Articles tagged with Economic Decision Making
A study finds that governments could help millions of people and save a lot of money with targeted energy subsidies. The research quantifies the impacts of the energy crisis on households worldwide, revealing that indirect energy costs impose the biggest burden on both high- and low-income countries.
Purdue University has been awarded a $10 million grant from the USDA to improve forest management in the Eastern US. The project, called PERSEUS, aims to provide digital tools and precision management to enhance forest health and promote sustainable forestry practices.
A new economic model estimates the health benefits and budget impact of Fracture Liaison Services, showing significant reductions in fragility fractures, hospital bed days, and social care costs. The model suggests that FLS implementation would lead to improved patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
This project aims to identify conditions necessary for abandoning climate-damaging social norms and test their effectiveness on representative samples in different countries. The goal is to find solutions for large-scale sustainable changes in individual and social behavior.
Researchers conducted an experiment with nearly 700 people in three countries to gauge the public's perception of relative risk factors. The results suggest a major health-risk public-communications failure in terms of how behaviors compare in relative risk.
A study found that communities experiencing sudden and significant job losses in manufacturing are less likely to engage in sustainability planning and meet sustainability-related goals. This is attributed to deep-rooted connections between industry and community identity, making it difficult for these communities to transition.
The study examines the impact of climate change and economic sustainability on drinking water management strategies. The integrated assessment framework assesses factors such as water quality, environmental changes, and potential costs to determine performance data and benchmarking.
A new study found that most Americans incorrectly believe they know what constitutes normal/healthy blood pressure, yet are overly confident in their understanding of blood pressure readings. This false confidence may undermine intentions to seek care for stage 1 hypertension.
A comprehensive study found that up to 82 percent of Berlin's vegetable demand could be met locally if all available land was used for urban gardening. Investing in water and human resources would be crucial for this production, with a total investment cost of 753 million euros required.
A new model predicts US recessions and slowdowns by analyzing the aggregate probability of financial misreporting in the economy. The model improves recession prediction by about 25% over existing models, providing regulators with more lead time to prepare for a recession.
Researchers developed a new model to predict U.S. recessions and economic slowdowns based on financial statement manipulation. The study found that high levels of potential manipulation in financial statements can improve recession prediction 5 to 8 quarters away.
Researchers found that consumers pay more when asked to make payment decisions after receiving the product, especially for high-value offerings. Conversely, lower values are paid when decisions are made before receipt. This timing effect can inform businesses and organizations implementing pay-what-you-want pricing mechanisms.
The UT Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture project is studying six niche crops: cut flowers, persimmons, blueberries, elderberries, garlic, and microgreens. The project aims to provide education and outreach to help Tennessee producers make informed decisions about marketing and sales.
A new study reveals that older adults are hesitant to seek emergency care due to financial worries. Among those who may need care, 22% skip the visit altogether. Those in their 50s and early 60s, women, uninsured individuals, low-income households, and those with poor mental health are disproportionately affected.
A new study examined the impact of Medicaid funding cessation on neonatal circumcision rates in California. The research found a significant decrease in circumcision rates, particularly among low-income families, which can exacerbate existing health disparities such as lower rates of sexually transmitted infections. The findings highli...
Researchers tested risk-based decision making in captive gorillas and orangutans, finding evidence of pre-existing cognitive biases that contradict economic rationality. The study highlights the complexity of animal cognition and challenges traditional assumptions about rational decision making.
A University of Queensland study analyzing almost three million chess moves found that wearing a mask reduces the average quality of player decisions due to annoyance caused by the masks. The effect subsides after four to six hours of playing, suggesting mask-wearing impact depends on task type and duration.
A study by researchers at the University of Zurich found that people are reluctant to harm others and upend existing social hierarchies when considering distributive justice. The participants were more willing to reduce inequality but maintained the existing hierarchy, suggesting a complex interplay between conflicting motives.
Researchers identify conditions that reduce the negative effect of acquisitions on consumers' reactions to acquired brands. The study found that perceived loss of a brand's unique values is a key trigger for negative reactions, which can be mitigated by factors like brand age and leadership continuity.
The study found that COVID-19 vaccination in New York City reduced severe outcomes and avoided substantial economic losses. Every dollar invested yielded estimated savings of $10.19 in health costs.
A new study explores how older adults plan for future changes, such as stopping driving or using firearms. The research found that reducing access to potentially dangerous situations should be prompted by declining ability, not age alone. Trusted messengers like family and clinicians can lead conversations around limiting access, and s...
A £1m project aims to develop a biodiversity credit standard to measure and value biodiversity for market trading and investment. The research team will test a potential methodology and assess industry uptake of new innovation.
A new University of Illinois study reveals that maize prices do not always rise after harvest in Sub-Saharan African markets, with prices falling 16.3% of the time. This uncertainty leads farmers to make decisions based on guesswork, considering storage expenses and risks of spoilage and loss.
The studies will provide evidence for a new global approach to valuing natural habitats and evaluate biodiversity in marine and urban areas. They aim to deliver on the recommendations from the Government's Dasgupta Review and support nature recovery and halt biodiversity loss.
Researchers have developed perennial rice that allows farmers to plant once and harvest up to eight times, reducing labor and costs. The crop provides significant environmental benefits, including improved soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study by the University of California School of Global Policy and Strategy found that credible trade agreements help U.S. firms invest in new export markets during economic downturns. The research suggests that trade agreements can mitigate the impact of a global recession, particularly for industries dependent on exports.
New research by Lancaster University and Bocconi University finds that Kenyan parents with access to mass media believe the risk of dying in a terrorist attack is 12 times larger than actual rates. This leads to children being kept out of schools, affecting their education and future earnings.
Researchers found that groups using multivoting proved more effective in identifying the best choice, with 50% higher accuracy than plurality and ranked-choice voting. Multivoting allows individuals to allocate votes across options, promoting deeper information processing before discussion.
A new study from the University of Kansas finds that parents from marginalized backgrounds and lower educational attainment make more compromises on school features, resulting in lower satisfaction. The research suggests that these parents are not lacking in understanding what would be best for their children, but rather face constrain...
Researchers discovered two distinct types of regret linked to separate parts of the brain, influencing stress response and mood disorders. Stress-susceptible mice were hypersensitive to one type, while healthy mice were sensitive to another.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have found that individual neurons in the neural circuit that processes reward information fire in accordance with prospect theory. The study used rhesus monkeys to perform lottery tasks and recorded neural activity while they completed the tasks, finding that single-neuron activity conformed ...
A study published in Cell Press found that when humans are involved, computer decisions are perceived as fairer. Participants deemed decisions related to positive outcomes fairer than negative ones and had concerns over fairness in systems with higher stakes. The results suggest that automated decision-making systems need careful desig...
The Wasatch Transportation Academy provides community members with knowledge and tools to get involved in transportation decision-making. Key findings include a high degree of satisfaction among participants, who reported increased engagement in various transportation-related activities after taking part in the academy.
A new study examines the role of six brand factors, including price positioning, advertising spending, and distribution breadth, in moderating the impact of business cycles on brand equity. The research finds that premium pricing, market leadership, and extensive distribution contribute to brand equity during economic expansions.
A new study found that decarbonization efforts in Texas significantly reduce air pollution-related health effects, offsetting the cost of these efforts. However, Black and low-income communities still face higher levels of air pollution and related health effects.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that religiosity significantly affects the risk preferences of small-scale farmers in Ethiopia. Farmers who believe in a higher power are more willing to take risks, with approximately 26% believing God determines their success as farmers.
A new study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that using only students in experiments can lead to biased results, as their decisions differ from those of other population groups. The study compared agricultural science students to farmers and found differences in risk-taking, patience, trust, and generosity.
Researchers found that vaccine companies, such as Moderna and Pfizer, experience significant price movements when one company performs well or poorly. Sinopharm is found to be the most affected by market volatility, while AstraZeneca has the greatest influence on Moderna's stock price.
A budget impact analysis found that catheter-based TAVR is an affordable and effective strategy for treating aortic stenosis patients, with lower total costs compared to surgical SAVR. The study showed that the upfront cost of TAVR is partially offset by reduced healthcare resources, making it a more efficient option.
A new study by St. Edward’s University, University of Mississippi, and University of Texas at Austin finds that female executives focus on customer relationships to a greater degree than their male counterparts, leading to more customer-oriented discussions in the C-suite. The researchers examine 389 Fortune 500 firms over six years an...
A new study suggests that prediction markets could improve climate risk forecasts by incentivizing experts to share information. The markets would offer a level playing field for diverse expertise and provide a structured way to distribute research funding, promoting effective altruism.
Research finds that feelings of guilt from keeping everyday consumer behaviors a secret can lead to greater relationship investment. Participants reported engaging in mundane secrets like sneaking pizza or watching ahead on a TV show, which drove them to invest more in their relationships.
Researchers found that providing default alternatives and using ordering and partitioning together can improve consumer choice. This study aims to provide a more efficient way for consumers to make better decisions about healthcare products, ultimately improving health outcomes and the efficiency of the healthcare system.
A national survey of 1000 adults in Greenland found that 3 out of 4 support extracting and exporting sand from the melting ice sheet, with most preferring local involvement. The study highlights a rare example of an Arctic Indigenous population wanting to be involved in decision-making about adapting to accelerated Arctic changes.
Researchers will conduct a national survey to identify barriers to adopting price risk management tools and assess perceptions of tool effectiveness. A free mobile application will be developed to provide information needed for making informed decisions, aiming to improve US beef cattle producers' economic sustainability.
A new study by the University of British Columbia suggests that BC's ocean contributed around $4.9 billion to provincial GDP in 2015, with marine transport sector making the highest contribution. However, this estimate is likely an underestimate due to excluded ecosystem services and cultural value.
A new study published in the CABI Agriculture & Bioscience journal found that women place greater importance on autonomous social relations, while men value financial-related decisions. Psychological well-being is an important resource for both genders, and location plays a significant role in shaping empowerment resources.
A team at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna mapped an entire nation's supply chain network using mobile phone data, predicting systemic risk and resilience. The model can be easily implemented by other countries and provides a detailed view of national economic behavior on a daily timescale.
A Japanese study reveals that policy disagreement and politicization led to the split of Japan's largest opposition party in 2017. The researchers found that traditional DIF analysis failed to capture the complexity of party positions, but a corrected version showed strong discord over defense policy.
Researchers created a profile of electric vehicle buyers and drivers, highlighting the importance of environmental communities and concern for air quality. The study also emphasizes the need for further research to analyze the association between purchasing an electric car and caring for the environment.
A survey of UK doctors found that the pandemic has led to an increase in willingness to forgo life-saving treatments for very sick patients, while views on euthanasia and assisted dying have remained unchanged. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed end-of-life care, prompting a reevaluation of clinicians' decision-making processes.
A new study found that girls who spend more time on household chores in childhood are more likely to have limited future employment opportunities. The research suggests that unequal shares of household care work contribute to the gender pay gap, constraining girls' access to better-paid and higher-quality jobs.
Researchers found that immediate government macroeconomic responses had a stabilizing effect on the domestic banking and capital market sectors. The study suggests a strong emphasis on macroeconomic policy moves as the best tool for managing the sector during crises.
A global study involving 60 countries found that individuals across income groups prefer immediate gains, but those in stable economies with lower inequality are less likely to do so. The study also reveals inconsistent decision-making between immediate and future financial options.
Scientists developed a novel multilayer coating to improve the longevity of steel, increasing its lifespan by up to 400 hours. The coating, comprising three layers, was found to provide higher resistance to rust than conventional Zn coatings.
A study published in Implementation Science found that including local economic data in emails to legislators increases engagement, but only for Democrats. The research suggests tailoring communication by political party can also be effective.
Researchers at Portland State University created a two-stage stochastic programming model to optimize e-scooter placement, charging, and rebalancing in Tucson. The model uses data from the City of Tucson to answer questions on demand uncertainty, idle periods, and customer satisfaction.
An international study found that caffeine impacts what shoppers buy and how much they spend when shopping. Caffeinated individuals purchased more non-essential items and spent more money compared to those who drank decaf or water.
A new study by Stanford researchers shows that nature-based solutions, such as conserving marshlands and restoring beaches, can be as effective as concrete seawalls in protecting against sea-level rise. The research found that these solutions provide extra benefits, including opportunities for recreation, climate change mitigation thro...
A University of Maryland study estimates the dollar value of barriers to homeowners participating in cost-sharing programs for stormwater management. The researchers found that features requiring effort from homeowners can significantly reduce the incentive's effectiveness, with some combinations resulting in a mere $1.85/sqft cost sha...