooperative and noncooperative behavior between nation-states. It will be argued that either a purely international- or domestic-oriented analysis of state behavior towards or away from cooperation entails severe drawbacks. Such reductionism fails to explore fully the links between internal and external influences on policy. Rather, it is posited that the policy preferences of states for either protection or free trade are derived from both the varying international and domestic context and the degree of vulnerability of their economy. In this regard, a cooperative model, grounded on a state's power position and dependence, is linked to both systemic- and domestic- level theories. The former models a state's foreign economic policy as a function of its economic power within the international hierarchical structure. The latter explains preferences for (and against) liberalism through the sectoral make-up and international integration of a state. In other words, by considering the ways in which international power position and economic linkages could affect the utility of various economic agents (individuals, groups, or nation-states) responsible for trade decisions, this study seeks to move beyond a unitary causal level of analysis. Research should employ variables at both the international and domestic levels. This is the only valid way to account for the amount of openness (or closure) in a state's international trade policy. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: A, page: 3300. / Major Professor: Patrick James. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1995.

The study tested three types of models, i.e. financial, macroeconomic, and the combined financial-macroeconomic model (FINMAC), an aggregation of the expanded Gordon model and the IS-LM model. This was done to determine the impact of certain financial and macroeconomic variables on stock prices using the S & P composite, industrial, utility, financial, and transportation stock price indices. The models were tested in two ways: first, in five sub-periods and second for the entire 1968-1988 period. / The results of the tests varied considerably in different sub-periods and in various stock price indices. Some of the independent variables were consistent with the theoretical expectations in certain sub-periods and inconsistent in others. These inconsistencies could be due to the volatility of stock prices and other economic shocks that occurred within specific sub-periods. It could also be that the participants' perception of the impact of these variables is different from the theoretical expectations. / But over the span of the five sub-periods, some of the financial and macroeconomic variables proved to be good determinants of stock price behavior i.e., the real interest rate, the price-earnings ratio, the speculation index, the volume traded, change in the real money supply, and the real growth rate in earnings per share. Although there were instances where they deviated from the theoretical expectations, most times they were significant and consistent. / Generally, the models seemed to be able to track aggregate stock price behavior well within sub-periods characterized by economic stability, but most did not perform well during periods of high inflation, high uncertainties, and the 1987 stock market crash. Results of the models seem to show some promise when tested for the entire 1968-1988 period. This could be attributed to the length of the test period which allows the stock price indices to adjust to changes in both the financial and macroeconomic variables. / Of the three models tested, the FINMAC Model showed the most promising results. With the exception of 1978-1982 and 1987-1988, most of the coefficients in this model were significant and consistent with theoretical expectations. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-12, Section: A, page: 4225. / Major Professor: Frederick Bell. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1990.

Thesis advisor: Robert Murphy / This paper uses Brazilian census data to evaluate the correlates, consequences, and possible causes of child labor. I find strong evidence that although most working children are also attending school, they are falling well behind their peers. I then attempt to explain state-by-state variation in child labor participation rates by using state level data, finding that economic concentration in specific industries is correlated with higher child participation in the labor market. Finally, using census data on income, I show that the current Brazilian program to alleviate child labor may also be effective in targeting higher income households then those now eligible for the program. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2004. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: International Studies. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Thesis advisor: Robert G. Murphy / This paper examines the impact of the fixed exchange rate policy and the undervaluation of the Chinese currency (Renminbi) on the U.S.-China bilateral trade balance. Due to China's fixed exchange rate policy during the last decade, many have suspected that the Renminbi has been undervalued, and that this undervaluation has contributed to the expansion of the U.S. trade deficit. Based on previous studies, the first part of this paper explores Chinese economic policy and the possible consequences of the fixed exchange rate and the undervaluation of the Renminbi. The second part of the paper examines the following through empirical analysis: (1) the misalignment of the Renminbi through the behavioral equilibrium exchange rate (BEER) approach, (2) the relationship between the real exchange rate of the Renminbi and the U.S.-China bilateral trade balance and (3) the relationship between the undervaluation and the US bilateral trade deficit with China. The results indicate that the undervaluation of the Renminbi is neither substantial nor permanent. Moreover, the devalued Renminbi does not significantly increase China's trade surplus with the United States. The U.S. bilateral trade deficit with China is not permanently adversely affected by Renminbi undervaluation. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2007. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: International Studies. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Thesis advisor: Richard McGowan / Proposition 13 revolutionized local politics in California when it stated that any future increase in taxes or tax rates would require a vote of two-thirds of the electors in any given local jurisdiction. Since California is the sixth largest economy in the world and exhibits tremendous economic and demographic variation, this study seeks to determine what characteristics of a county can be used to predict whether or not a local ballot initiative will pass. In addition, this study attempts to determine whether there is a distinction between the predictive value of demographic variables for transportation, education, safety, and facilities initiatives. This report reveals that greater wealth within a county is associated with a greater likelihood of an initiative passing, although at a decreasing rate. The data also suggests that a greater percentage of nonwhites in a county is correlated with an initiative passing. In counties with larger elderly populations, initiatives are less likely to pass. Furthermore, the data indicates that the impact of demographics varies for transportation, education, safety, and facilities initiatives. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2005. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Thesis advisor: Anderson James / Malaria kills over 3,000 people each day—mostly in sub-Saharan Africa—and remains the world's number one killer of children under five. While efforts to combat the disease were largely successful in past decades, eradication has since stalled as the parasite (and its mosquito vector) have retreated to the core tropics and become increasingly resistant to pesticides and anti-malarial drugs. This study seeks to determine what other factors are significant in producing high malaria rates, and, based on those results, to offer policy suggestions that may provide alternatives to the “traditional” methods of combating malaria. The project uses cross-country models and individual country models of malaria output to analyze country indicator data and household survey data from around the world. Empirical analysis reveals that foreign aid flows may be less significant in reducing malaria outputs than originally suspected. Furthermore, the data suggests that other factors such as political stability, access to goods and services, and the use of bednets perhaps demand greater attention than they currently receive. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2003. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Thesis advisor: Robert G. Murphy / This paper seeks to further establish the effects of fiscal decentralization on income inequality. While many major world organizations, such as the United Nations, and politicians are promoting the use of decentralization policies, their effects on income inequality remain largely unstudied. I add to the literature on fiscal decentralization in order to determine if it should be used as a policy tool designed to decrease income inequality. I empirically study the effects of fiscal decentralization by using a model largely based off of Akai and Sakata (2005). I quantify fiscal decentralization with two measures in order to conclude what form of fiscal decentralization, if any, should be used in order to decrease income inequality. My hope is that this paper contributes to the literature on fiscal decentralization, specifically in providing caution to politicians who haphazardly institute policies calling for increased fiscal decentralization. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2007. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Thesis advisor: Robert G. Murphy / Each year increasing levels of development assistance are provided to promote growth and reduce poverty in less developed countries. This is done, however, despite unresolved debates about the effectiveness of foreign aid. Investigating a new approach to the topic in 1999, Burnside and Dollar introduced a conceptual framework in which the effectiveness of aid is contingent on the economic and political policies of the countries receiving it. With its strong intuitive appeal, this hypothesis has attracted widespread attention, and yet the questions surrounding aid's effectiveness remain controversial. While the debate remains open-ended, this study reexamines Burnside and Dollar's specification with new and updated data and builds on their model with new econometric estimation techniques. Getting even a little closer to determining the true effects of foreign aid on developing countries is timely and valuable as calls and commitments for help are continuously rising. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2006. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: International Studies. / Discipline: College Honors Program.