Journal Article A Theory of Conglomerate Mergers: Reply Get access Dennis C. Mueller Dennis C. Mueller Cornell University Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Volume 84, Issue 4, November 1970, Pages 674–679, https://doi.org/10.2307/1880849 Published: 01 November 1970

It is often necessary to estimate a frequency function or certain points on a frequency function from very limited data. A usual procedure for this estimation involves two steps. From the set of “well-known” frequency functions, e.g., the normal, poisson, binomial, etc., one chooses that function which seems likely to best “fit” and then uses the available data to estimate the parameters of the chosen distribution. If no one “well-known” function can be chosen a priori, then perhaps several likely candidates are tried and the one which fits best according to some criterion is chosen. For many purposes, this procedure is quite unobjectionable.

A number of concepts and conditions in current city planning are questioned: the grand master plan delusion; planning after the fact; intermittent master planning; the illusion of complete study; avoiding the critical problems; trying to do everything; sematic confusion; conflicts of role and organization; unrealistic derivation of goals and objectives; failure of city planning in the general public interest; deficiencies of planning personnel; inadequacies of theory and research; underestimating fundamental difficulties of the city planning endeavor.

Abstract Accounting information influences many decisions, but little is known about the way in which this influence is exerted in particular classes of decisions. If the facilitation of decisions is taken as the purpose of accounting, then accounting measurement methods ought to be evaluated in terms of their influence on the decision-making process. The article looks at permitted rates of return for privately owned natural gas distribution utilities. It attempts to relate differences in these rates of return with differences in accounting methods used. It is observed that as compared to many other decisions, the regulatory decision is fairly well standardized. In addition, the output of the decision is a single unambiguous number. For these reasons the regulatory decision is studied with expectations of a greater probability of obtaining meaningful results than would be the case with well-structured decisions. Finally, whether decision-makers are influenced in their decisions because of fixation or because of their choice of a particular method of measuring an accounting variable, the fact that decisions may be influenced by the related accounting process points to a need for greater research efforts directed at finding objective criteria for selection among alternative accounting methods for particular purposes.

A major purpose of the Estes study was to determine, by using questionnaires, the expected usefulness of current cost information for various classes of assets, both current and long term.2 Two assumptions were made in conducting the study: (1) current costs were objectively measurable, and (2) the current cost information would be of a supplementary nature only. The sample was selected from three organizations: the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts, the National Association of Bank Loan Officers and Credit Men (Robert Morris Associates), and the Financial Executives Institute. These groups were chosen because Estes believed they closely paralleled two major financial statement user groups: (1) investors, both current and potential, and (2) lenders. Questionnaires were sent to 300 members from each group. A total of 338 or 37.8% responded. The results of the study were that 81 percent of the item responses

Journal Article The Stagnation of Brazil's Exports: A Comment Get access Thomas C. Lowinger Thomas C. Lowinger Washington State University Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Volume 84, Issue 4, November 1970, Pages 699–704, https://doi.org/10.2307/1880853 Published: 01 November 1970

Introduction, 639. — Factor analysis, 639. — Discriminant analysis, 644.

The constraint on bank supply of demand deposits, 524. — Aggregative properties, 529. — Conclusions, 529.