Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Dan Farhat
Author-Name-First: Dan
Author-Name-Last: Farhat
Author-Email: dan.farhat@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: The Economics of Vampires: An Agent-based Perspective
Abstract: Vampires are a prominent feature of modern culture. Past research identifies the ecological and economic relationship between vampires and living humans under the assumption that 'representative agents' are capable of characterising entire communities. Whether populations of individuals can coordinate themselves sufficiently or not to achieve the same outcomes as the representative agent is not addressed. The purpose of this study is to create a human-vampire ecosystem using artificial social simulation. An agent-based computational model is constructed in which heterogeneous vampire and human individuals engage in one-on-one interaction within a virtual landscape. These interactions result in the emergence of aggregate-level phenomena. Simulating alternative virtual economies under different model calibrations shows under what conditions these emergent phenomena are similar to those produced by the representative agents in previous studies. This article contends that growing human-vampire economies can shed light on an array of social and economic issues even if vampires never existed at all.
Length: 23 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-01
Revision-Date: 2013-01
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076635.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1301
Classification-JEL: C63, J10, P0
Keywords: economics of vampires, agent-based modelling, artificial social simulation
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1301

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Dan Farhat
Author-Name-First: Dan
Author-Name-Last: Farhat
Author-Email: dan.farhat@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: An Agent-based Model of Interdisciplinary Science and the Evolution of Scientific Research Networks
Abstract: This study proposes an agent-based model of the impact of research success on the structure of scientific communities. In the model, heterogeneous scientists scattered about a ‘social landscape’ influence each other through networking. Peer networks are allowed to change based on the accumulated achievements (or prestige) of researchers. The dynamics of these networks are illustrated. The framework is then adjusted to allow for interdisciplinary practices (modelled as network links to more distant peers on the social landscape). Separate disciplines are shown to collapse into a single, large scientific network. Managing growing research networks, therefore, becomes a concern.
Length: 12 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-01
Revision-Date: 2013-01
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076636.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1302
Classification-JEL: A14, B49, Z13
Keywords: Agent-based modelling, evolution of academic networks, interdisciplinary science, sociology of science
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1302

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Alfred A. Haug
Author-Name-First: Alfred A.
Author-Name-Last: Haug
Author-Email: alfred.haug@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: On Real Interest Rate Persistence: The Role of Breaks
Abstract: The role of structural breaks in long spans of ex-post real interest rates for ten industrialized countries is studied. First, the persistence of the real interest is assessed with newly proposed low-frequency tests of Muller and Watson (2008). Second, the test of Leybourne et al. (2007) for a change in persistence of a time-series is applied to the real interest rate. The results show that real interest rates over the full sample period do not fit a covariance-stationary or unit-root model, nor a fractionally-integrated, near-unit-root or local-level model. Instead, the persistence of real rates changes over time and there are periods when the real rate is covariance stationary and other periods when it follows a unit root process.
Length: 18 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-01
Revision-Date: 2013-01
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076637.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1303
Classification-JEL: E43, C22
Keywords: Real interest rates, persistence of a time series, breaks in persistence
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1303

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Nathan Berg
Author-Name-First: Nathan
Author-Name-Last: Berg
Author-Email: nathan.berg@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Todd Gabel
Author-Name-First: Todd
Author-Name-Last: Gabel
Author-Email: tgabel@yahoo.com
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics and Finance, Middle Tennessee State University
Title: Effects of New Welfare Reform Strategies on Welfare Participation: Microdata Estimates from Canada
Abstract: This paper introduces newly coded information describing province- and year-specific variation in work requirements, diversion, earning exemptions, and time limits. This new information reveals a large decline in the chance of welfare participation of at least 1.1 percentage points (9.2% relative to the unconditional mean rate of participation) associated with stringent combinations of those four new welfare reforms, even after controlling for benefit levels, eligibility requirements, province-specific GDP growth and unemployment. These results replicate previous findings based on aggregate data and extend them with controls for individual-level characteristics. Microdata with individual-level characteristics enable estimates of the effects of new welfare reforms on 46 subpopulations, suggesting that immigrants, native Canadians, single parents and disabled people were far more effected by provinces' aggressive new attempts to limit welfare participation than other Canadians receiving social assistance. 
Length: 45 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-02
Revision-Date: 2013-02
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076638.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1304
Classification-JEL: H53, I38
Keywords: Social Assistance, SLID, PRWORA, TANF, Work Requirements, Diversion, Earnings Exemptions, Time Limits, Natural Experiments
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1304



Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: David Fielding
Author-Name-First: David
Author-Name-Last: Fielding
Author-Email: david.fielding@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Chris Hajzler
Author-Name-First: Chris
Author-Name-Last: Hajzler
Author-Email: chris.hajzler@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: Comment on Relative Price Variability and Inflation in Reinganum's Consumer Search Model
Abstract: There is now a large empirical literature on the effect of the aggregate inflation rate on (i) the dispersion of prices across goods or locations (relative price variability, or RPV) and (ii) the dispersion of inflation rates across goods or locations (relative inflation variability, or RIV). In the early part of this literature, empirical modelling is explicitly based on theoretical macroeconomic models incorporating signal extraction problems. However, more recent empirical research is less directly connected to theory, and several authors report results that are inconsistent with signal extraction models. In particular, while RIV is increasing in the absolute value of inflation shocks, RPV is a negative monotonic function of inflation shocks. In this paper, we show that such a result is predicted by consumer search models in the style of Reinganum (1979). A proper understanding of the dynamics of price dispersion in 21st century economies will require a renewed interest in the theoretical foundations of empirical models.
Length: 20 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-03
Revision-Date: 2013-03
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076639.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1305
Keywords: Relative Price Variability; Inflation; Search models
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1305


Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Dan Farhat
Author-Name-First: Dan
Author-Name-Last: Farhat
Author-Email: dan.farhat@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Disease and Economic Malady: A First Look Using Search Engine Query Data
Abstract: Using search engine query data as a measure for public awareness of sexual health outcomes, this study extracts a measure of general interest in sexually transmitted disease for the United States (2004 - 2012). This trend is compared to a measure of overall economic prosperity. Heightened interest in STDs isshown to have occurred during the recent recession (December 2007 - June 2009). It is hypothesized that potential changes in insurance coverage as workers become unemployed may increase instances of online self-diagnosis of STDs. Select data imply that an increase in the tendency to search for STD information online occurs after alternative insurance options are explored. Data also imply that interest in behavioral alternatives to treating STDs rises after interest in STDs rise (and not at the onset ofthe economic slump). This paper identifies broad trends and points to using search engine query data to connect health awareness to the state of the economy as a lucrative area of future research. 
Length: 11 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-03
Revision-Date: 2013-03
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076640.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1306
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1306

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: David Fielding
Author-Name-First: David
Author-Name-Last: Fielding
Author-Email: david.fielding@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: How Much Does Women's Empowerment Influence their Wellbeing? Evidence from Africa
Abstract: One of the eight Millennium Development Goals is to 'promote gender equality and empower women.' However, only 1% of official foreign aid is currently spent on gender equality and human rights. Using individual-level survey data from 39 villages in northern Senegal, we model the effects that freedom within the home have on married women's subjective wellbeing. We find the direct effects on wellbeing to be of a similar magnitude to the direct effects of consumption, education and morbidity. These results suggest the need for a review of aid allocation priorities.
Length: 39 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-04
Revision-Date: 2013-04
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076641.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1307
Classification-JEL: O15; J12; I15
Keywords: wellbeing; health; women's empowerment
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1307

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Nathan Berg
Author-Name-First: Nathan
Author-Name-Last: Berg
Author-Email: nathan.berg@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: G. Biele
Author-Name-First: G.
Author-Name-Last: Biele
Author-Name: Gerd Gigerenzer
Author-Name-First: Gerd
Author-Name-Last: Gigerenzer
Title: Does Consistency Predict Accuracy of Beliefs?: Economists Surveyed About PSA
Abstract: When economists' subjective beliefs about the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test are internally consistent (i.e., satisfying Bayes' Rule), their beliefs about prostate cancer risk are less accurate than among those with inconsistent beliefs. Using a loss function framework, we investigate but cannot find evidence that inconsistent beliefs lead to inaccuracy, different PSA decisions, or economic losses. Economists' PSA decisions appear to depend much more on the advice of doctors and family members than on beliefs about cancer risks and the pros/cons of PSA testing, which have little to no joint explanatory power.
Length: 40 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-04
Revision-Date: 2013-04
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076642.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1308
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1308

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: P. Dorian Owen
Author-Name-First: P. Dorian
Author-Name-Last: Owen
Author-Email: dorian.owen@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Nicholas King
Author-Name-First: Nicholas
Author-Name-Last: King
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: Competitive Balance Measures in Sports Leagues: The Effects of Variation in Season Length
Abstract: Appropriate measurement of competitive balance is a cornerstone of the economic analysis of professional sports leagues. We examine the distributional properties of the ratio of standard deviations (RSD) of points percentages, the most widely used measure of competitive balance in the sports economics literature, in comparison with other standard-deviation-based measures. Simulation methods are used to evaluate the effects of changes in season length on the distributions of competitive balance measures for different distributions of the strengths of teams in a league. The popular RSD measure performs as expected only in cases of perfect balance; if there is imbalance in team strengths, its distribution is very sensitive to changes in season length. This has important implications for comparisons of competitive balance for different sports leagues with different numbers of teams and/or games played.
Length: 39 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-07
Revision-Date: 2013-07
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076643.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1309
Classification-JEL: L83, D63, C63
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1309

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Sarah Baird
Author-Name-First: Sarah
Author-Name-Last: Baird
Author-Email: sarah.baird@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Erick Gong
Author-Name-First: Erick
Author-Name-Last: Gong
Author-Email: egong@middlebury.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, Middlebury College
Author-Name: Craig McIntosh
Author-Name-First: Craig
Author-Name-Last: McIntosh
Author-Email: ctmcintosh@ucsd.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, UC San Diego
Author-Name: Berk Ozler
Author-Name-First: Berk
Author-Name-Last: Ozler
Author-Email: berk.ozler@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: The Heterogeneous Effects of HIV Testing
Abstract: An extensive multi-disciplinary literature examines the effects of learning one’s HIV status on subsequent risky sexual behaviors. However, many of these studies rely on nonexperimental designs; use self-reported outcome measures, or both. In this study, we investigate the effects of a randomly assigned Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) intervention on risky sexual behaviors and schooling investments among school-age females in Malawi. We find no overall effects on HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-2), or test scores at follow-up. However, receiving a HIV-positive test result causes a large increase in the probability of contracting HSV-2, with stronger effects among those surprised by the HIV-positive test results. Similarly, those surprised by HIV-negative test results see a significant improvement in achievement test scores, consistent with increased returns to investments in human capital. We view the finding on increased HSV-2 prevalence among HIV-positive individuals as a caution to the conventional wisdom that those who learn they are HIV-positive will adopt safer sexual practices.
Length: 33 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-07
Revision-Date: 2013-07
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076645pdf.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1310
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1310

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: P. Dorian Owen
Author-Name-First: P. Dorian
Author-Name-Last: Owen
Author-Email: dorian.owen@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: Measurement of Competitive Balance and Uncertainty of Outcome
Length: 37 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-08
Revision-Date: 2013-08
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076646.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1311
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1311

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Paul Hansen
Author-Name-First: Paul
Author-Name-Last: Hansen
Author-Email: paul.hansen@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Nicole Kergozou
Author-Name-First: Nicole
Author-Name-Last: Kergozou
Author-Email: nikki.kergozou@rbnz.govt.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Author-Name: Stephen Knowles
Author-Name-First: Stephen
Author-Name-Last: Knowles
Author-Email: stephen.knowles@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Paul Thorsnes
Author-Name-First: Paul
Author-Name-Last: Thorsnes
Author-Email: paul.thorsnes@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: Developing countries in need: Which characteristics appeal most to people when donating money?
Abstract: A discrete choice experiment was conducted to discover the relative importance of five characteristics of developing countries, as suggested by the literature, considered by people when choosing countries to donate money to. The experiment was administered via an online survey involving almost 700 student participants (potential donors) from a New Zealand university. The most important recipient-country characteristic for participants on average is hunger and malnutrition (a weight of 0.29), followed by child mortality (0.24), quality of infrastructure (0.21), income per capita (0.18), and, least importantly, ties to New Zealand (0.09). A cluster analysis of participants' individual `part-worth utilities' representing the relative importance of the country characteristics reveals they are not strongly correlated with participants' demographic characteristics. Our findings overall indicate that to maximise the donations they receive, non-governmental aid organisations are better to focus their marketing efforts on emphasising country characteristics associated with hunger, malnutrition and child mortality than other things.
Length: 35 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-09
Revision-Date: 2013-09
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/research/otago076647.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1312
Classification-JEL: A13, C91, D64, O1
Keywords: foreign aid, charitable giving, discrete choice experiment, conjoint analysis, PAPRIKA method
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1312

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Alfred A. Haug
Author-Name-First: Alfred A.
Author-Name-Last: Haug
Author-Email: alfred.haug@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Tomasz Jedrzejowicz
Author-Name-First: Tomasz
Author-Name-Last: Jedrzejowicz
Author-Email: Tomasz.Jedrzejowicz@nbp.pl
Author-Workplace-Name: National Bank of Poland
Author-Name: Anna Sznajderska
Author-Name-First: Anna
Author-Name-Last: Sznajderska
Author-Email: Anna.Sznajderska@nbp.pl
Author-Workplace-Name: National Bank of Poland
Title: Combining Monetary and Fiscal Policy in an SVAR for a Small Open Economy
Abstract: This paper combines a monetary structural vector-autoregression (SVAR)with a fiscal SVAR for Poland. Fiscal foresight, in the form of implementation lags, is accounted for with respect to both discretionary government spending and tax changes. We demonstrate the importance of combining monetary and fiscal transmission mechanisms. However, ignoring fiscal foresight has no statistically significant effects. We calculate an initial government spending multiplier of 0.14, which later peaks at 0.48. The tax multiplier is close to zero. We also find that monetary policy in Poland transmits mainly through the real sector, that is through real GDP and the real exchange rate.
Length: 39 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-10
Revision-Date: 2013-10
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/otago111192.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1313
Classification-JEL: E52, E62, C51
Keywords: Structural vector autoregressions, monetary and fiscal policy, fiscal foresight, narrative approach
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1313

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Nathan Berg
Author-Name-First: Nathan
Author-Name-Last: Berg
Author-Email: nathan.berg@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Jeong-Yoo Kim
Author-Name-First: Jeong-Yoo
Author-Name-Last: Kim
Author-Email: jyookim@khu.ac.kr
Author-Workplace-Name: Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
Title: Prohibition of Riba and Gharar: A signaling and screening explanation?
Abstract: The emergence of Islamic Banks (IBs) with Sharia boards that restrict the set of permissible products and enforce prohibition of riba and gharar raises basic questions of how IB clients benefit by choosing financial services from a restricted menu of possibly higher-cost cash flows. Norms that restrict choice sets or impose otherwise harsh requirements would seem to act as a potential barrier to religious identification by raising costs for IB clients. Contrary to this intuition, a theoretical model demonstrates that premium financing costs and substantial restrictions on the set of financing options considered to be Sharia-compliant provide signaling technology that benefit IB clients who are highly pious. By revealing what would otherwise remain private information about one's intensity of religious piety, the signaling technology then provides a screening service, enabling high-piety types to separate and concentrate their social and commercial interaction with others who are similarly pious. Iannaccone (1992) demonstrates a rationale for harsh norms as a mechanism for reducing free-riding in the supply of club goods. In contrast, the model in this paper shows that piety can be signaled by the act of choosing to become an IB client and bearing the costs of restricted choice sets and premium pricing for financial products. This provides a new rationalization for prohibition of riba and gharar as a stable institution. Signaling piety is especially valuable in environments where piety is uncertain and otherwise diffcult for others to observe. The model predicts that IBs' Sharia-compliance criteria will tend to be stricter and IB premiums larger in places where the proportion of highly pious Muslims is small.
Length: 39 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-11
Revision-Date: 2013-11
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/otago111193.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1314
Classification-JEL: D72
Keywords:  Islamic, bank, norms, piety, devout, loyalty, screening, signaling
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1314

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Trenton G. Smith
Author-Name-First: Trenton G.
Author-Name-Last: Smith
Author-Email: trent.smith@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Attila Tasnadi
Author-Name-First: Attila
Author-Name-Last: Tasnadi
Author-Email: attila.tasnadi@uni-corvinus.hu
Author-Workplace-Name: Corvinus University of Budapest
Title: The Economics of Information, Deep Capture, and the Obesity Debate
Length: 19 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-11
Revision-Date: 2013-11
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/otago111194.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1315
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1315

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Alfred A. Haug
Author-Name-First: Alfred A.
Author-Name-Last: Haug
Author-Email: alfred.haug@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Vincent C. Blackburn
Author-Name-First: Vincent C.
Author-Name-Last: Blackburn
Author-Email:  vincent.blackburn@det.nsw.edu.au
Author-Workplace-Name: Finance and Investment New South Wales, Department of Education and Communities
Title: Efficiency Aspects of Government Secondary School Finances in New South Wales: Results from a Two-Stage Double-Bootstrap DEA at the School Level
Abstract: This study measures the efficiency of government secondary schools in New South Wales, Australia, using a recently developed methodology of two-stage semi-parametric modeling. In contrast to previous research comparing school performance, we control for prior academic achievement of students by looking at the changes in academic achievements over a two year period, at the school level, from 2008 to 2010, and employ detailed financial data for deriving the envelope for the production frontier of the schools. Using Simar and Wilson's (2007) double bootstrap procedure for data envelopment analysis (DEA), the study finds that schools with higher student retention rates, higher total student numbers, boys or girls only, and selective admissions do better than other schools. On the other hand, a negative influence comes from a school's location in provincial and outer metropolitan areas, a higher ratio of disadvantaged students at a school, and a school's specialization in areas such as languages, performing arts, sports, etc. A surprising result is that the socio-economic characteristics of the families of students attending the school has no significant effect on their academic performance, nor does the average of the years of service of the teachers at a specific school.
Length: 29 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-11
Revision-Date: 2013-11
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/otago111195.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1316
Classification-JEL: C44, C61, H53, I21, I22
Keywords: Two-stage data envelopment analysis; double-bootstrap; efficiency of high schools in New South Wales, Australia.
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1316

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Kim Economides
Author-Name-First: Kim
Author-Name-Last: Economides
Author-Email:  kim.economides@flinders.edu.au
Author-Workplace-Name: Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Author-Name: Alfred A. Haug
Author-Name-First: Alfred A.
Author-Name-Last: Haug
Author-Email: alfred.haug@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Joe McIntyre
Author-Name-First: Joe
Author-Name-Last: McIntyre
Author-Email: jmcintyre@tru.ca
Author-Workplace-Name: Thompson Rivers University, BC, Canada
Title: Are Courts Slow? Exposing and Measuring the Invisible Determinants of Case Disposition Time
Abstract: This article analyses civil case disposition time by developing hypotheses to explain behavioral and structural determinants of so-called 'delay' and suggesting a novel methodology ('Echronometrics') to account for factors, operating at both macro and micro socio-economic levels, that influence the behavior and outputs of civil courts. Our proposed methodology includes more relevant variables, and specifies their interdependence, thus offering a more powerful explanatory tool for future empirical research to account for and measure the complex interactions of time and cost in civil trials
Length: 44 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-11
Revision-Date: 2013-11
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/otago111196.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1317
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1317

Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: David Fielding
Author-Name-First: David
Author-Name-Last: Fielding
Author-Email: david.fielding@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Author-Name: Stephen Knowles
Author-Name-First: Stephen
Author-Name-Last: Knowles
Author-Email: stephen.knowles@otago.ac.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand
Title: Can You Spare Some Change For Charity? Experimental Evidence On Verbal Cues And Loose Change Effects In A Dictator Game
Abstract: There is some evidence from field studies and natural experiments that levels of charitable donation depend on the method in which donations are solicited. There is also some experimental evidence that spending on private consumption depends on how much loose change people have. We use a simple laboratory experiment to measure the effect on donor choices of (i) whether the choices are presented verbally or non-verbally, and (ii) whether the participants have a large amount of loose change. We find strong evidence for both effects. These effects may explain some of the variation in the average level of generosity found in different Dictator Game results, and why laboratory experiments elicit levels of generosity that are often much higher than in non-laboratory settings.
Length: 37 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-11
Revision-Date: 2013-11
File-URL: http://www.otago.ac.nz/economics/otago085203.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-Function: First version, 2013
Number: 1318
Classification-JEL: C91, D64
Keywords: charitable giving; Dictator Game; power of asking; loose change effects
Handle: RePEc:otg:wpaper:1318