Search

This study explores the impact of ICT on unemployment and labour productivity. Using a time-varying modelling approach, quarterly US data from 1972 to 2020 estimate the relationships between unemployment and ICT capital investments. The results highlight that ICT capital investments reduce unemployment and increase labour productivity, showing no evidence supporting the Solow Paradox. The mechanisms behind the relationship between ICT and enhanced labour productivity are identified by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and include improved access to information and an improvement in the labour structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research postulates customers do not necessarily use loyalty cards to gain their rewards. Applying a logit regression on a sample of 1,500 households from the Understanding Society Innovation Panel, this investigation shows that insecure customers about their bank account cash flows are more likely to own a loyalty card. Checking their cash flows frequently acts as a framing effect; thus, Prospect theory will be explored here if it is relevant in the loyalty card context. Drawing from thirteen different loyalty cards and firms, this work verifies the aforementioned insight and whether loyalty card ownership is gender-sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work is to explore the role of the Covid-19 pandemic event in the course of inflation expectations and their volatility through US inflation swap rates. The findings document that inflation expectations and their volatility are positively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. These results have real activity implications, while close monitoring of inflation expectations could signal inflation expectations un-anchoring risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstruction of the interosseous membrane has the potential to re-establish a normal loading pattern through the forearm and enhance stability after an Essex-Lopresti lesion. The aim of our study was to assess the capacity of three different techniques, which all use a regionally harvested autograft, to restore longitudinal stability. Simulation of the Essex-Lopresti lesion was done by excising the radial head and sectioning the interosseous membrane in seven cadaveric specimens. Each technique was used in each specimen consecutively, using the pronator teres, the brachioradialis and the flexor carpi radialis tendons, respectively. The specimens were submitted to mechanical testing by applying proximally migratory forces to the radius and radioulnar displacement was assessed fluroscopically at wrist level. The pronator teres tendon achieved the greatest reduction (94% correction with respect to the intact interosseous membrane/radial head out state, followed by brachioradialis (92%) and flexor carpi radialis (85%). However, no statistically significant differences in displacement data or strength were detected between the techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]