Abstract

Watching television, according to the point of view of the audience, means being passive subjects. However, if we would realize that we are true consumers of mass media, surely we would try to consume them more rationally, while we would be able to confer to this consumption a voluntary and rational nature that would make us to decide «this is what I want to consume and this isn’t». Moreover, we would realize that as consumers we have rights, rights sheltered behind the law, and we do not enjoy these rights as audience.Also, we would be able to react if we would consider that those rights have been violated.

Abstract

The term «dinki» stands for «double income no kids» and refers to young couples with high earned income who do not want to have offspring in order to maintain their economical status (a great part of their income is devoted to travelling, eating in restaurants...). The «dinki» phenomenon is not new at all. According to the results about «Young families in Spain» published by Milward Brown Spain consultancy in November 2005, in Spain there are already 800,000 of «dinki» couples, a 75 percentage higher than in 2000.

Abstract

Recently different studies of green transport have become interesting for policy makers, car manufacturers, customers and energy suppliers. Many stakeholders from the public and private sectors are investing a lot of effort to identify consumer behaviour for future improvements in development of green products and effective strategies, which could accelerate the transition to sustainable future. This paper presents the effects of electric vehicle promotional policies and customer preferences about alternative fuel vehicles. This study has shown that the electric vehicle promotional policies adopted in Slovenia have been unsuccessful, as the share of first-time registered electric vehicles in 2013 was below 1%. For different segments of people whose opinions about low emission vehicles differ, different measures must be adopted. When designing promotional policies focus must be on the most relevant factors such as the total vehicle price and fuel economy.

Abstract

Global socio-economic and environmental megatrends ask for a paradigm shift in mobility and transport in which multimodal solutions and electrification are key. An action plan for the implementation of innovative transport and mobility in Europe is needed. The MOBILITY4EU project develops such a plan considering all modes of transport and a multitude of societal drivers. It uses a Multi-Actor-Multi-Criteria Analysis (MAMCA) methodology for consulting a broad societal stakeholder community. This paper will present objectives and methodology of the project and results on the interaction between societal trends and formulation of (future) societal requirements on transport.

Abstract

We analysed mass media credibility, focusing particularly on generalist journals. We carried out structural equation modeling, based on a sample comprised of 454 questionnaires relative to the newspapers El país, El mundo, Abc, La razón and La voz de Galicia , in order to analyze the antecedents and consequences of credibility. The results obtained show the important influence of perceived quality, media image and awareness on consumers’ attitudes, along with the influence of attitude on media credibility. Our findings provide useful insights for mass media managers that may enhance media image and awareness, along with consumers’ perceptions of quality, in an increasingly competitive environment.

Abstract

Consumer education regarding the costs of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in comparison with similar gasoline vehicles, is important for adoption. However, the complexity of comparing gasoline and electricity prices, and balancing long-term return-on-investment from fuel and maintenance savings with purchase premiums for EVs, makes it difficult for consumers to assess potential economic advantages. Online vehicle cost calculators (VCCs) may help consumers navigate this complexity by providing tailored estimates of different types of vehicles costs for users and enabling comparisons across multiple vehicles. However, VCCs range widely and there has been virtually no behavioral research to identify functionalities and features that determine their usefulness in engaging and educating consumers and promoting EV adoption. This research draws on a behavioral theory, systematic review of available VCCs, and user research with three VCCs to articulate design recommendations for effective VCCs.View the NCST Project Webpage

Abstract

The petroleum sector contributes substantially to the Nigerian economy; however, the potential benefits are diminished because of the existence of significant subsidies on imports of petroleum products. Subsidies on imported petroleum products are considered to be an important instrument for keeping fuel prices, and hence the cost of living, low. The costs of these subsidies, however, have risen dramatically in recent years along with increased volatility in world petroleum and petroleum product prices and increased illegal exportation of subsidized petroleum products into neighboring countries. Removing the subsidy on fuel is one of the most contentious socioeconomic policy issues in Nigeria today. In this paper, an economy-wide framework is used to identify the impact of removing the fuel subsidy on the Nigerian economy and investigate how alternative policies might be used to meet socioeconomic objectives related to fuel subsidies. The results show that although a reduction in the subsidy generally results in an increase in Nigeria’s gross domestic product, it can have a detrimental impact on household income, and in particular on poor households. Accompanying the subsidy reduction with income transfers aimed at poor households or domestic production of petroleum products can alleviate the negative impacts on household income. Document type: Book

Abstract

In 2005, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA, 2005) provided the first comprehensive report on global ecosystems, the dependence of human societies on the services provided, current state, and likely future trajectory. The MA identified the failure to value ecosystem services as a major contributing cause. The 2001 environment strategy did not explicitly address environmental valuation, although the focus on poverty and environment implies a need for valuing natural resources and environmental services. In consultations on the 2010 environment strategy, a wide range of stakeholders stressed the importance of mainstreaming environmental services. To better direct limited resources for environmental valuation and training, a closer look is needed to identify the conditions under which valuation has had an impact on: policy and project design, policy dialogue in client countries, environmental investments, and strengthening the capacity of national institutions. This report presents a review of environmental valuation in World Bank operational and analytical work, identifying what has been done, and the impacts environmental valuation has had. The report identifies the conditions under which valuation is most likely to influence decision-makers, and finally, the implications for the 2010 environment strategy. The report is organized as follows: section one gives context; section two gives introduction; section three gives approach to learning from past experience; section four focuses on coverage of ecosystem services; section five presents prioritizing environmental valuation; section six deals with why environmental valuation not done; and section seven gives recommendations. Document type: Book

Abstract

During the transition from central planning to market economies now under way in Eastern Europe, output levels first collapsed by 40 to 50 percent in most countries, then staged a modest recovery in the last two years. Longer-term revival of growth requires a resumption of investment and thus, realistically, of domestic savings. To explore the determinants of household savings rates in transition economies, the authors studies matching household surveys for three Central European economies: Bulgaria, Hungary, and Poland. They find that savings rates strongly increase with relative income, suggesting that increasing income inequality may play a role in determining savings rates. Savings rates are significantly higher for households that do not own their homes or that own few of the standard consumer durables - possibly because, with no retail credit or mortgage markets, households must save to purchase houses and durables. The influence of demographic factors broadly matches earlier findings for developing countries. Perhaps surprisingly, variables associated with the households position in the transition process - including either sector of employment (public or private) or form of employment - do not play a significant role in determining savings rates. Document type: Book

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the East-West Highway improvement program on Georgia’s ability to access international markets. As highlighted extensively in the literature, improving transport infrastructure and the efficiency of the logistics sector can help countries gain competitiveness in international export markets, which can translate into faster economic growth and higher income. This study hypothesizes that investments in the EWH have reduced the cost of shipping Georgian goods to the rest of the world, and such reductions should be more significant for goods transported by road. To estimate the effect of cost reductions generated by improvements in the EWH, a gravity-type model in first-differences has been estimated. The results show that: (i) a 10 percent increase in the length of upgraded road network predicts a 1.1 percent increase in exports transported by road while no significant effect is estimated for exports on other transport modes (rail, sea, and air); (ii) the resulting increase in exports by road was reflected by a decrease in exports transported by sea; (iii) the effect is statistically and economically significant only for customs offices located along the EWH; (iv) only exports of time-sensitive products responded positively and significantly to improvements in the EWH during the 2006-2015 period; (v) upgrading the entire EWH is estimated to generate additional export revenues between USD 776 million and USD 1,466 million. It is important to note that the overall trade generating effect of the investment is expected to be somewhat lower as the results suggest some substitution between road and sea transport, but the overall impact is a significant boost to exports.