Christopher Decker
University of Nebraska at Omaha, Economics, Faculty Member
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Few public policy topics generate as much impassioned debate as immigration. While arguments abound regarding the motivations for and efficacy of these policies, there are nonetheless many possible consequences of their implementation.... more
Few public policy topics generate as much impassioned debate as immigration. While arguments abound regarding the motivations for and efficacy of these policies, there are nonetheless many possible consequences of their implementation. This study focuses on only one specific question: What is the economic impact of immigrants on job creation and economic growth and development in Nebraska and the Omaha Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). To that end, using the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) data for the sample periods 2015 to 2019, this report quantitatively assesses this economic impact. While much of the focus in this study is on the total international immigrant group, with particular attention is paid to those immigrants from Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Findings indicate a substantial economic impact from these immigrant groups from a variety of perspectives. For example, immigrant labor in the construction, food services, and a...
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All articles written by Strategic Discussions for Nebraska except when noted. All photography by Adam Wagler except when noted. Strategic Discussions for Nebraska is a grant-funded research project located in the University of... more
All articles written by Strategic Discussions for Nebraska except when noted. All photography by Adam Wagler except when noted. Strategic Discussions for Nebraska is a grant-funded research project located in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications. The project began July 1, 2007 and performs studies on topics of national interest and how they affect Nebraska and the people who live here. We hold conversations in communities throughout the state to encourage the public to become involved in improving statewide communication. Through these qualitative studies and discussions, we hope we can raise state and national awareness of important issues and how they affect Nebraska and eventually, affect public policy. Our first magazine, Immigration in Nebraska, was published in June 2008. It presented research and opinions collected through nearly 100 interviews in communities throughout the state. This magazine focuses on Nebraska's economic fut...
Many studies show that inspections (or the threat there of) promote compliance with environmental law. Therefore, it is important to understand what influences inspections. Existing research tends to focus on plant characteristics when... more
Many studies show that inspections (or the threat there of) promote compliance with environmental law. Therefore, it is important to understand what influences inspections. Existing research tends to focus on plant characteristics when explaining inspections, often reporting conflicting results. In this paper I suggest that regulators may respond to industry-level attributes when deciding whom to inspect. I find that industries that garner a larger share of a state’s manufacturing employment are also inspected less frequently. Moreover, the effect is not limited to employment. Industries garnering a larger share of a state’s manufacturing gross state product are also inspected less frequently.
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Page 1. The Review of Regional Studies, Vol. 35, No. 2, 2005, pp. 161-186 ISSN 1553-0892 The Impact of Petroleum Product Prices on State Economic Conditions: An Analysis of the Economic Base Christopher S. Decker Department ...
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ABSTRACT
Many studies show that inspections (or the threat there of) promote compliance with environmental law. Therefore, it is important to understand what influences inspections. Existing research tends to focus on plant characteristics when... more
Many studies show that inspections (or the threat there of) promote compliance with environmental law. Therefore, it is important to understand what influences inspections. Existing research tends to focus on plant characteristics when explaining inspections, often reporting conflicting results. In this paper I suggest that regulators may respond to industry-level attributes when deciding whom to inspect. I find that industries that garner a larger share of a state’s manufacturing employment are also inspected less frequently. Moreover, the effect is not limited to employment. Industries garnering a larger share of a state’s manufacturing gross state product are also inspected less frequently.
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ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impact of religiosity on agricultural investment in the Great Plains region of the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. We find that counties with higher concentrations of religious... more
ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impact of religiosity on agricultural investment in the Great Plains region of the United States at the turn of the twentieth century. We find that counties with higher concentrations of religious adherents tend to experience greater growth in land improvements on farms. In addition, we find that increases in religious diversity leads to growth in land improvement investments. Overall, the results generally support hypotheses that assert social capital, as measured by religious group concentrations, played a significant, and until recently, overlooked, role in the development of the American agricultural economy.
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We investigate the relationship between accident rates and industry structure for the United States’ steel industry during the first four decades of the 20th century. We develop a dominant firm theoretical model linking accident rates to... more
We investigate the relationship between accident rates and industry structure for the United States’ steel industry during the first four decades of the 20th century. We develop a dominant firm theoretical model linking accident rates to number of competitors, showing a positive correlation between accident avoidance and the number of fringe competitors. We then test this theory empirically and, when
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This article addresses whether environmental regulators are responsive to voluntary environmental behavior. Mixed results are obtained. In two of four frequently inspected manufacturing industries, state regulators do indeed undertake... more
This article addresses whether environmental regulators are responsive to voluntary environmental behavior. Mixed results are obtained. In two of four frequently inspected manufacturing industries, state regulators do indeed undertake fewer current inspections at those plants that report lower per unit output Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) chemical releases. Moreover, regulated pollutant releases and statutory compliance history also influence inspection activity. Finally,
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∗University of Nebraska - Lincoln, ethompson2@unl.edu Creighton University University of Nebraska at Omaha ∗∗University of Nebraska - Lincoln, cburkhartkriesel1@unl.edu University of Nebraska - Lincoln, bjohnson2@unl.edu University... more
∗University of Nebraska - Lincoln, ethompson2@unl.edu Creighton University University of Nebraska at Omaha ∗∗University of Nebraska - Lincoln, cburkhartkriesel1@unl.edu University of Nebraska - Lincoln, bjohnson2@unl.edu University of Nebraska - Lincoln §The ...
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Two standard solutions for the 'Malthusian Trap' involve institutional reforms and technological progress. Using Easter Island as an example, we investigate the hypothetical role that technological progress and population... more
Two standard solutions for the 'Malthusian Trap' involve institutional reforms and technological progress. Using Easter Island as an example, we investigate the hypothetical role that technological progress and population management reform might have played in preventing the ...
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This paper examines the voluntary electricity demand management decisions of commercial and industrial customers (at the firm and facility level) of an electric utility serving a United States Midwestern metropolitan area. Using standard... more
This paper examines the voluntary electricity demand management decisions of commercial and industrial customers (at the firm and facility level) of an electric utility serving a United States Midwestern metropolitan area. Using standard probit analysis, we find that electricity costs are a major determinant of a firm’s decision to voluntarily engage in demand management programs. Specifically, an additional $100,000 in electricity costs raises the probability of participation in an electricity demand management program by 0.3 percent. We also find that companies with multiple sites are 3.7 percent more likely to participate. In terms of demand management program participation, these results indicate a difference between organization and size that warrants further examination.
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In this paper, we investigate the relationship between accident-related shipping losses on the Great Lakes between 1900 and 1939 and the role the Lake Carriers Association (LCA) played in limiting or preventing such losses. Moreover, we... more
In this paper, we investigate the relationship between accident-related shipping losses on the Great Lakes between 1900 and 1939 and the role the Lake Carriers Association (LCA) played in limiting or preventing such losses. Moreover, we address the relative benefits of private sector effort, through the LCA, and public sector efforts to reduce shipwrecks and capital losses through National Weather
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The authors investigated empirically the relationship between agricultural development and proximity to military forts in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado in 1880. Agricultural investments were substantially higher in counties where a... more
The authors investigated empirically the relationship between agricultural development and proximity to military forts in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado in 1880. Agricultural investments were substantially higher in counties where a military fort was present, suggesting that military forts stimulated agricultural development on the Great Plains. However, the reverse was not true. The authors found no statistical support for the notion
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The authors investigated empirically the relationship between agricultural development and proximity to military forts in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado in 1880. Agricultural investments were substantially higher in counties where a... more
The authors investigated empirically the relationship between agricultural development and proximity to military forts in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado in 1880. Agricultural investments were substantially higher in counties where a military fort was present, suggesting that military forts stimulated agricultural development on the Great Plains. However, the reverse was not true. The authors found no statistical support for the notion
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The Omaha area is in a period of sustained expansion. Population, employment, housing stock, and commercial and industrial space are growing together both in the City of Omaha and in surrounding communities and counties. This pattern of... more
The Omaha area is in a period of sustained expansion. Population, employment, housing stock, and commercial and industrial space are growing together both in the City of Omaha and in surrounding communities and counties. This pattern of growth is likely to continue over the next few decades, but the pace and nature of growth is in question. In particular, it