A Hedonic Metric Approach to Estimating the Demand for Differentiated Products: An Application to Retail Milk Demand

This article introduces the Hedonic Metric (HM) approach as an original method to model the demand for differentiated products. Using this approach, initially we create an n-dimensional hedonic space based on the characteristic information available to consumers. Next, we allocate products into this space and estimate the elasticities using distances. What distinguishes our model from traditional demand models such as Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) and Rotterdam Model is the way we link elasticities with product characteristics. Moreover, our model significantly reduces the number of parameters to be estimated, thereby making it possible to estimate large number of differentiated products in a single demand system. We applied our model to estimate the retail demand for fluid milk products. We also compared our results with the Distance Metric (DM) approach of Rojas and Peterson (2008) using the estimation results from traditional models as a benchmark point. Our approach is shown to give superior results and better approximations to original models.Hedonic Metrics, Distance Metrics, Rotterdam Model, Almost Ideal Demand System, Differentiated Products, Milk Demand., Food Security and Poverty, C30, C80, Q11, Q13, Q18,

The Kuznets curve and the effect of international regulations on environmental efficiency

This paper extends the results of series of papers, i.e., Zaim (2004) and Yörük and Zaim (2005a, 2005b). We construct an environmental efficiency index for OECD countries and establish an environmental Kuznets curve relationship between environmental efficiency and income. We then investigate the effect of an international protocol on reducing global emissions on the environmental efficiency.

Effect of homogenisation conditions on recrystallisation in the Al-Mg-Mn alloy AA5454

The purpose of the present work is to understand the microstructure development and, particularly, to control the progress of recrystallisation in hot strip in the Al-Mg-Mn alloy AA 5454, which is typically used for the manufacture of structural automotive components. The chemical composition, together with the thermomechanical processing history of this material, has a strong influence on the microstructure of the product and the resulting properties as it is supplied to the customer. Electrical conductivity measurements, thermal analysis and electron microscopy have been carried out to characterise the evolution of precipitation state at various stages in the processing route. The conditions of the homogenisation heat treatment have been varied, and the effect on subsequent recrystallisation after hot rolling has been evaluated in both the as cast and rough rolled condition by optical microscopy techniques. Results indicate that the conditions of homogenisation heat treatment and roughing rolling are critical for the generation of a suitable recrystallised microstructure in AA 5454 hot strip. A new two stage homogenisation practice has been developed to expedite post-rolling recrystallisation in this alloy

JOB RESOURCES, WORK ENGAGEMENT, AND HOTEL EMPLOYEE OUTCOMES: A TIME-LAGGED ANALYSIS

This study develops and tests a research model that investigates work engagement as a mediator of the effects of coworker and supervisor support on career satisfaction, service recovery performance, job performance, and creative performance. Data were obtained from frontline hotel employees with a time lag of one month and their immediate supervisors in Cameroon. The relationships were tested using LISREL 8.30 through structural equation modeling. The results demonstrated a better fit for the fully mediated model when compared to the partially mediated model. The results further revealed that work engagement fully mediated the effects of coworker and supervisor support on the previously mentioned outcomes. Implications of the results and their future research directions are offered

Multi-Spacecraft Measurement of Turbulence within a Magnetic Reconnection Jet

The relationship between magnetic reconnection and plasma turbulence is investigated using multipoint in-situ measurements from the Cluster spacecraft within a high-speed reconnection jet in the terrestrial magnetotail. We show explicitly that work done by electromagnetic fields on the particles, $\mathbf{J}\cdot\mathbf{E}$, has a non-Gaussian distribution and is concentrated in regions of high electric current density. Hence, magnetic energy is converted to kinetic energy in an intermittent manner. Furthermore, we find the higher-order statistics of magnetic field fluctuations generated by reconnection are characterized by multifractal scaling on magnetofluid scales and non-Gaussian global scale invariance on kinetic scales. These observations suggest $\mathbf{J}\cdot\mathbf{E}$ within the reconnection jet has an analogue in fluid-like turbulence theory in that it proceeds via coherent structures generated by an intermittent cascade. This supports the hypothesis that turbulent dissipation is highly nonuniform, and thus these results could have far reaching implications for space and astrophysical plasmas.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Management accounting system: Insights from the decision making theories

Management accounting system (MAS) improves business growth through quality decision making process, but scholars have mixed views about MAS and constantly debate its efficacy. Drawing on the decision-making theories, the current research deviates from the debates and adopts a ‘think-outside-the-box’ approach, aiming to advance the knowledge of MAS's efficacy. Research data are gathered from the MAS literatures and cognate studies. Following the research findings, we identify a new pre-factor (thinking style) and incorporate it into the MAS. Specifically, decision makers' cognitive process is found to affect the design and implementation of MAS, as rational thinking style, administrative thinking style, and political thinking style may affect the MAS's efficacy differently. Research findings have brought valuable insights to the MAS literatures, by highlighting the strength and weakness of different thinking styles in designing management accounting system. Moreover, decision makers, such as organizational leaders and business managers, are encouraged to monitor their thinking styles: that is, with better understanding of thinking styles, decision makers can better utilize MAS and rectify the style-driven deficits in time

The ranking of factors influencing the behaviour of light structures on expansive soils in Victoria, Australia

In this paper a Neural Network Model was used to develop a ranking of the potential damage influences for light structures on expansive soils in Victoria. These influences include geology, Thornthwaite moisture index, vegetation covers, construction foundation type, construction wall type, geographical region and age of building when first inspected. Approximately 400 cases of damage to light structures in Victoria, Australia were considered in this study. Feedforward Backpropagation was adopted to train the data. The ranking of importance was estimated using connection weight approach and then compared to results calculated from sensitivity analysis. From the analysis, the ranking of importance for potential damage factor was noted.<br /

Multi-spacecraft measurement of anisotropic power levels and scaling in solar wind turbulence

Measurements by the four Cluster spacecraft in the solar wind are used to determine quantitatively the field-aligned anisotropy of magnetohydrodynamic inertial range turbulence power levels and spectral indexes. We find, using time-lagged second order structure functions, that the spectral index is near 2 around the field-parallel direction, which is consistent with a &quot;critical balance&quot; turbulent cascade. Solar wind fluctuations are found to be anisotropic with power mainly in wavevectors perpendicular to the mean field, where the spectral index is around 5/3