Cooperation in the Prisoner's Dilemma Game Based on the Second-Best Decision

In the research addressing the prisoner's dilemma game, the effectiveness and accountableness of the method allowing for the emergence of cooperation is generally discussed. The most well-known solutions for this question are memory based iteration, the tag used to distinguish between defector and cooperator, the spatial structure of the game and the either direct or indirect reciprocity. We have also challenged to approach the topic from a different point of view namely that temperate acquisitiveness in decision making could be possible to achieve cooperation. It was already shown in our previous research that the exclusion of the best decision had a remarkable effect on the emergence of an almost cooperative state. In this paper, we advance the decision of our former research to become more explainable by introducing the second-best decision. If that decision is adopted, players also reach an extremely high level cooperative state in the prisoner's dilemma game and also in that of extended strategy expression. The cooperation of this extended game is facilitated only if the product of two parameters is under the criticality. In addition, the applicability of our model to the problem in the real world is discussed.Cooperation, Altruism, Agent-Based Simulation, Evolutionary Game Theory

The changing structure of farm household economy in Malay rice-growing villages

This study focuses on the structure of household expenditure in discovering the real condition of household economy in rice-growing villages. We identified actual expenses and detailed consumption items for basic subsistence at the household level in two villages. The expenditure function in the two villages indicates that the head of the household, on-farm income and off-farm income are major determinants influencing the expenditure patterns and items bought by the household. In Kg. HC off-farm income and remittances determine household expenditure rather than on-farm income. The results indicate a contrast in expenditure behaviour at the household level between the two villages, where off-farm income in Kg. HC was strongly related to household expenditure while in the case of Kg. PTBB the relationship was influenced by on-farm income

Factors influencing consumption decision of fresh fruits from Malaysia: a case of foreign nationals in Malaysia

This study was carried out as a move to increase Malaysia’s fruit exports. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the consumption decision of foreign nationals in Malaysia as move to understand their behavior and pattern in purchasing fresh fruits from Malaysia. This study was carried out in Malaysia among foreign nationals and it was found to be the first of its nature to be carried out in Malaysia. A total of eighty three respondents participated in six focus group discussions. Data was analyzed via exploratory factor analysis which is commonly used in examining consumer preferences and behavior. The three factors identified in influencing the consumption decision of Malaysian fresh fruits among foreign nationals were (1) price and fruit intrinsic attributes; (2) fruit physical aspects and uniqueness; and (3) occasion, familiarity and user status

Agent-Based Simulation on Women's Role in a Family Line on Civil Service Examination in Chinese History

In this paper, following our previous work on civil service examinations in imperial China, we investigate women's role in a Chinese historical family line using an agent-based simulation (ABS) model with a grid oriented genetic algorithm (GOGA) framework. We utilize a GOGA framework, because our ABS had such large parameter spaces with real values that it required much greater computational resources. First, we studied the genealogical records. Second, based on that study, we implemented an agent-based model with the family lines branched out into two clusters to compare different family norms. Third, using an "inverse simulation" technique, we optimized the agent-based model in order to fit the simulation profiles to real profile data with real-coded GA. From these intensive experiments, we have found that (1) The combined influence of the father, uncle, mother and the aunt has important significance in maintaining a successful family norm, and (2) a particular role of the aunt to pass it on as well.Agent-Based Simulation, Grid Oriented Genetic Algorithm, Inverse Simulation, Family Norm, Civil Service Examination

Supporting international students in higher education: a comparative examination of approaches in the U.K. and U.S.A.

This discussion paper offers a critical examination of the ways in which international students are supported by the variety of systems commonly in place at universities in the U.K. and U.S.A. - two countries that attract large numbers of students from overseas. While acknowledging the difficultly of defining the term 'support', the article describes, compares and critiques the approaches deployed in both nations. Though certain broad, structural similarities are identified, the authors discuss how a shared neoliberal instrumentality guiding student support leads to differently inflected institutional responses in both countries. Consideration is also given to the extent to which differences in 'national' values and beliefs about higher education might be implicated in these diverse approaches and, finally, to what lessons might be learned from these comparisons.Published versio

Expenditure analysis of the farm household economy in Malay paddy growing villages.

Malaysia has experienced tremendous economic transformation from agriculture based to a manufacturing based. Such development has spillover effect on the livelihood of farming household in paddy growing areas by engaging in the off-farm income activities. Household income level in Malaysia has improved, which gave a great change on people’s life-style with improvement of living standard. However, there have been income inequalities between the East and West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia paddy area due to the locational difference of industrial parks, where most of the industrial parks are located in the West Coast. The east coast farming areas might have experienced different phase of transformation in living standard compare to the West Coast people in the vicinity of industrial parks. In the midst of socio-economic changes in the paddy farming sector, it is necessary to clarify the living standard and life-style among the East Coast people vis a vis to the west coast paddy farming community of Peninsular Malaysia. This study aims to examine patterns of household expenditure in relations to household income. We identified actual expenses and detailed consumption items for basic subsistence at the household level in four paddy farming areas. A structured questionnaire was designed to capture the information needed and surveys were conducted in four rice granary areas in the states of Penang and Kedah in the West Coast and Terengganu and Kelantan in the East Coasts. The food expenditure and electricity bill were two of main expenditure items in the four areas. The results indicate that on average the household expenditure in east coast is lower compare to the West Coast with an Engel’s coefficient at 43.3%. While in the East Coast areas, on average the Engle’s coefficient is about 33.6%. The expenditure function indicates that off-farm income and number of family members are the major determinants influencing the expenditure level

An agent-based model to study customers' engagement with brands from a service-dominant logic perspective

We present an Agent-based Model to study customers' engagement with brands from a Service-Dominant Logic perspective. Customer Engagement has gained attention recently in the study of customer loyalty as a process that enables to understand and measure the impact of the depths of customers emotional responses to consumption situations on their intention to retain with a particular brand. However, there is no adequate research that deeply investigate the process of engagement, especially in dynamic, competitive and complex market environments. We address this research gap by creating an agent-based artificial market model. In doing so, we base our model on Service- Dominant Logic, which offers a novel lens to look at markets and their interactions and on the customer engagement process model of Bowden to implement customers engagement with a brand. This paper basically presents a logical discussion on the formulation of the model and some initial outcomes

Pareto law of the expenditure of a person in convenience stores

We study the statistical laws of the expenditure of a person in convenience stores by analysing around 100 million receipts. The density function of expenditure exhibits a fat tail that follows a power law. We observe the Pareto principle where both the top 25% and 2% of the customers account for 80% and 25% of the store's sales, respectively. Using the Lorenz curve, the Gini coefficient is estimated to be 0.70; this implies a strong economic inequality.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of APFA

Data envelopment analysis models and software packages for academic purposes

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a popular technique used in measuring the performance of an industry. DEA has wide applications in agriculture, manufacturing, health care, transportation, education, energy and environment, as well as banking and finance. However, many students and academicians are in dilemma in finding the appropriate software to execute a particular DEA model. In recent years, different DEA software packages have been developed by some universities and companies for both academic and commercial purposes. The software packages offered wide varieties of most recent DEA models that could be used in science and technology. Some of these software packages are free for academic users while others are commercialised. In this study, nine different DEA software packages were reviewed. Among them, only three are free for academic purposes while four have been commercialized. One of the former is still in the development stage, but expected to be available soon

Paddy farm management practices: the case of Sungai Petani area in Malaysia

Because on-farm income has played an important role in rural livelihood, it is important to comprehend the influential factors behind its productivity in order to improve farmers' income and support future agricultural developments in subgranary areas like Sungai Petani. The objective of this study is to specify the influential determinants for yield and quantity of paddy production in the subgranary area. Surveys were conducted in Sungai Petani, Kedah state. Interviews with farmers covered the individual management schemes practiced in the area as well as the sociodemographic characteristics. Yield determination and the Cobb-Douglas production function estimation were applied to estimate significant factors influencing the productivity and the production. The result indicates that more labor input, quantity of seeds, and technical support in the farming pratice will bring a higher yield. By the same token the size of land and labor input can directly influence the quantity of paddy production