This study documents the continuing decline in mission funding throughout the mainline denominati... more This study documents the continuing decline in mission funding throughout the mainline denominations in North America and Australia and offers sound, biblically-based recommendations for turning the situation around. The authors argue that the churches are fatally enmeshed in the presuppositions of modernity and that real solutions can be found in renewed Bible study and reflection.
more dogmatic utterances” (190). Lakeland believes that “all serious fiction is susceptible of th... more more dogmatic utterances” (190). Lakeland believes that “all serious fiction is susceptible of theological exegesis” (152). Unlike others, he does not bemoan the contemporary decline of the Catholic novel, yet also offers fine reading of some of the classics in that tradition, including Greene’s Power and the Glory, Endo’s Silence, and O’Connor’s Wise Blood. Lakeland’s book will enhance any reader’s appreciation of the connections between faith and fiction. In some ways, his work extends the explorations of the literary imagination offered by William F. Lynch, SJ, who wrote some of his key book around the years of the Council. The Wounded Angel will enrich the imagination of any reader who appreciates the mysterious links between fiction and faith.
One of the cornerstones of the USTTAs attempt to attract foreign tourists to the U.S. has been th... more One of the cornerstones of the USTTAs attempt to attract foreign tourists to the U.S. has been the initiation of regional cooperative market ventures. The USTTA has focused on this type of promotion because of evidence that foreign tourists typically visit more than one state and because of the perceived advantage of cost sharing and volume discounts inherent in the regional approach. This study utilizes the gravity model to empirically estimate the effectiveness of the regional promotion approach. The empirical results suggest that while regional marketing is somewhat effective, it may not be as effective as devoting resources to upgrading tourist attractions and their surrounding amenities.
A study was conducted to determine which Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) accounted for most of... more A study was conducted to determine which Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) accounted for most of the nonessential hospital admissions in 73 Michigan hospitals in 1986. The Intensity, Severity, Discharge-Appropriateness (ISD-A) criteria set was used to identify nonessential admissions. Large concentrations of nonessential admissions were found in medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse cases; surgical admissions had low rates of nonessential hospitalization. Focusing utilization review on MDCs with nonessential rates exceeding 15% results in an examination of 44% of admissions, while capturing 77% of nonessential admissions and 73% of potential dollar savings. Implications for UR activities are discussed.
There are a variety of methods that a congregation can utilize to solicit pledges. This paper emp... more There are a variety of methods that a congregation can utilize to solicit pledges. This paper employs data from a 1985 survey of Presbyterian congregations to analyze eight solicitation methods. Their effectiveness differed by congregation location and size. While pledging systems were generally found to be ineffective in metropolitan congregations, small study/prayer groups were found to be most effective in non-metropolitan congregations. Direct mailing was the most successful method among large congregations. Professional fund-raising was most effective in mid-size congregations, and the distribution of denominational stewardship material worked best in small congregations.
The economics literature, for all its richness and diversity, is peculiarly lacking in studies on... more The economics literature, for all its richness and diversity, is peculiarly lacking in studies on organized religion. One reason may be that religious activity is not thought to follow the usual optimizing rules of economics. However, with religious organizations comprising a large portion of the nonprofit sector, it is important that researchers afford them an appropriate amount of attention. This study analyzes the U.S. Roman Catholic Church. One of the primary issues facing the U.S. Catholic Church in the latter third of this century has been the shortage of one of its major resources, priests. In 1966 the American Catholic Church had about 59,000 priests serving some 46 million Catholics, or an average of about one priest per every 780 parishioners. Since that time, there has been a significant decrease in the number of priests, and a corresponding increase in the number of U.S. Catholics. In 1990 there were approximately 53,000 priests to service 57 million U.S. Catholics, or an average of one priest for every 1,100 parishioners. The twin trends of an increasing number of Catholics and a decreasing number of priests is expected to continue into the next century. This shortfall in the number of priests has caused the U.S. Catholic Church to make some resource adjustments. One has been a search for some acceptable substitutes for U.S. priests. For example, there has been an increase in the use of foreign born extern priests serving U.S. Catholic dioceses. The church has revived the use of the permanent deaconate. Lay Catholics and religious sisters and brothers have assumed some of the functions that had previously been performed exclusively by priests. Some parishes are headed by women religious serving in the role of parish administrator, with priests available only on a rotating basis for a Sunday mass. In some parishes even this is not an option, and recently Catholic bishops approved guidelines for priestless liturgies. Another form of adjustment has been the closing of Catholic parishes. Often these are urban parishes, serving the poorest areas of a city. Priests are obviously among the primary resources utilized by the Catholic Church. Rightly or wrongly, it appears that the church employs its resources without a basic understanding of the resource allocation issues involved. Some grasp of the impacts of the various options to deal with the priest shortage, and yet maintain parish life, is imperative. This study views the Church as a nonprofit organization and empirically examines some of the options for dealing with the priest shortage. Specifically, it considers parish management schemes other than the traditional one of a parish headed by a resident pastor. To this end, a model is empirically estimated which relates measures of non-traditional parish management schemes to a measure of parish output. The analysis takes place at the diocesan level, where most resource allocation decisions are made. Viewed as nonprofit organizations, churches can be regarded as mutual benefit organizations, akin in many respects to a country club or labor union. The vast majority of their revenue comes from member donations. Only a small portion results from the sale of goods and services and virtually none comes from the government. Churches provide club goods, which are primarily available to members only.(1) These club goods can be divided into two categories, sacramental and nonsacramental. Sacramental functions include services and religious education, while nonsacramental activities include cultural opportunities, recreational pursuits, and youth programs. Churches also engage in philanthropic activities, contributing money, time and property to nonmembers. Biddle, studying both Protestant and Catholic churches, concluded that local churches spend 71% of their revenues on club-type activities, with 59% of the total spending going toward sacramental functions (1992, p. 104). He further estimated that clergy spend 68% of their time on sacramental activities (1992, p. …
Since very early in its existence, the American Railroad Industry has been treated like a natural... more Since very early in its existence, the American Railroad Industry has been treated like a natural monopolist. Railroads became the first industry in this country to be regulated by the federal government. This regulation has taken two forms: restricting entry of firms into the market; and the regulation of prices. Many analysts have concluded that such regulation has left railroads operating under conditions of increasing returns to scale, that is, on the decreasing portion of their LAC curves. One consequence of this regulation is that the railroad firms are not using their plants efficiently by operating at the minimum of the LAC. A second consequence is that the firm's marginal cost is less than its average cost. This implies that in order for the railroad to operate profitably, its price must be set above its marginal cost. A number of authors have presented empirical proof that railroads, at least in their line-haul operations, operate in a range of decreasing returns to scale [Borts,Econometrica, 1960, Healy, RaiI MergerLegislation Hearings, 1962; Griliches, The Bell Journal of Economics and Management Science, 1972]. Further evidence that railroads operate on the decreasing returns to scale portion of their LAC curve can be found in the vast number of petitions by railroads for track abandonments. From a microeconomic point of view, it appears that railroads are attempting to move to the left along their LAC curves. In doing so, they are decreasing output. At the same time, by moving to a smaller plant (as measured by track mileage) they are decreasing costs. This type of behavior on the part of the railroads would make no sense if they were operating in a range of increasing returns to scale. Therefore, it must be concluded that, by their actions in requesting track abandonments, the railroads are signalling that they are currently operating in a range of decreasing returns to scale, and are attempting to increase their efficiency by cutting back on plant size. If this is the case, the regulation of railroads should be reevaluated. The track abandoning behavior by railroads could serve as evidence that they are no longer natural monopolies, and no longer require extensive regulation for their own protection.
This study documents the continuing decline in mission funding throughout the mainline denominati... more This study documents the continuing decline in mission funding throughout the mainline denominations in North America and Australia and offers sound, biblically-based recommendations for turning the situation around. The authors argue that the churches are fatally enmeshed in the presuppositions of modernity and that real solutions can be found in renewed Bible study and reflection.
more dogmatic utterances” (190). Lakeland believes that “all serious fiction is susceptible of th... more more dogmatic utterances” (190). Lakeland believes that “all serious fiction is susceptible of theological exegesis” (152). Unlike others, he does not bemoan the contemporary decline of the Catholic novel, yet also offers fine reading of some of the classics in that tradition, including Greene’s Power and the Glory, Endo’s Silence, and O’Connor’s Wise Blood. Lakeland’s book will enhance any reader’s appreciation of the connections between faith and fiction. In some ways, his work extends the explorations of the literary imagination offered by William F. Lynch, SJ, who wrote some of his key book around the years of the Council. The Wounded Angel will enrich the imagination of any reader who appreciates the mysterious links between fiction and faith.
One of the cornerstones of the USTTAs attempt to attract foreign tourists to the U.S. has been th... more One of the cornerstones of the USTTAs attempt to attract foreign tourists to the U.S. has been the initiation of regional cooperative market ventures. The USTTA has focused on this type of promotion because of evidence that foreign tourists typically visit more than one state and because of the perceived advantage of cost sharing and volume discounts inherent in the regional approach. This study utilizes the gravity model to empirically estimate the effectiveness of the regional promotion approach. The empirical results suggest that while regional marketing is somewhat effective, it may not be as effective as devoting resources to upgrading tourist attractions and their surrounding amenities.
A study was conducted to determine which Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) accounted for most of... more A study was conducted to determine which Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) accounted for most of the nonessential hospital admissions in 73 Michigan hospitals in 1986. The Intensity, Severity, Discharge-Appropriateness (ISD-A) criteria set was used to identify nonessential admissions. Large concentrations of nonessential admissions were found in medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse cases; surgical admissions had low rates of nonessential hospitalization. Focusing utilization review on MDCs with nonessential rates exceeding 15% results in an examination of 44% of admissions, while capturing 77% of nonessential admissions and 73% of potential dollar savings. Implications for UR activities are discussed.
There are a variety of methods that a congregation can utilize to solicit pledges. This paper emp... more There are a variety of methods that a congregation can utilize to solicit pledges. This paper employs data from a 1985 survey of Presbyterian congregations to analyze eight solicitation methods. Their effectiveness differed by congregation location and size. While pledging systems were generally found to be ineffective in metropolitan congregations, small study/prayer groups were found to be most effective in non-metropolitan congregations. Direct mailing was the most successful method among large congregations. Professional fund-raising was most effective in mid-size congregations, and the distribution of denominational stewardship material worked best in small congregations.
The economics literature, for all its richness and diversity, is peculiarly lacking in studies on... more The economics literature, for all its richness and diversity, is peculiarly lacking in studies on organized religion. One reason may be that religious activity is not thought to follow the usual optimizing rules of economics. However, with religious organizations comprising a large portion of the nonprofit sector, it is important that researchers afford them an appropriate amount of attention. This study analyzes the U.S. Roman Catholic Church. One of the primary issues facing the U.S. Catholic Church in the latter third of this century has been the shortage of one of its major resources, priests. In 1966 the American Catholic Church had about 59,000 priests serving some 46 million Catholics, or an average of about one priest per every 780 parishioners. Since that time, there has been a significant decrease in the number of priests, and a corresponding increase in the number of U.S. Catholics. In 1990 there were approximately 53,000 priests to service 57 million U.S. Catholics, or an average of one priest for every 1,100 parishioners. The twin trends of an increasing number of Catholics and a decreasing number of priests is expected to continue into the next century. This shortfall in the number of priests has caused the U.S. Catholic Church to make some resource adjustments. One has been a search for some acceptable substitutes for U.S. priests. For example, there has been an increase in the use of foreign born extern priests serving U.S. Catholic dioceses. The church has revived the use of the permanent deaconate. Lay Catholics and religious sisters and brothers have assumed some of the functions that had previously been performed exclusively by priests. Some parishes are headed by women religious serving in the role of parish administrator, with priests available only on a rotating basis for a Sunday mass. In some parishes even this is not an option, and recently Catholic bishops approved guidelines for priestless liturgies. Another form of adjustment has been the closing of Catholic parishes. Often these are urban parishes, serving the poorest areas of a city. Priests are obviously among the primary resources utilized by the Catholic Church. Rightly or wrongly, it appears that the church employs its resources without a basic understanding of the resource allocation issues involved. Some grasp of the impacts of the various options to deal with the priest shortage, and yet maintain parish life, is imperative. This study views the Church as a nonprofit organization and empirically examines some of the options for dealing with the priest shortage. Specifically, it considers parish management schemes other than the traditional one of a parish headed by a resident pastor. To this end, a model is empirically estimated which relates measures of non-traditional parish management schemes to a measure of parish output. The analysis takes place at the diocesan level, where most resource allocation decisions are made. Viewed as nonprofit organizations, churches can be regarded as mutual benefit organizations, akin in many respects to a country club or labor union. The vast majority of their revenue comes from member donations. Only a small portion results from the sale of goods and services and virtually none comes from the government. Churches provide club goods, which are primarily available to members only.(1) These club goods can be divided into two categories, sacramental and nonsacramental. Sacramental functions include services and religious education, while nonsacramental activities include cultural opportunities, recreational pursuits, and youth programs. Churches also engage in philanthropic activities, contributing money, time and property to nonmembers. Biddle, studying both Protestant and Catholic churches, concluded that local churches spend 71% of their revenues on club-type activities, with 59% of the total spending going toward sacramental functions (1992, p. 104). He further estimated that clergy spend 68% of their time on sacramental activities (1992, p. …
Since very early in its existence, the American Railroad Industry has been treated like a natural... more Since very early in its existence, the American Railroad Industry has been treated like a natural monopolist. Railroads became the first industry in this country to be regulated by the federal government. This regulation has taken two forms: restricting entry of firms into the market; and the regulation of prices. Many analysts have concluded that such regulation has left railroads operating under conditions of increasing returns to scale, that is, on the decreasing portion of their LAC curves. One consequence of this regulation is that the railroad firms are not using their plants efficiently by operating at the minimum of the LAC. A second consequence is that the firm's marginal cost is less than its average cost. This implies that in order for the railroad to operate profitably, its price must be set above its marginal cost. A number of authors have presented empirical proof that railroads, at least in their line-haul operations, operate in a range of decreasing returns to scale [Borts,Econometrica, 1960, Healy, RaiI MergerLegislation Hearings, 1962; Griliches, The Bell Journal of Economics and Management Science, 1972]. Further evidence that railroads operate on the decreasing returns to scale portion of their LAC curve can be found in the vast number of petitions by railroads for track abandonments. From a microeconomic point of view, it appears that railroads are attempting to move to the left along their LAC curves. In doing so, they are decreasing output. At the same time, by moving to a smaller plant (as measured by track mileage) they are decreasing costs. This type of behavior on the part of the railroads would make no sense if they were operating in a range of increasing returns to scale. Therefore, it must be concluded that, by their actions in requesting track abandonments, the railroads are signalling that they are currently operating in a range of decreasing returns to scale, and are attempting to increase their efficiency by cutting back on plant size. If this is the case, the regulation of railroads should be reevaluated. The track abandoning behavior by railroads could serve as evidence that they are no longer natural monopolies, and no longer require extensive regulation for their own protection.
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