pecking order

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peck·ing or·der

in some species of birds and primates, the establishment of a graded dominance in members of a group by the use of aggression.

pecking order

the gradation of behavioural dominance between individuals in active groups of mammals and birds. The leader is dominant, and thus at the top of the ‘pecking order’ getting the best food and mates, the least dominant animal being at the bottom of the order. Birds often show bald patches where they have been pecked by dominant individuals.

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Contrary to the trade-off theory, the pecking order theory predicts a negative relationship between profitability and leverage because a profitable firm will have more retained earnings over a period of time.

Is negative profitability-leverage relation the only support for the pecking order theory in case of Pakistani firms?

The seminal paper by Shyam-Sunder and Myers (1999) introduces an empirical test for the pecking order theory.

The impact of financing surpluses and large financing deficits on tests of the pecking order theory

Este trabalho tem como objetivo testar as previsoes das teorias de trade-off e pecking order sobre payout e endividamento, possibilitando verificar empiricamente as previsoes desses dois modelos para essas duas variaveis.

Study of trade-off and pecking order models on indebtedness and payout variables in Brazilian companies (2000-2006)/Estudo dos modelos trade-off e pecking order para as variaveis endividamento e payout em empresas Brasileiras (2000-2006)

The reason, Henson says, was because Henry made it clear that once Harris arrived from rugby league, he was down the pecking order as only fourth choice fly-half.

They thought I was going to the loo, but I just kept on walking

I've been disappointed with his attitude at a time when other midfielders have moved above him in the pecking order,' said Baggies' boss Robson.

Koumas up for sale

Bennett is desperate for first-team football and sees a transfer as his best option since he has moved down the pecking order after the arrival of Northern Ireland's Maik Taylor.

Football: IAN HEADING FOR EXIT

The Pecking Order is a fun read with a serious intent-both a study of the family and a symptom of our fascination with it.

All in the family?

In this vicious pecking order, males at the top bully bottom dwellers into a demoralized state of submission.

Male baboons cooperate after cultural prodding

Amateurs held a higher place in golf's pecking order than the vagabonds organized loosely in 1916 under the Professional Golfers Association banner.

A place of their own

We know, from the start, that girls are going to be short-changed compared to boys, given the nature of the sources and the pecking order of medieval views about the two sexes.

Medieval Children. (Reviews)

The pecking order within New York City's real estate brokerages remain in flux.

Weak leasing spurs broker shuffle

Childhood meanness always has been a part of growing up--taunting other youngsters, playing malicious practical jokes, including gossip and put-downs, vying for pecking order in snobbish (or rebel) cliques.