Caring is not enough: the importance of Internet skills for online privacy protection

This article explains Internet users’ self-help activities in protecting their privacy online using structural equation modeling. Based on a representative survey of Swiss Internet users, it reveals past experiences with privacy breaches as a strong predictor of current protective behavior. Further, in line with the ‘privacy paradox’ argument, caring about privacy (privacy attitudes) alone does not necessarily result in substantial self-protection. Most strikingly, however, general Internet skills are key in explaining users’ privacy behavior. These skills enable users to reduce risks of privacy loss while obtaining the benefits from online activities that increasingly depend on the revelation of personal data. Consequently, Internet skills are an essential starting point for public policies regarding users’ self-help in privacy protection.     

A varying coefficient approach to estimating hedonic housing price functions and their quantiles

The varying coefficient (VC) model introduced by Hastie and Tibshirani [26 T. Hastie and R. Tibshirani, Varying-coefficient models, J. R. Statist. Soc. (Ser. B) 55 (1993), pp. 757–796.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]] is arguably one of the most remarkable recent developments in nonparametric regression theory. The VC model is an extension of the ordinary regression model where the coefficients are allowed to vary as smooth functions of an effect modifier possibly different from the regressors. The VC model reduces the modelling bias with its unique structure while also avoiding the ‘curse of dimensionality’ problem. While the VC model has been applied widely in a variety of disciplines, its application in economics has been minimal. The central goal of this paper is to apply VC modelling to the estimation of a hedonic house price function using data from Hong Kong, one of the world's most buoyant real estate markets. We demonstrate the advantages of the VC approach over traditional parametric and semi-parametric regressions in the face of a large number of regressors. We further combine VC modelling with quantile regression to examine the heterogeneity of the marginal effects of attributes across the distribution of housing prices.     

Combined asymmetric spatial weights matrix with application to housing prices

In this study, a combined asymmetric spatial weights matrix is proposed for capturing the unequal spatial dependence of housing prices, where the advantage of this matrix was demonstrated by a non-nested hypothesis test. To explore the heterogeneous spatial impacts of urban essential characteristics on housing prices over the eastern, central, and western regions of China, after the Lagrange multiplier and likelihood ratio tests, the spatial Durbin model using the proposed weights matrix was applied to each region. The estimation results showed that the direct impacts of college and new employment were significantly negative in the eastern region, but not significant in the central and western regions. By contrast, the direct impacts of hospitals and scenic spots were significantly positive in eastern China, but not significant in central and western China. In addition, the indirect impacts of the four variables were not significant in the three regions. These results suggest that in eastern China, the government may increase the requirements for using medical resources and close tourist attractions in a single city to cool down the skyrocketing housing prices in this area.     

Transforming the Way We Live Together: A Model to Move Communities From Policy to Implementation

Most cities, counties, and neighborhoods are not designed for an aging population. By providing a range of services to all residents, Lifelong Communities allow individuals to age in place. Although the Lifelong Communities Initiative is based on established guiding principles, little information exists regarding the realities of moving from policy to implementation. The Atlanta Regional Commission conducted a case study in Mableton, Georgia, and found successful implementation requires a combination of support from local citizen groups and government. The Atlanta Regional Commission is replicating these best practices in other communities and providing support to those aspiring to launch or expand Lifelong Communities.     

雷州话与厦门话中外来词的异同及其根源

从文献资料及现状调查两方面入手,分析了同为闽南方言的雷州话和厦门话在吸收外来词数量和范围上有很大差异的情况,这与两个地方的历史地理、对外语的态度以及社会政治体制等有关。     

试论国家助学贷款良性运行机制建立之对策

国家助学贷款是利用金融手段完善我国普通高校资助政策体系,加大对经济困难学生资助力度所采取的一项重大措施。运行中存在问题是当前市场经济法制不健全、社会信用部分失范的必然结果。要形成大学生助学贷款良性运行机制,必须建立国家、银行、高校、学生与社会"五位一体"的联合保障机制。最重要的是应尽快建立全国性的以居民身份证号码为依托的"全国大学生信用网",并以此作为建立全国性的信用机制的开端。要在全社会形成一种讲诚信光荣、不讲诚信可耻的持久氛围,让信用缺失者无论在何处都要为自己的行为付出代价。此外还应大力发展学生生源所在地贷款业务。     

基于联贷联保的供应链融资模式与策略研究

供应链融资模式实现了中小企业与银行的双赢。针对供应链上游的中小供应商在面临资金约束时,采取与下游核心企业达成协议结为联贷联保体的供应链金融模式,通过构建供应链金融期望利润函数,分析各供应链主体的最优策略,并进一步讨论银行贷款利率、供应商生产量等决策变量之间的相互关系及其对供应链利润的影响。     

后危机时代中国农村金融体制改革研究

近年来,中国农村金融体制获得的支持并不充分,最重要的表现就是农民和农村经济体融资困难。可以说,中国的农村金融体系是全国金融体系中最薄弱的一环。缺乏一定的金融服务和金融产品致使农民贷款难以及农村金融机构营利能力低下是制约农村金融体制发展的主要因素。我国农村经济改革的重中之重是加速农村金融改革的步伐,以此作为解决"三农"问题的切入点和建设社会主义新农村的关键点。     

国外“房价收入比”研究：起源、测量与应用

从起源、测量、应用等角度,系统梳理了国外房价收入比的研究文献。研究发现:房价收入比演化于、并优于住房支出收入;房价收入比测量的多样性取决于房价和收入测量方法的多样性,以及房价收入比均衡模型的不同;房价收入比主要应用于住房支付能力和房地产泡沫研究。房价收入比计算的规范化、均衡模型的集成化以及实证的多角化将成为进一步的研究方向。     

借鉴美国成功经验发展我国住房抵押贷款保险市场

针对目前我国个人住房抵押贷款市场的现状,提出发展住房抵押贷款保险来规避风险。美国发达的住房抵押贷款市场很大程度上得益于抵押贷款保险市场的发展,其运行模式值得我们借鉴。通过分析国内现行的抵押贷款保险体系中存在的问题,提出了发展住房按揭保险的一些建议、想法,以促进个人住房抵押贷款的良性发展,推动住房商品化的顺利进行。