Using Canadian data we estimate the effects of monetary policy shocks on various real and nominal variables using a fully recursive VAR model. We decompose the nominal interest rate into an ex-ante real interest rate and inflationary expectations using the Blanchard-Quah structural VAR model with the identifying restriction that ex-ante real interest rate shocks have but a temporary impact on the nominal interest rate. The inflationary expectations are then employed to estimate a policy reaction function that identifies monetary policy shocks. We find that a positive shock introduced by raising the monetary aggregates raises inflationary expectations and temporarily lowers the ex-ante real interest rate. As well, it depreciates the Canadian dollar and generates other macro effects consistent with conventional monetary theory although these effects are not statistically significant. Using the overnight target rate as the monetary policy instrument we find that a contractionary monetary policy shock lowers inflationary expectations and raises the ex-ante real interest. Such a contractionary monetary policy shock also appreciates the Canadian currency, decreases industrial output and increases the unemployment rate. We obtain qualitatively better results using the overnight target rate rather than a monetary aggregate as the monetary policy instrument. Our estimated results are robust to various modifications of the basic VAR model and do not encounter empirical anomalies such as the liquidity and exchange rate puzzles found in some previous VAR studies of the effects of monetary policy shocks in an open economy.

In this dissertation, I examine the impact of earnings management and expectations management on the usefulness of earnings and analyst forecasts in firm valuation. Earnings and analyst forecasts are important inputs into accounting valuation models. Their ability to reflect current and predict future firm performance can help valuation models predict intrinsic value. However, increasing earnings management and expectations management activities in recent years may have adversely affected the usefulness of these information items in firm valuation. This study shows that intrinsic value metrics estimated using manipulated earnings or forecasts have less ability to track stock prices and predict future returns through V/P ratios, providing evidence for the joint hypothesis of (i) long-term market efficiency and (ii) the negative impact of earnings management and expectations management on the usefulness of earnings and analyst forecasts in firm valuation. It contributes to the accounting literature in several ways. First, it challenges the conventional view that more accurate and less biased forecasts are necessarily of better quality and proposes to assess the quality of analyst forecasts directly by examining their usefulness. It also introduces an improved measure for expectations management and presents new evidence on (i) the usefulness of earnings and analyst forecasts in firm valuation; (ii) the negative impacts of earnings management and expectations management on this usefulness; and (iii) the overall performance of accounting valuation models in firm valuation.

Putting Lipstick on a Sculpture is a mixed body of sculptural and two-dimensional work investigating our society’s superficial expectations of beauty. The glitzy covers of glitter and spandex are used over more traditional structural materials to confuse the viewer’s expectations, much like labels categorizing usual fine art. The sculptures are on display for the audience’s aesthetic judgments, while paintings blur lines of what is classified as traditional and acceptable for emphasis.

Bakground : A new kind of birthing center, providing a new concept of maternal care is about to open in a city located in the eastern part of India. Being part of a new concept in maternal care and having the opportunity to work at a new advanced multispecialty hospital as well as being a newly graduated nurse can create a lot of expectations in which we aim to explore. Aim : The aim was to explore newly graduated nurse's expectations before the opening of a natural birthing center in the eastern part of India. Method : Qualitative interviews were chosen as a data collecting method. The participants were five newly graduated nurses. A qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach and a manifest content was selected for analyzing the collected data. Findings: Four categories with sub-categories were found. They were Unknown future, In relation with patients and relatives, Opportunities to develop as a nurse and to become a good nurse. Conclusion : In this study it was seen that the nurses felt unsure in their role and about their future. To be able to care for patients and relatives as a newly graduated nurse in a professional manner (and make them feel safe), it is important to have the confidence to feel safe in the nursing role. It is also of importance that the organization allows the nurse to develop by creating attuned climates for this, all to become a good nurse.

Problem: That the clients expectations could be influenced by the relationship either positively or negatively. The relationship phases were redefined by Ruyter and Wetzels in 1999 describing the relationship in depth. Purpose: This paper’s purpose is to identify if there are any patterns in the relationship phases regarding the expectations and to discover how high expectations every phase has. Method: We have chosen positivism as our research philosophy and used a mix of a qualitative and quantitative study where we interviewed eight micro-company managers in Sweden. The paper is based on a deductive approach where we try to validate theories that have already been made. Theory: Our study contains theories discussing the audit profession, relationship phases, and the role of auditors, rules to keep an auditor unbiased, expectations on auditors and how an auditor can keep his objectivity, impartiality and independence. Conclusions: The conclusions of our study are that the expectations vary depending on which relationship phase they are in. Another conclusion is that the communication itself could be a major factor in building their relationship. We noticed that there were patterns between the two.

In this dissertation, I examine the impact of earnings management and expectations management on the usefulness of earnings and analyst forecasts in firm valuation. Earnings and analyst forecasts are important inputs into accounting valuation models. Their ability to reflect current and predict future firm performance can help valuation models predict intrinsic value. However, increasing earnings management and expectations management activities in recent years may have adversely affected the usefulness of these information items in firm valuation. This study shows that intrinsic value metrics estimated using manipulated earnings or forecasts have less ability to track stock prices and predict future returns through V/P ratios, providing evidence for the joint hypothesis of (i) long-term market efficiency and (ii) the negative impact of earnings management and expectations management on the usefulness of earnings and analyst forecasts in firm valuation. It contributes to the accounting literature in several ways. First, it challenges the conventional view that more accurate and less biased forecasts are necessarily of better quality and proposes to assess the quality of analyst forecasts directly by examining their usefulness. It also introduces an improved measure for expectations management and presents new evidence on (i) the usefulness of earnings and analyst forecasts in firm valuation; (ii) the negative impacts of earnings management and expectations management on this usefulness; and (iii) the overall performance of accounting valuation models in firm valuation.

The purpose of this study was to examine how performance expectations influence contest performance at the National FFA Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Event. The population for this study included all participants at the national contest in the years 2001 through 2006 with a total response of 976 participants. Data were collected using a 20 item questionnaire administered after the contest. The questionnaire included questions to measure current educational status, aspired education and career, contest expectations, evaluations of contest relatedness to previous coursework and difficulty, preparation, and interest in agriculture and agricultural mechanics. Contest scores were used to quantify participant performance. Career Development Events are an important component to a complete FFA program used to enhance student learning. Expectations and aspirations may have an effect on student learning. Of the respondents, 61.7% had not graduated from high school. In addition, 86.4% planned to pursue education after high school, and 30.2% planned to pursue a career related to agricultural mechanics while another 40.4% planned to pursue a separate agriculturally related career. The mean response for expected individual finish was 55th place out of about 163 contestants, expected team finish was 15th place out of about 44 teams participating annually, and 43.1% expected to finish second on their team. The most statistically significant predictors of contest performance were expected individual and team finish. Participants who expected to perform better performed better. High education aspirations and career aspirations in agriculture also produced a significant influence on performance. The number of contests participated in before national contest, the relatedness of the contest to previous coursework, and the difficulty of the contest produced a significant direct influence on performance. The longer the participant has been in school and as the participant takes more agriculture courses, performance significantly increased. The interest of the participant in agriculture and agricultural mechanics positively influenced performance. Further research was proposed to specifically differentiate between aspirations and expectations, and measure performance aspirations and expectations before and after the contest. As agricultural science education moves toward a more multidisciplinary approach, it would be useful to determine how math and science courses influence performance.

<p>This paper looks at the perceptions of people within and outside of Jönköping, regard-ing the main attractions/attributes within the Jönköping region and how they are being branded by the municipality. A model was formed to explain how consumer expecta-tions affect demand, and based on that a survey was handed out to find out consumers travelling habits, general perceptions about Jönköping and its branding. The results show that promotion has not been as successful as hoped and that Jönköping is still seen as a religious city among the respondents. A Las Vegas Entertainment Concept was formed to find out whether people would be willing to visit Jönköping more often if something „new‟ was presented. In conclusion, for consumers to visit more often new experiences have to be provided. It is all about the way Jönköping city is marketed in the future and what it will be able to offer to the different consumer segments visiting.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2002. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-113). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Developmental theorists describe friendship development in terms of stages that mature well into adolescence. The purpose of this prospective study is to investigate the possible differences between high school students, with and without social phobia, and their levels of friendship quality and friendship expectation. It is hypothesized that students with social phobia will have lower quality friendships as well as less mature expectations of friendship compared to students without social phobia. A MANOVA analysis will be utilized to identify interactions between these variables. Gender and grade level differences will also be examined. Implications for treatment supplements are discussed. / text