http://digilib.gmu.edu:8080/dspace The MARS digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. Search the Channel search http://digilib.gmu.edu:8080/dspace/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/1920/5648 Title: Matrix software in SwishMax for Adobe Flash<br/><br/>Authors: Ceperley, Peter<br/><br/>Abstract: This is a software package written in SwishMax for use with Adobe Flash. It contains routines to solve matrix equations (LU decomposition), and eigenvalues and vectors. It also contains general purpose matrix manipulation routines. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:20:04 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1920/5647 Title: Matrix package demonstration<br/><br/>Authors: Ceperley, Peter<br/><br/>Abstract: This is a flash demonstration of a matrix software package. This package contains general matrix manipulation routines, as well as routines to solve matrix equations, and eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:14:58 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1920/5646 Title: Matrix algebra package for Swishmax<br/><br/>Authors: Ceperley, Peter<br/><br/>Abstract: A set of software routines written for swishMax. These include methods for solving linear equations, inverting matrices, finding eigenvalues and vectors for symmetric matrices, and finding the determinate. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:05:34 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1920/5645 Title: Type of Diversity and Subgroup Formation: Implications for Team Composition<br/><br/>Authors: Wiggins, Bryan K.<br/><br/>Abstract: The group faultline model (Lau & Murnighan, 1998, 2005) suggests that strong faultline groups, in which individuals within a group share several diversity characteristics with one another and not with other members, will lead to greater ingroup/outgroup perceptions than weaker faultline groups, in which all group members share some diversity characteristics and differ on others. Recent research has supported this model at the group level (Lau & Murnighan, 2005; Sawyer et al., 2006; Thatcher et al., 2003). In order to advance this line of research, it is necessary to understand why these differences occur. Discovering where ingroup/outgroup relationships exist within the group is the first step in understanding why faultlines may disrupt group processes. Dyadic level measures of subgroup perceptions (trust and conflict) between individuals differing on nationality and functionality in strong and weaker faultline conditions werecollected. Dyadic differences were found based on the demographic context of the group, the number of shared characteristics, and a combination of the two. However, not all dyads exhibited the expected relationships. Differences due to the demographic context of the group, the number of shared diversity characteristics, and the types of diversity characteristics shared are explored as possible reasons why some dyadic relationships, but not others, exhibited the expected ingroup/outgroup relationships. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:15:29 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1920/5644 Title: Institutional Aspects and Fiscal Outcomes of U.S. Municipal Governance<br/><br/>Authors: Rundle, Jonathan<br/><br/>Abstract: A large body of literature suggests that institutional arrangements for collective politicaldecisions are not simply “veils”, but exert a real influence on the particular policies thatemerge. This thesis is a compilation of three essays exploring various institutionalaspects of governance at the municipal level in the United States. Each essay empiricallytests whether those institutions have implications for public fiscal outcomes.The first essay attempts to investigate whether, and if so how, financial markets assessinstitutional arrangements where the policy outcomes will bear directly on the valuationof financial securities. A model of interest rate determination for municipal bond issuesis presented and tested using market data from bond issues to assess whether formal debtlimitations, tax limitations, and expenditure limitations affect municipal marketparticipants’ credit evaluations of the issuing governments. The empirical results suggestthat tax limits in particular increase borrowing costs to local governments byapproximately 5 to 8 basis points.The second essay tests whether increased jurisdictional competition in the local provisionof publicly financed goods results in lower per capita debt levels. The empirical resultsfind evidence that in U.S. metropolitan counties, increased jurisdictional fragmentationlowers all non-school related local government debt burdens, particularly non-guaranteeddebt.The final essay considers political institutions in large U.S. cities, and whetherpartisanship at the local level can impact fiscal outcomes. Specifically, the essay testswhether local politicians engage in the strategic use of debt. Two different models of thestrategic use of debt are tested by considering mayoral election prospects andcorresponding city per capita debt levels. The results do not support the hypothesis thatthis type of political behavior is a significant determinant of large U.S. city debt levels.The essay conjectures that other institutions such as strong Tiebout competition ormajoritarian electoral systems may mute or prevent partisanship behavior such as thestrategic use of debt. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:53:13 GMT