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Understanding others’ emotions and false beliefs, known as Theory of Mind (ToM), and to recognise and produce facial expressions of emotion has been linked to social competence. Deaf children born to hearing parents have commonly shown a deficit, or at best a delay in ToM. The emotion processing skills of deaf children are less clear. The main aims of this thesis were to clarify the ability of emotion recognition in deaf children, and to provide the first investigation in emotion production. While deaf children were poorer than hearing controls at recognising expressions of emotion in cartoon faces, a similar pattern was found in both groups’ recognition of real human faces of the six basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise). For deaf children, emotion recognition was better in dynamic rather than static, and intense rather than subtle, displays of emotion. With the exception of disgust, no differences in individual emotions were found, suggesting that the use of ecologically valid dynamic real faces facilitates deaf children’s emotion recognition. Deaf children’s ability to produce the six basic emotions was compared to hearing children by videoing voluntary encodings of facial expression elicited via verbal labels and emotion signed stories, and the imitation of dynamic displays of real facial expressions of emotion. With the exception of a poorer performance in imitation and the verbally elicited production of disgust, deaf children were consistently rated by human judges overall as producing more recognisable and intense expressions, suggesting that clarity and expressiveness may be important to deaf individuals’ emotion display rules. In line with previous studies, results showed a delay in passing the first and second order belief tasks in comparison to age matched controls, but not in comparison to a group of ‘age appropriate’ hearing control children. These findings encouragingly suggest that while deaf children of hearing parents show a delay in ToM and understanding disgust, emotion processing skills follow a broadly similar pattern of development to hearing control children. Language experience is implicated in difficulties faced in social and emotion cognition, with reduced opportunities to discuss more complex emotional and mental states.

My thesis contributes to the firms and trade literature, both theoretically and empirically, focusing on the export participation strategy by firms in one particular market, introducing products sequentially. I illustrate differences in export dynamics between firms according to their experience in that destination, and move further in my analysis by exploring how fast that experimentation is. I am particularly interested in the influence of trade liberalisation, as well as differences between products in terms of production effciency. Chapters 3 and 4 present a two-period analysis on firms' sequential exporting strategy to a single destination. Chapter 3 shows theoretically, inspired by Albornoz et al. (2012), that new exporters in a market tend to grow faster in that destination than expert exporters, both at the intensive and extensive margin, across products; but those newcomers are also more prone to exit that business, while trade liberalisation, as well as the focus on \core competence" products, helps new exporters to remain in the market and continue experimenting. With a rich dataset of Peruvian export transactions to the USA market, Chapter 4 backs most predictions from the theory empirically. In Chapter 5, I go deeper into the sequential exporting strategy with a theoretical framework, based on Nguyen (2012), to explain how quickly exporters in one market move from one product to another. I find, supported by empirical evidence, that trade liberalisation accelerates firms' experimentation in that destination.

This thesis examines the impact of CEO compensation, analysts' characteristics, earnings management and country governability on the accuracy of analysts' earnings forecasts. In summary, the thesis includes the following chapters: Firstly, Chapter 2 examines the interplay between CEO compensation and analysts' forecast errors over different forecasting horizons. A unique analyst-level sample for U.S. firms covering the period between 1992 and 2015 has been employed. Evidence obtained from this analysis suggests that CEO compensation, measured by various forms such as restricted stock holdings and stock ownership would correct for optimism in analysts' earnings forecasts, whereas CEO bonus and sensitivity to changes in firm's value would exacerbate analysts' optimism. Results also show that CEO compensation would augment the effect of earnings management on analysts' forecasts with CEO bonus being of importance. The findings of this chapter also indicate that analysts' characteristics and regulation can affect earnings forecasts. Next, Chapter 3 investigates the effect of governance on analysts' earnings forecasts. By employing a comprehensive dataset of 911 U.S. firms for the period 2000 – 2014, this chapter demonstrates a strong positive association between the government effectiveness and analysts' earnings forecasts. We extend this analysis employing corporate governance variables such as CEO equity incentives and CEO power, whilst a possible cross-term association between governability and the former has also been examined. This chapter explores further the effects of earnings management on analysts' forecasts accuracy documenting a negative impact of the former on the latter. Lastly, underlying causality strands and endogeneity issues are addressed opting for a flexible panel VAR model. Finally, Chapter 4 presents evidence of the effects of corruption on the accuracy of analysts' forecasts. Using a global sample, this chapter reveals that analysts face greater difficulty in forecasting earnings in advanced and emerging countries due to the detrimental effect of corruption. Interestingly, findings suggest that for firms located in developing countries, corruption enhances analysts' accuracy. This chapter also shows that the effect of earnings manipulation on the accuracy of forecasts is aggravated in the presence of corruption, whilst greater country freedom would enhance analysts' accuracy when corruption is present.

The aim of this study is to carry out a fairly overall empirical analysis of the conditions of production in an industry. The aim of the empirical analysis is, however, not only to give information about empirical conditions, such as technical development, efficiency of production, etc, but also to illustrate the theoretical and methodological problems in the economic theory of production.The engineering analysis makes the foundation from which economic production functions are constructed. As the study focuses on Leif Johansen!s production model, four different types of functions are constructed: ex ante and ex post micro functions and long run and short run macro functions. A study of structural changes and technical development in the periods 1960-1975 and 1850-1975 then follows. For the first period a study of productive efficiency is also made.A discussion of theoretical problems is integrated with the empirical analysis, Two big problems in production theory are, however, dealt with separately, namely the theory of engineering production analysis and the aggregation of micro production functions.It is difficult to state a specitic conclusion with just a few words. The study consists of so many minor observations and results, that it is difficult to lift out any separate. A negative general conclusion can perhaps be said to be that great scepticism should be shown the empirical value of ordinary production function estimates. On the other hand, the positive conclusion can be said to be the fact that the dissertation shows the value of having an engineering approach in empirical studies of production. / digitalisering@umu

O Brasil é um grande produtor de alimentos. O cenário atual da agricultura brasileira aponta para uma produção de alimentos eficiente com o menor impacto ambiental, tendo a modernização e a inovação tecnológica dos processos produtivos papéis importantes neste processo. Dentre as modernizações e inovações tecnológicas, destaca-se a agricultura de precisão a taxa variável de fertilizantes (ATV). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os impactos da adoção da ATV, no ponto de vista da eficiência técnica e econômica, na cultura da soja no estado do Rio Grande do Sul-RS. Com esta finalidade, foram coletados dados por meio do envio de questionário para produtores rurais e atores-chave da agricultura de precisão (AP). A análise descritiva dos dados permitiu caracterizar a adoção da ATV na cultura da soja, bem como, descrever a perspectiva da adoção da ATV pelos produtores rurais e atores chave. A partir dos dados adquiridos pelos entrevistados, verificou-se um aumento no uso da ATV e na área destinada para soja no RS. O tempo médio de adoção é de 3,54 safras. Aproximadamente 45% dos adotantes apresentam o ensino médio completo, tendo em média 40 anos de idade. Além da ATV, as ferramentas mais adotadas são a amostragem de solo (92,60%) e a barra de luz (66,70%). Tanto os produtores rurais, quanto os atores-chave, destacam a falta de mão de obra qualificada e a falta de informação/conhecimento sobre a ferramenta de AP, como limitantes para o crescimento da tecnologia no Brasil. Já em relação aos benefícios, as informações compartilhadas foram: o uso racional de insumos, o aumento produtivo e a facilidade na tomada de decisão pelo uso da informação. Aproximadamente 82% dos produtores obtiveram redução no uso de fertilizantes com a adoção da ATV. Com o aumento no número de safras adotando a tecnologia, reduziu-se o uso de fertilizantes, o custo ha-1 e aumentou a produtividade nas lavouras de soja. A produção de soja estimulada com a adoção da ATV é 13,88% superior ao sistema de AC. / Brazil is a major producer of food. The current scenario of Brazilian agriculture points to a production of efficient food with less environmental impact, and the modernization and technological innovation of production proceeding have important role in this process. Among the upgrades and technological innovations, precision agriculture supported in variable rate fertilizer (ATV) deserves mention. The objective of this study was to analyze the impacts of the ATV, in view of the technical and economic efficiency in soybeans in Rio Grande do Sul - Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Brazil. To this end, data were collected through questionnaires sent to farmers and key actors of precision agriculture (PA). The descriptive analysis of the data allowed to characterize the adoption of ATV in soybeans as well, describing the prospect of the adoption of ATV by farmers and key stakeholders. From the data acquired by the interviewees, there was an increase in the use of ATV and the area intended for soybeans in RS. The average time of adoption is 3.54 crops. Approximately 45% of adopters have completed high school, averaging 40 years of age. In addition to the ATV, the most adopted tools are the soil sampling (92.60%) and light bar (66.70%). Both farmers, as key actors, highlight the lack of skilled labor and the lack of information/knowledge about the PA tool such as limiting to the growth of technology in Brazil. In relation to the benefits, the shared information were: the rational use of inputs, the production increased and the ease in decision making through the use of information. Around 82% of producers have obtained reduction in the use of fertilizers with the adoption of the ATV. With the increase in harvests adopting the technology, the use of fertilizers and the cost per hectare were reduced, and increased productivity in soybean crops. Soybean production stimulated by adopting the ATV is 13.88% higher than in conventional farming system (AC).

O Brasil é um grande produtor de alimentos. O cenário atual da agricultura brasileira aponta para uma produção de alimentos eficiente com o menor impacto ambiental, tendo a modernização e a inovação tecnológica dos processos produtivos papéis importantes neste processo. Dentre as modernizações e inovações tecnológicas, destaca-se a agricultura de precisão a taxa variável de fertilizantes (ATV). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os impactos da adoção da ATV, no ponto de vista da eficiência técnica e econômica, na cultura da soja no estado do Rio Grande do Sul-RS. Com esta finalidade, foram coletados dados por meio do envio de questionário para produtores rurais e atores-chave da agricultura de precisão (AP). A análise descritiva dos dados permitiu caracterizar a adoção da ATV na cultura da soja, bem como, descrever a perspectiva da adoção da ATV pelos produtores rurais e atores chave. A partir dos dados adquiridos pelos entrevistados, verificou-se um aumento no uso da ATV e na área destinada para soja no RS. O tempo médio de adoção é de 3,54 safras. Aproximadamente 45% dos adotantes apresentam o ensino médio completo, tendo em média 40 anos de idade. Além da ATV, as ferramentas mais adotadas são a amostragem de solo (92,60%) e a barra de luz (66,70%). Tanto os produtores rurais, quanto os atores-chave, destacam a falta de mão de obra qualificada e a falta de informação/conhecimento sobre a ferramenta de AP, como limitantes para o crescimento da tecnologia no Brasil. Já em relação aos benefícios, as informações compartilhadas foram: o uso racional de insumos, o aumento produtivo e a facilidade na tomada de decisão pelo uso da informação. Aproximadamente 82% dos produtores obtiveram redução no uso de fertilizantes com a adoção da ATV. Com o aumento no número de safras adotando a tecnologia, reduziu-se o uso de fertilizantes, o custo ha-1 e aumentou a produtividade nas lavouras de soja. A produção de soja estimulada com a adoção da ATV é 13,88% superior ao sistema de AC. / Brazil is a major producer of food. The current scenario of Brazilian agriculture points to a production of efficient food with less environmental impact, and the modernization and technological innovation of production proceeding have important role in this process. Among the upgrades and technological innovations, precision agriculture supported in variable rate fertilizer (ATV) deserves mention. The objective of this study was to analyze the impacts of the ATV, in view of the technical and economic efficiency in soybeans in Rio Grande do Sul - Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Brazil. To this end, data were collected through questionnaires sent to farmers and key actors of precision agriculture (PA). The descriptive analysis of the data allowed to characterize the adoption of ATV in soybeans as well, describing the prospect of the adoption of ATV by farmers and key stakeholders. From the data acquired by the interviewees, there was an increase in the use of ATV and the area intended for soybeans in RS. The average time of adoption is 3.54 crops. Approximately 45% of adopters have completed high school, averaging 40 years of age. In addition to the ATV, the most adopted tools are the soil sampling (92.60%) and light bar (66.70%). Both farmers, as key actors, highlight the lack of skilled labor and the lack of information/knowledge about the PA tool such as limiting to the growth of technology in Brazil. In relation to the benefits, the shared information were: the rational use of inputs, the production increased and the ease in decision making through the use of information. Around 82% of producers have obtained reduction in the use of fertilizers with the adoption of the ATV. With the increase in harvests adopting the technology, the use of fertilizers and the cost per hectare were reduced, and increased productivity in soybean crops. Soybean production stimulated by adopting the ATV is 13.88% higher than in conventional farming system (AC).