Regional growth, structural change, and natural disaster

Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other serious natural hazards have been attributed with causing changes in regional economic growth, income, employment, and wealth. Natural disasters are said to cause; (1) an acceleration of existing economic trends; (2) an expansion of employment and income, due to recovery operations (the so-called silver lining); and (3) an alteration in the structure of regional economic activity due to changes in "intra" and "inter" regional trading patterns, and technological change.^ Theoretical and stylized disaster simulations (Cochrane 1975; Haas, Cochrane, and Kates 1977; Petak et al. 1982; Ellson et al. 1983, 1984; Boisvert 1992; Brookshire and McKee 1992) point towards a wide scope of possible negative and long lasting impacts upon economic activity and structure. This work examines the consequences of Hurricane Andrew on Dade County's economy. Following the work of Ellson et al. (1984), Guimaraes et al. (1993), and West and Lenze (1993; 1994), a regional econometric forecasting model (DCEFM) using a framework of "with" and "without" the hurricane is constructed and utilized to assess Hurricane Andrew's impact on the structure and level of economic activity in Dade County, Florida.^ The results of the simulation exercises show that the direct economic impact associated with Hurricane Andrew on Dade County is of short duration, and of isolated sectoral impact, with impact generally limited to construction, TCP (transportation, communications, and public utilities), and agricultural sectors. Regional growth, and changes in income and employment reacted directly to, and within the range and direction set by national economic activity. The simulations also lead to the conclusion that areal extent, infrastructure, and sector specific damages or impacts, as opposed to monetary losses, are the primary determinants of a disaster's effects upon employment, income, growth, and economic structure. ^

The advantage of Spanish multinational enterprises in Latin America

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) from Spain made large foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Latin America between 1990 and 2002, making Spain the second largest direct investor in this region since 1998, behind the United States. This dissertation explains the reasons that led Spanish firms to make these FDIs, as well as their operations in Latin America. Seven Spanish MNEs were included in this study, BBVA and SCH (banking), Telefónica (telecommunications), Endesa, Iberdrola and Unión Fenosa (public utilities), and Repsol-YPF (oil and natural gas). Quantitative and qualitative data were used. Data were collected from the firms' annual reports, from their archives and from personal interviews with senior executives, as well as from academic and specialized publications. ^ Results indicate that the large Spanish FDIs in Latin America were highly concentrated in a few firms from five sectors. The FDIs of these firms alone accounted for 70 percent of total Spanish FDI in Latin America in this period. The reasons for these investments were firm-specific and sector specific. A series of institutional conditions existed in Spain between the 1970s and the 1990s that allowed the employees of the firms to develop the knowledge and devise strategies to adjust to that set of conditions. First, the policies of the Spanish state favored the creation of large firms in these sectors, operating under conditions of monopoly sometimes. Secondly, the consumers put pressure on the firms to provide better and cheaper products as the Spanish economy grew and modernized. Thirdly, the employees of the firms had to adjust their services and products to the demands of the consumers and to the constraints of the state and the market. They adjusted the internal organization of the firm to be able to produce the goods and services that the market demanded. Externally, they also adopted patterns of interaction with outside agents and institutions. This patterned behavior was the “corporate culture” of each firm and the “normative framework” in which their employees operated. When the managers of the firms perceived that there were similar conditions in Latin America, they decided to operate there as well by making FDIs. ^

A comparative analysis of corporate finance in the United States and Japan from 1880 to 1930

This study explained the diversity of corporate financial practices in two nations. Existing studies have emphasized the reliance on equity finance in U.S. firms and bank loans in Japanese firms. In fact, patterns of corporate finance were much more complex. Financial institutions, which were created by national economic policy and regulation, affected corporate financial practices, but corporate financial practices often differed from what policymakers expected. Differences in corporate financial practices between nations also reflected differences in the mixture of industries in each nation. Many factors such as the amount of fixed capital, the process of production, the level of risk, the degree of innovation, and the importance of the industry in the national economy affected corporate financial practices. In addition, corporate financial practices within each nation differed from firm to firm due to managers’ considerations about stock ownership, which would affect their control power; corporate finance was closely related to control over management through ownership. To explain these complexities of corporate financial practices, the study linked corporate finance with the development of financial institutions in the United States and in Japan. While financial institutions affected corporate financial practices, the response of the firms to financial institutions and opportunities were diverse. The study also attempted to grasp variations in corporate financial practices by dealing with companies in three sectors: railroads, public utilities, and manufacturing. Finally, the study examined the structure of firm ownership. Contradictory to the widely held belief that U.S. firms distributed securities more widely to the public than did Japanese firms, many large American firms remained closely held, while some Japanese counterparts built publicly-held corporations.

A Comparative Analysis of Corporate Finance in the United States and Japan From 1880 to 1930

This study explained the diversity of corporate financial practices in two nations. Existing studies have emphasized the reliance on equity finance in U.S. firms and bank loans in Japanese firms. In fact, patterns of corporate finance were much more complex. Financial institutions, which were created by national economic policy and regulation, affected corporate financial practices, but corporate financial practices often differed from what policymakers expected. Differences in corporate financial practices between nations also reflected differences in the mixture of industries in each nation. Many factors such as the amount of fixed capital, the process of production, the level of risk, the degree of innovation, and the importance of the industry in the national economy affected corporate financial practices. In addition, corporate financial practices within each nation differed from firm to firm due to managers’ considerations about stock ownership, which would affect their control power; corporate finance was closely related to control over management through ownership. To explain these complexities of corporate financial practices, the study linked corporate finance with the development of financial institutions in the United States and in Japan. While financial institutions affected corporate financial practices, the response of the firms to financial institutions and opportunities were diverse. The study also attempted to grasp variations in corporate financial practices by dealing with companies in three sectors: railroads, public utilities, and manufacturing. Finally, the study examined the structure of firm ownership. Contradictory to the widely held belief that U.S. firms distributed securities more widely to the public than did Japanese firms, many large American firms remained closely held, while some Japanese counterparts built publicly-held corporations.

Can Permaculture Design Save the World?

This project will create a blueprint for an eco-settlement in the South Florida area that will house a total of ten people on a five acre plot of land. Using a combination of permaculture design principles and simple tech solutions, this settlement will be capable of supporting its inhabitants “off the grid”, or with no reliance on outside public utilities. More specifically, the settlement will be capable of supporting its inhabitants by producing a minimum of 80% of its resources on site using only all natural farming techniques, proper water management, companion planting and various other techniques. Instead of using modern agricultural practices that damage the land in the long term, all of the principles that will be used in this design will allow the land to heal over time while still producing most of what is needed for any inhabitants. This project is significant because all of the principles used are time-tested and capable of adapting to any type of environment. The principles used do not have a steep learning curve. In fact, anyone ranging from a kindergartener to a 90-year-old will be able to learn and teach the required skill sets in as little as one week. By contrast, in order to fully utilize GMO crops, first a scientist must spend a minimum of eight years getting degrees in various fields of study to even reach a textbook understanding of the exact science. In addition, several years must be spent in sterile lab environments to see the results of complex experiments that may not even be used, thus wasting time, money, and resources. I am certain that this will be successful because similar goals have already been reached by people around the world without access to modern utilities. The only major difference is that my approach will be documented scientifically, and show that not only is this way of life healthy, but also easy and practical. Because of this, my project will bring permaculture design into the spotlight, and will hopefully see widespread adoption. This will result in cities designed with the intent to live with nature instead of conquering it, and will hopefully aid the earth in healing for future generations.

Annual report

This annual report contains financial information about the Commission.

Presidents Park, Reservation no. 1 : [Washington D.C.].

Shows buildings plantings, drives, telephone and electric light cables, water pipes, hydrants, etc.

Análisis del impacto de ampliar la cobertura de la oferta de energía prepago en Antioquia

El presente documento muestra un análisis sobre las decisiones, ventajas y desventajas asociadas con la ampliación de la cobertura de la oferta de energía prepago que tiene el Grupo EPM -- Todo esto evidenciado desde un punto de vista financiero y social que permitan conocer en detalle las implicaciones de esta decisión -- El Grupo EPM tiene en su propósito, la construcción de territorios sostenibles en todos los lugares donde tenga presencia -- Antioquia representa su mercado natural de origen, donde tiene el mayor porcentaje de usuarios y en sus objetivos siempre ha estado presente realizar intervenciones que permitan mejorar las condiciones de vida a través de soluciones de acceso y comprabilidad -- El Grupo siempre está en una constante búsqueda de generar valor agregado a los usuarios y desarrollar ofertas que permitan el disfrute de los servicios públicos domiciliarios, entendiendo las diferentes realidades y circunstancias que se viven en los territorios -- Una de las alternativas más exitosas desarrolladas por la empresa y en la cual ha sido líder en el mercado, es el esquema de energía prepago implementado desde el 2006 -- La energía prepago fue estructurada como una oferta que generaría beneficio para el Grupo representado en unos menores costos en los servicios de reconexión, suspensiones, cortes y unas mejoras en los índices de recaudo, para los usuarios les daba un mayor control sobre sus consumos y poder tener una forma de pago que se ajustara a la forma como reciben los ingresos -- La iniciativa ha dejado unos resultados positivos, sin embargo en las diferentes investigaciones y encuestas de satisfacción se identifica una oportunidad de mejora, debido a que algunos usuarios manifestaban el deseo y necesidad de hacer parte de esta oferta pero se les negaba el acceso debido a que no cumplían con las condiciones de entrada, razón por la cual se decidió realizar un análisis de estas condiciones de entrada y revisar la posibilidad de implementar algunos cambios -- El objetivo de esta investigación será hacer un análisis de la oferta de energía prepago actual de EPM para inferir algunos impactos económicos, sociales y regulatorios que tendría para el Grupo aumentar la cobertura de su mercado objetivo, contribuyendo así a mejorar la situación de comprabilidad de las comunidades vulnerables del Departamento de Antioquia -- Para ello se realiza un análisis de factibilidad de ampliar el esquema de energía prepago a partir de un modelo financiero y los resultados de talleres e investigaciones de percepción de los usuarios atendidos bajo esta modalidad

PowerSource

Santee Cooper publishes PowerSource, a corporate quarterly magazine that profiles the many ways Santee Cooper and employees work to full the mission of improving the quality of life for South Carolinians.

PowerSource

Santee Cooper publishes PowerSource, a corporate quarterly magazine that profiles the many ways Santee Cooper and employees work to full the mission of improving the quality of life for South Carolinians.

PowerSource

Santee Cooper publishes PowerSource, a corporate quarterly magazine that profiles the many ways Santee Cooper and employees work to full the mission of improving the quality of life for South Carolinians.

PowerSource

Santee Cooper publishes PowerSource, a corporate quarterly magazine that profiles the many ways Santee Cooper and employees work to full the mission of improving the quality of life for South Carolinians.

PowerSource

Santee Cooper publishes PowerSource, a corporate quarterly magazine that profiles the many ways Santee Cooper and employees work to full the mission of improving the quality of life for South Carolinians.

PowerSource

Santee Cooper publishes PowerSource, a corporate quarterly magazine that profiles the many ways Santee Cooper and employees work to full the mission of improving the quality of life for South Carolinians.