Altruism, equity and reciprocity in a gift-exchange experiment: An encompassing approach

Considerable experimental evidence suggests that non-pecuniary motivesmust be addressed when modeling behavior in economic contexts. Recentmodels of non-pecuniary motives can be classified as either altruism-based, equity-based, or reciprocity-based. We estimate and compareleading approaches in these categories, using experimental data. Wethen offer a flexible approach that nests the above three approaches,thereby allowing for nested hypothesis testing and for determiningthe relative strength of each of the competing theories. In addition,the encompassing approach provides a functional form for utility in different settings without the restrictive nature of the approaches nested within it. Using this flexible form for nested tests, we findthat intentional reciprocity, distributive concerns, and altruisticconsiderations all play a significant role in players' decisions.

Omistajajäsenten palkitseminen hybridiorganisaatio OP-Pohjola-ryhmässä

Tässä tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin omistajajäsenten palkitsemista hybridiorganisaatio OP-Pohjola-ryhmässä. Tutkielman tavoitteena oli kuvata ja ymmärtää omistajajäsenten palkitsemista, kuvata, millaisia vaikutuksia hybridiorganisaatiolla on asiakasomisteisessa osuustoiminnassa sekä ymmärtää, millaisia ristiriitoja tai haasteita hybridiorganisaatiossa esiintyy. Tutkimus on laadullinen tutkimus, jonka tutkimusmenetelmänä käytettiin teemahaastatteluja. Tutkimusaineisto kerättiin tekemällä yhdeksän haastattelua. Tutkimusta varten haastateltiin kolmea osuustoiminnan asiantuntijaa sekä kuutta tutkimuskohteen liikkeenjohtajaa. Tutkimuksen perusteella voitiin osoittaa, että hybridimalli aiheuttaa erilaisia paineita ja ristiriitoja, mutta edistää sekä osuuspankkien perustehtävää että omistajajäsenten etua. Mallilla on yhteys myös omistajajäsenten pal-kitsemiseen. Palkitsemisessa keskeisimpiä ovat rahanarvoiset edut. Palkitsemista voidaan edelleen kehittää mm. ryhmärakennetta kehittämällä.

La monnaie en droit : nature d'une abstraction outre fondée : essai dialectique et logique sur la dualité dans la catégoricité juridique et sur l'abstraction d'hérédité monétaire

"Thèse présentée à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l'obtention du grade de Docteur en droit (LL.D.)"

La négociation mixte : observation de la négociation d’une convention collective

Dans le domaine des relations industrielles, on a vu apparaître, ces dernières années, différents changements au niveau des relations du travail, notamment en matière de négociation collective. En effet, de nouvelles formes de négociation ont vu le jour en réponse aux changements qui se sont produits sur le marché du travail. De façon plus précise, les théoriciens se sont penchés, d’une part, sur des méthodes de négociation moins conflictuelles et les acteurs concernés par la négociation collective ont su les mettre en pratique, d’autre part. Cependant, bien que certains aient tenté de substituer ces méthodes plus coopératives à la négociation traditionnelle de façon intégrale, les théoriciens et praticiens se sont aperçus qu’il était plutôt difficile de les adopter à l’état pur et ce, de façon alternative à la négociation traditionnelle. Afin d’optimiser les gains mutuels lors de la négociation d’une entente, les négociateurs vont plutôt opter pour un usage combiné des méthodes plus traditionnelles et des nouvelles formes dites plus coopératives; on parle alors de négociation mixte. Toutefois, peu d’études portant sur la négociation mixte ont été conduites. Nous croyons néanmoins que cette forme de négociation est plus appropriée, notamment en raison de la nature des enjeux traités à l’occasion d’une négociation collective. S’insérant dans ce contexte, l’objet de notre recherche est donc l’étude, par l’entremise d’un cas particulier, de la négociation mixte. De façon plus précise, nous cherchons à évaluer la méthode de négociation adoptée lors de la négociation collective ayant eu lieu entre le Centre de la petite enfance Pomme Soleil (CPE) et le Syndicat des intervenantes en petite enfance de Montréal (SIPEM) – CSQ en 2005. Afin d’y parvenir, nous avons vérifié les propositions et hypothèses suivantes : (1) la nature du climat des négociations précédentes a une influence sur la méthode de négociation de type mixte adoptée par les parties au cours de la négociation de la convention collective, (2) la nature du climat des relations industrielles a une influence sur la méthode de négociation de type mixte adoptée par les parties au cours de la négociation de la convention collective, (3) le passage du temps a un effet de transition sur la méthode de négociation de type mixte qui manifeste une dominante intégrative dans les étapes initiales de la négociation et une dominante distributive dans les étapes finales, (4) les négociateurs ayant reçu une formation à la négociation basée sur la résolution de problèmes ou basée sur les intérêts adoptent une méthode de négociation de type mixte à dominante intégrative, (5) l’expérience des négociateurs patronal et syndical a une influence sur la méthode de négociation de type mixte adoptée par les parties au cours de la négociation de la convention collective, (6) la stratégie de négociation initiale adoptée par les parties a une influence sur la méthode de négociation de type mixte au cours de la négociation de la convention collective et (7) la négociation des clauses à incidence pécuniaire donne lieu à une méthode de négociation de type mixte à dominante distributive. Grâce aux résultats que nous avons recueillis par l’entremise de l’observation de la négociation collective entre le CPE Pomme Soleil et le SIPEM, mais principalement par le biais des entrevues, nous sommes en mesure d’affirmer que, conformément à notre question de recherche, la négociation fut mixte, à dominante intégrative. Cependant, la question salariale, bien qu’elle ne fut pas abordée à la table de négociation mais avec le gouvernement provincial, prit une tangente distributive. En ce sens, nous pouvons dire que la négociation fut mixte et ce, de façon séquentielle.

Cumplimiento de fallos de acciones populares en materia ambiental específicamente en aguas

En esta tesis se investigó lo relativo al cumplimiento de los fallos dictados en primera instancia por los tribunales administrativos y en segunda instancia por el Consejo de Estado de las acciones populares en materia de aguas, desde el año 1998 hasta el año 2007 aproximadamente de acuerdo con la disponibilidad de los expedientes que reposan en la entidad encargada legalmente de llevar el registro de dichas acciones. Dentro de la investigación se encontró que del porcentaje total de las acciones presentadas, únicamente el 22% es favorable en las dos instancias para los actores y de ese porcentaje se desprendieron los demás ítems analizados, tales como: seguimiento, forma de cumplimiento, tiempo de cumplimiento entre otros. Así mismo se estudiaron los aspectos relevantes del derecho humano al agua y su incidencia en las políticas públicas actuales. Finalmente se presentan unas conclusiones enfocadas al cumplimiento de las acciones populares en materia de aguas y al seguimiento que deben hacer los actores de las mismas, con el fin de que se retome el carácter esencial de éstas y no sean acciones netamente pecuniarias.

Alternatives to Reparations in International Investment Arbitration– A Debate Between Theory and Practice

An analysis of the alternatives of compensation in relation to international investment disputes is relevant, because a pecuniary award is not always the appropriate remedy to solve disputes arising between investors and States. This is the case because States may be increasingly interested in opting for a different type of compensation. Furthermore, it is still not clear whether arbitral tribunals have recognised alternative types of awarding damages in respect of international investments disputes. This analysis comprises two principal components, the first, is to identify whether or not the tribunals may render an award that not only demands the payment of a sum of money but also considers some other means of compensation. The second, centres on how compliance with these non-pecuniary awards may be demanded. Our approach to these two principal components will always revolve around the idea of respecting the sovereignty of the State, bearing in mind that the execution of an arbitral award, which obliges the State to refrain from or to perform an act in its territory, relies precisely on the sovereignty of the State to execute it. 

Do Colombian students underestimate higher education returns?

We analyze the determinants of subjective returns of higher education in Colombia. The information on expectations has been collected in categories, motivating the use of interval regression and an ordered probit approaches for modeling the relationship between beliefs and measures of ability, conditioning on individual, school and regional covariates. The results suggest that there are considerable differences in the size of the expected returns according to some population groups and a strong dominance of college against technical education. Gender gaps disappear in college education but it is found that girls tend to believe that professional wages are more concentrated into higher income categories than boys. Finally, it seems that Colombian students overestimate the pecuniary returns to education.

Um estudo de caso sobre as empresas de factoring no estado do Espírito Santo

Analisa as atividades das empresas operadoras de Factoring e descreve resumidamente o surgimento deste segmento paralelo, suas atividades e suas principais características no âmbito operacional, econômico, legal e fisco-tributário. Relata que o desenvolvimento dessas atividades ocorre num contexto de mudanças na dinâmica e na estrutura do Sistema Financeiro, de forma semelhante ao que se verifica em termos internacionais, ao promover alterações na forma tradicional de atuação dos bancos no Brasil a partir do período pós-Real. Busca justificar a assertiva de que o advento das empresas operadoras de Factoring foi essencial para o desenvolvimento de pequenas empresas e, finalmente, apura se o programa de reestruturação do sistema financeiro repercutiu nas atividades de Factoring. Inclui um estudo de caso envolvendo empresas locais de fomento mercantil (no estado do Espírito Santo) com o objetivo principal de constatar se dentre estas existem instituições "camufladas", quais sejam, aquelas que visam somente operações pecuniárias, assim evidenciando a prática da "agiotagem empresarial".

Awarding damages or demanding performance? a performance-oriented approach for international investment law

This paper examines two different approaches to judicial protection of entitlements in international economic law. One of them, ‘performance-oriented’, is applied by WTO adjudicators. Performance-oriented remedies focus on inducing wrongdoers to resume compliance with the underlying substantive rules. The other, ‘reparation-oriented’, is applied overwhelmingly in international investment law. Reparation-oriented remedies aim at offsetting the injury caused to private parties by the wrongful conduct. This paper discusses the utility of performance-oriented remedies within WTO law, and assesses the possibilities for otherwise reparation-oriented investment tribunals to have recourse to these remedies. It examines a number of decisions that, it is argued, favor performance over pecuniary compensation. From the viewpoint of the state found in breach, compensation then appears as a threatened sanction for non-compliance with the performance obligations determined.

Industrial policy, comparative advantages and growth

Includes bibliography

Caso Ximenes Lopes vs. Brasil: responsabilidade do Estado e Ordem Jurídica Internacional

A violação dos direitos humanos das pessoas que sofrem de transtornos mentais foi reconhecida diante da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos. O caso Ximenes Lopes Vs Brasil revelou de que forma o Estado, que deveria ser maior guardião dos direitos deste grupo, reiteradamente mantinha práticas de isolamento, maus-tratos em hospitais psiquiátricos que não condiziam com o respeito à sua dignidade humana. As condições em que ocorreu a morte de “Damião Ximenes Lopes” revelaram também a ocorrência de atos desumanos e degradantes que vinham sendo praticados indevidamente em nosso país. A Corte Interamericana além de determinar o pagamento de indenização pecuniária requereu prontamente que o Estado brasileiro garantisse que novas violações como esta não se repetissem mais.O Governo Federal, em decorrência destas premissas estruturou um processo de desinstitucionalização da assistência psiquiátrica que trouxe avanços significativos porém ainda não representaram as necessidades reais dos que dela necessitam. A avaliação destes programas nos remete à discussão fundamental de como o Sistema Interamericano de Direitos Humanos pode supervisionar estas medidas de não-repetição contribuindo para um novo olhar sobre as pessoas possuidoras de transtorno mental.

Essays in Behavioral Personnel Economics

The thesis contemplates 4 papers and its main goal is to provide evidence on the prominent impact that behavioral analysis can play into the personnel economics domain.The research tool prevalently used in the thesis is the experimental analysis.The first paper provide laboratory evidence on how the standard screening model–based on the assumption that the pecuniary dimension represents the main workers’choice variable–fails when intrinsic motivation is introduced into the analysis.The second paper explores workers’ behavioral reactions when dealing with supervisors that may incur in errors in the assessment of their job performance.In particular,deserving agents that have exerted high effort may not be rewarded(Type-I errors)and undeserving agents that have exerted low effort may be rewarded(Type-II errors).Although a standard neoclassical model predicts both errors to be equally detrimental for effort provision,this prediction fails when tested through a laboratory experiment.Findings from this study suggest how failing to reward deserving agents is significantly more detrimental than rewarding undeserving agents.The third paper investigates the performance of two antithetic non-monetary incentive schemes on schooling achievement.The study is conducted through a field experiment.Students randomized to the main treatments have been incentivized to cooperate or to compete in order to earn additional exam points.Consistently with the theoretical model proposed in the paper,the level of effort in the competitive scheme proved to be higher than in the cooperative setting.Interestingly however,this result is characterized by a strong gender effect.The fourth paper exploits a natural experiment setting generated by the credit crunch occurred in the UK in the2007.The economic turmoil has negatively influenced the private sector,while public sector employees have not been directly hit by the crisis.This shock–through the rise of the unemployment rate and the increasing labor market uncertainty–has generated an exogenous variation in the opportunity cost of maternity leave in private sector labor force.This paper identifies the different responses.

Assessing the Relevance of Anomie Theory for Explaining Spatial Variation in Lethal Criminal Violence: An Aggregate-Level Analysis of Homicide within the United States

One of the most influential statements in the anomie theory tradition has been Merton’s argument that the volume of instrumental property crime should be higher where there is a greater imbalance between the degree of commitment to monetary success goals and the degree of commitment to legitimate means of pursing such goals. Contemporary anomie theories stimulated by Merton’s perspective, most notably Messner and Rosenfeld’s institutional anomie theory, have expanded the scope conditions by emphasizing lethal criminal violence as an outcome to which anomie theory is highly relevant, and virtually all contemporary empirical studies have focused on applying the perspective to explaining spatial variation in homicide rates. In the present paper, we argue that current explications of Merton’s theory and IAT have not adequately conveyed the relevance of the core features of the anomie perspective to lethal violence. We propose an expanded anomie model in which an unbalanced pecuniary value system – the core causal variable in Merton’s theory and IAT – translates into higher levels of homicide primarily in indirect ways by increasing levels of firearm prevalence, drug market activity, and property crime, and by enhancing the degree to which these factors stimulate lethal outcomes. Using aggregate-level data collected during the mid-to-late 1970s for a sample of relatively large social aggregates within the U.S., we find a significant effect on homicide rates of an interaction term reflecting high levels of commitment to monetary success goals and low levels of commitment to legitimate means. Virtually all of this effect is accounted for by higher levels of property crime and drug market activity that occur in areas with an unbalanced pecuniary value system. Our analysis also reveals that property crime is more apt to lead to homicide under conditions of high levels of structural disadvantage. These and other findings underscore the potential value of elaborating the anomie perspective to explicitly account for lethal violence.

Star scientists and institutional transformation: Patterns of invention and innovation in the formation of the biotechnology industry

The most productive (“star”) bioscientists had intellectual human capital of extraordinary scientific and pecuniary value for some 10–15 years after Cohen and Boyer’s 1973 founding discovery for biotechnology [Cohen, S., Chang, A., Boyer, H. & Helling, R. (1973) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 70, 3240–3244]. This extraordinary value was due to the union of still scarce knowledge of the new research techniques and genius and vision to apply them in novel, valuable ways. As in other sciences, star bioscientists were very protective of their techniques, ideas, and discoveries in the early years of the revolution, tending to collaborate more within their own institution, which slowed diffusion to other scientists. Close, bench-level working ties between stars and firm scientists were needed to accomplish commercialization of the breakthroughs. Where and when star scientists were actively producing publications is a key predictor of where and when commercial firms began to use biotechnology. The extent of collaboration by a firm’s scientists with stars is a powerful predictor of its success: for an average firm, 5 articles coauthored by an academic star and the firm’s scientists result in about 5 more products in development, 3.5 more products on the market, and 860 more employees. Articles by stars collaborating with or employed by firms have significantly higher rates of citation than other articles by the same or other stars. The U.S. scientific and economic infrastructure has been particularly effective in fostering and commercializing the bioscientific revolution. These results let us see the process by which scientific breakthroughs become economic growth and consider implications for policy.

The Pursuit of Balanced Income An Economic Perspective on Wealth

The purpose of this thesis is to determine if households with moderate incomes have the opportunity to acquire pecuniary wealth. In an environment of increasing globalization, labor-eliminating technology, and an overburdened entitlement system, the position of wealth is necessary for households with a penchant for early retirement and particularly for those that will inevitably succumb to involuntary retirement. In these writings, qualitative and quantitative descriptions of wealth are offered; two microeconomic metrics are introduced to identify baseline wealth and to gauge proximity to this value; and strategies are devised to close the gap between these metrics. The construct of the economic intertemporal household budget was used as the basis for this research whereby conventional measures of wealth, i.e. net worth and liquid net worth, have been coupled with historical and empirical household data to define and extrapolate wealth and wealth proximity metrics. The major finding is wealth is a dynamic variable contingent upon consumption level rather than income or saving levels. And because households exercise a greater degree of autonomy over consumption, moderate earners are afforded the same opportunities as high earners. The position of wealth is necessary because it sustains consumption in the event of an unwelcomed retirement and it can assuage reliance on entitlement programs. For the majority of households, wealth is a matter of choice.