Inflation Developments and Perceptions after the Euro Cash Changeover

Abstract. This paper analyses the evolution of inflation and of consumers' inflation perceptions in the aftermath of the euro cash changeover. It finds that the cross‐country variation of food product inflation was dependent on the complexity of conversion rates, with statistically significant and economically sizeable effects especially for low‐priced items sold in midpriced stores. The paper also shows that cross‐country differences in the mismatch of perceived and actual inflation were linked to differences in the complexity of conversion rates. These results are in line with theories of finite information‐processing capacities on the side of consumers.     

Institutional dimensions underlying public trust in information on technological risk

This paper examines the determinants of trust in public information on technological risk in a petrochemical complex located in Tarragona (Spain). Data from focus groups (eight) and a questionnaire survey (N = 400) are drawn together to analyse how two local communities exposed to major chemical hazards perceive information on risk and its sources. Results show how trust relies on two main factors, namely expertise and trustworthiness, that are significantly influenced by a third one, antagonism. Results also illustrate the relevance of the institutional context when understanding how communities give meaning to the available information on risk.     

Defined benefit versus defined contribution pension plans: How are the interests of employees and the public best served?

Prior to the enactment of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 the rate of formation of defined benefit retirement plans exceeded the rate of formation of defined contribution retirement plans. Following its enactment the trend has been reversed. This article reviews the development of public policy with respect to privately sponsored retirement benefits, takes note of the legislatively mandated regulatory distinctions between defined benefit and defined contribution plans, outlines the distinctions between the plans from the perspective of plan sponsors versus plan participants, and questions the appropriateness of the movement away from defined benefit plans in terms of public policy objectives regarding retirement income security.     

苏宁进入家电市场的博弈启示

博弈论译自英文"GameTheory",1994年三位长期致力于博弈论理论和应用研究、实践的学者纳什、海萨尼、塞尔顿共同获得诺贝尔经济学奖,使得博弈论得到了最具权威性的肯定。本文以苏宁进入家电市场为切入点,揭示了在经济活动中,企业应注意运用博弈论的原理、方法来指导企业的各项     

Sickness absence and health care in an economic federation

This paper addresses vertical fiscal externalities in a model where the state governments provide health care and the federal government provides a sickness benefit. Both levels of government tax labor income and policy decisions affect labor income as well as participation in the labor market. The results show that the vertical externality affecting the state governments’ policy decisions can be either positive or negative depending on, among other things, the wage elasticity of labor supply and the marginal product of expenditure on health care. Moreover, it is proved that the vertical fiscal externality will not vanish by assigning all powers of taxation to the states.      

The effect of spatial interdependencies on prioritization and payments for environmental services

Empirical studies and on-the-ground policies assessing optimal selection of projects in the context of payments for environmental services programs rarely consider spatial proximity of one project to other projects. This occurs despite evidence from theoretical and ecological studies that benefits are often spatially interdependent. This paper develops a flexible construct of “spatial synergy benefits” using the principles of Newtonian gravity similar to efforts in other application areas. This approach is novel to the literature on environmental preservation and, as a systematic method, can account for a wide variety of spatial interdependencies. The empirical setting for the application is farm and forest preservation in Delaware, with a quadratic knapsack algorithm used to select the optimal set of parcels. Application results show that the specific level of the spatial synergy benefit measure does not significantly alter the number of parcels and acreage preserved, but that the composition of the optimal set changes as agglomeration preferences increase. These changes in the optimal targeted set indicate a potential bias in past research on PES selection. Policy makers informed by methods that do not explicitly account for spatial agglomeration preferences often make incorrect investment choices from a cost-effectiveness perspective.     

E-Commerce Consumer Perceptions Regarding On-line Shopping

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a survey exploring the perceptions of e-commerce consumers regarding the benefits and concerns of shopping on-line. Implications for the industry, site development, operational issues and customer service are presented.     

两种框架结构形式的转变与工程造价的对比分析

本文对采用钢结构和钢筋混凝土结构两种框架结构体系进行结构形式的转变,分析其在结构性能、结构占用面积、工期、工程造价以及综合经济效益等方面所具有的异同,对其优缺点进行分析,同时对其工程造价进行对比分析。结果显示了钢结构建筑所具有的优势,是将来厂房及高层建筑的发展趋势。     

企业社会责任对消费者满意度的影响——基于国产乳制品行业的实证分析

基于消费者视角，对企业社会行为与消费者满意度的内在影响机制进行了研究，研究企业声誉、感知质量和感知价值在两者之间的作用。以国产乳制品行业为例构建了企业社会责任-消费者满意度模型，并进行实证分析。结果表明：企业社会责任对消费者满意度呈现显著的正向影响；企业社会责任对企业声誉存在显著的正向影响；企业社会责任、企业声誉对感知质量均存在显著的正向影响；企业社会责任、企业声誉、感知质量对感知价值有显著的正向影响；感知价值对消费者满意度存在显著的正向影响。企业社会责任除了直接作用于消费者满意度外，还能够通过企业声誉等变量间接地对消费者满意度产生影响。     

A Comparative Study of the Benefits of Applying Target Cost Contracts Between South Australia and Hong Kong

This article aims to identify and analyze the key benefits of adopting Guaranteed Maximum Price and Target Cost Contracts (GMP/TCC) over and above the traditional lump‐sum contractual arrangement through an empirical questionnaire survey conducted in South Australia and compared with the findings in Hong Kong. The Mann‐Whitney U Test indicated differences in perception between the two groups of respondents on the majority of the identified benefits. The study has provided an in‐depth understanding of the perceived benefits of the GMP/TCC scheme, hence leading to a wider application of those alternative integrated procurement strategies in both regions for reference by the construction community at large.