The economic effects of long-term rent control: The case of New York City

This article presents a simple model of rent control in which the costs and benefits can be analyzed in terms of Hicksian consumer and producer surpluses. Data from New York City are then used to examine the effect of the long-term rent control in that city. Estimates are presented which suggest that the program provided tenants with benefits amounting to about 5 percent of their income in the years 1965 and 1968. Additional evidence shows that tenant benefits declined rather sharply between the two years, and that in each of the years benefits were higher for older tenants, richer tenants, and white tenants than for their counterparts. Finally, evidence presented here suggests that, due to the in-kind nature of the program, the cost to landlords exceeded the benefits to tenants by about 75 percent.     

The welfare effects of a subsidy to Multiple Listing Services

We show that the gain in consumer surplus resulting from subsidizing a Multiple Listing Service may exceed the cost of the subsidy. Thus a subsidy financed by taxing the consumer may be Pareto-improving. We give general conditions for this to hold.     

Infrastructure public–private partnership project ecosystem – financial and economic positioning of stakeholders

The purpose of this paper is to construct an analytical cash flow-based project model to facilitate project appraisal of both private investors and public sector. With the help of the model that focuses on ecosystem and its stakeholders, it is simpler to identify potential conflicts usually encountered in public–private partnership (PPP) projects. The model construct is based on classical cash flow accounting and cost–benefit analysis. In the model, the flows of cash (private investors) and the flows of costs and benefits (public investors) are integrated in a single framework. The model shows that within the ecosystem the investors' (public vs. private) social, economic and financial targets are not necessarily coinciding. Prospecting of common ground and win–win situations becomes a crucial success factor for any PPP project. The paper discusses the policy and investment strategy implications for successful PPPs.     

The Multi-Period Cost-Benefit Rule with Mobile Capital and Distorted Labor

Lind (1990) argues that capital mobility should be incorporated into the discussions of the social discount rate. He finds that when labor market distortion is ignored in that context, the appropriate discount rate for both project benefits and costs is the net rate of return, and the gross rate of return does not enter into the rule. Taking into account the labor market distortion, we find that a projects impacts on government receipts should be incorporated into its evaluation and that costs should be multiplied by a marginal cost of funds (MCF) before being compared with benefits. Although the net rate continues to be the correct discount rate to use, the gross rate enters into the rule by having effects on the projects receipt impacts and the MCF.JEL Code: D61, H43, F21     

The role of perceived costs and perceived benefits in the relationship between personality and risk‐related choices

This paper considers how perceptions of costs and benefits can influence the association between personality and risky choice behaviour. We assessed perceptions and behaviours in six domains (ethical; investment; gambling; health and safety; recreational; social) using the DOSPERT and measured personality using the NEO PI‐R. Results from structural equation modelling showed that personality had a direct effect on risky choice behaviour in four domains (social, ethical, gambling and recreational risk‐taking). In addition, perceived costs and benefits mediated the relations between personality and risk‐taking in the five domains (social, ethical, gambling, recreational and investment risk‐taking). Evidence for a mechanism that integrates both direct and indirect effects of personality on behaviour is discussed.     

Social security in the UK under New Labour: what did the Third Way mean for welfare reform?

In 1997, the Labour Party was elected in the UK with few explicitly articulated ideas about social security reforms. This paper reviews the large number of subsequent reforms to social security, and argues that some consistent themes have emerged. A commitment to keep to the tight spending plans of the previous, Conservative, administration left little scope for increases in benefit spending during the first two years in office. Since that time, increases in the generosity of some social security programmes have been directed towards achieving certain goals. An emphasis on encouraging paid work has been a consistent theme, whilst aims of reducing poverty rates for children and pensioners have been emphasised since 1999. Spending to achieve these goals has often been directed through means‐tested programmes, and there has been a related weakening of the link between paid National Insurance contributions and benefit entitlements. It remains to be seen whether reforms to the process of income assessment will increase take‐up.     

中国-东盟区域货币合作与人民币区域化研究

本文通过对中国-东盟区域货币合作的收益、成本以及在中国-东盟区域货币合作中推进人民币区域化的可行性分析,提出了中国-东盟区域货币合作势在必行的观点,并阐述了在加强中国-东盟区域货币合作中推进人民币区域化的策略。     

保险企业质量成本管理实证分析

保险业的发展不仅带动了我国经济的进步以及基础建设的稳步前行,同时对稳定居民生活、保障国民的生命和财产安全起着不可替代的作用。在这种形势下,以顾客满意度为导向的质量成本管理对保险业的健康稳定发展意义重大,对保险业质量成本管理进行分析也就非常重要。本文在总结国内外研究基础上,引出了保险业的质量成本管理问题。针对保险业的特殊属性,本文建立了以顾客满意度为导向的质量成本管理模型,构建了保险业质量管理的项目设置及成本核算方式,并选取35家寿险公司作为样本,对保险业的质量成本管理模型进行了验证,并给出了加强保险业质量成本管理的建议。     

Informal household preparedness: methodological approaches to everyday practices

Abstract

Despite increasing attention to individuals’ everyday lives in the literature on risk, few studies investigate household preparedness within the everyday life context. Preparedness is most often regarded as a predefined set of capacities for dealing with emergencies. This article presents methodological approaches for studying what I suggest calling informal preparedness activities that are performed as part of daily life in households. Starting with the assumption that everyday life is enacted through culturally and socially shared practices, it is argued that preparedness is interwoven into these practices. Contrary to studying preparedness as the degree to which households are aware of and act according to a formal definition of preparedness, informal household preparedness focuses on preparedness as embedded in the routinised practices that make up everyday life. The study of informal household preparedness is based on three methodological approaches that explore these practices: (i) Performance of everyday practices, where interviews that focus on performance ask questions about what practitioners actually do; (ii) materiality, where walk-alongs are used to connect performance interviews to the material surroundings; and (iii) visualisation, where the material aspects of informal preparedness are documented. These approaches were carried out in a study of Norwegian households’ management of and preparedness for electricity and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure breakdowns. Addressing informal and formal preparedness activities expands our understanding of household preparedness and should help policy makers recognise the active role of households and their actual resources and constraints in future preparedness planning.     

基于ESG理念的新型电池储能综合价值测算及经济性评估

基于ESG（环境、社会、治理）理念,采用双指数学习曲线函数,模拟储能成本动态变化过程,根据动态全寿命周期成本和综合价值,构建新型电池储能经济性评估模型,依据江苏省新建储能电站相关数据,考量新型电池储能的综合价值,验证模型有效性。结果发现：当前新型电池储能电站建设成本高,价值回收难以补偿全寿命周期成本,制约新型电力系统发展。仿真结果表明：当储能成本降至2900元/kW时,新型电池储能能够达到投资边界值,经济上可实现大规模应用。     

The restructuring and privatisation of British Rail: was it really that bad?

This paper uses a social cost‐benefit analysis (SCBA) framework to assess whether rail privatisation in Britain has produced savings in operating costs. The paper shows that major efficiencies have been achieved and consumers have benefited through lower prices, whilst the increased government subsidy has been largely recouped through privatisation proceeds. We also find that output quality is no lower (and is probably better) than under the counterfactual scenario of public ownership (pre‐Hatfield). The achievement of further savings is key to delivering improved rail services in the future. This paper finds that a privatised structure, where shareholders demand a return on their investment, has led to significant improvements in operating efficiency. It remains to be seen whether the new regime, with a not‐for‐profit infrastructure owner, will deliver the same efficiency improvements.     

终身寿险退保的利率敏感性分析——基于保单保障水平的测算

市场利率变化对于不分红终身寿险产品退保的影响很大,终身寿险保单不能够通过选择较长的缴费期来缓解市场利率变化引起的退保压力,调整预定利率能缓解退保压力;适当的分红政策能够大大缓解市场利率变化对分红型终身寿险退保的影响,但是经营效益差,分红水平低于市场预期的寿险公司产品可能会遭遇到更大的退保压力。     

The attitude towards flood insurance purchase when respondents' preferences are uncertain: a fuzzy approach

Impact Assessments (IAs) were introduced at the EU level under the rhetorical facade of ‘better regulation’. The actual aim was to improve not only the quality but also the reputation of EU regulation before stakeholders. However, evidence brought forward by a number of evaluations pointed out that IAs are yet to achieve acceptable quality standards. The paper offers an overview of different disciplinary approaches for looking at IAs. It suggests that risk regulation encompasses the theoretical foundations to help understand the role of IAs in the EU decision‐making process. The analysis of 60 early days preliminary IAs provides empirical evidence regarding policy alternatives, methodology of consultation and use of quantitative techniques. Findings suggest that dawn period IAs were used mainly to provide some empirical evidence for regulatory intervention in front of stakeholders. The paper concludes with assumptions about the future role of IAs at EU level.     

An investigation into student satisfaction,approaches to learning and the learning context in Auditing

Arguably, the audit course is one of the most challenging as it links prior accounting knowledge with new audit knowledge that students are generally not exposed to. A mini‐audit group project was implemented at a New Zealand university, and a learning approach and learning experience survey instrument was administered. Responses from 98 students suggest that they perceived the learning experience positively and were encouraged to adopt a deep approach to learning. The findings have implications for accounting educators in the design and development of learning and assessment strategies in an audit course.     

新保险会计准则征求意见稿对寿险企业利润计量的影响

本文分析并比较了财政部发布的《企业会计准则第X号保险合同(修订)(征求意见稿》与我国现行保险会计准则在利润披露与确认方面的差异。通过仿真模拟利润计量,发现征求意见稿下定期寿险合同的承保后期将会确认更多的利润贡献;合同服务边际对利润计量的平滑效应更加突出,尤其是对亏损计量的吸收作用将会显现;征求意见稿对手续费及佣金的规定会进一步平稳计量利润;收入口径的改变更符合寿险合同长期性的经济特质等。因此,建议我国寿险公司统一数据平台,衔接财务系统与精算系统;调整绩效考核指标、业务结构和产品策略;更加谨慎合理地进行产品定价测算;进一步加强保单的维护工作,为应对征求意见稿的实施做好充分准备。     

New Approaches in Reward: Their Relevance to the Public Sector

Relationships between the NHS and social care services over the Past 25 years have a poor history. This article examines the strategies that have been used by central government and by local NHS and social care organizations to overcome difficulties of service co-ordination. The authors conclude that policies reflecting ‘networked’ modes of governance may stand the best chance of success, although evidence of improved impact and outcomes still remains scarce.     

Supporting ALARP decision making by cost benefit analysis and multiattribute utility theory

Current guidance in the UK and elsewhere indicate upper and target risk limits for the operation of nuclear plant in terms of individual risk per annum. ‘As low as reasonably practicable’ (ALARP) arguments are used to justify the acceptance or rejection of policies that lead to risk changes between these limits. The suitability of cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) and multiattribute utility theory (MAUT) are assessed for performing ALARP (‘as low as reasonably possible’) assessments, in particular within the nuclear industry. Four problems stand out in current CBA applications to ALARP, concerning the determination of prices of safety gains or detriments, the valuation of group and individual risk, calculations using ‘disproportionality’, and the use of discounting to trade‐off risks through time. This last point has received less attention in the past but is important because of the growing interest in risk‐informed regulation in which policies extend over several timeframes and distribute the risk unevenly over these, or in policies that lead to a nonuniform risk within a single timeframe (such as maintenance policies). The problems associated with giving quantitative support to such decisions are discussed. It is argued that multiattribute utility methods (MAUT) provide an alternative methodology to CBA which enable the four problems described above to be addressed in a more satisfactory way. Through sensitivity analysis MAUT can address the perceptions of all stakeholder groups, facilitating constructive discussion and elucidating the key points of disagreement. It is also argued that by being explicitly subjective it provides an open, auditable and clear analysis in contrast to the illusory objectivity of CBA. CBA seeks to justify a decision by using a common basis for weights (prices), while MAUT recognizes that different parties may want to give different valuations. It then allows the analyst to explore the ways in which different parties might (or might not) come to the same conclusion even when weighting items differently.     

数据挖掘技术在寿险业交叉销售中的应用

一般来说,保险公司获得新客户的成本比维持老客户的成本要高得多,因此保险公司开始更多地关注现有客户的发展,交叉销售正是挖掘现有客户的消费潜力的有效方法。本文以CRISP-DM(Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining)方法论为基础,探讨聚类分析和关联规则在寿险行业交叉销售中的应用,并结合某寿险公司的基础数据应用Clementine挖掘工具建立了交叉销售模型,帮助寿险公司有针对性地开展产品营销。     

保险客户价值评估新方法及其应用初探

财产保险公司往往用综合成本率等传统财务指标来衡量某类客户的价值,以此作为各项经营决策的重要依据。但该类指标容易导致经营决策的短期倾向,不能有效对接资本市场对上市保险公司的价值评估要求,也不能很好的适应“偿二代”监管体系。笔者提出一种新方法——风险收益分析法来评估客户价值,运用风险的定量模型．综合评估不同客群的收益和风险水平。客观评价客户价值。同时本文探讨了该方法在业务策略、承保规则制定、再保方案、绩效评估等领域的应用方案。     

The Analysis of Welfare Effects of an Environmental Product Tax: An Application to the Taxation of Car Tyres in Hungary

A sophisticated welfare analysis developed by Morris and Kis (1996) is presented here for the study of the effect of a product charge tax on the car tyre market in Hungary. The analysis is extended and complemented in this paper by, first, using the AIDS model and an algorithm developed by Galarraga and Markandya (2000) to estimate demand elasticities from limited data and, second, including the income effects into the analysis. The latter does not have much impact on the results but the generalisation of the model might be useful for the analysis of different goods where the proportion of income spent on them is more important.