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• 1. [Article] The Role of Social Networks in Federal Agency Hiring: A Comparison of Employees from Diverse Backgrounds

  Due to past hiring practices U.S. federal agencies have workforces that do not match the diversity of the populations they serve. In 2011, the Partnership for Public Service found that the United States ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Role of Social Networks in Federal Agency Hiring: A Comparison of Employees from Diverse Backgrounds Author: Moreno Luna, Arlyn Yire Due to past hiring practices U.S. federal agencies have workforces that do not match the diversity of the populations they serve. In 2011, the Partnership for Public Service found that the United States Forest Service (USFS) ranked number 149 out of 206 agencies in the category of ‘Support for Diversity,’ inspiring new USFS efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Little empirical research has examined the role of personal social networks during employment processes, and it is unknown whether or not understanding such networks might aid outreach and hiring to achieve a diverse workforce. This study used survey-based methods to investigate the potential role of social networks among USFS employees from underserved and better-served communities. I randomly sampled and then interviewed 183 employees of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station of the USFS, and examined if personal networks are involved in the processes of their being hired. Results indicated that: (1) males are more likely than females to use non-social means of finding out about their PNW jobs; and (2) white employees are more likely to have been informed about their job by males and non-white employees are more likely informed by females. Findings support the hypothesis that social networks play a role in underserved communities locating federal agency employment. Title: The Role of Social Networks in Federal Agency Hiring: A Comparison of Employees from Diverse Backgrounds Author: Moreno Luna, Arlyn Yire Due to past hiring practices U.S. federal agencies have workforces that do not match the diversity of the populations they serve. In 2011, the Partnership for Public Service found that the United States Forest Service (USFS) ranked number 149 out of 206 agencies in the category of ‘Support for Diversity,’ inspiring new USFS efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Little empirical research has examined the role of personal social networks during employment processes, and it is unknown whether or not understanding such networks might aid outreach and hiring to achieve a diverse workforce. This study used survey-based methods to investigate the potential role of social networks among USFS employees from underserved and better-served communities. I randomly sampled and then interviewed 183 employees of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station of the USFS, and examined if personal networks are involved in the processes of their being hired. Results indicated that: (1) males are more likely than females to use non-social means of finding out about their PNW jobs; and (2) white employees are more likely to have been informed about their job by males and non-white employees are more likely informed by females. Findings support the hypothesis that social networks play a role in underserved communities locating federal agency employment. Close

• 2. [Article] Muscle & money : determining the relationship between occupational physical demands and individual earning power

  Women are economically disadvantaged in most U.S. labor markets, demonstrated by a persistent gender wage gap. The relative wage discrepancy can be understood as a result of labor market conditions, human ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Muscle & money : determining the relationship between occupational physical demands and individual earning power Author: O'Neill, Elizabeth A. Women are economically disadvantaged in most U.S. labor markets, demonstrated by a persistent gender wage gap. The relative wage discrepancy can be understood as a result of labor market conditions, human capital investments, and gender discrimination. To determine if the wage gap could be decreased, I use classical regression modeling to examine how physically demanding occupations affect women’s and men’s earnings. I control for a range of variables indicating employee investments in human capital, demand-side characteristics including occupational physical demands, and factors representing cultural constraints and institutional bias. Using the Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement from March 2006 for Oregon and Washington combined with the Directory of Occupational Titles from the United States Department of Labor, I examine if individual earning power would be higher for workers in physically demanding occupations as compared to those in non-physically demanding occupations. Results show that women in the Pacific Northwest are economically disadvantaged, even after controlling for theoretically based wage determinants. Some occupational physical demands do increase wage, such as climbing and strength within a goods-based occupation, however most of these demands are only relevant for male-dominated occupations. Women may earn more money if they infiltrate male-dominated occupations requiring physical demands. Effective local and state level government policies may be fostered to recruit and retain non-college educated women into physically demanding jobs. However, these solutions are temporary because once an occupation has more women employed, the wages are likely to decrease for all workers. While no easy solution exists, it is my hope that lessening the societal constructions which limit women’s occupational opportunities will not only lessen the gender wage gap, but work to address a systemic bias against women. Title: Muscle & money : determining the relationship between occupational physical demands and individual earning power Author: O'Neill, Elizabeth A. Women are economically disadvantaged in most U.S. labor markets, demonstrated by a persistent gender wage gap. The relative wage discrepancy can be understood as a result of labor market conditions, human capital investments, and gender discrimination. To determine if the wage gap could be decreased, I use classical regression modeling to examine how physically demanding occupations affect women’s and men’s earnings. I control for a range of variables indicating employee investments in human capital, demand-side characteristics including occupational physical demands, and factors representing cultural constraints and institutional bias. Using the Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement from March 2006 for Oregon and Washington combined with the Directory of Occupational Titles from the United States Department of Labor, I examine if individual earning power would be higher for workers in physically demanding occupations as compared to those in non-physically demanding occupations. Results show that women in the Pacific Northwest are economically disadvantaged, even after controlling for theoretically based wage determinants. Some occupational physical demands do increase wage, such as climbing and strength within a goods-based occupation, however most of these demands are only relevant for male-dominated occupations. Women may earn more money if they infiltrate male-dominated occupations requiring physical demands. Effective local and state level government policies may be fostered to recruit and retain non-college educated women into physically demanding jobs. However, these solutions are temporary because once an occupation has more women employed, the wages are likely to decrease for all workers. While no easy solution exists, it is my hope that lessening the societal constructions which limit women’s occupational opportunities will not only lessen the gender wage gap, but work to address a systemic bias against women. Close

• 3. [Article] Examining an Empowerment Framework: A Look at Female Artisans Within a Ghanaian NGO

  2012

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Examining an Empowerment Framework: A Look at Female Artisans Within a Ghanaian NGO Author: Boyd, Heather 2012 Title: Examining an Empowerment Framework: A Look at Female Artisans Within a Ghanaian NGO Author: Boyd, Heather 2012 Close

• 4. [Article] Gender Discrimination in Education and Its Impact on Economic Growth: A Cross Country Panel Study

  Studies suggest that higher investment in human capital boosts economic growth by increased productivity. Education is considered to improve human capital, but it takes relatively long to achieve progress ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Gender Discrimination in Education and Its Impact on Economic Growth: A Cross Country Panel Study Author: Fouzia, Sultana Zeenat Studies suggest that higher investment in human capital boosts economic growth by increased productivity. Education is considered to improve human capital, but it takes relatively long to achieve progress in education. Literacy of female population holds particular importance as it has both direct and indirect effect on growth. Apart from individual productivity, female literacy has positive effect on reducing fertility, improving health and nutrition of family and education of future generations. Using cross country data and panel regression, this study intends to explore how the gender gap in education at different levels of attainment affects GDP growth. This study found that female education, especially secondary education, is positively associated with economic growth. It found mixed results for the impact of gender gap on economic growth. In recent times, national development strategies of many countries have been expanded to focus on social development issues like health, education, environment and gender equality along with GDP growth. But, countries with very limited resources have to prioritize the investment policy. This study will be helpful for policymakers to redefine the budgetary policy to maximize the return in both monetary and non-monetary terms and thus address the persistent issues of poverty and inequality. Title: Gender Discrimination in Education and Its Impact on Economic Growth: A Cross Country Panel Study Author: Fouzia, Sultana Zeenat Studies suggest that higher investment in human capital boosts economic growth by increased productivity. Education is considered to improve human capital, but it takes relatively long to achieve progress in education. Literacy of female population holds particular importance as it has both direct and indirect effect on growth. Apart from individual productivity, female literacy has positive effect on reducing fertility, improving health and nutrition of family and education of future generations. Using cross country data and panel regression, this study intends to explore how the gender gap in education at different levels of attainment affects GDP growth. This study found that female education, especially secondary education, is positively associated with economic growth. It found mixed results for the impact of gender gap on economic growth. In recent times, national development strategies of many countries have been expanded to focus on social development issues like health, education, environment and gender equality along with GDP growth. But, countries with very limited resources have to prioritize the investment policy. This study will be helpful for policymakers to redefine the budgetary policy to maximize the return in both monetary and non-monetary terms and thus address the persistent issues of poverty and inequality. Close

• 5. [Article] Health Care Utilization and Access among Immigrants and U.S. Born Citizens: Implications from the California Health Interview Survey

  The objective of this study is to identify the variation in health care access and utilization among immigrant and U.S. born citizens in California. It aims at finding the reasons behind the disparity ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Health Care Utilization and Access among Immigrants and U.S. Born Citizens: Implications from the California Health Interview Survey Author: Liao, Shaoshan The objective of this study is to identify the variation in health care access and utilization among immigrant and U.S. born citizens in California. It aims at finding the reasons behind the disparity so that U.S. health agencies can make more efforts to improve the availability of health care services to immigrants. As an important determinant of health care utilization, the insurance coverage variable is also considered as a type of health care access. It is examined closely to see its relationship with other variables among immigrants. In this essay, Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization (BHMSU) is used as the theoretical framework. The data are from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey. There are 5,311 naturalized immigrants and 31,801 U.S. born citizens in the available sample. Chi-square tests and student t-tests are applied to detect significant differences in values of explanatory variables between the two groups. A negative binomial model of number of doctor visits and a logistic regression model of insurance coverage are then used to analyze the variation of health care utilization and health care access among immigrants. This study shows that immigrants are less likely to visit doctors after accounting for other variables, which means that immigrants’ health care utilization is significantly lower than for U.S. born citizens. Determinants for health care utilization are gender, health insurance coverage, income level, race and age. As for health care access, the insurance coverage variable is used as a measurement. As indicated from the study, lengthy duration of residence in the U.S. does not affect the probability of immigrants’ insurance coverage. However, language proficiency is a significant factor in predicting whether immigrants are insured as are socio-economic variables such as gender, race, income, age and marital status. Results indicate that naturalized citizens need greater access to health care and that insurance is a key variable in obtaining health care. This implies that immigrants can particularly benefit from the Affordable Care Act. The results also indicate that language translation services would be beneficial. Further research is needed to explore other aspects of health care access and utilization and to examine the current procedures of medical services. It also calls for evaluations of impacts of government programs including the Affordable Care Act on the insurance coverage and health care utilization of immigrants. Title: Health Care Utilization and Access among Immigrants and U.S. Born Citizens: Implications from the California Health Interview Survey Author: Liao, Shaoshan The objective of this study is to identify the variation in health care access and utilization among immigrant and U.S. born citizens in California. It aims at finding the reasons behind the disparity so that U.S. health agencies can make more efforts to improve the availability of health care services to immigrants. As an important determinant of health care utilization, the insurance coverage variable is also considered as a type of health care access. It is examined closely to see its relationship with other variables among immigrants. In this essay, Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization (BHMSU) is used as the theoretical framework. The data are from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey. There are 5,311 naturalized immigrants and 31,801 U.S. born citizens in the available sample. Chi-square tests and student t-tests are applied to detect significant differences in values of explanatory variables between the two groups. A negative binomial model of number of doctor visits and a logistic regression model of insurance coverage are then used to analyze the variation of health care utilization and health care access among immigrants. This study shows that immigrants are less likely to visit doctors after accounting for other variables, which means that immigrants’ health care utilization is significantly lower than for U.S. born citizens. Determinants for health care utilization are gender, health insurance coverage, income level, race and age. As for health care access, the insurance coverage variable is used as a measurement. As indicated from the study, lengthy duration of residence in the U.S. does not affect the probability of immigrants’ insurance coverage. However, language proficiency is a significant factor in predicting whether immigrants are insured as are socio-economic variables such as gender, race, income, age and marital status. Results indicate that naturalized citizens need greater access to health care and that insurance is a key variable in obtaining health care. This implies that immigrants can particularly benefit from the Affordable Care Act. The results also indicate that language translation services would be beneficial. Further research is needed to explore other aspects of health care access and utilization and to examine the current procedures of medical services. It also calls for evaluations of impacts of government programs including the Affordable Care Act on the insurance coverage and health care utilization of immigrants. Close

• 6. [Article] Investigating Factors that Influence an Ecological Attitude- Behavior Gap among Oregonians

  This study examines the determinants of food consumption behaviors, such as purchasing less meat products, paying attention to how and where food is produced, and reducing food waste within the household. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Investigating Factors that Influence an Ecological Attitude- Behavior Gap among Oregonians Author: Schultz, Sayard This study examines the determinants of food consumption behaviors, such as purchasing less meat products, paying attention to how and where food is produced, and reducing food waste within the household. Food consumption is particularly important given that it can often comprise between 10% to 30% of the total household GHG emissions. To better understand what situational and social-cognitive factors affect Oregon household ecological food consumption behaviors beyond belief that climate change will cause dramatic and long-term changes in the United States, a cross-sectional OLS regression analysis was employed within a modified reasoned action approach framework. The four main factors of interest that were hypothesized to impact ecological food consumption behavior were behavioral beliefs, means, access, and information. Results from the regression show that behavioral beliefs are a statistically significant factor that positively influences the engagement in ecological behavior. In addition, work status, political ideology, revised-NEP, and gender also displayed a relationship with food consumption behavior. Title: Investigating Factors that Influence an Ecological Attitude- Behavior Gap among Oregonians Author: Schultz, Sayard This study examines the determinants of food consumption behaviors, such as purchasing less meat products, paying attention to how and where food is produced, and reducing food waste within the household. Food consumption is particularly important given that it can often comprise between 10% to 30% of the total household GHG emissions. To better understand what situational and social-cognitive factors affect Oregon household ecological food consumption behaviors beyond belief that climate change will cause dramatic and long-term changes in the United States, a cross-sectional OLS regression analysis was employed within a modified reasoned action approach framework. The four main factors of interest that were hypothesized to impact ecological food consumption behavior were behavioral beliefs, means, access, and information. Results from the regression show that behavioral beliefs are a statistically significant factor that positively influences the engagement in ecological behavior. In addition, work status, political ideology, revised-NEP, and gender also displayed a relationship with food consumption behavior. Close

• 7. [Article] Community Driven Development (CDD) in Action: Three Case Studies of International Nongovernmental Development Organizations’ (INGOs’) CDD Practices

  Since the 1980s, NGOs have created a necessary niche for themselves within developing nations addressing poverty “traps” such as: lack of infrastructure, corruption, environmental degradation, conflict, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Community Driven Development (CDD) in Action: Three Case Studies of International Nongovernmental Development Organizations’ (INGOs’) CDD Practices Author: Rhynard-Geil, Meghann Since the 1980s, NGOs have created a necessary niche for themselves within developing nations addressing poverty “traps” such as: lack of infrastructure, corruption, environmental degradation, conflict, disease, educational paucity, and gender inequality. Due to increasing issues of dependency and failed development projects resulting from a top-down, organizational structure, international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) are adopting what the World Bank calls Community Driven Development (CDD), a bottom-up organizational approach, which places the beneficiary community in control of development projects. Despite its perceived success, the features of CDD have not been operationalized at an institutional, measurable, or replicable level, and as a result, organizations are making their own decisions about what CDD actually entails. The purpose of this paper is to compare the current practices of three small-scale, independent INGOs to the World Bank’s elements of CDD in terms of both its presence and quality within their organizational structures and practices. Understanding what changes organizations make to CDD and why will help evolve our understanding in regards to what aspects of CDD are the strongest and most essential to the continued success of individual development projects and the long-term goals of the communities in which they are implemented. Title: Community Driven Development (CDD) in Action: Three Case Studies of International Nongovernmental Development Organizations’ (INGOs’) CDD Practices Author: Rhynard-Geil, Meghann Since the 1980s, NGOs have created a necessary niche for themselves within developing nations addressing poverty “traps” such as: lack of infrastructure, corruption, environmental degradation, conflict, disease, educational paucity, and gender inequality. Due to increasing issues of dependency and failed development projects resulting from a top-down, organizational structure, international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) are adopting what the World Bank calls Community Driven Development (CDD), a bottom-up organizational approach, which places the beneficiary community in control of development projects. Despite its perceived success, the features of CDD have not been operationalized at an institutional, measurable, or replicable level, and as a result, organizations are making their own decisions about what CDD actually entails. The purpose of this paper is to compare the current practices of three small-scale, independent INGOs to the World Bank’s elements of CDD in terms of both its presence and quality within their organizational structures and practices. Understanding what changes organizations make to CDD and why will help evolve our understanding in regards to what aspects of CDD are the strongest and most essential to the continued success of individual development projects and the long-term goals of the communities in which they are implemented. Close

• 8. [Article] Do Community Driven Development (CDD) Programs Improve Social Relationships measured by Perceived Discrimination among Different Ethnicities in Nepal?

  2011

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Do Community Driven Development (CDD) Programs Improve Social Relationships measured by Perceived Discrimination among Different Ethnicities in Nepal? Author: Dhakal, Gunjan 2011 Title: Do Community Driven Development (CDD) Programs Improve Social Relationships measured by Perceived Discrimination among Different Ethnicities in Nepal? Author: Dhakal, Gunjan 2011 Close

• 9. [Article] Gender Inequality in Food Insecurity: An Examination of Single Adults without Children in the United States

  Using Current Population Survey data from 2008, 2009 and 2010 this paper explores the extent to which there is gender inequality in food insecurity among employed single adults without children. Gender ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Gender Inequality in Food Insecurity: An Examination of Single Adults without Children in the United States Author: Osborne, Megan Using Current Population Survey data from 2008, 2009 and 2010 this paper explores the extent to which there is gender inequality in food insecurity among employed single adults without children. Gender inequality in the U.S. is well documented in a wide variety of spheres from the home to the world economy and is built and reinforced through the institutions of marriage and the family, work and the economy, politics, religion and many other cultural productions (Lorber 2010). This paper focuses on one kind of gender inequality of material hardship – food insecurity – examining its links to unequal and segregated economic opportunity. This study is unique as it examines how, when controlling for the influences of some of these structures ( e.g., marriage, and the dynamics of family with children) there remains evidence of gender inequality in food insecurity. Using ordinal logistic regression, results indicate a persistent presence of gender inequality in food insecurity with women showing consistently higher likelihoods of being food insecure when compared to men. This study both contributes to and expands on the existing literature on both gender inequality and food insecurity, linking occupational sex segregation and a gender income gap to higher likelihoods of food insecurity among women. Title: Gender Inequality in Food Insecurity: An Examination of Single Adults without Children in the United States Author: Osborne, Megan Using Current Population Survey data from 2008, 2009 and 2010 this paper explores the extent to which there is gender inequality in food insecurity among employed single adults without children. Gender inequality in the U.S. is well documented in a wide variety of spheres from the home to the world economy and is built and reinforced through the institutions of marriage and the family, work and the economy, politics, religion and many other cultural productions (Lorber 2010). This paper focuses on one kind of gender inequality of material hardship – food insecurity – examining its links to unequal and segregated economic opportunity. This study is unique as it examines how, when controlling for the influences of some of these structures ( e.g., marriage, and the dynamics of family with children) there remains evidence of gender inequality in food insecurity. Using ordinal logistic regression, results indicate a persistent presence of gender inequality in food insecurity with women showing consistently higher likelihoods of being food insecure when compared to men. This study both contributes to and expands on the existing literature on both gender inequality and food insecurity, linking occupational sex segregation and a gender income gap to higher likelihoods of food insecurity among women. Close

• 10. [Article] The self-reported health of U.S. flight attendants compared to the general population

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by BioMed Central Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://www.ehjournal.net/.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The self-reported health of U.S. flight attendants compared to the general population Author: McNeely, Eileen, Bradley, Julie, Tager, Ira, Hecker, Steve, Coull, Brent, Gale, Sara, Kincl, Laurel This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by BioMed Central Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://www.ehjournal.net/. Title: The self-reported health of U.S. flight attendants compared to the general population Author: McNeely, Eileen, Bradley, Julie, Tager, Ira, Hecker, Steve, Coull, Brent, Gale, Sara, Kincl, Laurel This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by BioMed Central Ltd. The published article can be found at: http://www.ehjournal.net/. Close