Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) measures of efficiency are very sensitive to the choice of variables for two reasons: the number of efficient firms is directly related to the number (n) of variables and the selection of the n variables greatly affects the measure of efficiency. A methodology is proposed which identifies the optimal number of variables, and which identifies the contribution of each variable to the measure of efficiency. The computer industry is used as an example to illustrate the method. (JEL L63); International Advances in Economic Research, 9(3): pp. 175-88, August 2003.©All Rights Reserved.

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Increased globalization in financial markets implies that the percentage of all shares under foreign ownership in domestic stock markets has been rising. Speculative attacks on the foreign exchange market in February 2001 led to deep economic crisis in Turkey. This article will explore various indicators of the financial crisis in Turkey based on a macro-model. The foreign share of the domestic economy is a key variable to establish the degree of vulnerability during a financial crisis. An empirical investigation shows that the percentage of shares owned by foreigners on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) has been increasing since 1995 and is currently about 50 percent of the total. Furthermore, the general index of stock market prices in 1999 was at its highest level since 1995. This would imply that the general price index of the stock market is another strong indicator of an impending financial crisis. An empirical investigation of Turkish data based on a theoretical model is presented in this paper. An unexpected capital outflow would certainly cause exchange rate fluctuations, balance of payments problems, and international debt crisis. Hot money inflows boost share prices and keep the real exchange rate high. However, short-term stay of capital implies a sudden capital outflow that creates financial crisis, which results in international debt crisis. This in turn leads to a further increase in loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Relatively high stock market prices may suggest an impending financial crisis. Using Turkish stock market price data, an impending financial crisis can be statistically predicted. (JEL E60, F32, F34, F36, F40, G15); International Advances in Economic Research, 9(3): pp. 189-95, August 2003.©All Rights Reserved.

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This paper seeks to explain exchange rate and current account or net foreign assets behavior under central bank foreign exchange rate intervention. To analyze central bank intervention we use the current account-net foreign assets identity, as well as the long-run monetary exchange rate model. The intervention function is one where exchange rate deviations from equilibrium are governed by nonlinear adjustments. That is, exchange rate deviations from their long-run equilibrium are such that the degree of reversion towards equilibrium increases with the size of the deviation from equilibrium. In this type of nonlinear function exchange rates determine the current account, and the current account in turn determines exchange rates. This iterative duality contrasts with several portfolio balance models where exchange rates are a function of trade, but trade is not a function of exchange rates. This two way causality is slightly more complex, but is also analytically richer than assuming that exchange rates change solely in a one step process as targeted by central banks. Managing exchange rates is posited to be an active iterative feedback process where intervention changes the current account, which may in turn make further intervention necessary. (JEL F31); International Advances in Economic Research, 9(3): pp. 196-205, August 2003.©All Rights Reserved.

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This study examined the effects of managed care organizations (MCOs) on the yields paid by U.S. hospitals on newly issued debt. The analysis improved on existing studies by utilizing a two-stage method that compensated for both simultaneity and self-selection effects. A reduced form probit analysis was first used to identify the factors determining whether hospitals in a random sample of 717 issued new debt in the study period (1995 and 1996). Bond yields were then analyzed using a second stage reduced form regression, incorporating selection effects, for the subset of 58 hospitals that had issued fixed rate debt. The results demonstrated that MCOs had only a modest positive influence on hospitals' costs of capital. Of greater import were insurance status, length of stay, and teaching status, with investors demanding greater yields for bonds issued without insurance and from hospitals with either longer lengths of stay or medical residency programs. (JEL I1); International Advances in Economic Research, 9(3): pp. 206-17, August 2003.©All Rights Reserved.

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This paper analyzes sports managers' earnings and blends traditional aspects of management derived from human capital theory with new aspects derived from social capital theory. It captures the integrative and relational aspects of sports management. In 2000, the authors carried out a questionnaire in the Madeira Island. Data about the amateur sports managers were then taken from it. Results obtained verify that sports managers' earnings are function of both types of theoretical determinants posited by the human capital theory and the social capital theory. The authors conclude that both issues are determinants of sports managers' earnings. (JEL Z00); International Advances in Economic Research, 9(3): pp. 218-26, August 2003.©All Rights Reserved.

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Statement of Accounting Standards No. 142 [2001] superseded the former rules of accounting for amortization of goodwill under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 17 [1970]. Entities muxt now recognize annually impairments in the value of the goodwill associated with purchased firms, rather than amortizing such expenses ratably over 40 years. This better matching of revenues and expenses provides for more valid financial statements, but also mandates accountants to select proper models to measure such impairment losses. The authors highlight some reasons for the issuance of this new standard, compare and contrast the effects of the discounted cash flows and residual income methods to measure such impairments, and suggest how to develop a conceptual model to adhere to the new authoritative provisions. (JEL M41); International Advances in Economic Research, 9(3): pp. 227-32, August 2003.©All Rights Reserved.

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Profits in the Long-Term for the Manufacturing Sector

NURIA ALCADE-FRADEJAS, MARISA RAMIREZ-ALESON, AND MANUEL ESPITIA-ESCUER

It is foreseeable that the integration of domestic economies into a single market (globalization) will have a direct consequence on firm profits. Firms will see their returns converge in the long-term towards an equilibrium value that is identical to that of diverse firms coming from other economies. The authors' objective is to test the existence of a process of convergence between economies. Thus, they analyze the evolution of the competitive process of the manufacturing sector in eight countries. The results suggest that even though the competitive forces that operate at an international level will result in the convergence of the respective returns of firms in the long-term, the convergence process is only partial. (JEL L6); International Advances in Economic Research, 9(3): pp. 233-47, August 2003.©All Rights Reserved.

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