Production under Uncertainty and Choice under Uncertainty in the Emergence of Generalized Expected Utility Theory

This paper presents a personal view of the interaction between the analysis of choice under uncertainty and the analysis of production under uncertainty. Interest in the foundations of the theory of choice under uncertainty was stimulated by applications of expected utility theory such as the Sandmo model of production under uncertainty. This interest led to the development of generalized models including rank-dependent expected utility theory. In turn, the development of generalized expected utility models raised the question of whether such models could be used in the analysis of applied problems such as those involving production under uncertainty. Finally, the revival of the state-contingent approach led to the recognition of a fundamental duality between choice problems and production problems. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

知情选择的心理学探析

基于心理学的基本理论和知情选择的实践 ,分别阐述了知情选择与认知心理、需要理论、人际沟通、态度原理之间的密切联系 ,指出计划生育工作者学习并掌握心理学 ,将有助于把握育龄夫妇的心理活动规律 ,更好地开展避孕节育措施的知情选择     

知识产权司法保护绩效评价研究

《国家知识产权战略纲要》明确提出要发挥知识产权司法保护的主导作用,反观当前粗放式的知识产权司法保护现状,需要加强绩效导向,建立知识产权司法保护绩效评价制度.知识产权司法保护绩效评价应以外部评价指标为主,评价对象为知识产权司法保护系统,包括司法体制、司法措施、司法效果三个维度,在确定价值导向、选创评价工具和确立指标设置方法的基础之上构建关键指标体系.     

大学生网络非理性行为探析

大学生作为网民队伍中的中坚力量,是网络平台最活跃的群体。大学生的网络非理性行为对大学生群体、大学生思想政治教育以及整个社会稳定产生很大影响。因此,要将媒介素养教育纳入大学文化建设的范畴,开设媒介素养教育课程,树立大学生选择和使用网络媒介的自我教育意识,发挥意见领袖的引导作用。     

A LOGIT-MARKOVIAN MODEL OF CONSUMER PURCHASE BEHAVIOR BASED ON EXPLANATORY VARIABLES: EMPIRICAL EVALUATION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR DECISION MAKING*

This study describes and empirically evaluates an approach to modeling purchase behavior that integrates a Logit-Markov-based multivariate brand-choice model structure with stochastic components. Using actual market data for a frequently purchased consumer product obtained from a consumer purchase panel survey, the paper highlights some marketing applications of the model. Given its general structure, the model can aid marketing managers in defining and evaluating target market segments and in assessing the impact of alternative marketing strategies.     

西北生态脆弱区居民生态补偿意愿研究

对流域微观主体生态补偿意愿的研究有利于流域内生态补偿相关政策的制定与完善,实现全流域社会经济可持续发展。通过构建适合生态脆弱区实际的生态补偿意愿属性指标体系,利用选择实验法,对石羊河流域居民的生态补偿意愿进行了实证研究。对900份有效调查问卷,采用多项式Logit模型估计的结果表明：在自然景观比例、旅游指数、沙尘天气数、森林覆盖率、草地覆盖率、旱生植物面积、水量、水质以及家庭支出9个生态环境属性中,除旅游指数外,其他8个属性均显著影响受访者选择;边际支付意愿较大的属性分别是：自然景观比例、森林覆盖率和草地覆盖率;石羊河流域居民针对现状变化最佳改善方案的平均支付意愿为每年572.62元/户,全流域每年的支付意愿为2.8亿元。     

When 'Choice' and 'Choice' Are not the Same: Institutional Frameworks of Choice in the German Welfare System

The creation and strengthening of welfare markets in Germany means that citizens can increasingly choose among competing providers of welfare goods and services. However, the conditions under which citizens may exercise choice in various fields of social policy are quite different. A major reason for these differences can be found in the public institutions that frame citizens' choice in welfare markets. This article analyses welfare markets in German health care, long-term care, pensions and employment policies, paying special attention to the respective public institutional frameworks. It will be argued that differences between frameworks of choice can be categorized by means of four parameters representing different aspects of public involvement in welfare markets. Depending on the kind and the degree of public involvement, welfare markets may be compatible with 'traditional' notions of public responsibility for citizens' social security.     

Exit, Voice and Quality in the English Education Sector

The use of choice as a mechanism to improve public service delivery is now well established in the UK. Current policy discourse additionally considers voice as a further, complementary, user-driven mechanism. In this article I scrutinize the assumption that choice (exit) and voice complement each other in creating user-driven incentives to increase quality for all consumers in the context of education. I do this by going back to Hirschman's thesis on 'Exit, Voice and Loyalty', focusing in particular on the definitions of quality put forward by him. I apply his analysis to the English education sector and show that, while the current policy discourse evokes the language of Hirschman, it doesn't follow through on the actual implications of his analysis. In particular, I argue that in the current system, choice and voice may complement each other for only a subset of consumers.     

An Analysis of the Production Line versus the Case Manager Approach to Information Intensive Services*

The production line approach has been beneficially used in manufacturing companies to yield consistent-quality standard products at relatively low cost. For this reason, service firms have also employed this approach, which embodies a division of labor, sequential flow processes, and standardization of services. Today's customers, however, are demanding customized services and shorter cycle times—outcomes that the production line approach finds difficult to achieve. An alternative process design proposed for information intensive services is the emerging “case manager” approach, in which all the steps required to deliver a service are performed by a single information technology-enabled individual. This paper uses queuing theory to compare the waiting time performance of the production line and the case manager approaches. This comparison shows that when the number of process steps under the production line approach is relatively large, the relative efficiency of the case manager is sufficiently high, system utilization rate is moderate, and the size of staff downsizing is small, the case manager approach is preferred. Critical issues for the design of enabling information technology are then discussed. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research on the case manager approach.     

Measuring Modularity‐Based Manufacturing Practices and Their Impact on Mass Customization Capability: A Customer‐Driven Perspective

As uncertainty in markets and technology intensifies, more companies are adopting modular product and process architectures to cope with increasing demands for individually customized products. Modularity‐based manufacturing is the application of unit standardization or substitution principles to create modular components and processes that can be configured into a wide range of end products to meet specific customer needs. This study defines modularity‐based manufacturing practices (MBMP), develops a valid and reliable instrument to measure MBMP, builds a framework that relates customer closeness, MBMP, and mass customization capability, and tests structural relationships within this framework using LISREL. Based on 303 responses from members of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, statistically significant and positive relationships were found among customer closeness, modularity‐based manufacturing practices, and mass customization capability. Managerial implications of the empirical findings of this study and future research directions are also discussed.