Search

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that, although there are some unique features associated with mental illness, such special features do not preclude economic analysis. Design/methodology/approach - As a mechanism for understanding how individual economic studies fit into the mental health sector, a conceptual framework of the components of mental health service provision is outlined. Emphasis is placed on, not simply institutional and market resources, but also on the services provided by relatives, self-help groups, etc. Findings - Australian data on parts of the mental health sector are employed to illustrate that some (and different) economic analyses can be undertaken in mental health. First, time-series data on public psychiatric hospitals are employed to demonstrate trends associated with deinstitutionalisation. Other data (for Queensland alone) indicate that there are state-based differences in the provision of such services. Second, attention is then directed to the analysis of time-series data on private fee-for-service psychiatric services. Various concepts and measures from industrial economics are applied to analyse the relative size of this service industry, the pricing behaviour of the profession, the service-mix of ‘the psychiatry firms’ operating in Australia. In addition, the analysis also sheds some light on the distributional implications of Australia's national (and uniform) system of health funding, Medicare. Originality/value - Apart from demonstrating that economic analyses can be undertaken in the difficult area of mental health, this paper indicates a number of puzzles (e.g. various regional variations within a unified profession and a uniform national funding scheme) that invite further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new approach to well-being measurement is presented in this paper based on multidimensional hierarchical human needs and motivation. This paper empirically applies this new measure of well-being to Australia for the period 1985–2000. This hierarchical approach is underpinned by a rigorous psychological theory of human motivation. Hierarchical human needs are classified into five categories. Eight indicators have been chosen to reflect these categories. A composite indicator of these eight indicators is calculated. This paper concludes that it is necessary to consider multidimensional human needs and motivation when analysing and seeking to improve well-being through economic and social development activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper investigates the price of discrimination and the identity of discriminators in Australia, using data from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. To the extent that Becker's (1971) theory is correct, we anticipate greater levels of discrimination in less competitive sectors of the economy. The data do not support that notion. We also investigate whether the price of discrimination varies by identity of discriminator. Overall the price of discrimination is about A$15,000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian Government has signalled what it sees as the need for all sectors of the economy to be more innovative. Reviews have been commissioned that indicate how this agenda might be accomplished, including the development of greater links between higher education and industry. In this article, Australia's research expenditure by sector is compared with nine other advanced economies. The funding arrangements and performance of the higher education sector are then considered in some detail. A number of policy changes are recommended for higher education, including a need for greater funding of information technology, engineering and technology and full funding of project research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, exploratory approach to the development of an environmental accountability framework for application in the Australian Commonwealth public sector three interrelated strands of literature are examined. First, the notion of accountability is considered and the key institutional "stakeholders" in the Commonwealth public sector are identified; second, literature related to recent transformations in the public sector is synthesized; and third, the burgeoning literature on environmental accounting and reporting is reviewed and linked to the concept of environmental accountability. In the process of developing the characteristics of an environmental accountability system for the Commonwealth public sector, the article draws on this literature and explores the interrelationships between three characteristics of environmental performance at the federal level in the Australian public sector. The aim of the "environmental performance accountability framework" is for the various stakeholders to understand the actions of Commonwealth public sector organizations, and consequences of those actions, for ecological systems; to become familiar with the trends and changes in trends in public sector environmental performance; and to place stakeholders in a position to promote change when performance is not acceptable.