Leila J. Pratt

The macroeconomics of the equal pay act

Abstract This study uses simulations based on 1980 U.S. Census data to estimate the economic disruption that would occur if the wages of women and men were adjusted according to the principles of equal pay for equal work as set out in the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Disruption is measured by the effect such wage adjustments have on the macroeconomic variables of nominal Gross National Product and unemployment. A range of government policy options which could be used to ameliorate the impact of these adjustments in earnings is also examined.

The use of computer aided instruction in the teaching of macroeconomic principles

An experiment to investigate the effects of computer-aided instruction in macro-economics course was conducted at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The course was taught by a single instructor so that one section was primarily instructed using CAI, a second section allowed the use of CAI as a supplement, and the third section did not allow the use of CAI.The results indicated that CAI and traditional instructional methods perform equally well in teaching overall economic principles and in enhancing students ability in analysis. Further, CAI alone, traditional enhanced with CAI, and traditional methods do equally well in teaching most specialized economic principles with the exception of the area of money and banking where traditional enhanced by CAI instruction produces significantly higher scores than traditional instruction.

Macroeconomic impact of occupational wage equality

Abstract This study uses simulations based on 1986 Current Population Survey Data to forecast the economic disruption that would occur if the wages of women and men were adjusted according to the principles of pay equity set forth in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Disruption is measured by the effect such wage adjustments have on the macroeconomic variables of nominal gross national product (GNP) and unemployment. A range of government policy options which could be used to ameliorate the impact of these adjustments in earnings is examined.

An integrated computer-based system for financial and managerial decisions

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that can be used to make both financial and managerial decisions relating to production in a manufacturing enterprise. To build a model of this type several questions must be addressed. Among the more relevant ones are : (1) What information to capture ; (2) how to build a data base of this captured information; (3) how to use this captured information and (4) how to process this captured information in a form that is useful to both financial and production managers. Two types of information need to be captured. First, financial accounting information will be needed so that financial statements that meet Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) criteria can be produced. Second, managerial accounting information will be needed so that managers can make decisions concerning planning, control and the evaluation of performance. Since this data overlaps, the accounting department can be given the responsibility of collecting all the relevant information. These data would include information on raw materials (both purchases and requisitions), labor (both direct and indirect), and all factory overhead costs. The information described above must now be used to build three data bases (see Table I). The first data base, the Standard Data Base, includes the standards agreed upon by management during the planning phase. These standards are usually related to capacity utilization and are formulated for all relevant production variables. Thus, this data base would include information on standard quantities and standard prices for raw materials and direct labor as well as a standard application rate to be used for factory overhead. The second data base is the General Ledger. It includes the actual quantities and prices for the production variables (raw materials, direct labor and factory overhead). As invoices for raw materials are received from vendors, the general ledger accounts of raw materials inventory and accounts payable are updated. In addition, as requisitions from production are received the actual prices and quantities of the raw materials used are captured and stored. As time-cards from production workers are received in accounting, the payroll account in the general ledger is updated. Also, total direct labor (actual hours worked multiplied by the actual labor rate) is transferred to the direct labor account. Information on factory overhead is derived from many sources. Utility bills, tax bills, administrative salaries and allocations for depreciation are just a few. As these documents are received, or as information concerning these variables becomes known, the factory overhead account in the general ledger will be updated. The third data base, the Production Data