We utilize a time-series intervention model in the spirit of Enders (1995) and ask to what extent – if any – institutional specialization improves competitiveness in sports. Specifically, we analyze the impact on the competitiveness of Polish swimmers internationally due to the establishment...

It is a widely spread belief that crypto-currencies implementing a proof of stake transaction validation system are less vulnerable to a 51% attack than crypto-currencies implementing a proof of work transaction validation system. In this article, we show that it is not the case and that, in...

This paper uses retrospective data from the ISSP98 database to reconstruct church-attendance trends in Spain from 1930 to 1992. Time series analysis is performed to examine religious changes in two parallel ways: first, to determine both male and female church-attendance trends and second, to...

This paper introduces an alternative method of measuring competitive balance in major league baseball and employs it to assess both payroll (talent) disparity and performance (wins) disparity for 30 selected years between 1929 and 2002. Attention is devoted to the impact of two critical events...

We investigate the startling but real possibility that a reduction in calories can lead to a increase in longevity. In perhaps the simplest model, it may be evolutionarily optimal for a permanent reduction in the food supply to cause such an increase in longevity. However, it is impossible to...

This paper explores the causal link between associationism and general trust. First we study the principal components that constitute social capital. Then we contrast a structural model identifying the relations between the relevant variables in the so-called Olson-Putnam aporia. The results of...

This paper introduces an index called the adjusted churn, designed to measure competitive balance in sports leagues based on changes in team standings over time. This is a simple yet powerful index that varies between zero and one. A value of zero indicates no change in league standings from...

This paper examines Benedictine monasteries and the way of life of Benedictine monks from the perspective of happiness economics. We argue that social interaction and the personal identification of monks with their community are important determinants of the successful historical performance of...

We examine wide receivers drafted into the NFL to assess what attributes explain draft rank and correspond to high salaries and performance in their first year in the league. We find that tangible measures of player quality are valuable signals. Consistent with expectations, faster and more...