Nicholas Giannakopoulos

Facets of the digital divide in Europe: Determination and extent of internet use

The primary objective of this article is to identify, given Internet accessibility, the factors that shape the decisions of individuals for personal Internet usage and its extent. Cross-sectional data from the European Social Survey database were utilized and an ordered probit model with selectivity was employed. The hypothesized link between the decision to use the Internet and the extent of usage was confirmed by the data. Household income, cost of access, demographics, media use, regional characteristics and general skill acquisition by individuals appear to correlate with Internet use and the extent of usage. In addition, a non-linear decomposition analysis was applied in order to identify the causes of the observed south/north divide. The results indicate that the observed differences in the probability of Internet use constitute a structural problem.

Farmers’ participation in agri‐environmental schemes in Greece

The present paper examines the factors influencing the farmers’ uptake of agri‐environmental measures. Empirical evidence from Thessaly, a prefecture in central Greece where the first agri‐environmental measures in Greece were applied, shows that several factors can affect the farmers’ decision to participate. These factors refer mainly to the socio‐economic and farm characteristics of the surveyed farmers. Agricultural education/training of the farmers, the farm’s economic size, participation by neighbors or relatives, age and general education, can influence participation in the agri‐environmental measures, and more precisely in the Nitrate Reduction program. These variables were found also to be the main factors responsible for the extent of participation in terms of land allocation.

Exploring Job Satisfaction in Private and Public Employment: Empirical Evidence from Greece

This paper analyses subjective job satisfaction (JS) responses by employees in the public and private sectors of the Greek labour market. Panel data covering the period 1995-2001 and a random effects ordered probit model are used for estimation purposes. The results of the econometric estimation show that a substantial JS differential exists between the two sectors, in every JS domain and always in favour of public employment. A typical ordered decomposition analysis indicates that about one-third of the difference in expected JS can be explained by differences in employee characteristics and two-thirds by unobserved sector-specific inbuilt features. The comparison of wage reductions, which a representative employee will be prepared to endure in order to avoid employment in the private sector, reveals that the regularity of working schedules is appreciated more than any other facet of JS. The obtained results enhance the existing apparatus for evaluating government policies in the labour market.

Native-immigrant wage differentials and occupational segregation in the Greek labour market

This article explores native–immigrant wage differentials in the Greek labour market. Data from the most recent Greek Household Budget Survey (2004–05) were employed, four alternative occupational categories were considered and occupational choice was explicitly modelled. Controlling for occupational selectivity, occupation-specific wage regressions for representative samples of employed native and immigrant workers were estimated and an augmented decomposition technique was utilized to analyse inter and intra occupation wage differentials. The obtained results demonstrate that roughly 48% of the average wage differential cannot be explained by differences in observed characteristics and that the larger component of this unexplained part is due to asymmetrical occupational access by native and immigrant workers.

The dynamics of home computer ownership in Greece

This paper investigates the ownership dynamics of home computers in Greece. Panel data at the household level for the period 1997-2001 and a dynamic random effects probit model are used for estimation purposes. We find that the probability of ownership is influenced by observed household characteristics (e.g., age, education, family composition, income and familiarity with technologically advanced durables), while genuine state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity constitute major sources of observed serial persistence. Furthermore, network effects seem to be at work. The results imply that the bridging of the digital divide between Greece and its E.U. partners is expected to follow a gradual long-term course.

Firm‐Level Collective Bargaining and Wages in Greece: A Quantile Decomposition Analysis

This article analyzes the effect of firm‐level contracting on the wage structure in the Greek private sector. Using a matched employer–employee dataset for 2006, unconditional quantile regressions and relevant decomposition methods, we identify a wage premium associated with firm‐level contracting, which follows a hump‐shaped profile across the wage distribution. Further, the wage differential between workers under firm‐level and broader‐level collective agreements can be primarily attributed to the differences in the regime‐specific wage setting structure, for those below the median of the unconditional wage distribution, and to differences in worker and firm‐specific characteristics for those in the upper tail.

Obesity persistence and duration dependence: Evidence from a cohort of US adults (1985–2010)

This study investigates dynamic patterns of obesity persistence and identifies the determinants of obesity-spell exits and re-entries. We utilize longitudinal data from the NLSY79 covering the period 1985-2010. Non-parametric techniques are applied to investigate the relationship between exit from obesity and spell duration. Multivariate discrete hazard models are also estimated, taking into account duration dependence and observed and time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity. In all cases, the probability of exiting obesity is inversely related to the duration of the obesity spell. Without controlling for unobserved heterogeneity, the probability of exit after one wave in obesity is 31.5 per cent; it is reduced to 3.8 per cent after seven or more waves. When time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity is taken into account, the estimated probabilities are slightly larger and broadly similar (36.8 and 10.3, respectively), which suggests that the identified negative duration dependence is not primarily due to composition effects. The obtained results indicate that public health interventions targeting the newly obese may be particularly effective at reducing incidence of long durations of obesity.

Employment Dynamics of Greek Married Women

Purpose - This paper investigates the employment dynamics of Greek married women. Design/methodology/approach - Longitudinal/panel data for the period 1995-2001 and dynamic discrete choice models are used for estimation purposes. Findings - It is found that the probability of being employed is influenced by observed individual characteristics (e.g. human capital, fertility and unearned income), while genuine state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity constitute major sources of observed serial persistence. The results show that lagged employment affects current employment decisions in a systematic way, and that the non-contemporaneous effects of unearned income and fertility correlate with unobserved heterogeneity. The estimated average partial effects reveal that an employed woman in Practical implications - The presence of state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity imply that the bridging of the female employment gap between Greece and its EU partners is expected to follow a slow, long-term course. Originality/value - Greek female labour force participation has been studied only under a static analytical framework. This is the first study to investigate employment decisions of Greek married women in an inter-temporal setting.

Child Care Costs and Employment Decisions of Greek Women

We investigate the effects of child care costs on womens labor market decisions. Decisions regarding labor force participation and non-maternal child care are jointly estimated. Employing data from the 1998/99 Household Budget Survey and using a bivariate probit with sample selection and a binomial probit for labor force participation, a strong negative relationship between participation and paying for care is identified. The results indicate that the estimated hourly cost of child care affects negatively the probability of participation. Nevertheless, it appears that offered market wages and the financial situation of the household play a more vital role than the cost of child care in the labor market decisions of Greek mothers, ceteris paribus.

The Impact of Sovereign Ratings on Eurozone SMEs Credit Rationing

In this study we investigate whether sovereign credit ratings have any discernible impact on credit rationing in Euro zone countries. We utilize firm-level data from the Survey on the Access to Finance of SMEs for the period 2009-2013 conducted by the ECB. A negative association between the rating of sovereign creditworthiness and credit rationing is identified, while credit rationing varies substantially even among countries with the highest quality of sovereign bonds. Credit rationing is lower in sovereigns with high quality ratings and higher in sovereigns near default. These results remain intact when fundamental firm characteristics (e.g. firm’s age and size, sector of economic activity, financial situation etc.) are taken into consideration. This indicates that the interconnection of sovereign debt risk with domestic credit market outcomes is robust.