A new research framework for family resource management applied to financial preparedness of mid‐life working couplesa

In order to continue to move forward, the field of family resource management needs rich research programmes based on holistic, synergetic approaches. To this end, this paper presents a multi‐perspective research framework for designing family resource management research programmes using insights from five existing perspectives to understand families: life cycle stages, life spiral across generations, unplanned life transitions, the historical context of the course of one's life, and the different levels of influence on daily life ranging from the cosmos to the unknown (spheres of influence perspective). A modernization of the life cycle perspective is proposed as well to accommodate the gap between the full nest and the empty nest. We then use this new research framework to shape the development of a programme targeting retirement preparedness of mid‐life working couples with dependents (children and aged or infirm adults). We anticipate that deeper, more holistic insights into family resource management strategies can be gained from using this new research framework.     

Conclusion

MOCT-MOST: Economic Policy in Transitional Economies -     

Applying Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to Environmental and Resource Economics

Many of the analyses undertaken byenvironmental and resource economics areintimately concerned with spatial variations.This article examines the contribution whichGeographical Information Systems (GIS) mayprovide in incorporating the complexities ofthe spatial dimension within such analyses. Thepaper introduces the reader to the types ofdata handled by a GIS and overviews thepractical functionality offered by suchsystems. A brief literature review issupplemented by a number of more detailedapplications illustrating various GIStechniques which may be of use to the appliedenvironmental or resource economist.     

HEROES FOR PRESENT PURPOSES?— A LOOK AT THE CHANGING IDEA OF COMMUNAL LAND OWNERSHIP IN BRITAIN: PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

The suggestion that land should be owned communally (usually nationally) has often been put forward in Britain during the last three hundred years. The paper reviews the arguments as they have been developed by Utopians, Economists, Popularisers and Politicians. It argues that, though current problems are different from those addressed in the past, the history of the idea of communal ownership still offers insights that have current relevance. As far as rural land is concerned, the problems associated with ownership rights are those that relate either to non-market effects or to the ‘unearned increment’ or to landlord/tenant relationships. Suggestions are made as to the part that changes in property rights might play in handling these problems today. ‘To whomsoever the soil at any time belongs, to him belong the fruits of it. White parasols and elephants mad with pride are the flowers of a grant of land.’     

Making Benefit Transfers Work: Deriving and Testing Principles for Value Transfers for Similar and Dissimilar Sites Using a Case Study of the Non-Market Benefits of Water Quality Improvements Across Europe

We implement a controlled, multi-site experiment to develop and test guidance principles for benefits transfers. These argue that when transferring across relatively similar sites, simple mean value transfers are to be preferred but that when sites are relatively dissimilar then value function transfers will yield lower errors. The paper also provides guidance on the appropriate specification of transferable value functions arguing that these should be developed from theoretical rather than ad-hoc statistical approaches. These principles are tested via a common format valuation study of water quality improvements across five countries. While this provides an idealised tested, results support the above principles and suggest directions for future transfer studies.