https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/33841 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:27:44 GMT 2026-06-08T21:27:44Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55792 Title: The effect of unhealthy living on work absenteeism Abstract: The aim of this dissertation is to examine the effect of unhealthy living on work absenteeism. The main determinants of unhealthy living analysed in this study are; obesity, represented by Body Mass Index, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use and mental health problems. The study was carried out using two representative national surveys carried out in the Maltese islands in 2002 and 2008. The main finding of this study is that high body mass index, lack of physical activity and mental health problems were the main determinants of increasing absenteeism in 2002. However, the negative effects of high body mass index and physical activity were not present in 2008. Mental health remained persistent as the main determinant causing increases in absenteeism in both years. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55792 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55786 Title: The determinants of wage distribution in Malta Abstract: Over the years, significant changes in the demographics of the labour force have been recorded. Subsequently, the structure of the labour market has changed over the years. The main scope of this dissertation is that of identifying a set of determinants that affect the wage distribution in Malta. In pursuance of this objective a cross-sectional model for the years 2005 and 2015 is estimated using Labour Force Survey (LFS) microdata. The model created for this study offers the possibility to analyse how the weekly wage is affected by such determinants like gender, age, educational level, occupation type, economic activity, work type, years of experience in the current job and nationality. Signs of coefficients obtained in results are in line with what expected and reviewed in empirical literature. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55786 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55696 Title: Does trust in government influence wellbeing in Malta? Abstract: The objective of this dissertation is to analyse the determinants that influence the wellbeing of the Maltese citizens. It focuses on the impact of trust that individuals have in governmental institutions and employs survey data, representative of people in Malta. The main findings of this research are that trust in government, parliament and in European institutions does influence the wellbeing of Maltese citizens other things being equal. The other variables; employment, health, education, socialise, generalised trust, age, gender, household and locality were found to be significant with regard to the variation in the life satisfaction of the Maltese people. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55696 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55695 Title: A study of post-2008 growth in Caribbean small island states Abstract: This dissertation analyses the pattern of economic growth following the 2008 crisis in nine Caribbean small island states, focusing on their recovery from the initial economic shock. This analysis is first performed through the use of charts and graphs plotting each nation’s gross domestic product per capita, before then indulging in detailed fixed effects panel data analysis. This panel data analysis uses four key growth variables, namely lagged gross domestic product per capita, lagged natural disaster damage, trade openness and public debt in order to determine causal relationships with annual changes in gross domestic product. After analysis was undertaken, results showed that contrary to a priori expectations, it was the smaller states that coped best with the task of recovering from the crisis, whilst the larger and more economically diversified states failed to perform adequately. Surprisingly, trade openness was found to adversely affect economic growth efforts. The findings relating to trade openness shed light on the issue as to whether or not trade openness is desirable. On the one hand such openness stimulates countries to pursue competitiveness and benefit from comparative advantage, but at the same time, such openness render countries highly exposed to external shocks. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55695 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z