(In)Efficiency of matching: the case of a post-transition economy

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, we provide estimates of the evolution in matching efficiencies in Poland, demonstrating decrease in estimated efficiency scores. These trends are accompanied by decreasing outputs in the matching function, as well as the lowering of the elasticities. Second, we relate the estimated efficiency scores to the use of active labour market measures. We find that job brokering intensity is conducive to matching efficiency, but active labour market policies coverage in general is not.     

Overcoming Selection Bias in Microcredit Impact Assessments: A Case Study in Peru

There are several potential sources of bias in microcredit impact assessments. This paper uses a panel data set from a Peruvian MFI to test for impact of credit on microenterprise profits, while controlling for these biases. We find that those who will eventually become borrowers have significantly higher incomes than those who will not become borrowers, implying that selection into the lending programme is a substantial problem. After controlling for this selection, we find that an average microentrepreneur who borrows earns significantly higher enterprise profits than one who does not borrow, and that naïve models, which do not control for selection, overestimate this impact. Fixed effects estimates give roughly the same results as the quasi-experimental cross-section analysis.     

Linkages and the promotion of democracy: the EU's eastern neighbourhood

The EU's eastern neighbourhood with its considerable divergence in regime types is a more challenging testing ground for democracy promotion than Central and Eastern Europe. This article explores the diversity of the international linkages in the eastern neighbours (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) and the role these linkages play in domestic politics. International linkages are filtered and activated by domestic politics. If diverse linkages reinforce domestic political competition, they can contribute to the creation of democratic openings. Conversely, in the absence of domestic political competition, international linkages can insulate a regime from internal pressures for reform, in particular if the linkages are deep and undiversified. This article focuses on one causal mechanism, namely stateness issues acting as a filter for international linkages.     

Visualisation of fingermarks and grab impressions on dark fabrics using silver vacuum metal deposition

Vacuum metal deposition (VMD) involves the thermal evaporation of metal (silver) in a vacuum, resulting in a uniform layer being deposited on the specimen being treated. This paper examines the use of silver on dark fabrics, thus offering a simpler operation and more obvious colouration to that of the traditional use of gold and zinc metals which must be evaporated separately. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fabric type, donor, mark age and method of fingermark deposition on the quality of marks visualised using silver VMD. This was achieved by collecting fingermark deposits from fifteen donors, of both sexes and various ages, by a grab or a press method. Four different fabrics: satin, polyester, polycotton and cotton were studied over a 10 day timeline of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21 and 28 + days. It was found that satin and polyester gave the most positive results, with polyester often producing excellent ridge detail. Cotton and polycotton were less successful with no ridge detail being observed. The donors also had an observable effect on the results obtained probably due to variations in secretions produced or pressures applied during specimen collection. The age of the mark or the method of mark deposition had little influence on the results obtained. Silver VMD is a viable process for visualising marks on certain dark fabrics and has the advantage over gold/zinc VMD in that the marks visualised are light in colour which contrasts well against the dark background.     

Australian Prosecution of Corporations for International Crimes: The Potential of the Commonwealth Criminal Code

On 1 July 2002 new provisions for the prosecution of genocide,crimes against humanity and war crimes came into operation withinthe Australian Commonwealth Criminal Code. The offences wereintroduced as a part of Australia's ratification of the RomeStatute of the International Criminal Court. Through the enactmentof these crimes within the broader context of the Criminal Code,Australia has, perhaps unwittingly, created a basis to prosecutecorporations for these crimes even under the universal jurisdictionprinciple. A current investigation by the Australian FederalPolice into the possible role of mining company Anvil MiningLimited in facilitating a military offensive in the town ofKilwa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo indicates thatAustralia, like many nations today, is grappling locally withthe possibility of corporate involvement in international crime.As a potential source of action against companies implicatedin international crime, the possible reach of the AustralianCriminal Code provisions warrants consideration. This articleoutlines the application of the new Australian internationalcrimes provisions to corporations and argues that, if used appropriately,these will represent a positive development toward corporateaccountability.     

ISA Presidential Selection: A Discussion of Alternatives

During fall 2000, all ISA members will be asked to vote on a set of changes to the association's constitution. Most of the proposed changes are required to bring ISA's constitution up to date with current practices and association circumstances (for example, instead of having only the Editor of ISQ as a member of the Governing Council, one of the proposed changes adds the Editors of ISR and ISP to the council). In the course of examining and reflecting on possible changes to the constitution, the ISA Governing Council discovered that there was controversy among its membership regarding how officers are elected. As a result of this discussion, the Governing Council voted to put a referendum before the membership concerning the election issue and the other requested constitutional changes (though only the officer election issue is discussed in the following pages). To ensure that all members of the association are aware of what the election issues are, we have asked members representing the various positions to discuss their views in the pages of ISP . In addition, Craig Murphy, 2000–2001 ISA President, has written an introduction to the election debate that is printed below. ISA members will be asked to choose between these options in a mail ballot this fall.