Ethical differentiation and market behavior: An experimental approach

Does ethical differentiation of products affect market behavior? We examined this issue in triopolistic experimental markets where producers set prices. One producer s costs were higher than the others. In two treatments, the additional costs were attributed tocompliance with ethical guidelines. In the third, no justification was provided. Manyparticipants playing the role of consumers reduced their experimental gains by purchasing the ethically differentiated product at a higher price whether or not they knew the amount of extra cost. Individual differences were important (students of business/economics paid smaller premia than others). Finally, we speculate about the observed demand function for ethics and emphasize the use of experimental methodology to complement empirical studies designed to assess the potential market for ethically differentiated products.

Reputation and honesty in a market for information

Previous works on asymmetric information in asset markets tendto focus on the potential gains in the asset market itself. We focus on the market for information and conduct an experimental study to explore, in a game of finite but uncertain duration, whether reputation can be an effective constraint on deliberate misinformation. At the beginning of each period, an uninformed potential asset buyer can purchase information, at a fixed price and from a fully-informed source, about the value of the asset in that period. The informational insiders cannot purchase the asset and are given short-term incentives to provide false information when the asset value is low. Our model predicts that, in accordance with the Folk Theorem, Pareto-superior outcomes featuring truthful revelation should be sustainable. However, this depends critically on beliefs about rationality and behavior. We find that, overall, sellers are truthful 89% of the time. More significantly, the observed frequency of truthfulness is 81% when the asset value is low. Our result is consistent with both mixed-strategy and trigger strategy interpretations and provides evidence that most subjects correctly anticipate rational behavior. We discuss applications to financial markets, media regulation, and the stability of cartels.

Processes and consequences in business ethical dilemmas: The oil industry and climate changes

This paper proposes a framework to examine business ethical dilemmas andbusiness attitudes towards such dilemmas. Business ethical dilemmas canbe understood as reflecting a contradiction between a socially detrimentalprocess and a self-interested profitable consequence. This representationallows us to distinguish two forms of behavior differing by whetherpriority is put on consequences or on processes. We argue that theseforms imply very different business attitudes towards society:controversial or competitive for the former and aligned or cooperativefor the latter. These attitudes are then analyzed at the discursive level in order to address the question of good faith in businessargumentation, i.e. to which extent are these attitudes consistent withactual business behaviors. We argue that consequential attitudes mostlyinvolve communication and lobbying actions aiming at eluding the dilemma.Therefore, the question of good faith for consequential attitudes liesin the consistency between beliefs and discourse. On the other hand,procedural attitudes acknowledge the dilemma and claim a change of theprocess of behavior. They thus raise the question of the consistencybetween discourses and actual behavior. We apply this processes/consequencesframework to the case of the oil industry s climate change ethical dilemmawhich comes forth as a dilemma between emitting greenhouse gases and making more profits . And we examine the different attitudes of two oilcorporations-BP Amoco and ExxonMobil-towards the dilemma.

Recurrent hyperinflations and learning

This paper uses a model of boundedly rational learning to accountfor the observations of recurrent hyperinflations in the lastdecade. We study a standard monetary model where the fullyrational expectations assumption is replaced by a formaldefinition of quasi-rational learning. The model under learningis able to match remarkably well some crucial stylized factsobserved during the recurrent hyperinflations experienced byseveral countries in the 80's. We argue that, despite being asmall departure from rational expectations, quasi-rationallearning does not preclude falsifiability of the model and itdoes not violate reasonable rationality requirements.

Adaptive dynamics and the implementation problem with complete information

This paper studies the equilibrating process of several implementationmechanisms using naive adaptive dynamics. We show that the dynamics convergeand are stable, for the canonical mechanism of implementation in Nash equilibrium.In this way we cast some doubt on the criticism of ``complexity'' commonlyused against this mechanism. For mechanisms that use more refined equilibrium concepts,the dynamics converge but are not stable. Some papers in the literatureon implementation with refined equilibrium concepts have claimed that themechanisms they propose are ``simple'' and implement ``everything'' (incontrast with the canonical mechanism). The fact that some of these ``simple''mechanisms have unstable equilibria suggests that these statements shouldbe interpreted with some caution.

Ignoring information in binary choice with continuous variables: When is less 'more'?

When can a single variable be more accurate in binary choice than multiple sources of information? We derive analytically the probability that a single variable (SV) will correctly predict one of two choices when both criterion and predictor are continuous variables. We further provide analogous derivations for multiple regression (MR) and equal weighting (EW) and specify the conditions under which the models differ in expected predictive ability. Key factors include variability in cue validities, intercorrelation between predictors, and the ratio of predictors to observations in MR. Theory and simulations are used to illustrate the differential effects of these factors. Results directly address why and when one-reason decision making can be more effective than analyses that use more information. We thus provide analytical backing to intriguing empirical results that, to date, have lacked theoretical justification. There are predictable conditions for which one should expect less to be more.

Efectividad de los enlaces patrocinados en los resultados de búsquedas comerciales en smartphones

Actualment, els hàbits tecnològics dels usuaris són cada vegada més diferents a causa de la innovació. Entre aquests nous hàbits, el telèfon intel-ligent està tenint una repercussió molt gran. A més dels avantatges que dóna a l’usuari, està oferint a les empreses una nova manera de comunicar-se amb els consumidors mitjançant diferents tipus de publicitat, com són la publicitat en cercadors i contextual. Aquesta investigació, tracta d’oferir a les empreses i persones interessades en la publicitat per a smartphones, una lectura de l’efectivitat que pot tenir quan està integrada en les pàgines de resultats dels cercadors, anomenada enllaços patrocinats o SEM

La mediació penal juvenil: Què n’opinen les parts implicades?

L’estudi pretén millorar les bones pràctiques del col·lectiu de mediació penal juvenil, reflexionar sobre el que suposa l’atenció diària a joves infractors, víctimes i perjudicats que participen en un procés de mediació. Els primers estudis de recerca que es van dur a terme sobre el programa de mediació daten de l’any 1992-1994, per professionals del Departament i recollits en el llibre Mediació i justícia juvenil, dirigit per Jaume Funes i editat l’any 1994 pel CEJFE. Aquestes primeres investigacions estaven centrades en un marc legal marcat per la Llei 4/92 i on la població atesa comprèn les edats entre 12 i 16 anys. L’any 2000 va entrar en vigor un nou marc legal i una nova franja d’edat en la població, de 14 a 18 anys. La Llei orgànica 5/2000, de 12 de gener, reguladora de la responsabilitat penal dels menors, en la qual preveu en els articles 19, 27.3 i 51.2, la conciliació i la reparació entre el menor o jove infractor i la víctima i/o perjudicat pel delicte, a fi de possibilitar la solució extrajudicial del conflicte. El Reial decret 1774/2004, de 30 de juliol, pel qual s’aprova el Reglament de la LO 5/2000, desenvolupa en els articles 5 i 15 la forma de dur a terme les solucions extrajudicials que estableix la llei. Es va regular el procediment i els efectes jurídics de la conciliació i la reparació, així com d’altres solucions extrajudicials, i es va assignar la funció de mediació entre el menor i la víctima a l’equip tècnic, així com també la de proposar les activitats reparadores i socioeducatives més adequades per a l’interès del menor. A més del marc legal que ens marca els límits de la nostra intervenció, i aquells primers estudis, també hem volgut situar-nos en el marc contextual (la xarxa), conceptual i metodològic amb el qual treballem habitualment, per tal de donar coherència als resultats de les enquestes que en surtin.

Un Nou enfocament per a l'estudi de les inundacions històriques a la ciutat de Girona

Aquest article proposa un nou marcd'estudi de les inundacions històriques a la ciutat de Girona. Aquest enfocament,el qual es coneix amb el nom d'enfocament contextual, té les arrels enla reflexió geogràfica sobre els riscos naturals endegada a Nord-amèrica ja fa més de cinquanta anys i posa l'èmfasi en la dimensió humana d'aquests fenòmensdefinida geogràficament i històrica, sense oblidar, però, els paràmetresfísics de les inundacions en el territori concret que s'estigui estudiant

Estudo sobre a Resiliência em Adolescentes Das Zonas Periféricas de São Vicente

Resiliência descreve a relativa resistência à experiências de risco psicossocial. O presente trabalho procurou descrever fatores de vulnerabilidade e proteção relacionados a resiliência que poderão caracterizar mecanismos de adaptação em adolescentes das zonas periféricas de São Vicente. Na medida em que a resiliência parece se caracterizar por ampla variação contextual, o presente estudo tenta conciliar a recolha e o tratamento qualitativo e quantitativo dos dados. Partindo de uma abordagem mais ecológica e próximo à população em estudo procurou-se, através de uma técnica qualitativa (o grupo focal), obter um amplo conjunto de dados para posterior análise mediante métodos de análise quantitativa. Um questionário de autoadministração construído a partir dos dados dos grupos focais foi respondido anonimamente e sob base voluntaria por 218 alunos das zonas periféricas de São Vicente, sorteados aleatoriamente nas escolas públicas do Mindelo. Na análise dos dados, para além da análise descritiva, foram utilizados o teste t e a Analise de Variância (ANOVA) para localização de valores significativos ao nível de 5% na comparação dos grupos distintivos da amostra. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que esses adolescentes dispõem de adequados recursos individuais, familiares e comunitários que podem ser mobilizados para fazer face as adversidades que enfrentam num contexto onde a instabilidade económica e as dificuldades de acesso a saúde e educação representam desafios constantes ao desenvolvimento. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos potenciais fatores de risco e proteção identificados relativamente ao sexo, idade, escolaridade e comunidade de proveniência. Discuta-se a relevância destes dados para a reflexão sobre a promoção de resiliência na população estudada, atendendo as particularidades contextuais e culturais dos adolescentes e suas comunidades.

Com afecta la crisi en el sector publicitari?

El objetivo del presente trabajo es demostrar que la crisis en la inversión publicitaria viene motivada por factores que van más allá de la crisis contextual actual. Por otro lado, el trabajo pretende situar internet como presente y futuro de los negocios en general, y de la publicidad y la comunicación en concreto. Asimismo, se demuestra que a pesar de las prácticas erróneas que ha llevado a cabo el sector, éste tiene múltiples opciones para mejorar sus resultados.

Erreur sur la personne? Considérations liminaires pour une étude des écrits personnels en Suisse romande au XVIIIe siècle

The current tendency tu study personal testimonials of all kinds is useful when doing research into the period of Enlightenment in Europe. The prolific production of such documents in 18th-century Switzerland offers the opportunity to ask whether there was a specifically Swiss form of Enlightenment. The answer in undoubtedly complex. One must first look into received ideas that would permit establishing a coherent link between the prevailing intellectual atmospere in Switzerland and personal writings. Secondly, the originality of these abundant writings is not the primary concern. It is more important to try to understand the relationship between the historical implications of these writings and the conception of the human person that is conveyed therein. In studying the testimonials, the challenge lies in determining the contextual situation of the first person narrator - a rhetorical device that typifies the genre.

Factors influencing the adoption of an innovation: an examination of the uptake of the Canadian Heart Health Kit (HHK)

BACKGROUND: There is an emerging knowledge base on the effectiveness of strategies to close the knowledge-practice gap. However, less is known about how attributes of an innovation and other contextual and situational factors facilitate and impede an innovation's adoption. The Healthy Heart Kit (HHK) is a risk management and patient education resource for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and promotion of cardiovascular health. Although previous studies have demonstrated the HHK's content validity and practical utility, no published study has examined physicians' uptake of the HHK and factors that shape its adoption. OBJECTIVES: Conceptually informed by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory, and Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study had two objectives: (1) to determine if specific attributes of the HHK as well as contextual and situational factors are associated with physicians' intention and actual usage of the HHK kit; and (2), to determine if any contextual and situational factors are associated with individual or environmental barriers that prevent the uptake of the HHK among those physicians who do not plan to use the kit. METHODS: A sample of 153 physicians who responded to an invitation letter sent to all family physicians in the province of Alberta, Canada were recruited for the study. Participating physicians were sent a HHK, and two months later a study questionnaire assessed primary factors on the physicians' clinical practice, attributes of the HHK (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability), confidence and control using the HHK, barriers to use, and individual attributes. All measures were used in path analysis, employing a causal model based on Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Theory of Planned Behaviour. RESULTS: 115 physicians (follow up rate of 75%) completed the questionnaire. Use of the HHK was associated with intention to use the HHK, relative advantage, and years of experience. Relative advantage and the observability of the HHK benefits were also significantly associated with physicians' intention to use the HHK. Physicians working in solo medical practices reported experiencing more individual and environmental barriers to using the HHK. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that future information innovations must demonstrate an advantage over current resources and the research evidence supporting the innovation must be clearly visible. Findings also suggest that the innovation adoption process has a social element, and collegial interactions and discussions may facilitate that process. These results could be valuable for knowledge translation researchers and health promotion developers in future innovation adoption planning.