Can Integrity Replace Institutions? Theory and Evidence

Institutions are important for proper economic performance, but are replaceable by trust or other social norms. We show that when proper institutions and trust are missing, integrity of the individuals can replace them. We construct a model of a transactions-based economy with contracts preceding the transactions, and show that any one of (1) institutions, (2) trust, or (3) integrity, foster economic growth. We construct data of economic performance of social groups in Lebanon, measure integrity and other values of these groups, and use this data and data from Kenya to support one of the model’s predictions. Policy implications are discussed.economic development, institutions, integrity, Lebanon, social norms, trust

Three Essays on Experimental Auctions and Organic Products

This dissertation consists of three studies that investigate the performance of economic field experiments and evaluate the determination of price premiums associated with organically produced food and apparel. The first study investigates the impact that compensation has on individuals' responses in a point-of-purchase setting, when the opportunity costs of participation are small and product(s) are familiar to participants. We conducted a field experiment using the incentive compatible BDM mechanism to elicit consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) values for organically produced apples. Our results suggest that compensated individuals tended to offer WTP values that were significantly larger on average than values offered by non- compensated individuals.The second paper, addresses consumers' WTP for organic versus conventionally produced cotton t-shirts. This research uses a random 2nd price auction technique to determine WTP, with a follow-up survey of consumers' purchase behaviors, importance of apparel product attributes, and beliefs about organic products, A Tobit model was used to identify demographic, attitude and knowledge variables impacting WTP. Significant variables included race/ethnicity, belief about organics and past organic purchase behavior, importance of product attributes, and knowledge of market prices. This study demonstrates successful use of the random 2nd price auction technique in the apparel field and identifies groups of common factors that differentiate groups of consumers in terms of their WTP for organic t-shirts.The third study utilizes an experimental economics mechanism at the point-of-purchase to elicit consumer values for organic attributes in apples and milk. For apples we investigate the interactions in terms of WTP between the organic label attribute and apple size, while for milk we consider the interactions between the organic attribute and milk fat content. Willingness to pay was modeled using a Cragg model which allowed for a two-stage WTP decision process. We found that organic increased the probability of zero bids for apples, and higher fat content decreased the probability of zero bids in milk. Apples received premiums for organic production and for larger size, and the premiums were additive. Organic was found to receive a substantial premium in milk, but higher fat content did not add extra value

COMPENSATION FEES AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY: A FIELD EXPERIMENT ON ORGANIC APPLES

An increasing number of studies suggest that compensation fees for participating in valuation studies can influence participant’s responses. This study investigates the impact that compensation has on individuals’ responses in a point -of-purchase setting, when the opportunity costs of participation are relatively small and participants are familiar with the products. We conducted a field experiment using the incentive compatible Becker-DegrootMarschak (BDM) mechanism to elicit consumers’ willingness-to-pay values for organically produced apples. Our results suggest that despite receiving similar information, compensated individuals tended to offer willingness-to-pay values that were significantly larger on average than those values offered by non- compensated individual

COMPENSATION FEES AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY: A FIELD EXPERIMENT ON ORGANIC APPLES

An increasing number of studies suggest that compensation fees for participating in valuation studies can influence participant’s responses. This study investigates the impact that compensation has on individuals’ responses in a point-of-purchase setting, when the opportunity costs of participation are relatively small and participants are familiar with the products. We conducted a field experiment using the incentive compatible Becker-DegrootMarschak (BDM) mechanism to elicit consumers’ willingness-to-pay values for organically produced apples. Our results suggest that despite receiving similar information, compensated individuals tended to offer willingness-to-pay values that were significantly larger on average than those values offered by non- compensated individuals

Can Integrity Replace Institutions? Theory and Evidence

Institutions are important for proper economic performance, but can be somewhat replaced by trust or other social norms. This study shows that institutions and trust can be replaced by integrity of the individual agents in the economy, regardless of any social arrangement. We construct a model of a transactions-based economy in which transactions are preceded by contracts, and show that any one of (1) institutions, (2) trust, or (3) integrity, can foster economic growth, while the absence of all three will lead to economic decay. The model also predicts that in the absence of institution and trust, dishonest agents may gain higher payoffs than honest agents. We construct data of economic performance of different social groups in Lebanon, measure integrity and other values of these groups, and support the latter conclusion with this data.economic development, institutions, integrity, Lebanon, social norms, trust.

First measurement of the Z→μ+μ−Z\rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^- angular coefficients in the forward region of pppp collisions at s=13\sqrt{s}=13 TeV

The first study of the angular distribution of $\mu^+ \mu^-$ pairs produced in the forward rapidity region via the Drell-Yan reaction $pp \rightarrow \gamma^{*}/Z +X \rightarrow l^+ l^- + X$ is presented, using data collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.1 $\rm{fb}^{-1}$. The coefficients of the five leading terms in the angular distribution are determined as a function of the dimuon transverse momentum and rapidity. The results are compared to various theoretical predictions of the $Z$-boson production mechanism and can also be used to probe transverse-momentum-dependent parton distributions within the proton

Nuclear modification factor of neutral pions in the forward and backward regions in ppPb collisions

The nuclear modification factor of neutral pions is measured in proton-lead collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon of $8.16$ TeV with the LHCb detector. The $\pi^0$ production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum ($p_{T}$) for 1.5π0 production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum (pT) for 1.5<pT<10.0  GeV and in center-of-mass pseudorapidity (ηc.m.) regions 2.5<ηc.m.<3.5 (forward) and -4.0<ηc.m.<-3.0 (backward) defined relative to the proton beam direction. The forward measurement shows a sizable suppression of π0 production, while the backward measurement shows the first evidence of π0 enhancement in proton-lead collisions at the LHC. Together, these measurements provide precise constraints on models of nuclear structure and particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions.The nuclear modification factor of neutral pions is measured in proton-lead collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon of 8.16~{\rm TeV}$with the LHCb detector. The$\pi^0$production cross section is measured differentially in transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) for$1.5<p_{\rm T}<10.0~{\rm GeV}$and in center-of-mass pseudorapidity ($\eta_{\rm c.m.}$) regions$2.5<\eta_{\rm c.m.}<3.5$(forward) and$-4.0<\eta_{\rm c.m.}<-3.0$(backward) defined relative to the proton beam direction. The forward measurement shows a sizable suppression of$\pi^0$production, while the backward measurement shows the first evidence of$\pi^0$ enhancement in proton-lead collisions at the LHC. Together, these measurements provide precise constraints on models of nuclear structure and particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions

Observation of sizeable ω\omega contribution to χc1(3872)→π+π−J/ψ\chi_{c1}(3872) \to \pi^+\pi^- J/\psi decays

Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\pi^+\pi^- J/\psi$ decays, produced via $B^+\to K^+\chi_{c1}(3872)$ decays, are analyzed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{-1}$. A sizeable contribution from the isospin conserving $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$ decay is established for the first time, $(21.4\pm2.3\pm2.0)\%$, with a significance of more than $7.1\sigma$. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\rho^0 J/\psi$, relative to isospin conserving decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$, is properly determined, and it is a factor of six larger than expected for a pure charmonium state.Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from χc1(3872)→π+π-J/ψ decays, produced via B+→K+χc1(3872) decays, are analyzed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb-1. A sizeable contribution from the isospin conserving χc1(3872)→ωJ/ψ decay is established for the first time, (21.4±2.3±2.0)%, with a significance of more than 7.1σ. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, χc1(3872)→ρ0J/ψ, relative to isospin conserving decay, χc1(3872)→ωJ/ψ, is properly determined, and it is a factor of 6 larger than expected for a pure charmonium state.Resonant structures in the dipion mass spectrum from $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\pi^+\pi^- J/\psi$ decays, produced via $B^+\to K^+\chi_{c1}(3872)$ decays, are analyzed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 $fb^{-1}$. A sizeable contribution from the isospin conserving $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$ decay is established for the first time, $(21.4\pm2.3\pm2.0)\%$, with a significance of more than $7.1\sigma$. The amplitude of isospin violating decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\rho^0 J/\psi$, relative to isospin conserving decay, $\chi_{c1}(3872)\to\omega J/\psi$, is properly determined, and it is a factor of six larger than expected for a pure charmonium state