Modeling Disinterest and Dislike: A Bounded Bayesian Mixed Logit Model of the UK Market for GM Food

Mixed logit models represent a powerful discrete choice analytical model but require assumptions about the functional form of the parameter distributions. The use of unbounded distributions, such as the normal distribution, may be regarded as unsuitable where theory indicates that all are negatively affected by increases in an attribute, such as price. Bounded distributions such as the triangular and log-normal are unable to model the case where a section of the population is indifferent towards an attribute, while the remainder are negatively disposed toward it. Train and Sonnier’s bounded mixed logit model accommodates these features and is employed in this paper. A censored normal and Johnson’s S_b distribution are used to model preferences in the UK for food attributes, including price and GM technology. Bi-modal distributions are identified regarding GM food: some are unlikely to ever consume it, some are close to indifference and willing to consume at relatively small discounts while the remainder are fairly unresponsive to further price reductions.     

Economic reforms,efficiency and productivity in Chinese banking

This paper analyzes the impact of banking reforms on efficiency and total factor productivity (TFP) change in Chinese banking industry. Using an input distance function, we find that joint-equity banks are more efficient than wholly state-owned banks (WSOBs). Furthermore, both WSOBs and joint-equity banks are found to be operating slightly below their optimal size, suggesting potential advantages in expansion of their businesses. Overall, TFP growth was 4.4% per annum for the sample period 1993–2002. Joint-equity banks experienced much higher growth in TFP (5.5% per annum) compared to the WSOBs (1.4% per annum).      

持续利用的自然资源价格论

本文提出了自然资源持续利用的福利准则及价格构成，并且还阐述了有关自然资源持续利用的价格理论问题。旨在完善自然资源的价格理论体系。     

Quantitative growth effects of subsidies in a search theoretic R&D model

Should government subsidize R&D and does it matter how these subsidies are allocated? We examine these questions in a dynamic model where R&D is described as sequential sampling from a distribution of new ideas. Successful discoveries affect future available resources and incentives for further R&D. Consequently, there may be under-investment in R&D. We study the effect of government interventions aimed at fostering growth through R&D. Calibrating the model with aggregate data from the Israeli business sector allows us to quantitatively compare two forms of support resembling those actually used to encourage R&D in the Israeli business sector: (i) an unrestricted subsidy that may be used at the recipients' discretion to finance R&D or other investments, (ii) a subsidy earmarked by the government for R&D activities only. While there is no theoretical way to determine which of the two subsidies will have a greater impact on search for new ideas and growth, we find that in the calibrated economy both subsidies have a significant but similar impact on the economy's output and TFP growth rates. Accordingly, in the case of the Israeli business sector, the incentives to conduct R&D were sufficiently strong, and no R&D-specific encouragement was needed. However, a sensitivity analysis reveals that for economies characterized by other parameter values this result may not be true. Correspondence to: B. Bental     

小企业财务管理中存在的问题及对策

文章通过对小企业财务管理中存在的问题进行分析,提出解决问题的对策和建议,以期促进小企业的健康良性发展。     

循环经济:经济增长方式的第二次转变

落实科学发展观,实现人与自然的和谐发展,必须转变传统的经济增长方式:从传统的内涵集约型经济增长方式转变为循环经济型的增长方式。本文还对循环经济的内涵、作用、历史地位、以及在我国推行循环经济需要研究解决的认识、体制、政策、法律、法规和技术等问题作了简要的论述。     

公车改革为何难推开？

昆山市委从２０００年年底开始，先后在陆家、周市、蓬朗三个镇进行了公务用车货币化改革的试点，基本做法是：乡镇机关取消公务用车，所有公车经评估后拍卖，司机重新安排出路，乡镇干部按职务发放交通费。如今这些乡镇已见不到公车了，三分之二的镇级干部买了私家车，其余的     

Design concept for the solid waste landfill site： a case study of Chuzhou City, China

1. Introduction Domestic waste has become a worldwide hazard. It has been listed in Preferential Programmes in China for 21st Century. The combination of the three techniques, the transformation of domestic waste into useful resources, the reduction of do- mestic waste and the innocent treatment of domes- tic waste is the long-term guideline in China. In the spirit of the guideline, several laws and regulations have been enacted, including Technical Standards of Municipal Solid Landfill, …     

论人民币内外价值偏离

近几年来,人民币同时面临对外升值和对内贬值的双向压力。本文以“一价定律”为理论视角,分析了人民币内外价值偏离的表现及其危害,并从涉外经济政策层面探讨了内外价值偏离的深层原因,进而提出纠正人民币内外价值偏离的对策性建议。