Rare events and annuity market participation

We investigate whether a rare event (like the default of the annuity provider) can explain the annuity market participation puzzle. High risk aversion is needed to change behavior in the presence of such a disastrous shock but higher risk aversion also makes annuities more valuable. Therefore, these rare events are unlikely candidates to explain the low take-up of voluntary annuities: the conclusion is robust to disentangling risk aversion from intertemporal substitution and to allowing portfolio investment in a stock market index.     

Modeling Clustered Ordered Categorical Data: A Survey

This article surveys various strategies for modeling ordered categorical (ordinal) response variables when the data have some type of clustering, extending a similar survey for binary data by Pendergast, Gange, Newton, Lindstrom, Palta & Fisher (1996). An important special case is when repeated measurement occurs at various occasions for each subject, such as in longitudinal studies. A much greater variety of models and fitting methods are available than when a similar survey for repeated ordinal response data was prepared a decade ago (Agresti, 1989). The primary emphasis of the review is on two classes of models, marginal models for which effects are averaged over all clusters at particular levels of predictors, and cluster-specific models for which effects apply at the cluster level. We present the two types of models in the ordinal context, review the literature for each, and discuss connections between them. Then, we summarize some alternative modeling approaches and ways of estimating parameters, including a Bayesian approach. We also discuss applications and areas likely to be popular for future research, such as ways of handling missing data and ways of modeling agreement and evaluating the accuracy of diagnostic tests. Finally, we review the current availability of software for using the methods discussed in this article.     

An analysis of the companies’ compliance with the EU disclosure requirements and corporate characteristics influencing it: A case study of Turkey

One of the factors shaping accounting disclosure of countries in Europe is the EU Fourth Directive (EUFD) which addresses individual company accounts. The EUFD has been claimed to have had an impact on accounting, including accounting disclosure, of not only the EU countries but also non-EU member European countries. Turkey is one of the non-EU member European countries claimed to be influenced by the EUFD and this study examined Turkish companies’ level of compliance with the disclosure requirements of the EUFD over the years (1986, 1987, 1991, 1992 and 1995), and assessed whether companies’ level of compliance had been influenced by their corporate characteristics, such as company size, listing status and industry type.Turkish companies’ level of compliance with the disclosure requirements of the EUFD was measured by an index (i.e. EUFD Disclosure Compliance Index—EUFDCDI). The index was developed by; constructing disclosure scoring sheet; obtaining annual reports of 61 sampled Turkish companies over the years; completing scoring sheet for each companies’ annual report; and creating disclosure index. The index (EUFDCDI) scores was, than, analysed for each year to assess the companies’ compliance with the EU disclosure requirements and both parametric and non-parametric test, were conducted to determine if there were significant changes in the extent of disclosure in compliance with the EUFD over the years. Furthermore, using the companies EUFDCDI score as dependent variable and corporate characteristics as independent variables, the Ordinary Least Square regression was run for each year to find out if the companies’ level of compliance with the EU disclosure requirements were influenced by their corporate characteristics.The results of this study revealed that Turkish companies’ compliance with the required disclosure by the EUFD varied within the range of 30–85%, but their compliance increased significantly from one year to another throughout the selected period. The results further revealed that listing status is one of the important corporate characteristics of the Turkish companies affecting their compliance with the EU disclosure requirements.     

Lags and Leads in Life Satisfaction in Korea: When Gender Matters

Using detailed longitudinal data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) from 1998 to 2008, this paper finds significant gender differences in impacts as well as adaptation patterns to major life and labor market events in Korea. Men remain on a higher happiness level throughout marriage, while women return to their baseline happiness within only two years. Consequently, men suffer more from divorce and the death of a spouse. This marital gender happiness gap is equivalent to a (husband only) increase of annual per capita household income of approximately US$17,800. The study further finds that men suffer more from unemployment. Results are robust to the inclusion of multiple simultaneous events and the use of different estimators.     

Research note sport tourism versus event tourism: Considerations on a necessary distinction and integration

Abstract

Interest in sport-related tourism increased perceptibly around the millennium, however, a comprehensive conceptual framework for a classification of sport (event) tourism is still missing. The predominant focus of sport tourism encompasses event-related touristic endeavors, such as mega sport events; however, an holistic approach to sport tourism suggests the need for further integration of other sub-areas such as nonevent-related components. This research note, therefore, provides a sport tourism perspective and a methodological approach to establishing the sport tourism cube as a necessary tool for the further distinction and integration of sport and event tourism. The research aim is, therefore, to build a foundation for further scientific research in sport tourism.     

Retaining volunteers for the cause: Hope and pride associated with cause-related charity events in cancer control

Special charity events are an important source of revenue for non-profit organisations in cancer control yet volunteering is declining and turnover is high. Experiences at cause-related events may influence retention, particularly emotions connected to the cause and ceremonies which honour cancer survivors and remember loved ones. We explore the degree to which emotions associated with cause-related volunteering and collective action in the literature are felt in response to Relay For Life and what emotions predict three indicators of retention: intention to return for future events, satisfaction with volunteering, and organisational commitment. Volunteers (n = 410) completed a cross-sectional survey at Relay For Life events in Queensland, Australia. Multiple regression analyses examined whether emotions associated with events predicted each indicator of retention, adjusting for number of years spent volunteering for events. Sixty-two percent reported an intention to return the following year. The most commonly reported event-related emotions were hope, pride, and empathy (62–69%). Intention to return, satisfaction, and commitment were each significantly predicted by hope and pride. The findings suggest special charity events in cancer control could retain volunteers by fostering pride and hope (e.g., for a cancer free future); however, future prospective research which examines the mechanisms of these relationships is warranted.     

网络群体事件处置与舆论引导联动的模式及程序

事件处置与舆论引导联动是网络群体事件应对的基本环节之一。目前对是否需要联动已有诸多论述,但就如何联动以及联动的模式及程序仍存在不同理解。文章认为,其联动的基本模式包含内部和外部联动两个方面内容;联动的基本程序主要体现在三个环节,即：内部联动一外部联动一组织舆论引导。文章最后还就事件处置与舆论引导联动机制的基本要求作了简要阐述。     

基于生境等价分析法的溢油生态损害评估

总结美国和欧盟生境等价分析法的发展历史和理论模型,应用该方法对某河流溢油污染事故的生境损害进行了定量评估．结果表明,资源生态受损初始程度为50％,建立补偿修复性工程,修复期为10 a,在3％的折现率水平下,修复工程的规模应为26．22×10^4 m2,才能使该河流的生态服务功能恢复到初始水平．逐步优化和完善生境等价分析法,可作为生态补偿管理的技术依据．     

Maxmin expected utility with additivity on unambiguous events

This paper provides a model of beliefs representation in which ambiguity and unambiguity are endogenously distinguished in the maxmin expected utility model of Gilboa and Schmeidler (1989). Specifically, I first extend it by getting a representation of beliefs such that the probabilistic beliefs over each ambiguous event are represented by a nondegenerate interval, while the ones over each unambiguous event are represented by a number. I then suggest a behavioral definition of ambiguity. It provides a choice theoretical foundation for the Knightian distinction between ambiguity and unambiguity.     

Neue Sterblichkeitstafeln der “Varma” für minderwertige Leben

Abstract

Die in der Versicherung minderwertiger Leben angewendeten hypothetischen Sterblichkeitstafeln zerfallen ihrem Klassifizierungsgrunde nach in zwei Gruppen: die Klassifizierung gründet sich 1:0 auf die Art der Minderwertigkeitsursache, 2:0 auf den geschatzten Grad der Minderwertigkeit.