Consumer choice and television

A consumer choice model which described 48 television programmes in terms of 48 specially constructed orthogonal characteristics was employed to predict how frequently adult US males would watch each of eight shows chosen for testing purposes. The first half of the random sample of 789 was used to construct estimates of the relevant structures and parameters including parameters of viewer utility functions. The second half was used for testing purposes. The predictive error was significantly less - 28 per cent less- than a naive alternative. This 28 per cent was apparently a significantly greater reduction than a comparable percentage found by BOWMAN and FARLEY (1972) using other techniques and the same data.     

Errors in variables and spatial effects in hedonic house price models of ambient air quality

In the valuation of the effect of improved air quality through the estimation of hedonic models of house prices, the potential “errors in variables” aspect of the interpolated air pollution measures is often ignored. In this paper, we assess the extent to which this may affect the resulting empirical estimates for marginal willingness to pay (MWTP), using an extensive sample of over 100,000 individual house sales for 1999 in the South Coast Air Quality Management District of Southern California. We take an explicit spatial econometric perspective and account for spatial dependence and endogeneity using recently developed Spatial 2SLS estimation methods. We also account for both spatial autocorrelation and heteroskedasticity in the error terms, using the Kelejian–Prucha HAC estimator. Our results are consistent across different spatial weights matrices and different kernel functions and suggest that the bias from ignoring the endogeneity in interpolated values may be substantial. This paper is part of a joint research effort with James Murdoch (University of Texas, Dallas) and Mark Thayer (San Diego State University). Their valuable input is gratefully acknowledged. The research was supported in part by NSF Grant BCS-9978058 to the Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science (CSISS), and by NSF/EPA Grant SES-0084213. Earlier versions were presented at the 5th International Workshop on Spatial Econometrics and Statistics, Rome, Italy, May 2006, the 53th North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International, Toronto, ON, Nov. 2006, the 2007 Meetings of the Allied Social Science Assocations, Chicago, IL, Jan 2007, and at departmental seminars at the University of Illinois. Comments by discussants and participants are greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Harry Kelejian for his detailed and patient clarification of the HAC estimator. The usual disclaimer holds.     

Comparing features of convenient estimators for binary choice models with endogenous regressors

Abstract We discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of four types of convenient estimators of binary choice models when regressors may be endogenous or mismeasured or when errors are likely to be heteroscedastic. For example, such models arise when treatment is not randomly assigned and outcomes are binary. The estimators we compare are the two‐stage least squares linear probability model, maximum likelihood estimation, control function estimators, and special regressor methods. We specifically focus on models and associated estimators that are easy to implement. Also, for calculating choice probabilities and regressor marginal effects, we propose the average index function (AIF), which, unlike the average structural function (ASF), is always easy to estimate.     

Consumer choice and revealed bounded rationality

We study two boundedly rational procedures in consumer behavior. We show that these procedures can be detected by conditions on observable demand data of the same type as standard revealed preference axioms. This provides the basis for a non-parametric analysis of boundedly rational consumer behavior mirroring the classical one for utility maximization.     

Monetary valuation of aircraft noise: A hedonic analysis around Amsterdam airport

In densely-populated countries and in particular in large metropolitan areas, the presence of so much human activity causes all sorts of negative externalities, for example traffic noise disturbance. These externalities call for corrective measures by the government. Economists have developed a number of procedures that provide reasonable estimates on the monetary value of some amenities and externalities. In this paper we develop a spatially-explicit hedonic pricing model for house prices in order to quantify the social cost of aircraft noise disturbance in monetary terms. While focusing on aircraft noise around Amsterdam airport in the urban fringe of the Amsterdam region, a key point in our analysis is that we account for background noise. We do this by taking multiple sources of traffic noise (i.e. road, railway and aircraft noise) into account simultaneously and by setting threshold values for all three sources of noise above which sound is generally experienced as nuisance. Based on our regression results we conclude that a higher noise level means ceteris paribus a lower house price. Air traffic has the largest price impact, followed by railway traffic and road traffic. These model outcomes can subsequently be used to estimate the marginal and total benefits of aircraft noise reduction in the studied area around Amsterdam airport. We find a marginal benefit of 1 dB noise reduction of 1459 Euro per house, leading to a total benefit of 1 dB noise reduction of 574 million Euros.     

Identifying inconsistent responses in dichotomous choice contingent valuation with follow-up questions

We develop a new but simple non-parametric method to diagnose inconsistency in double-bounded contingent valuation questions in the presence of both perfect and imperfect correlation between initial and follow-up response distributions. The proposed method can identify inconsistency in iterative responses at each bid interval. We apply this method to data from five well-known double-bounded contingent valuation surveys. The predictions of our model match closely with parametric outcomes. Further, we find that the inconsistency patterns generally vary for different data sets and different bid intervals within data sets. Therefore no single behavioral model can explain all latent inconsistency patterns either within or across data sets. In addition, we examine the impact of inconsistency in responses on bias and efficiency of the double-bounded format in the absence of correction for inconsistency. We conclude that the commonly cited benefits of the double-bounded format hold only in the special case of nearly perfect consistency between initial and follow-up response distributions. Our method provides a simple tool researchers can use to determine the similarity in response distributions between the initial and follow-up responses and whether incorporating collected follow-up responses are likely to actually increase efficiency without introducing bias.     

Consumer flexibility,data quality and location choice

We analyze firms’ location choices in a Hotelling model with two-dimensional consumer heterogeneity, along addresses and transport cost parameters (flexibility). Firms can price discriminate based on perfect data on consumer addresses and (possibly) imperfect data on consumer flexibility. We show that firms’ location choices depend on how strongly consumers differ in flexibility. Precisely, when consumers are relatively homogeneous, equilibrium locations are socially optimal regardless of the quality of customer flexibility data. However, when consumers are relatively differentiated, firms make socially optimal location choices only when customer flexibility data becomes perfect. These results are driven by the optimal strategy of a firm on its turf, monopolization or market-sharing, which in turn depends on consumer heterogeneity in flexibility. Our analysis is motivated by the availability of customer data, which allows firms to practice third-degree price discrimination based on both consumer characteristics relevant in spatial competition, addresses and transport cost parameters.     

Estimating compensating and equivalent income variations from hedonic price models

Estimates of welfare changes obtained from hedonic price models usually consist of changes in Marshallian consumer's surplus. This note shows how compensating and equivalent income variations can be computed from the information available in hedonicprice models.     

Consumer choice and information : New experimental evidence

Many laws and regulations aimed at safeguarding consumers deal with the amount and kind of product information that consumers receive. Implicit in these regulations is the belief that consumers can make use of the appropriate information, provided only that it is made available. Recently a number of authors have argued that consumer decisionmaking is subject to consistent biases, suggesting poor purchase decisions may result even with access to the relevant information. Indeed some critics have argued that consumers may be subject to information overload so that they may make worse decisions with extra information than without it. The experimental results presented in this paper address some of these issues. The results suggest that untrained people can use simplifying strategies in quite complicated decision problems. Also, while information overload clearly can occur, the subjects in our experiments appeared able to ignore unnecessary or unwanted information.     

Reconsidering the hedonic vs. RUM debate in the valuation of recreational environmental amenities

Two revealed preference methods have emerged as the primary tools for valuing the environmental amenities of recreational resources: the hedonic travel cost method and the random utility method. While both methods are now widely applied, considerable debate still exists over the appropriateness of each method. This paper examines this debate in the literature and shows that much of the contention over the methods results from the improper application of the models or misinterpretations of the theory that underlies the models. Both models are shown to possess strengths and weaknesses that are important determinants of their effectiveness as valuation tools.     

浅谈发出存货计价方法的选择

对存货计价问题的产生进行说明,详细介绍了5种发出存货计价方法,并且通过它们之间的比较,重点阐述了企业如何根据自己选择恰当的存货计价方法。这样,选择比较合理的发出存货计价方法,可以有效达到企业管理的目标。     

Location models as models of product choice

Markets in which firm choice of product is an economic decision are commonly analyzed using a variant of the location model pioneered by Hotelling (Econ. J.39 (1929), 41–57). This paper develops a framework for formalizing the idea that a set of consumers with preferences defined over an abstract set of commodities can be represented as if they behaved as is typically assumed in the goods-as-locations models. With this framework in place, we are able to derive the preference assumptions underlying the two most common versions of these models, and also to uncover the foundations of the now well-known principle of minimum differentiation.     

Development of land valuation approach based on hedonic model--A case study of Vientiane capital city Laos

The aim of this study is to identify the variables affecting land value. Examined land was selected from the village in Vientiane capital city Laos. Data was collected from 100 villages in center of Vientiane capital city by using survey methods. A hedonic price analysis was conducted to determine the marginal return to different land characteristics using an econometric model corrected for correlation. Parcel characteristics such as distance to public park, village income, distance of population, number of the school within 500 meters buffer, distance to the temple, distance to the major market and distance to the business center （CBD）. Arc GIS 9.2 was applied to calculate the distance of the factors, after that SPSS 15.0 was used to calculate the land price characteristic based on hedonic price model. The results showed that the distance to the center of population was the main factor influencing to the land price, and followed by school and village income. Map of the land price before and after hedonic price analysis were produced. The land price valuation approaches based on hedonic price model for Vientiane capital city were developed and land price map were predicted. Hedonic price model and GIS were very useful for this research, and finally the policy of the land valuation based on GIS was developed.     

Tiebout and redistribution in a model of residential and political choice

The paper considers a two-community model with freely mobile individuals. Individuals differ not only in their incomes, but also in their tastes for a local public good. In each jurisdiction, the amount of public services is determined by majority vote of the inhabitants, and local spending is financed by a residence-based linear income tax. When making their residential and political choices, individuals thus face a trade-off between the provisionary and redistributive effects of policies. We analyze this trade-off and show that Tiebout-like sorting equilibria often exist. If the spread in tastes among individuals is very large, an almost perfect sorting according to preferences emerges; otherwise, a partial sorting prevails and stratification into rich and poor communities is more pronounced. Importantly, we demonstrate that all these sorting equilibria exist whether or not individuals are allowed to relocate after voting.     

Starting point bias and respondent uncertainty in dichotomous choice contingent valuation surveys

In this article, we develop a dichotomous choice model with follow-up questions that describes the willingness to pay being uncertain in an interval. The initial response is subject to starting point bias. Our model provides an alternative interpretation of the starting point bias in the dichotomous choice valuation surveys. Using the Exxon Valdez survey, we show that, when uncertain, individuals tend to answer “yes”.     

Bound and path effects in double and triple bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation

Dichotomous choice contingent valuation questions are relatively inefficient in that large sample sizes are required for a given level of estimation precision. An increasingly common approach to this problem is to supplement the initial question with subsequent dichotomous choice questions in a multiple-bound design. However, a number of commentators have suggested that such designs may generate responses which are internally inconsistent in that the distribution of underlying preferences implied by answers to the initial question may not be the same as that implied by the entire sequence of replies. We consider a variety of potential causes of such inconsistencies and use data from a contingent valuation study with two follow-ups and post survey debriefing focus groups to test both the effects caused by moving from one bound to another and those caused when respondents follow either the bid-increasing path generated by a positive response at a given bid amount, or the bid-decreasing path generated by negative responses. Results indicate that both bound and path effects are significant and generate a pattern corresponding to certain of the causes of inconsistency identified in the paper. Conclusions for the future application of such designs are presented.     

Weighted and quadratic models of choice under uncertainty

This paper extends the weighted and quadratic utility models of choice under risk to the context of choice under uncertainty. An important characteristic of the models is that they admit ‘dynamically consistent’ updating rules.     

Applied welfare analysis with discrete choice models: A comment

Small and Rosen extend conventional welfare analysis to a variety of non-standard consumer choice problems. This paper unifies their results and demonstrates that they are all straightforward consequences of the envelope theorem. Additional examples include progressive and regressive taxes and fixed costs.     

Consumer allocation models: Choice of functional form

The functional form of consumer allocation models should be able to satisfy theoretical properties derived from the theory of consumer demand. The paper sketches four approaches that meet this condition. Of course, also empirical performance matters. Next to naive goodness-of-fit comparison, non-nested hypothesis testing can be employed. The latter technique is applied to a comparison of four versions of differential demand systems: the Rotterdam system, a version of the Almost Ideal Demand (AID) system, the CBS system and the NBR system. These systems are artificially nested in a more general model using scalar weights in contrast to Barten and McAleer (1991) who use matrix weights for this purpose. Annual data over the period 1921–1981 for The Netherlands for four major groups of consumer expenditure have been used for the empirical application. The CBS system dominates the others.