Contingency in valuations: On the interdependence of multiple values and waste in organizations

An analysis of the relationships between multiple values and physical landscapes at a regional scale using public participation GIS and landscape character classification

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Economic valuation of the environment internalises environmental effects in the marketplace through the calculation of quantitative, monetary values. It may be applied by different stakeholders, including companies, governmental and non-governmental organisations. It is however not uncommon to find that different valuation studies on the same subject, carried out by different stakeholders, generate divergent economic values. Since the decision-making contexts in which economic valuation studies may be applied often consist of numerous stakeholders, there is a danger that decisionmakers will become sceptical of such valuation studies if they reflect only the subjective interests of the stakeholder who carried out the study. To improve the practical applicability of economic valuation, therefore, efforts must be directed towards limiting these inconsistencies in economic valuation studies. Taking as a point of departure the argument that economic valuation is useful in certain decision-making contexts, the pursuit of improvements in economic valuation requires a focus on the process of economic valuation in addition to other current research efforts that focus on methodological issues of economic valuation. This paper will provide preliminary thoughts on the process of economic valuation from an institutional theory perspective. To complement the explanations of this perspective, the paper will focus on one particular stakeholder of the environment, namely the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. Insights obtained from such a perspective may be used to seek solutions that pursue improvements in the economic valuation process.

In this paper, we define and study a variant of multiple zeta values of level 2 (which is called multiple mixed values or multiple $M$-values, MMVs for short), which forms a subspace of the space of alternating multiple zeta values. This variant includes both Hoffman's multiple $t$-values and Kaneko-Tsumura's multiple $T$-values as special cases. We set up the algebra framework for the double shuffle relations (DBSFs) of the MMVs, and exhibits nice properties such as duality, integral shuffle relation, series stuffle relation, etc., similar to ordinary multiple zeta values. Moreover, we study several $T$-variants of Kaneko-Yamamoto type multiple zeta values by establishing some explicit relations between these $T$-variants and Kaneko-Tsumura $\psi$-values. Furthermore, we prove that all Kaneko-Tsumura $\psi$-values can be expressed in terms of Kaneko-Tsumura multiple $T$-values by using multiple associated integrals, and find some duality formulas for Kaneko-Tsumura $\psi$-values. We also discuss the explicit evaluations for a kind of MMVs of depth two and three by using the method of contour integral and residue theorem. Finally, we investigate the dimensions of a few interesting subspaces of MMVs for small weights.

In this paper, we give an elementary account into Zagier’s formula for multiple zeta values involving Hoffman elements. Our approach allows us to obtain direct proof in a special case via rational zeta series involving the coefficient $$\zeta (2n)$$ . This formula plays an important role in proving Hoffman’s conjecture which asserts that every multiple zeta value of weight k can be expressed as a $$\mathbb {Q}$$ -linear combinations of multiple zeta values of the same weight involving 2’s and 3’s. Also, using a similar hypergeometric argument via rational zeta series, we produce a new Zagier-type formula for the multiple special Hurwitz zeta values.

Standards drive waste accumulation, which is particularly evident in the case of food. This article illuminates how food that is discarded due to failed standardized expectations is valued in consumer markets. Theoretically oriented by insights from the sociology of standards and valuation studies, it examines three Swiss organizational initiatives that successfully value food waste. Based on rich qualitative data, the article compares the three valuation processes and finds two central commonalities. On the one hand, the initiatives replace the valuation based on product standards with sensory experience. On the other, the initiatives employ additives that buttress the valuation process. These additives include additionally purchased food that enable the processing of the waste and various judgment devices that help consumers in judging the valued food waste. While improving our knowledge of how waste turns into food again, the article’s main contribution lies in bringing the nexus between standards and waste to our attention.

The key challenges to built public facilities and infrastructure towards sustainable development requires Governments to enhance the interests of the natural environment. In some regions the process of providing such services is the acquisition of appropriate land. For major projects, several locations could be suitable for such purposes and the Government may not be able to purchase the land. In order to obtain land when and where it is needed, Government has the power of compulsory acquisition. Land acquisition was a challenging factor in India for project development. The process and techniques adopted in various countries are reviewed in this paper. It was observed that no single best practice exits, for land acquisition are available. Land acquisition practices through a well structured framework of principles, processes and compensation mechanisms can be developed for a transparent and feasible system. This can be accomplished by taking up research initiatives on valuation studies in Universities for the valuers and supporting experts Keywords: Land acquisition, Compensation, Value of land, Resettlement, Policies.

This article addresses the important issue of the independence and impartiality of the arbitrator. I analyse the current state of affairs regarding this concept, observing the efforts that have been made through soft law for its management and practical application. Then I put forward some new conceptual proposals about the matter, pointing out that it is a hybrid concept, and that – using Ronald Dworkin’s distinction – it functions more as a principle than as a rule. Finally, I suggest some applicable proposals that derive from the nature of this principle. First, I propose a multi-step model that allows us to analyse a specific case. Second, in the case in which the principle of independence and impartiality collides with another principle, I advocate the use of balancing.

For more than 20 years, Europe has been encouraging household bio-waste recycling. This trend is spurred by the promise of a circular economy built around the diversion from landfills, the regeneration of farmland and the production of alternatives to fossil fuel energy. It involves valuation processes, through which a value—both economic and environmental—is assigned to the material in circulation. This article investigates the nature of these processes, particularly the ways in which value is created within the chains of actors that make up these industries. Through the analysis of a case of source-separated household bio-waste collection, we show that bio-waste valuation processes are difficult to master. Due to the living, putrescible, unstable and relatively unlucrative nature of this material, valuation processes are fragile assemblages. They largely depend on the policies, infrastructures, practices and material conditions involved in the handling, care, transport and processing of food waste.

We give explicit formulas for the recently introduced Schur multiple zeta values, which generalize multiple zeta(-star) values and which assign to a Young tableaux a real number. In this note we consider Young tableaux of various shapes, filled with alternating entries like a Checkerboard. In particular we obtain new sum representation for odd single zeta values in terms of these Schur multiple zeta values. As a special case we show that some Schur multiple zeta values of Checkerboard style, filled with 1 and 3, are given by determinants of matrices with odd single zeta values as entries.

Outcome measurement in economic evaluation

The complexity of quantifying ecosystem services in monetary terms has long been a challenging issue for economists and ecologists. Many case specific valuation studies have been carried out in various parts of the World. Yet, a coherent review on the valuation of coastal ecosystem services (CES), which systematically describes fundamental concepts, analyzes reported applications, and addresses the issue of climate change (CC) impacts on the monetary value of CES is still lacking. Here, we take a step towards addressing this knowledge gap by pursuing a coherent review that aims to provide policy makers and researchers in multidisciplinary teams with a summary of the state-of-the-art and a guideline on the process of economic valuation of CES and potential changes in these values due to CC impacts. The article highlights the main concepts of CES valuation studies and offers a systematic analysis of the best practices by analyzing two global scale and 30 selected local and regional case studies, in which different CES have been valued. Our analysis shows that coral reefs and mangroves are among the most frequently valued ecosystems, while sea-grass beds are the least considered ones. Currently, tourism and recreation services as well as storm protection are two of the most considered services representing higher estimated value than other CES. In terms of the valuation techniques used, avoided damage, replacement and substitute cost method as well as stated preference method are among the most commonly used valuation techniques. Following the above analysis, we propose a methodological framework that provides step-wise guidance and better insight into the linkages between climate change impacts and the monetary value of CES. This highlights two main types of CC impacts on CES: one being the climate regulation services of coastal ecosystems, and the other being the monetary value of services, which is subject to substantial uncertainty. Finally, a systematic four-step approach is proposed to effectively monetize potential CC driven variations in the value of CES.

In this paper we define multiple Dedekind zeta values (MDZV), using a new type of iterated integrals, called iterated integrals on a membrane. One should consider MDZV as a number theoretic generalization of Euler’s multiple zeta values. Over imaginary quadratic fields MDZV capture, in particular, multiple Eisenstein series [6]. We give an analogue of multiple Eisenstein series over real quadratic field and an alternative definition of values of multiple Eisenstein–Kronecker series [9]. Each of them is a special case of multiple Dedekind zeta values. MDZV are interpolated into functions that we call multiple Dedekind zeta functions (MDZF). We show that MDZF have integral representation, can be written as infinite sum, and have analytic continuation. We compute explicitly the value of a multiple residue of certain MDZF over a quadratic number field at the point ( 1 , 1 ; 1 , 1 ) ${(1,1;1,1)}$ . Based on such computations, we state two conjectures about MDZV.

We study a general type of series and relate special cases of it to Stirling series, infinite series discussed by Choi and Hoffman, and also to special values of the Arakawa–Kaneko zeta function, studied before amongst others by Candelpergher and Coppo, and also by Young. We complement and generalize earlier results. Moreover, we survey properties of certain truncated multiple zeta and zeta star values, pointing out their relation to finite sums of harmonic numbers. We also discuss the duality result of Hoffman, relating binomial sums and truncated multiple zeta star values.

Large-scale land acquisition projects by foreign investors, also known as “land grabbing,” raise difficult questions about the processes of valuing land in Sub-Saharan Africa that the current literature does not sufficiently explore. Land acquisitions can help developing countries like Tanzania achieve their economic and development goals. Nonetheless, it can also threaten local livelihoods and well-being due to displacement, lack of access to natural capital, and conflicts between land users. Empirical evidence is limited on how local contexts affect the recognition and incorporation of multiple values that people hold about land into decisions on land acquisition projects in Tanzania. Plural valuation (PV) is needed to design more comprehensive and deliberative policy instruments that enhance nature’s contributions to people. This empirical study uses sociocultural valuation approaches to assess the diverse values of land in the Bagamoyo district of Tanzania, impacts of EcoEnergy land acquisition project on local livelihoods, and contextual factors that enable or hinder incorporating PV into decisions. The findings suggest that synergies and conflicting values of land exist, and PV can serve as a negotiation support tool to reconcile the differences and land conflicts. The success of PV relies on the (1) extent of partnership and participation, (2) design of asset valuation process, (3) stakeholder goals, and (4) sociopolitical context. Currently, the risks of land acquisition projects outweigh the benefits to people in rural Tanzania. However, to realize the sustainable and equitable flow of the contributions of land to Tanzanians, the government should consider improving the valuation processes by (i) fostering recognition of neglected voices and marginalized people, (ii) rectifying power imbalances and injustices that result from current land valuation processes, (iii) reinforcing customary land rights and compensation policies, and (iv) adhering to the principle of free, prior, and informed consent.