Lump-sum Basis Research Articles

Ignorance of Local Needs in Construction of New Houses of the Earthquake Hit Dalit Community in Central Nepal

This article asserts ignorance of local knowledge system, need, social, and cultural settings in construction of earthquake resilient houses in Dalit community. Dalit communities are considered as economically backward ethnic caste group in Nepal. The article is based on the field study carried out in Dhading district of Bagmati Province. The guiding theoretical framework of the study is the anthropology of disaster focusing on resilience through holistic approach to reveal undermining of local contexts in reconstruction of private houses. The methodological approach consists of qualitative research tools supplemented by household census.
 As part of earthquake resilient house construction, the government of Nepal provided cash grant support to the families with severely damaged houses. Such families identified as red card holders. Findings of the study clearly reveal that the cash support is not enough to address the local social and cultural needs of Dalits in construction of houses. There is heterogeneity in Dalit communities in terms of social cultural bonding, social relations, and economic status. The cash support in the lump sum basis under the blanket policy approach regardless of household income, family background, and economic status hardly address the local contexts. Most importantly, the construction process highly concentrated on building of house structures in the prescribed standards of the government focusing on technical engineering rather than accommodation of local settings and needs.

Taxation of Immovable Property Income in Belgium

For decades, the Belgian personal income tax distinguished between income from foreign and domestic immovable property. Whereas for foreign immovable property the tax base attended to reflect real market values, income from domestic immovable property was determined on a lump sum basis, deducted from a market value of the immovable property in 1975 and subsequently indexed. As the lump sum estimation was substantially lower, the tax base for domestic immovable property income was reduced and hence investing in foreign immovable property was discouraged. Although already a decade ago the European Commission addressed Belgium on this distinction, it still took three convicting judgments of the European Court of Justice, before Belgium changed its legislation. Instead of leaving aside its outdated historical and heavily criticized lump sum estimation of domestic immovable property, the Belgian tax legislator opted to extend this regime and installed a similar historical evaluation for foreign immovable property referring to 1975. The new regime was installed as of tax year 2021. The following article describes the Belgian approach, explains why it was chosen and criticizes remaining issues and difficulties.

Optimizing voyage charterparty (VCP) arrangement: Laytime negotiation and operations coordination

Voyage charter(VC) is a shipping arrangement between a shipowner and a charterer for the carriage of specific cargo from one port to another port on a per-ton or lump-sum basis. In this paper, we present innovative applications of operational models to optimize voyage charterparty (VCP) arrangement for commercial shipping from the contract negotiation stage to its execution stage. We develop novel models to support decision makings of stakeholders, charterer (he) and shipowner (she), under established admiralty law, considering essential terms such as laytime, demurrage and despatch. Firstly, we consider a risk-neutral charterer’s optimal laytime decision under uncertain berth availability and weather conditions. Following that, we study the impacts of speed adjustment on the related profit of the two parties. We show that under some circumstances, a shipowner can speed up to the extent that the increase in demurrage revenue compensates the extra cost of bunker fuel expenditure. Operations coordination leads to the mutual benefits of stakeholders.

The Impact of Fiscal Transfer on Energy Efficiency in Indonesia

IRSA-Indonesia 5, a bottom-up CGE model, was employed to analyze the impacts of fiscal support to the sub-national region to implement energy efficiency policy. By implementing several scenarios in Indonesia, it is suggested that to be more effective in the emission reduction efforts, the transfer should be distributed on lump sum basis. Furthermore, the lump sum transfer is more effective to boost the economy as well as households consumption. Moreover, to reduce poverty the fiscal transfer should be dedicated to the least developed region particularly.

Advertising pricing models in media markets: Lump-sum versus per-consumer charges

Based on a model of asymmetric competition between a pay and a free media platform, this paper investigates advertising pricing models. The pay media platform generates revenues from media consumers through subscription fees, while the free media platform generates revenues from charging advertisers either on a lump-sum basis (regime A) or on a per-consumer basis (regime B). We show that the free platform produces a higher advertising level and attracts more consumers in regime A than B although advertisers must pay more for ads and consumers dislike ads. Moreover, the pay media platform faces higher subscription fees and lower consumer demand in regime A than B. Compared to regime B, the profit of the free (pay) media platform is higher (lower) in regime A, while aggregate profits are higher only if the consumers’ disutility from ads is sufficiently low. In addition, advertisers are better off in regime A than B, while the opposite is true for the media consumers. Finally, in small media markets, social welfare is lower in regime A than B, while this is true in large media markets only if the media consumers’ disutility from advertising is sufficiently high.

Advertising Pricing Models in Media Markets: Lump-Sum versus Per-Consumer Charges

This paper develops a model of asymmetric competition between a pay and a free media platform. The pay media platform generates revenues from media consumers through subscription fees, while the free media platform generates revenues from charging advertisers either on a lump-sum basis (regime A) or on a per-consumer basis (regime B). We show that the free platform produces a higher advertising level and attracts more consumers in regime A than B although advertisers must pay more for ads and consumers dislike ads. Moreover, the pay media platform faces higher subscription fees and lower consumer demand in regime A than B. Compared to regime B, the profit of the free (pay) media platform is higher (lower) in regime A, while aggregate profits are higher only if the consumers' disutility from ads is sufficiently low. In addition, advertisers are better off in regime A than B, while the opposite is true for the media consumers. Finally, in small media markets, social welfare is lower in regime A than B, while this is true in large media markets only if the media consumers' disutility from advertising is sufficiently high.

Does taxation have real effects on agricultural output? Theory and empirical evidence from China

China has a long history of taxing agriculture, with special levies on output. Whether farm households are taxed on a lump-sum basis or as a proportion of output is an important issue. This paper develops a theoretical model to understand better the effects of the lump-sum and proportional taxation on agricultural output. It then empirically investigates the predictions using tax and output data on Chinese agriculture. The theoretical model predicts that lump-sum taxation affects only consumption, while proportional taxation simultaneously affects consumption, capital inputs and final output. Although the main tax policy targeted output, our results suggest that taxation had only a modest impact on output since it was effectively applied as lump sum taxation brought about by localized levies and taxes.

An integrated program to prevent, mitigate and compensate wolf ( Canis lupus ) damage in Piedmont region (northern Italy)

Wolves’ natural recolonization in the Western Alps in the early 1990s resulted in increased in depredation events. The Piedmont Regional Administration has been running a program aimed at monitoring the wolf expansion process and mitigating the human-wolf conflict since 1999. Three key actions, i)compensationofcanids(wolfanddog)damage; ii)asubsidysystem to promote good livestock husbandry practices; iii) promotion of preventive measures, were used to prevent and compensate damage caused by wolves. Direct damage was verified by veterinarians and refunded according to an annually updated price list. In addition indirect losses were compensated on a lump-sum basis proportional to the herd size for each attack. Since 2007 a subsidy system has rewarded shepherds who, pasturing within the home range of wolf packs and in neighbouring areas, have adopted good management practices and preventive measures. Ad hoc damage prevention plans have mainly addressed chronic situations. Changes in animal husbandry (removal of dead livestock from pastures, confiningsickanimals, synchronizingbirthsandusingshedlambing), promotion of use of electric fences and introduction of livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) have been the most common interventions. A new model of electrified net has been developed and LGDs have been selected and diffused; LGDs behavioural research is in progress. The Regional wolf Program integrates dierent measures to manage the human-wolf conflict: not only to compensate depredation damages, but also to stimulate the adoption of husbandry practices compatible with the presence of wolves. Actually, in order to promote wolf tolerance by livestock owners, theProgramaimedtodistributewolfconservationcostsmoreequitably and involve farmers in decisional processes.

The Spatial Distribution of Housing-Related Tax Benefits in the United States

Using 1990 Census tract-level data, we estimate how tax subsidies to owner-occupied housing are distributed spatially across the United States, calculating their value as the difference in taxes currently paid by home owners and the taxes owners would pay if there were no preference for investing in one's home relative to other assets. The $164 billion national tax subsidy is highly skewed spatially with a few areas receiving large subsidies and most areas receiving small ones. If the program were self-financed on a lump sum basis, less than 20 percent of states and 10 percent of metropolitan areas would have net positive subsidies. These few metropolitan areas are situated almost exclusively along the California coast and in the Northeast from Washington, DC to Boston. At the state level, California stands out because it receives 25 percent of the national aggregate subsidy flow while being home to only 10 percent of the country's owners. At the metropolitan area level, owners in just three large CMSAs receive over 75 percent of all positive net benefits. And within a number of the larger metropolitan areas, the top quarter of owners receives 70 percent or more of the total subsidy flowing to the metro area.

An Analysis of Premium Tax Revenue and Rate in California: The Case of Structured Settlement Annuities

In recent years the use of single annuities in order to fund payments for structured settlements in personal injury cases has grown rapidly. The basic mechanism is for defendants (or their insurers) who experience adverse verdicts or settlements requiring periodic payments to purchase an annuity with promised payments that match those for which they are liable. This arrangement permits the satisfaction of the defendants' obligation on a lump sum basis and at the same time permits the receipt of a periodic compensation stream by the victim. Indeed, in such cases annuities and annuity carriers play precisely the role for which annuities were designed and in which annuity carriers have the required expertise. Laws governing the rates of tax on periodic structured settlement annuities have, because of the surge in demand in this market, become an issue of great interest to insurers. This type of annuity is classified as non-qualified and subject to taxation at varying rates in the states of Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming. In addition, premiums written by insurers domiciled in these states and reported in states that do not normally collect on structured settlement annuities but do have retaliatory tax provisions are subject to premium taxes on a retaliatory basis. While it may be argued that taxation of structured settlement annuities should be eliminated altogether, from a more practical perspective in these budget conscious times, there is a concern for revenue loss in those states that currently receive from sales of such annuities if the

Equilibrium properties of auctions and alternative procedures for allocating transferable permits

This paper examines the equilibrium properties of a range of auctions and related procedures, placing emphasis on the types of procedures that are likely to be of special interest in environmental management applications. Nash equilibrium properties are first derived for a very general class of auctions for multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous objects or permits. Next, it is shown that, given appropriate assumptions, three broad classes of public allocation procedures that do not generate revenues for the government would yield participants equal expected profits. These classes are (1) incentive-compatible auctions where bidders receive equal lump-sum refunds; (2) non-incentive-compatible procedures where refunds are a function of participants' bids; and (3) free initial distribution of permits on a lump-sum basis followed by trading via a competitive market. The applicability of the general results is then demonstrated by examining the particular non-incentive-compatible “fair division” procedure originally suggested by Knaster. Finally, implications of the theoretical results for applications including the allocation of transferable discharge permits and water rights are discussed.

Some economic implications of methods of charging stumpage

Crown land timber in Ontario is normally sold from a license held by private industry on the basis of the volume harvested. The paper shows that this method is less efficient economically than a method of lump-sum charges for the volume of timber available within the license. The implications of the level of competition in the market for timber vis-a-vis the method of charging stumpage are discussed. The futility of trying to improve utilization standards by legal measures is shown; it is suggested that encouraging competition in the timber market and charging for timber on a lump-sum basis are socially desirable and result in appropriate levels of utilization. The proposal has been advanced on theoretical grounds; administrative problems associated therewith are not considered.

The United States-Rumanian Claims Settlement Agreement of March 30, 1960

On March 30, 1960, the United States and Eumania settled by agreement certain claims of American nationals against Rumania. The agreement provides for the payment by Rumania of a lump sum in discharge of those claims.In recent years the device of the en bloc or lump-sum settlement of international claims has to some extent replaced the use of the mixed claims commission. Lump-sum settlements between nations are not unique to the 20th century, however, and as early as 1802, the United States paid Great Britain a lump sum of £600,000 ($2,664,000) to settle certain debt claims. In the 19th century also, the United States obtained lump-sum settlements from Prance, Spain, Great Britain, Denmark, Peru, Belgium, Mexico, Brazil and China. Early in the present century mixed claims commissions were used in deciding claims between the United States and Great Britain, war damage claims against Germany, Austria and Hungary, claims between the United States and Mexico, and claims between Panama and the United States. When the work of the United States-Mexican General Claims Commission remained uncompleted after two successive conventions which extended the existence of the Commission, and when practical difficulties beset the United States-Mexican Special Claims Commission, an en-bloc settlement of all claims was the only solution. That settlement signaled disillusionment with mixed claims commissions. Thereafter, the major international claims settlements involving the United States were on a lump-sum basis. The very next settlement was one concluded on October 25, 1934, with Turkey. It provided for the payment of a lump sum of $1,300,000 to settle certain outstanding claims of American citizens against Turkey.

Painting the Louisville and Jeffersonville Bridge

The Louisville and Jeffersonville Bridge across the Ohio River at Louisville was completed in May, 1895. Owing to a disagreement with the contractor as to the terms of the contract regarding painting, no painting had been done during erection, except on joints and parts in accessible after erection. It was finally agreed in the settlement that the painting should be done by the company, and bids were received from several contractors for doing the work on a lump-sum basis. The most favorable bid received amounted to $7 500 for labor and equipment, the company to furnish the paint. It was thought by the chief engineer, Mr. Epes Randolph, that the work could be done by the company's force for less money, so men were employed, equipment was purchased and the work done under the direction of the author at a cost for labor, equipment and insurance of $4 928, and for paint of $3 769, making the total cost $8 697. Careful record was kept of the cost of labor and materials for different parts of the work, and the purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the results obtained and give such data on the cost of painting as were established and may be of value.