Higher Willingness Research Articles

Toward sustainable environmental management: Insights from Chinese first-tier cities' consumers' response to green electricity payment policies

China's renewable energy industry is facing the challenge of overcapacity. The environmental management literature suggests that consumers' participation in the green electricity market holds immense potential in addressing renewable energy consumption concerns. However, the question of how payment policies influence China's consumers' willingness to pay for green electricity remains unresolved. Based on 2854 valid questionnaires from a survey conducted in China's four first-tier cities in 2023, our research findings reveal: (1) While 97.9% of consumers express a willingness to use green electricity, only 63.1% are willing to pay a higher cost, indicating the existence of a “value-action” gap between environmental awareness and actual willingness to pay. (2) China's consumers' willingness to pay for green electricity is approximately 38.4 RMB per month. This figure has decreased by 5.7 RMB compared to our survey in 2019. (3) Consumers' willingness to pay will be influenced by the attitudes of those around them. (4) The voluntary payment policy positively impacts consumers' willingness to pay for green electricity. (5) Male, younger, lower education level, higher income, and larger household size consumers exhibit a higher willingness to pay. (6) Electricity price sensitivity weakens the impact of payment policies on willingness to pay.

Conflicting identities: cosmopolitan or anxious? Appreciating concerns of host country population improves attitudes towards immigrants

Abstract This paper connects insights from the literature on cosmopolitan worldviews and the effects of perspective-taking in political science, (intergroup) anxiety in social psychology, and identity economics in a vignette-style experiment. In particular, we asked German respondents about their attitudes towards a Syrian refugee, randomizing components of his description (N = 662). The main treatment describes the refugee as being aware of and empathetic towards potential worries in the German population about cultural change, costs, and violence associated with refugee inflows. This perspective-taking by the refugee increases the reported ability to empathize with the refugee and, especially for risk-averse people, reported sympathy and trust. We argue that acknowledging the potential concerns of the host population relieves the tension between an anxious and a cosmopolitan/open part of people’s identities. Moreover, relieved tension renders people less defensive; i.e. when one aspect of identity is already acknowledged (expressing anxieties), it has less influence on actual behavior (expressing sympathy). In addition, previous contact with foreigners and a higher willingness to take risks are important factors in determining an individual’s willingness to interact with refugees.

Staff Perspectives and Organizational Climate Factors Related to Implementation of Food is Medicine Programming in a Federally Qualified Health Center

Abstract: The Food is Medicine (FIM) movement posits that food access and knowledge are key parts of disease prevention and treatment, but little research has explored how FIM programs fit into the organizational context of federally qualified health centers (FQHC). The purpose of this study was to explore the organizational climate and clinic staff perspectives on a FIM program being implemented in an FQHC. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study with clinic staff during the early implementation of a clinicbased FIM program. Clinic staff (n=40) perceived that patient nutrition was a high priority for the clinic, but that support for providing nutrition resources was more limited. We found high willingness and likelihood of using the FIM program services among staff, but some expressed concern regarding staffing and cultural appropriateness of programming. Optimal adoption and use of FIM investments in FQHCs may be supported by integration with existing clinical workflows.

Effectiveness of acupuncture therapy on improvement of nasolabial folds and marionette lines: A retrospective study.

The preference of beauty seekers for noninvasive, convenient, and long-lasting effective facial cosmetic techniques with minimal downtime and recovery time is obvious nowadays. As a part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has great advantages in solving these problems. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of two distinct acupuncture techniques for facial rejuvenation in treating nasolabial folds (NFs) and marionette lines (MLs). One hundred beauty seekers who have received facial acupuncture cosmetic treatment in hospitals between June 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022, were selected randomly and inquired. Among them, 50 beauty seekers (Group Ⅰ) have received a normal facial traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture therapy, by inserting the needles perpendicularly into the acupoints. Meanwhile, another 50 beauty seekers (Group Ⅱ) were treated by needle knives, which were inserted parallelly under the dermis and basically along the meridians of Chinese medicine linked by the acupoints. The records of pain evaluation and adverse events on cases, subjective satisfactions, and objective evaluations of efficacy were summarized and statistically analyzed. The efficacy of Group Ⅱ is better than Group Ⅰ. The dermatologists'assessments for NFand ML show significant differences between Groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ after one course. The mean value of subjective satisfaction also obeys the rules above. Although Group Ⅱ exhibited the highest value of mean pain intensity, the adverse events were basically mild. Furthermore, Group Ⅱ showed higher willingness for additional treatments. Only in terms of the wrinkle depth of NF and ML, the method of acupuncturing parallelly under the dermis by needle knife is safe and more successful.

Consumption Patterns and Willingness to Pay for Sustainable Aquatic Food in China.

China, as the world's largest producer, trader, and consumer of aquatic foods, lacks comprehensive research on consumption patterns and willingness to pay for sustainable aquatic food. This study addressed this gap through an online survey of 3403 participants across Chinese provinces. A majority of consumers (34.7% of the participants) consume aquatic food twice or more per week, mainly from traditional markets (26%). Most prefer fresh or live products (76%), with 42% seeing no difference between farmed and wild options. Consumption is higher among older, affluent, urban, and coastal residents. Crustaceans, especially shrimp, are frequently consumed species, with growing interest in luxury species like salmon and abalone. Taste and quality emerge as the primary factors motivating consumer choices in aquatic food purchases. Food safety is the primary concern, followed by environmental impact. Notably, 92.4% of participants would pay extra for certified products. Factors influencing a higher willingness to pay include higher income, inland residence, price sensitivity, origin consciousness, and concerns about food safety and the environment. The findings highlight that China's aquatic food industry and consumption can become more sustainable by aligning with consumer preferences for high-quality and diverse aquatic food through both production and import, while also addressing concerns related to food safety and environmental impact. This research provides valuable insights into China's rapidly transforming aquatic food market landscape, offering implications for industry innovation and the promotion of sustainable consumption patterns.

쓰기 과제 수행에서 국내외 한국어 학습자의 온라인 도구 사용 현황 연구 -기계번역과 생성형 AI를 중심으로-

This study investigated the perceptions and utilization of online tools in writing by Korean language learners. A survey questionnaire was distributed, asking learners about their attitudes towards writing, the online tools they use, their purposes for using these tools, and their satisfaction levels. The survey received 100 responses, with 50 learners studying in Korea and 50 studying in the US. The results indicated that the Korean language learners primarily use machine translators to look up the words and expressions. While there were no statistically significant differences between the student groups studying in Korea and the US, students in the US reported higher satisfaction levels with tool accessibility. Additionally, learners who were more open to trying new technologies were more satisfied with using online tools in their writing. Lastly, satisfaction levels in using machine translators or generative AIs did not show statistically significant differences between the student groups, but students in the US expressed a higher willingness to continue using these tools. This study contributes to the field by analyzing learners’ use of online tools and highlighting the growing need to integrate these tools in future classrooms.

Determinants of consumer intention to use smart food lockers during COVID-19: A multi-method approach

During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased demand for contactless services has triggered the restaurant industry to adopt smart food lockers. Based on service quality theory, we investigated factors associated with consumer intention to use smart food lockers. We collected 222 valid questionnaires for the study and analyzed the data using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method. Results of the PLS-SEM analysis show that food safety, convenience, perceived security, perceived control, and perceived time pressure significantly impact consumer intention to use smart food lockers. An MGA analysis shows that perceived protection during COVID-19 enhances the positive relationship between food safety and intention to use smart food lockers. For a more comprehensive view of the study’s findings, the fsQCA provides five scenarios that lead to high user willingness to use smart food lockers. This study provides practical insights into platforms and governments.

Awareness and Willingness towards Organ Donation among Riyadh Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia has heightened the need for organ transplantation; however, the donor pool remains insufficient. This study explored awareness and willingness towards organ donation among Riyadh residents and examined the sociodemographic factors influencing these attitudes. A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted among adults in Riyadh. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, awareness, willingness to donate, and sociodemographic factors. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Among the 645 respondents, 56.4% were willing to donate organs, with females showing a higher propensity than males (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7-5.1, p < 0.001). Awareness of organ donation centers was linked to increased willingness to donate (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.5, p < 0.001). Higher educational level was strongly associated with donor registration (OR 36.8, 95% CI 14.7-91.9, p < 0.001). Despite their high willingness, only 9.5% were registered as donors, highlighting the gap between intention and action. Riyadh residents showed a significant willingness to donate organs, influenced by gender, education, and awareness. Low registration rates suggest barriers such as religious beliefs and lack of information. Targeted educational campaigns and policy evaluations, including an opt-out system, are recommended to enhance registration rates.

Do Perceived Benefits Compensate for Low Provider Trustworthiness in Disclosure Decisions?

Abstract: People regularly receive algorithm-based recommendations (e.g., in social media and online shopping). Today, such algorithmic recommendations cover a wider range of applications, such as finding recipes that match an individual’s needs and food preferences. To give better-fitting recommendations, algorithms incorporate large amounts of personal information about the individual, which raises the issue of privacy concerns. When are people willing to share such information that can then be considered by algorithms? While previous research has indicated that perceived benefits of platform use and provider trustworthiness influence whether people are willing to disclose personal information, these studies often have two major limitations: they are either survey-based – thus, not allowing causal conclusions – or lack realistic usage (i.e., rely on vignettes). Thus, in the present experimental study ( N = 329), we manipulated provider trustworthiness and asked participants about their willingness to disclose information directly after interacting with an algorithm-based system for recipe recommendations. Results indicate that higher perceived benefits and provider trustworthiness are related to more willingness to disclose information. However, these effects are independent of each other. Thus, the present research suggests that provider trustworthiness causally leads to a higher willingness to share information and high benefits do not compensate for low provider trustworthiness.

Short and sweet: balancing energy savings and cleaning performance to identify efficient short-cycles for domestic dishwashers

Abstract Optimizing the energy efficiency of household appliances is crucial to appliance manufacturers, energy suppliers, governments and, almost importantly, consumers. For the reliable cleaning of normally soiled dishes, consumers can save energy by using Eco-programs instead of Intensive- or Auto-programs, but this means that they have to accept cleaning times of up to 4 h. Consequently, the acceptance for these programs is not very high, despite consumers’ high willingness to save energy and water. Short-cycles that run for less than 55 min and use equal to less energy on average than Eco-programs have a high consumer potential. However, according to manufacturers, these are rather designed for lightly soiled or pre-treated dishes. Considering the Sinner’s circle, the cleaning result depends on the interaction of temperature, time, mechanics and chemistry, so we investigated the extent to which using a commercially available detergent, thus fully exploiting the “chemistry” component of the Sinner’s circle, can save time, temperature, water and, most importantly, energy in the end. Our results show that there are Short-program combinations using a commercially available detergent that reliably clean normally soiled dishes in less than 55 min and typically 30–40 min with significantly lower energy consumption than average Eco-cycles.

Changing attitudes through information exposure: Experimental evidence on reducing agricultural burning in rural Nigeria

AbstractThis study investigates the effectiveness of an education intervention that targets low‐income farmers regarding the consequences of agricultural burning. Agricultural burning is a major contributor to carbon emissions, second only to those from the energy sector. Using three treatment arms and a control group, I provided rural farmers in Nigeria with information on the social (health impacts, wildfire spread, biodiversity loss) and economic (income implications) consequences of agricultural burning. The third group received information that combined aspects from the first and second treatments, offering a comprehensive view of the effects of agricultural burning. The analysis suggests that exposure to this information prompts farmers to view agricultural burning as unacceptable, reducing their likelihood of engaging in this practice during the upcoming planting season. In addition, exposed farmers demonstrate a higher willingness to pay nominal fees for government services, such as weed disposal. This outcome demonstrates their support for sustainable farming practices, rather than resorting to burning. The influence of economic information is particularly noteworthy; farmers exposed to it demonstrate a higher willingness to pay such fees. Furthermore, the interventions led to a shift in farmers’ perceptions regarding the primary drivers of climate change, with increased recognition of human activity as the dominant factor. The study highlights how the gender of the farmer and their religious beliefs influence attitudes towards environmental protection. Specifically, male and less religious farmers tend to be more responsive to the interventions. These findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of “low‐cost” educational interventions in promoting sustainable agricultural practices among low‐income communities.

Determinants of the Willingness to Use Autonomous Mobility as a Service in Germany

Fully autonomous vehicles, once legally and technically feasible and widely available, have numerous advantages compared to human-driven vehicles, from greater availability and shorter travel times to lower negative environmental emissions and fewer accidents. This, combined with a usage-based form of payment, can massively increase the usage rate of vehicles without the need for high initial investments. This study explores the determinants affecting the willingness to adopt Autonomous Mobility as a Service (AMaaS) in Germany. Utilizing a mobile cross-sectional survey via Pollfish, 400 complete responses of German speakers aged 18 years or older in Germany were collected to assess influential factors. The survey data were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis. Age, possession of a driving license, and the quality of public transport were identified as significant predictors. Younger people and driving license holders showed a higher willingness to use AMaaS, while low-quality public transport reduced their willingness to use it. This study concludes that targeted strategies for AMaaS implementation should consider these key demographic and infrastructural factors to maximize market penetration and acceptance in Germany.

Preferences of pregnant women for postpartum thromboprophylaxis: the bicentric PREFER-PostPartum study

BackgroundClinical guidelines for postpartum thromboprophylaxis differ due to its uncertain effect and varying preferences of experts. Women’s preferences for postpartum thromboprophylaxis are unknown, although they may inform practices and future research. ObjectivesOur aim was to elicit the pregnant women’s preferences for postpartum thromboprophylaxis according to different risks of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding. MethodsIn 2 Swiss and French maternity hospitals, we conducted structured interviews of pregnant or postpartum women. Participants were instructed on pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, postpartum hemorrhage, and subcutaneous injections of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). First, we randomized women to either standard gamble or time trade-off (2 different validated methods) to estimate the utilities (quality of life, from 0 to 1) of these health states. Second, we elicited the preference for the use of short-term postpartum thromboprophylaxis with LMWH vs none across different risks of postpartum VTE and bleeding through direct-choice exercises. ResultsAmong 122 participants, median (IQR) health state utilities were 0.725 (0.30-0.925) for pulmonary embolism, 0.75 (0.40-0.97) for postpartum hemorrhage, 0.85 (0.60-0.97) for deep vein thrombosis, and 0.96 (0.96-0.999) for LMWH injections. The median risk of postpartum VTE for preference of the use of postpartum thromboprophylaxis over no treatment was 0.1% (IQR, 0.01%-0.50%) without LMWH-associated bleeding risk and 0.2% (IQR, 0.1%-5%) with a 1% bleeding risk. ConclusionEuropean pregnant women appear to have a high willingness for 10-day postpartum thromboprophylaxis, preferred over no treatment even for low risks of postpartum VTE. This perspective from patients supports the urgent need for a randomized trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of postpartum thromboprophylaxis.

The Anchor of Traditional Culture and Medical Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Willingness Towards Organ Donation during Internships: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and willingness of medical students in their clinical internships towards organ donation and to assess how traditional oriental culture plays a role. MethodsThis study conducted an online cross-sectional survey using a cell phone application with a self-designed questionnaire based on the Delphi method. This study was conducted among medical students in their internships in hospitals in nearly 20 provinces of China. The questionnaire consisted of 17 main questions and a knowledge quiz. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics using the softwares Microsoft Excel 2021 and SPSS 26. ResultsA total of 225 medical students participated in this study, distributed among college, undergraduate, and postgraduate clinical internships.96% of the medical students agreed with the value of organ donation, but the highest willingness to donate the whole body was only 38.22%. Among them, traditional culture, family values, and religious factors played important both positive and negative roles. ConclusionMedical students have better knowledge about organ donation, but it rarely comes from professional education. Traditional concepts, family values, and religious factors play both a facilitating and hindering role, which can easily lead to moral dilemmas. Although it is not possible to make productive changes in the short term, we could still make improvements through educational changes, research breakthroughs, and institutional improvements.

Willingness and self-confidence of healthcare workers in Bahrain in assisting with in-flight emergencies.

In-flight medical emergency (IFE) impose considerable challenges on healthcare workers (HCWs) because of limited resources, constrained environment, and medico-legal issues. This study assessed HCWs knowledge, willingness, and confidence in addressing in-flight medical emergencies. A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2023 among nurses and physicians working in primary healthcare centers and governmental hospitals in Bahrain. Subjects were selected using stratified random sampling; a self-administered online questionnaire of high reliability (Cronbach alpha = 0.914) was used to collect the data. Logistic regression analysis were performed to determine association of knowledge, willingness, and confidence in dealing with in-flight emergencies with various characteristics of HCWs. The study included 805 HCWs with mean age of 35.5 years (SD=9.2). The findings indicated deficiency in training, with <10% of participants trained on IFE. A considerable proportion of participants exhibited low levels of knowledge (88.3%) and confidence (75.9%) with IFE. Nonetheless, more than half of the participants expressed the willingness to assist in IFE (59.1%). Non-Bahraini healthcare professionals (odds ratio [OR] = 2.901, P < 0.001) had higher knowledge of IFE. Nurses (OR = 1.642, P = 0.047) and participants with longer work experience had higher willingness to assist in IFE. In addition, professionals who were non-Bahraini (OR = 3.249, P < 0.001), working in secondary care (OR = 1.619, 95% confidence interval P = 0.021), had had training on IFE (OR = 2.247, P = 0.004), and had encountered IFE before (OR = 1.974, P = 0.006) had greater self-confidence levels. Considering the low levels of knowledge and confidence healthcare professionals in Bahrain had with regard to IFE, targeted training initiatives and educational programs are necessary to improve HCW's confidence and preparedness to deal with such emergencies.

The Effects of Packaging Color and Product Shape on Customer’s Willingness to Buy Chocolates

This study aims to test the effects of two important product visual cues (i.e., packaging color and product shape) on customers’ willingness to buy chocolates in Pakistan. For this purpose, an online experiment-based survey was conducted in Pakistan, which provided 136 usable customer responses. The results suggest customers’ higher willingness to buy chocolates in red or purple color packaging (as compared to yellow color packaging) and in rectangle shape (as compared to round or triangle shape chocolates). In this way, this study extends the available literature on the effects of visual cues of product (i.e., chocolate) on customers willingness to buy, by providing evidence from an emerging market (i.e., Pakistan). Some important managerial implications and limitations of this study appear at the end of this paper.

A Case Study in Indonesıa: Explorıng AI Readıness in Busıness Students Toward Englısh Wrıtıng

In the digital era, AI (Artificial Intelligence) finds application in various fields, with education being prominent. In the context of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) practice, AI readiness can potentially enhance learning. The research aimed to investigate students' familiarity with AI and identify the obstacles ESP students face. Moreover, it was a case study research conducted at tertiary level in some universities in Indonesia. The participants in this study were Business English writing students and data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The results revealed that students were unfamiliar with the use of AI in their environment for various reasons, indicating that they encountered challenges when integrating AI into their learning. Majority students showed a high willingness to use AI in their business English writing learning. Consequently, the research suggests an alternative approach to enhance learning by incorporating AI, , which can help overcome the challenges faced by students in integrating AI into their learning.

EVALUATION OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH STATUS OF HPV-VACCINATED GIRLS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Relevance: The safety of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for vaccinated girls is emphasized by the need to educate the public about facts that counter myths and concerns associated with the vaccine. Recent studies have found no link between HPV vaccination and adverse effects, such as adverse effects on girls’ reproductive health and decreased fertility. This confirms the safety of vaccination in preventing cervical cancer and also highlights the importance of continuing vaccination programs and information campaigns to support public health. Purpose of the study: to assess of reproductive health in vaccinated girls against HPV in 2013-2015. Methods: A survey of girls vaccinated against HPV in 2013-2015 was conducted through questionnaires in Almaty, Pavlodar, and Astana. Results: According to the study results, the percentage of girls with menstrual dysfunction was lower among vaccinated (5.6%) than among unvaccinated (11.2%). There is also a higher willingness of vaccinated girls to vaccinate their children against HPV (43.5% versus 29.9%), indicating their high awareness and readiness for prevention. Thus, HPV vaccination did not have a negative impact on the reproductive health of girls. Conclusion: According to our study, vaccination against HPV does not affect the reproductive potential of girls vaccinated against HPV. It is associated with a lower risk of developing HPV-related diseases and does not have negative consequences on reproductive health. HPV vaccination is an important cervical cancer prevention measure with proven safety and effectiveness.

Analysis of the current situation and trend of home-based individualized nursing for residents in a certain area in China

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study is to examine the perception, willingness to engage, and demand of community residents regarding the ‘internet + nursing service’ in a designated pilot area, aiming to offer insights for the widespread adoption of the ‘internet + nursing service’ throughout China. Methods A survey pertaining to the ‘internet + nursing service’ was conducted from March to April 2022. The study specifically targeted residents within two sub-districts of a city in the Jiangsu province. The sampling technique employed in this study was stratified random sampling. Results Out of a total of 400 community residents selected from two sub-districts in this region, 378 provided valid responses, resulting in an effective rate of 94.5%. Within the study cohort, 80 participants (21.16%) demonstrated familiarity with the concept of ‘internet + nursing service.’ Additionally, 231 participants (61.11%) conveyed their willingness to adopt such services. Regarding service preferences, the primary demands were for health guidance, vital sign monitoring, and basic care. Challenges in implementing the service were attributed to concerns related to medical risks, personal safety for both nurses and patients, and potential breaches of privacy. Conclusions Residents in the pilot area exhibited a moderate awareness of the ‘internet + nursing service,’ with a relatively high willingness to embrace the program. There is a need for further refinement of pertinent laws, widespread dissemination of policies, and enhancements in the quality of nursing services. These measures aim to ensure that a greater number of community residents can avail themselves of improved home-based nursing services.

Urban growth and stratification: The role of locational externalities

Urban areas that have undergone rapid and recent growth processes can shed light on the forces driving urban stratification and gentrification. This article analyzes how the process of urban growth itself, driven by migration, affects the stratification of the city. The availability of detailed data makes it possible to observe how high-income settlement patterns are driven by attraction (homophily) and repulsion (heterophobia). We consider neighborhood composition (i.e., the number of high-income residents in the vicinity of a given location) as a potential factor that can explain agents' higher willingness to pay in some locations. We propose a model of urban spatial equilibrium with locational externalities, related to preexisting neighborhood characteristics, that can help explain why new rich neighborhoods are located close to existing rich neighborhoods and far from poor neighborhoods. In this model a monopolistic owner will allocate available locations to those agents willing to pay the most, taking advantage of agents' willingness to pay more when locations are surrounded by high-income individuals. The location externality influences the dynamics of urban configuration through attraction-repulsion effects, as new rich neighborhoods are located near other rich neighborhoods and far from poor neighborhoods, thus reinforcing socio-spatial-stratification. This mechanism sheds light on why gentrification occurs only in some areas, while others with a priori better localization do not experiment changes.