Interest rate model comparisons for participating products under Solvency II

Under the Solvency II regulatory framework it is essential for life insurers to have an adequate interest rate model. In this paper, we investigate whether the choice of the interest rate model has an impact on the valuation of the best estimate of the liabilities. We use three well-known interest rate models; the CIR++-model, the G2++-model and the Libor Market model. Our numerical results show that for low to medium durations of the liabilities and a relatively low proportion of credit bonds in the asset portfolio, the three interest rate models produce quite similar values for the best estimate liabilities. However, for large durations of the liabilities, or a large bond proportion, or both, the differences can be quite large. There is no easy answer to the question of which model should be used in cases where the choice of interest rate model has a significant impact. Based on the study described in this paper, our advice is to use the G2++-model, which seems to represent an appropriate trade-off between accuracy and complexity.     

Trust and the don't‐want‐to‐complain bias in peer‐to‐peer platform markets

This paper addresses peer‐to‐peer (P2P) digital platform markets, often associated with the “sharing economy” or the “collaborative economy”. Such digital platforms, facilitating new purchasing channels for consumers by matching P2P supply and demand, can be considered new market places challenging the conventional markets. How are P2P platform markets evaluated by the consumers? Based on a comprehensive survey‐data material, five different P2P service markets are considered by peer buyers and the results compared to consumers’ evaluations from similar conventional service markets according to trust, comparability and consumers’ satisfaction with the transactions. Comparability seems to be one advantage for the platform markets, while trust could become a problem. Conditions for trust in P2P platform markets is particularly interesting to study because contrary to conventional markets P2P transactions cannot rely on governmental laws, regulations and security net. This trust problem has been solved by a trust‐generating rate and review system. Our data material, however, distinguishes a mechanism that we have coined as the don't‐want‐to‐complain bias. More precisely, people do not like to complain, hence buyers of P2P services often hesitate to give negative ratings when they are discontent with a service or a supplier. Therefore, positive ratings become overestimated. If consumers recognize this bias, ratings and reviews will lose credibility and no longer be considered trustworthy. Eventually, this may threaten the well‐functioning of P2P markets.     

RFID—the “Next Step” in Consumer–Product Relations or Orwellian Nightmare? Challenges for Research and Policy

Radio frequency identification (RFID) has been successfully implemented in supply chain management, automated toll collection, and inventory control. The next implementation is expected to come in retail, with RFID embedded in products, on shelves, and at check-out points for value-added sales and post-purchase services. This vision of a pervasive and omnipresent technology has spurred considerable controversy due to privacy concerns and fears of an Orwellian surveillance society. At the moment, consumer-oriented RFID research is scarce and fragmented. This paper seeks to chart the RFID territory, address the research that is readily available, and conclude with a call for a more encompassing research agenda on RFID and consumers. Research on RFID is needed to better understand the various contexts RFID appear in, to inform policy-makers not familiar with the many challenges involved, and to make industries aware of the full range of consumer-critical issues in RFID development.     

Verstopfung frühzeitig entgegensteuern

Eine aufmerksame Patientenbeobachtung ist der erste Schritt, um schweren Obstipationen vorzubeugen. Vor allem bei pflegebedürftigen Senioren gilt es, Warnsignale frühzeitig zu erkennen und alle pflegerischen M?glichkeiten der Prophylaxe auszusch?pfen.     

Discrimination in rental markets: Evidence from Norway

This paper examines discrimination in the rental housing market. We analyze a rich data set on rental contracts from Norway. We find that tenants born abroad pay a statistically significant and economically important premium for their dwelling units after controlling for a comprehensive set of apartment, individual and contract specific covariates. Moreover, we find that the premium is largest for tenants of African origin. Finally, Norwegians whose parents were born abroad also face a statistically significant and economically important rental premium that is directly comparable to the premium paid by tenants born abroad.     

Online,on call: the spread of digitally organised just‐in‐time working and its implications for standard employment models

This article questions whether the dominant policy discourse, in which a normative model of standard employment is counterposed to ‘non‐standard’ or ‘atypical’ employment, enables us to capture the diversity of fluid labour markets in which work is dynamically reshaped in an interaction between different kinds of employment status and work organisation. Drawing on surveys in the UK, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands that investigate work managed via online platforms (‘crowdwork’) and associated practices, it demonstrates that crowdwork represents part of a continuum. Not only do most crowd workers combine work for online platforms with other forms of work or income generation, but also many of the ICT‐related practices associated with crowdwork are widespread across the rest of the labour market where a growing number of workers are ‘logged’. Future research should not just focus on crowdworkers as a special case but on new patterns of work organisation in the regular workforce.     

The EMF uncertainty problem related to mobile phones: where do consumers place their trust?

This paper addresses the uncertainty problem, i.e. cases characterized by lack of knowledge or scientific uncertainty. In such situations, it can be hard for consumers to ‘voice’ or practise consumer power. One field characterized by the uncertainty problem is electromagnetic radiation. An explicit goal of this study has been to articulate Norwegian consumers' practices, attitudes and beliefs regarding electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones to public authorities and consumer policy makers. The study was based on 1000 telephone interviews collected in 2008. Today, experts disagree on the potential health effects of radiation from electromagnetic fields (EMF), as well as standards for safe limits of exposure to mobile phones, base stations and wireless telecommunication systems. In addition, complicated technology and extremely rapid product development and diffusion leave consumers' security considerations to their own beliefs and trust. Whether or not electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones constitutes a health hazard will not be addressed in this paper. Rather, it will focus on how consumers react to this situation of uncertainty. The material reveals four main ways in which consumers can solve what we have named the EMF uncertainty problem: the confident and comfortable way, the sceptical and cautious way, the responsible and good citizen way, and finally, the neglecting way. The paper also discusses the precautionary principle related to EMF. Who should be precautionary: the public authorities, the mobile phone industry or the consumers themselves? We believe that a consistent governmental precautionary policy in combination with consumers taking their own precautionary measures is a viable solution. In this way, all consumers would be addressed and aided when navigating this field of uncertainty.     

Wenn die Darmentleerung gestört ist

Die chronische Obstipation ist nach wie vor ein Tabu thema – auch in Kliniken und Pflegeeinrichtungen. Dabei ist das Beschwerdebild gerade in der station?ren Altenpflege sehr verbreitet und beeinflusst die Lebensqualit?t der Bewohner oft betr?chtlich. Wie ?u?ert sich das Krankheitsbild und welche Ursachen liegen ihm zu Grunde?