States, demographics and competitiveness of America's best universities
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the US News and World Report's competitive ratings of US universities with various state level demographic variables using cross‐sectional data.Design/methodology/approach – Secondary data for the study were collected from the US News and World Report, Demographics USA, other US statistical sources. Regression and correlation analysis determined the relationships.Findings – Findings indicate that the competitive rating of the US News and World Report universities can be explained by the Buying Power Index (BPI) of the state in which the university is located, per capita federal transfer payments in education, and proportion of out‐of‐state students. International students and ethnic enrollment also show some relationship with competitive rating. Diversity adds to competitiveness. The ratings of the universities are related to the BPI of the state and per capita federal transfer, both of which are uncontrollable variables for th...
Consumer Buying Power Index Development in Indian Retail Sector
This research work aims at proposing an instrument for measuring buying power of Indian retail consumers known as Buying Power Index (BPI). Literature reviewing is being done followed by secondary data collection from authenticated sources (like National sample survey organization (NSSO) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India; Population census of India etc.). Outcome of the research shows that across 35 states of India, Maharashtra has the highest buying power followed by Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat etc. On an average, large buying power is seen in large population states with high income & expenditure levels. BPI helps organizations in measuring the relative buying potential of a particular region and allows comparison among different regions. It also helps planning commission of government of India in planning and policy making. Consumers of different segments will be benefitted through the tailor made products and services offerings from the retailers operating in their respective segments. This will ultimately lead to a win-win situation for customer-retailer dyad.
Earnings differentials among Mexican American Black and White male workers.
Using data from the 1981 Current Population Survey this article examines the earnings differentials among Mexican American black and white male workers to: 1) identify the extent of earnings differences between minorities and whites; 2) document the earnings differences between minorities themselves; and 3) determine the impact of structural items human capital and discrimation on these earnings differentials. Marital status hours worked per year and occupational status are the control items used in this analysis; industry of employment sector of employment region of residence and metropolitan/nonmetropolitan residence are used to measure structural and geographical components of the labor market. Blacks earn slightly less than Mexican Americans despite having completed more years of schooling and having more job experience though both groups earn far less than whites. Even if blacks had returns to education occupation experience and other variables in the model equal to those of whites they would still be discriminated against by about $1399. Industry sector of employment region and metropolitan residence all measures of the labor market structure emerge as important determinants of earnings and of earnings differentials. Overall significant human capital and structural differences in earnings exist among blacks Mexican Americans and whites; discrimination accounts for 24% of the white-black gap and 19% of the white-Mexican American gap.