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- Title
- CHANGING TRADITIONS: EXAMINING THE FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY OF BIDDING TO HOST THE OLYMPIC GAMES OVER TIME.
- Creator
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Dickens, Jessie R, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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In September 2017, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that, for the first time in its history, it would award the hosting of two different Olympic Games at the same time, giving the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympic Games to Paris and Los Angeles respectively. As a result, the question is raised as to why the IOC broke tradition in its host city selection process. The break of tradition is presumably due to a lack of candidates to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. With prior host...
Show moreIn September 2017, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that, for the first time in its history, it would award the hosting of two different Olympic Games at the same time, giving the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympic Games to Paris and Los Angeles respectively. As a result, the question is raised as to why the IOC broke tradition in its host city selection process. The break of tradition is presumably due to a lack of candidates to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. With prior host cities reporting astronomical costs and high debt balances associated with hosting, many cities have retracted their bids or have refused to submit candidature bids altogether. The Olympics are one of the largest, most economically impactful mega-events in modern culture. While hosting does provide a nation with the opportunity to show off its infrastructure and culture before millions of people worldwide, the costs to host the event have steadily risen as the Olympics have become a larger and larger spectacle. This study uses a logistic regression model to determine the relative factors that determine a city's willingness to bid and uses the results to draw conclusions as to why the willingness to host has fluctuated across time. The results show a definite change in the probabilities of a potential city bidding to host the Olympic Games across time and also provide insight into the factors that determine these changes in probabilities. By determining these conclusions, this study hopes to provide insight into ways that hosting the Olympics can become accessible to all prospective host cities so that there is increased competition in the host city selection process.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000293, ucf:45727
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000293
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF AN INCREASING FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE ON FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND JOB AUTOMATION LEVELS.
- Creator
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Krayeski, Kiana, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The industrial revolution was the start of increasing technological advancements that are continuing to grow today. Technology improves accuracy, efficiency and is more productive in comparison to human labor as it does not require breaks and cannot violate any labor laws. With many innovations available today, firms have more options to choose from and can select the relatively cheaper solution. The push for a fifteen-dollar minimum wage affects the firm's options, and the use of technology...
Show moreThe industrial revolution was the start of increasing technological advancements that are continuing to grow today. Technology improves accuracy, efficiency and is more productive in comparison to human labor as it does not require breaks and cannot violate any labor laws. With many innovations available today, firms have more options to choose from and can select the relatively cheaper solution. The push for a fifteen-dollar minimum wage affects the firm's options, and the use of technology might increasingly become the more viable choice. This study took data from the years 1993 to 2016 and created two regressions using the unemployment rate and job automation rate as the dependent variables. The independent variables looked at were the year, the population growth rate, the minimum wage, inflation, the gross domestic product growth rate, and the consumer price index. After normality checks and transformations were done two regressions were run, and the models were studied to determine the effects. Both regressions were found to be valid with f-statistics lower than one percent. All the statistically significant variables were retained in the model, and the insignificant variables were omitted to reproduce the regression and check for accuracy. The models with the lower Akaike's information criterion and Bayesian information criterion values were kept and used as the final models. Overall the regressions found that the year and consumer price index had the most substantial effects on the unemployment rate, and the consumer price index had the strongest effect on the automation rate. Limitations on the study include the data available, a possible lag in the effect of the minimum wage, and the possible inaccuracy in using industrial robot installation as a measure for job automation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000424, ucf:45778
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000424
- Title
- CORRECTING MEDICAID ENROLLMENT UNDERREPORTING BY THE CURRENT POPULATION SURVEY: A STOCHASTIC FRONTIER ANALYSIS.
- Creator
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Champion, Brachel R, Hofler, Richard A., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The Current Population Survey (CPS) is the most widely cited source for estimates on Medicaid enrollment. However, previous literature has shown the CPS underreports enrollment by 30-40% in comparison to state-level records. The question then is how to correct the Medicaid enrollment gap brought on by the CPS. Gross adjustments for the discrepancy may be made, but only if the true amount of enrollees is known. In years when administrative records are delayed or incomplete this is not possible...
Show moreThe Current Population Survey (CPS) is the most widely cited source for estimates on Medicaid enrollment. However, previous literature has shown the CPS underreports enrollment by 30-40% in comparison to state-level records. The question then is how to correct the Medicaid enrollment gap brought on by the CPS. Gross adjustments for the discrepancy may be made, but only if the true amount of enrollees is known. In years when administrative records are delayed or incomplete this is not possible. To date, the methods for correcting underreporting require access to the state-level data which is usually infeasible or unpublishable due to privacy issues. Redesigning the CPS questionnaire itself might alleviate a good part of the undercount but doing so is well beyond the scope of most researchers. A better correction would rely only on the CPS count of Medicaid enrollees so as to avoid privacy concerns and time delays. We propose using stochastic frontier analysis to shrink the gap between the CPS count of Medicaid enrollees and the state records by adjusting the CPS counts to be closer to the state records.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000046, ucf:45548
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000046
- Title
- THE IMPACT OF OIL PRICE SURGES ON ECONOMIC GROWTH.
- Creator
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Restrepo, Valeria, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The objective of this research concerns identifying whether or not there is a relationship between oil price increases in a given quarter and the likelihood of a recession in the subsequent quarter. The data used is gathered from the St. Louis Fed Fred II, the National Bureau of Economic Research, and the Energy Information Administration to generate modified variables. These variables are tested using a qualitative dependent variable, recession, in a binary choice model. The findings...
Show moreThe objective of this research concerns identifying whether or not there is a relationship between oil price increases in a given quarter and the likelihood of a recession in the subsequent quarter. The data used is gathered from the St. Louis Fed Fred II, the National Bureau of Economic Research, and the Energy Information Administration to generate modified variables. These variables are tested using a qualitative dependent variable, recession, in a binary choice model. The findings validated the assumption that oil prices do have a correlation with recessions, and that the relationship is a direct one. Based on the model, an increase in the price of oil will positively affect the likelihood of a "recession" outcome versus the alternative, "no recession". It is anticipated that the results will inspire future research into the causes and effects of oil price surges, as well as the determinants of economic contractions in the future based on policy decisions and economic decision-making practices in the present.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004088, ucf:44804
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004088
- Title
- FEDERAL FUNDING AND THE RISE IN UNIVERSITY TUITION COSTS.
- Creator
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Kizzort, Megan, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Access to education is a central part of federal higher education policy, and federal grant and loan programs are in place to make college degrees more attainable for students. However, there is still controversy about whether there are unintended consequences of implementing and maintaining these programs, and whether they are effectively achieving the goal of increased accessibility. In order to answer questions about whether three specific types of federal aid cause higher tuition rates...
Show moreAccess to education is a central part of federal higher education policy, and federal grant and loan programs are in place to make college degrees more attainable for students. However, there is still controversy about whether there are unintended consequences of implementing and maintaining these programs, and whether they are effectively achieving the goal of increased accessibility. In order to answer questions about whether three specific types of federal aid cause higher tuition rates and whether these programs increase graduation rates, four ordinary least squares regression models were estimated. They include changes in both in-state and out-of-state tuition sticker prices, graduation rates, as well as changes in three types of federal aid, and other variables indicative of the value of a degree for four-year public universities in Arizona, California, Georgia, and Florida for years 2001-2011. The regressions indicate a positive effect of Pell Grants on in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees, a positive effect of disbursed subsidized federal loans on the change in number of degrees awarded, and a positive effect of Pell Grants on graduation rates.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004522, ucf:45162
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004522
- Title
- Perceived social support and self-care in patients hospitalized with heart failure.
- Creator
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Chamberlain, Lyne, Sole, Mary Lou, Conner, Norma, Neff, Donna, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Problem: Heart failure is the most frequent cause for hospital readmissions in Medicare recipients, with an estimated annual cost of $12 billion. Heart failure hospitalizations are also an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Self-care, thought to be enhanced by perceived social support, is key to managing this syndrome, and up to 50% of readmissions are considered the result of inadequate self-care.Purpose: To evaluate perceived social support and self-care characteristics of...
Show moreProblem: Heart failure is the most frequent cause for hospital readmissions in Medicare recipients, with an estimated annual cost of $12 billion. Heart failure hospitalizations are also an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Self-care, thought to be enhanced by perceived social support, is key to managing this syndrome, and up to 50% of readmissions are considered the result of inadequate self-care.Purpose: To evaluate perceived social support and self-care characteristics of patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of heart failure, and to compare these characteristics with a study of ambulatory patients with heart failure. In addition, to assess the relationship between perceived social support and self-care.Methods: This was a multi-site descriptive comparative study. Following informed consent, participants were screened for sufficient cognition to consent. Patients were then administered the Medical Outcome Study-Social Support emotional/informational subscale, and the three Self-Care of Heart Failure Index subscales. Two-sample t tests and multiple regression were utilized to analyze the data. Results were compared with a sample of community-dwelling heart failure patients in another study.Results: Of 161 consented patients 121 passed the cognition screening and were included in the study. Average age was 71 years; gender and type of heart failure was evenly split. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Score was 7.43, and the mean six month number of hospitalizations was 2.43. Approximately 31% of participants were African American. Both perceived social support (t=-4.007, df=211, p(<).001) and self-care maintenance (t=-3.343, df=220, p(<).002) scores were lower in the hospitalized participants than the comparison group of community dwellers. Perceived social support was associated with self-care confidence (?=.210, t=-2.210, p(<).029), but not self-care maintenance or self-care management. Forty-six percent of participants scored higher than the 70% cut point for adequate self-care confidence, which was 1.4 times higher than in the community participants. Self-care confidence was also related to self-care maintenance (?=.388, t=4.676, p(<).001) and self-care management (?=.327, t=3.793, p(<).001).Conclusions: Results have implications for facilitating self-care knowledge and skills in heart failure patients. Patient education during hospitalization may not be the ideal timing to promote understanding and retention. Interventions to enhance self-care confidence may assist patients to develop self-care skills more than current teaching techniques. Because cognitive deficiencies were found in 25% of pre-screened participants for this study, further research is recommended to determine if hospitalized patients have transient cognitive issues or if cognitive impairments are more prevalent in all heart failure patients.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005933, ucf:50844
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005933
- Title
- Emergency Room Utilization Disparities among Older Adults Treated by Rural Health Clinics.
- Creator
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Bagwell, Matt, Wan, Thomas, Zhang, Ning, Ortiz, Judith, Hofler, Richard, Bushy, Angeline, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Examining the persistence of disparities over time is an important obligation in terms of rectifying, maintaining, and improving community health and social well-being for all. This study analyzed the individual factors of (a) race/ ethnicity and (b) dual eligibility, as a proxy measure of socioeconomic status, as well as the environmental factor of (c) place of residence, and the organizational factor of (d) Rural Health Clinic (RHC) type on emergency room (ER) utilization of older adult...
Show moreExamining the persistence of disparities over time is an important obligation in terms of rectifying, maintaining, and improving community health and social well-being for all. This study analyzed the individual factors of (a) race/ ethnicity and (b) dual eligibility, as a proxy measure of socioeconomic status, as well as the environmental factor of (c) place of residence, and the organizational factor of (d) Rural Health Clinic (RHC) type on emergency room (ER) utilization of older adult Medicare patients treated by RHCs within the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Region 4. A prospective, multi-level, longitudinal design was employed to analyze potential health disparities or gaps that may exist among RHC Medicare beneficiary patients (+65) using longitudinal, mixed multilevel modeling in SPSS. The years of investigation were 2010 through 2012. R4 has continually lagged behind other Regions in the Nation in having higher Health Disparities and ER Utilization rates related to Race, Poverty, and Rural Isolation. A key question is: Do these disparities persist? This study's findings support that dual eligible RHC patients utilized ER services at higher rates than non-dual eligible, Medicare only RHC patients at: 77%, 80%, and 66%, in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively; and above the White reference group, Black RHC Medicare patients utilized ER services at higher rates of: 18%, 20%, and 34%, in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. These findings support that dual Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, as a proxy measure of socioeconomic status, and race continue to influence higher rates of ER utilization in Region 4. In terms of health and utilization disparities, strikingly and persistently, as recent as 2012, Black, dual eligible RHC Medicare beneficiary patients age 65 and over are twice as likely to utilize ER services for health care than their more advantaged counterparts. Health care leaders and policymakers are seeking evidence-based performance measures as tools for detecting gaps in health care and using those subsequent findings as leverage to implement policy change for the purpose of increasing health care delivery performance system-wide while lowering health disparities across various patient populations. Toward that goal, communicating and disseminating the findings of this study contributes to the body of knowledge and enables policy leaders to better make decisions based on empirical evidence in order to strengthen the health care delivery system for older adults in diverse rural contexts. From a health and public affairs policy perspective, crafting in tandem targeted, top-down, population health and bottom-up, community interventions to curb poor health outcomes and high health care utilization would be in the public interest at-large within this region of the Southeastern United States.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006259, ucf:51051
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006259
- Title
- Three Essays on Short-selling, Maring Trading and Market Efficiency.
- Creator
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Wang, Song, Gatchev, Vladimir, Chen, Honghui, Schnitzlein, Charles, Hofler, Richard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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My dissertation contains three essays on short-selling, margin trading, and market efficiency. The first essay uses a unique exogenous event, the introduction of short selling in the Chinese stock market, to examine the direct link between idiosyncratic risk and short selling. Based on Shleifer and Vishny (1997), I hypothesize that idiosyncratic risk deters arbitrageurs with negative information from taking short positions in overvalued stocks. Consequently, the stocks with high idiosyncratic...
Show moreMy dissertation contains three essays on short-selling, margin trading, and market efficiency. The first essay uses a unique exogenous event, the introduction of short selling in the Chinese stock market, to examine the direct link between idiosyncratic risk and short selling. Based on Shleifer and Vishny (1997), I hypothesize that idiosyncratic risk deters arbitrageurs with negative information from taking short positions in overvalued stocks. Consequently, the stocks with high idiosyncratic risk are more overvalued at the onset of the introduction of short sale and perform worse in the subsequent period. The second essay examines the impact of the introduction of margin trading and short selling in the Chinese stock market on market quality. The third essay examines the relationship between short selling and SEO discount under the SEC's amendment to Rule 105. If the amendment is binding, the short-selling prior to seasoned equity offering (SEO) should correctly reflect negative information and promote price efficiency. Thus the winner's curse problem during SEO process is reduced and the value discount of a SEO should be less.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004614, ucf:49941
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004614
