Estimation of Laspeyres Price Indexes Using the Prediction Approach for Finite Population Sampling

Estimators of chain and fixed-base Laspeyres price indexes are studied using the prediction approach to finite population sampling. The estimators include some that are based on those used in several U.S. government index programs and others derived from prediction models. Biases and variances of the estimators are studied for a case in which the reference period index weights are unknown for nonsample items. Under a model for a one-period price change in which items have common within-stratum means, unbiased estimators can be constructed, but under a more general regression model, special sample balance conditions are needed for unbiasedness of those estimators. The theory for the estimators of fixed-base indexes is illustrated in an empirical study using a population of items priced for the U.S. Consumer Price Index.     

Indexing the Federal Tax System: A Cost-of-Living Approach

In this article, we analyze the indexation of federal taxes, using an approach based on cost-of-living measurement. We use our Tax and Price Index methodology and data base to study an indexed system historically, comparing indexation with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to actual tax policy, a tax system with constant parameters, and an “exact” indexing scheme. We reach three main conclusions: (a) The sequence of tax reductions implemented between 1967 and 1985 have fallen short of mimicking indexation, (b) wealthier households would have benefited relatively more than lower-income households from indexation, and (c) CPI indexation would not have completely eliminated bracket creep.     

Effects of urbanization on trust: Evidence from an experiment in the field

I conducted a trust game in the field within a natural experiment paradigm to test the effects of urbanization on both in- and out-group trust. I found that urbanization has a larger positive effect on out-group trust than on in-group trust. My findings provide new knowledge to the literature on the intricacy of the urbanization-trust relationship and contribute to the ongoing discourse on the different foundations underpinning in-group and out-group trust.     

CPI之GEKS指数序列更新方法及窗口长度选择问题辨析

大数据来源下CPI指数的创新编制,对及时了解新经济时代的物价走向和识别通胀危机、预测宏观经济拐点以实现我国通胀治理现代化、推动经济平稳和高质量发展具有重大意义。GEKS多边指数是近些年国际学术界重点研发的大数据热点价格指数,但其构造方法颇具争议。借助超市扫描大数据,就GEKS指数序列更新方法、窗口长度选择等学界难题开展理论与实证研究,获得了以下富有启发性的结论:①GEKS指数序列更新方法2、3应用效果相对较差;②随着窗口长度的增加,GEKS环比价格指数会趋于单位值,不同更新方法下的GEKS链式指数也会呈现一定的趋同性;而GEKS指数的通胀趋势判断力却不受此影响,但更新方法的选择却会导致其不同的通胀趋势预测结果;③更新方法4会随着窗口长度的增加而呈现更强的替代偏误,方法1却没有出现明显的替代偏误。综合而言,更新方法1和13个月窗口长度应该是编制GEKS指数序列更为合理的组合方式。     

It’s about the process,not the result: An fMRI approach to explore the encoding of explicit and implicit price information

This research examines the neurophysiological correlates of consumers’ price memory processes. We focus on the explicit and implicit dimensions of consumers’ price knowledge and use an experimental functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study to assess how the encoding of task-dependent price memory affects the choice process and neural activation. The findings of our study add to the field of consumer neuroscience by demonstrating how neural correlates of explicit and implicit task-dependent price memory can shed light on processes that guide consumer decision-making. Over the course of our experiment we found that consumers did not always make consistent decisions, but that their decisions were influenced by explicit components of price memory. Implicit price memory components seem to have a more supportive role in the decision-making process. In summary, we found that price memory is a dynamic construct that is influenced by unconscious and neurophysiological processes, and we conclude that a neurophysiological perspective can add value for consumer and marketing research.     

公用事业特许经营的政府监管研究

特许经营制度是公用事业市场化的主要实现形式,政府监管是公用事业特许经营法治化的重要内容。公用事业特许经营监管的基础是实现监管权的统一与独立。应从实体和程序两个方面完善特许权授予的监管。建立科学合理的价格模型及周期性审查和调整是公用事业特许经营价格监管的核心。公用事业特许经营质量监管的主要内容是督促建立内部质量管理制度、制定可量化的标准及建立质量检验体系。政府监管应推动公用事业的网络化普及、排除歧视性及完善补偿机制,以确保特许经营项目履行普遍服务。此外,必须加强对公用事业特许经营政府监管的监管制度建设。     

论工资率提高、通货膨胀与人民生活水平的改善——基于合肥市的实证研究

工资和物价水平是关乎民生的两个重要研究课题,稳定物价水平也是宏观经济政策的重要内容之一。随着国内物价水平不断上涨,通货膨胀预期不断递增,缓解人民生活压力和改善人民生活水平已经成为当前宏观调控的主要任务。对于通货膨胀的解释历来存在需求拉动型和成本推动型之争,对通货膨胀的不同解释意味着不同的宏观经济政策选择。利用构建联立方程组模型,将工资率和通货膨胀纳入同一个分析框架,模拟分析工资率与价格水平的之间关系。基于合肥市各部门相关数据的模拟结果显示,提高工资率和通货膨胀之间有一定的相关关系,这意味着通货膨胀包含工资成本推动因素,但是,模拟结果还显示工资的提高对经济发展的促进作用大于对价格的推动作用。     

石油价格波动、人民币汇率与宏观经济相互影响的机制分析

我国人民币汇率制度改革以来,人民币汇率升值和石油价格波动对我国宏观经济产生巨大影响,本文首先从理论机制上分析金融危机发生前石油价格、人民币汇率与宏观经济之间的影响。再通过建立协整和误差修正模型实证检验,分析结果表明：石油价格上涨会推动我国的通货膨胀上升;美元贬值会使得石油价格提高;在其他条件不变情况下,人民币兑美元名义汇率、石油价格与工业经济三者保持长期稳定关系。     

能源价格上涨情景下能源消费与经济波动的综合特征

 能源定价体制的改革是我国未来经济体制改革中一项非常重要、又极其紧迫的一项重大理论和实践课题,这一改革不但直接关系到我国经济增长和能源效率的提高效果,更是关乎我国经济发展转型的成败和我国未来能源安全的保障状况。通过建立CGE模型,本文研究了能源价格上涨情景下我国能源消费与经济增长的综合波动特征。主要发现如下：能源价格上涨虽然使得除进口外GDP、出口、就业等变量下降,物价水平上涨,但却能够在一定程度上降低能源强度并优化产业结构。就影响的大小而言,电力价格上涨的影响最大,石油和天然气次之,煤炭价格上涨的影响最小。从行业产出的变动来看,能源行业自身受能源价格上涨的负面冲击最大,其次是重工业,而农业、轻工业等所受的负面冲击最小。基于上述结论,我们认为,未来继续努力推进能源定价的市场化改革,是推进我国的节能降耗工作、提高经济增长效率的有效途径。     

我国工业污染物的影子价格估计

 污染物的影子价格体现了污染物的边际减排成本。本文采用二次型方向性距离函数和 2003-2008年我国284个地级及以上城市工业部门数据,对废水、SO2和烟尘等三种污染物的影子价格进行了估计。结果发现,2003-2008年期间,废水、SO2、烟尘的影子价格或边际减排成本分别为0.0178万元/吨、5.158万元/吨和4.597万元/吨。SO2排污权交易价格相比污染减排成本偏低,影响了排污权交易市场的有效运作。污染物的影子价格在不同城市具有较大差异,这种差异性能够在一定程度上被污染排放规模、监管强度和污染治理的规模经济性等因素所解释。