This paper investigates the relation between changes in self-employment and changes in unemployment at the regional level in Spain in the period 1979-2001. We estimate a vector autoregression model as proposed by Audretsch, Carree, van Stel and Thurik (2005) using a data base for Spanish regions. By estimating the model we are able to empirically distinguish between two directions of causality....

Mass-specific oxygen consumption of euglossine bees during free hovering flight is inversely related to body mass, varying from 66mlO2g~h~ in a 1-0-g bee to 154mlO2g~ h~ in a O10-g bee. Individuals of Eulaema and Eufreisea spp. have smaller wings and higher wing stroke frequency and energy metabolism at any given mass than bees olEuglossa spp. or Exaerete frontalis. Calculated aerodynamic power...

Since its implementation in 1990 the human development index (HDI), the flagship indicator of multidimensional development, has attracted a great deal of attention and critics in academic, political and media circles. It initiated a new stage in the discussion of appropriate indicators to measure socioeconomic development. Until now, the vast majority of empirical work using the HDI-concept tak...

This paper examines the impact of a poverty alleviation program called the District Poverty Initiatives Project (DPIP), which is being implemented in the second largest state in India. DPIP is a World Bank project based on the community-driven development approach, wherein control of development decisions, resources and projects are given to the community groups. Funds are allocated to the vill...

In a recent paper in this journal, Bradshaw and colleagues analyse country statistics on flood characteristics, land cover and land cover change, and conclude that deforestation amplifies flood risk and severity in the developing world. The study addresses an important and long-standing question, but we identify important flaws. Principal among these are difficulties in interpreting country sta...

This study examines the determinants of information and communications technology (ICT) use and access of low-income people in three developing countries: Colombia, Mexico and Peru. We focus on cross-country differences and similarities in ICTs use across gender, age, education and income, using two composite indicators of ICT. The main similarity across the countries is that education is by fa...

Human Capital, Mortality and Fertility: A Unified Theory of the Economic and Demographic Transition This paper provides a unified theory of the economic and demographic transition. Individuals make optimal decisions about fertility, education of their children and the type and intensity of the investments in their own education. These decisions are affected by different dimensions of mortality ...

A rapid rise in women’s education levels, an increase in the age at marriage and an increase in the age at which they have their Þrst child are key features of demographic transition in any country. Education is considered to be an essential component in this process because increases in educational attainment are likely to signiÞcantly affect both age at marriage and the duration between marri...

This paper examines the effects of individual, household and community characteristics on two aspects of fertility among South African women – the age at first conception and the number of pregnancies. We find that education has a significant effect in pushing back the age at first conception and in reducing the number of pregnancies. There is a thresh-hold level of education that must be attai...

Using nationally representative household data from India, I estimate the effects of the world’s biggest and arguably most aggressive employment-based affirmative action policy for minorities on their labor market and children’s outcomes. In India, public sector jobs are set aside for scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs), the two principal disadvantaged minority groups in India. To...