An experimental approach to valuing information

This article proposes a method to directly measure the value of information (VOI) conveyed in a label. Using data collected from a field experiment conducted in two grocery stores in Texas, we find the VOI contained in U.S. federally mandated country of origin labels for beef and pork is 36% lower using the new direct elicitation compared to the conventional approach. The mean value‐of‐origin information, in the context of our experiment, ranges from $0.016 to $1.08 per pound of steak/chop purchased, depending on the valuation method used and assumptions about labeling knowledge and average volume purchased per choice. The VOI is substantively influenced by ethnocentrism and meat consumption frequency.     

The development and application of a process model for R&D project management in a high tech firm: A field study

In R&;D organizations of high tech firms, multiple R&;D projects are executed concurrently and timeliness of project completion - i.e., developing the right products at the right times - is a matter of serious concern. Given that the priority of R&;D projects and the interdependencies between the projects in a high tech firm change dynamically, high tech R&;D project management is a complex and challenging endeavor. To improve the understanding and management of high tech R&;D projects, this paper reports the findings of a field study where we, first, develop and empirically estimate a model that relates project priority over time with the generative mechanisms of market pull and technical challenge associated with R&;D projects. Next, we develop and demonstrate the application of a process model within which the time-varying project priority model is embedded. The process model makes it possible to allocate fixed resources among competing projects with time-varying interdependencies, thereby improving the timeliness of project completion. This research was conducted in collaboration with a major U.S. high tech firm. The corporate R&;D center of the firm served as the research setting for the field study. We present an application of the process model to delineate the evolution of the R&;D organization with the merger of its (technology driven) parent firm with another (market driven) high tech manufacturing firm. The application of the process model generates theoretical insights that are used to develop testable propositions. Implications of the study findings and directions for future research are discussed.     

Group decision-making theory and behavior under performance-based water quality payments

Two theoretical models explaining group allocation decisions under watershed level, performance-based payments are explored: (I) reward and penalize individual contributors; and (II) reduce the problem with cost-sharing and cooperative abatement. Under Model I, an optimal amount of pollution from individual contributors can be achieved with proper payment incentive and group allocation formula. Model II represents a cost effective solution to pollution reduction where the group optimizes its return from group payments, but does not necessarily achieve an optimal level of pollution. Field experiment observations support farmer behavior closer to Model II.     

Empathy as added value in predicting donation behavior

Past behavior and socio-demographics represent traditional predictors of charitable giving. The present study examines, in a real fundraising setting, whether measures of empathy (i.e., empathic concern and personal distress) can improve these predictions. The findings confirm the relevance of traditional predictor sets and the added value of including measures of empathy. Empathic concern positively affects the donation decision. In addition, empathy negatively affects the donor's generosity toward one charity. However, for people with high empathic concern, considering only generosity toward one charity could be misleading because such people are more likely to donate to different charities. This result has implications for overall generosity. Therefore, a clear distinction between both personality traits is necessary.     

How would Swiss consumers decide if they had freedom of choice? Evidence from a field study with organic,conventional and GM corn bread

In 2005, the Swiss expressed their negative attitude towards genetic engineering in agriculture by voting in favor of a ban to use genetically modified (GM) crops in domestic agriculture. At the same time, certain GM food products remain approved but are not on offer since retailers assume that consumers would shun labeled GM food. In our study we tested this claim by conducting a large-scale field study with Swiss consumers. In our experimental design, three clearly labeled types of corn bread were offered at five different market stands across the French and German-speaking part of Switzerland: one made with organic, one made with conventional, and one made with genetically modified (GM) corn. In addition, we tested the consistency between purchasing decision at the market stand and the previous voting decision on GMOs in 2005 by means of an ex-post questionnaire. The results of our discrete choice analysis show that Swiss consumers treat GM foods just like any other type of novel food. We conclude from our findings that consumers tend to appreciate transparency and freedom of choice even if one of the offered product types is labeled as containing a genetically modified ingredient. Retailers should allow consumers to make their own choice and accept the fact that not all people appear to be afraid of GM food.     

开放经济条件下我国游资规模的测算研究

自2005年汇率改革以来,在人民币预期升值驱动下,国际游资大规模流入中国,对我国货币政策的独立性和实施效果产生了较大的冲击和影响。结合Auto-Regressive模型、PLS回归和GM(1,1)模型对2005~2009年的我国国际游资规模进行测算,结果表明,我国的国际游资主要是通过贸易顺差流入我国的,FDI中隐藏的国际游资相对要少很多。测算至2009年底,我国的国际游资规模已经达到了12623.31亿美元。     

基于产业链视角的温泉旅游开发研究——以灰汤国际温泉度假区为例

在产业链理论的基础上,对温泉旅游产业链进行了界定,分析了其类型和构成,探讨了其形成动因.在此基础上,以中国三大知名高温温泉旅游度假地之一的灰汤国际温泉度假区为实例,提出了创新体制机制;合理进行产业空间布局;提升内部产业链,增强核心吸引力;延伸外部产业链,增强综合经济效益;完善配套服务设施,提升服务水平等措施来构建和延伸温泉旅游产业链,以提高灰汤温泉旅游开发的综合效益.     

The success of job applications: a new approach to program evaluation

This paper suggests a novel approach to program evaluation that allows identification of the causal effect of a training program on the likelihood of being invited to a job interview under weak assumptions, i.e., by measuring the program-effects by pre- and post-treatment data that are very close in time for the same individual.     

银行网点主机集中方案的设计与实现——基于降低维护成本

本文提出了银行网点主机集中方案，对该方案进行需求分析，介绍了该方案的实施过程，并在部分银行网点进行试点，试点结果表明该方案大大降低了对主机维护成本，为银行网点经营效率的提高提供了有利的技术支持。