Is admiration a source of indeterminacy when the speed of habit formation is finite?

In an economy where the time preference rate is sufficiently decreasing in individual consumption, Chen and Hsu (2007) find that a consumption admiration effect can be a source of local indeterminacy, whereby average consumption flows exert a positive external effect on an individual's utility. In our paper, average consumption habits externally increase an individual's utility. The increase in average consumption habits is the difference between average consumption flows and existing average consumption habits adjusted for by the speed of the consumption habit formation. The model in Chen and Hsu (2007) is a special case that emerges only when the speed of habit formation is infinite. In our general model, an admiration effect is no longer a source of equilibrium indeterminacy unless the speed of consumption habit formation is infinite.Neoclassical growth model, consumption habit externalities, indeterminacy

Seebeck Coefficients in Nanoscale Junctions: Effects of Electron-vibration Scattering and Local Heating

We report first-principles calculations of inelastic Seebeck coefficients in an aluminum monatomic junction. We compare the elastic and inelastic Seebeck coefficients with and without local heating. In the low temperature regime, the signature of normal modes in the profiles of the inelastic Seebeck effects is salient. The inelastic Seebeck effects are enhanced by the normal modes, and further magnified by local heating. In the high temperature regime, the inelastic Seebeck effects are weakly suppressed due to the quasi-ballistic transport.Comment: 3 Figure

DEVELOPING A MODEL OF BACKPACKERS’ EXPLORATORY CURIOSITY

Purpose – While curiosity is a critical factor in motivating human exploratory behaviors across domains, past studies are yet to explore the exploratory curiosity construct in the context of backpacking. This study aims to conceptualize backpackers’ exploratory curiosity and, importantly, developing a scale for the construct. Design/Methodology – A survey questionnaire is first designed on the basis of a literature review and in-depth interviews. Then, two surveys are conducted using sample sizes of 228 and 276. The scale, along with its four factors (i.e., excitement, new destinations, social contact, and new tourism events) and 18 items, was determined as reliable and valid by the implementation of a rigorous instrument development process. Approach – This study identifies the characteristics of backpacker exploratory curiosity, and then generates fundamental constructs with detailed descriptions and explanations for a questionnaire. Subsequently, to understand the characteristics of such curiosity and how they can be applied to explain backpacker behaviors. Findings – This study extended the application of the curiosity concept to the tourism industry, and offered a new perspective, namely, exploratory behaviour individuals display in response to novelty, excitement, and changes in their environment can be used as variables to measure their curiosity level, and then the BECS can be utilized by tourism management organizations to help increase the number of potential clients. Originality of the research – The study contributed to a theoretical enhancement of the current level of knowledge on the existing literature on backpackers’ exploratory behavior and developed a reliable and valid scale for measuring backpacker exploratory curiosity