Marginal Utility Research Articles

How to expand the cooling capacity of blue and green spaces in peri-urban areas throughout the entire diurnal cycle: Evidence from an inland multilake city

Blue and green spaces (BGs) play a critical role in mitigating the urban heat island effect, especially during heatwaves. However, limited research has been conducted on the impact of urban form factors on the cooling effect of BGs throughout the entire diurnal cycle. This study aimed to evaluate the cooling capacity of BGs in Wuhan, China, by considering the cooling distance (ΔLmax) and cooling intensity (ΔTmax) via the WRF-UCM model, considering the internal land use changes and spatial changes within the adjacent spaces of the BGs. The findings are as follows: 1) the BGs have a maximum ΔTmax (1.44 °C) and ΔLmax (2.15 km) during the daytime, which are reduced by 18.6 % and 85.4 %, respectively, at night; 2) during the daytime period, no green space within the BGs results in a greater ΔTmax and ΔLmax, while the law of diminishing marginal utility (LDMU) is disrupted by the disappearance of green spaces at night; and 3) open high-rise patterns show a larger ΔTmax and ΔLmax and lower Tmean in the daytime, with a smaller ΔLmax and higher Tmean at night. The diurnal Tmean is consistently lower for the greening strategy. High-rise and low-density patterns can expand the BG cooling capacity, but they bring new heat waves at night.

Numerical calculation of shock wave overpressure produced by multiple cloud detonation

PurposeA model for calculating the global overpressure time history of a single cloud detonation from overpressure time history of discrete positions in the range of single cloud detonation is to be proposed and verified. The overpressure distribution produced by multiple cloud detonation and the influence of cloud spacing and fuel mass of every cloud on the overpressure distribution are to be studied.Design/methodology/approachA calculation method is used to obtain the global overpressure field distribution after single cloud detonation from the overpressure time history of discrete distance to detonation center after single cloud detonation. On this basis, the overpressure distribution produced by multi-cloud under different cloud spacing and different fuel mass conditions is obtained.FindingsThe results show that for 150 kg fuel, when the spacing of three clouds is 40 m, 50 m, respectively, the overpressure range of larger than 0.1 MPa is 5496.48 mˆ2 and 6235.2 mˆ2, which is 2.89 times and 3.28 times of that of single cloud detonation. The superposition effect can be ignored when the spacing between the three clouds is greater than 60 m. In the case of fixed cloud spacing, once the overpressure forms continuous effective superposition, the marginal utility of fuel decreases.Originality/valueA model for calculating the global overpressure time history of a single cloud detonation from overpressure time history of discrete positions in the range of single cloud detonation is proposed and verified. Based on this method, the global overpressure field of single cloud detonation is reconstructed, and the superimposed overpressure distribution characteristics of three cloud detonation are calculated and analyzed.

Just enough unless my community needs more! The necessity shopper scale and the mediating effect of connectedness on buying more

PurposeConsumer choice theory (CCT) and the law of diminishing marginal utility help to explain shoppers that value less and prioritize needs. Additional units provide a marginal return on investment. Buying more does not mean equivalent gains for additional money spent. The researchers developed and validated the necessity shopper scale (NSS) to study need-focused shoppers.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers followed standard psychometric practices to create and validate the NSS. The researchers performed item development, data collection, exploratory analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and predictive validity analysis using survey data (N = 1,266).FindingsDiscriminant and convergent validity analyses demonstrated that the measure was distinct from existing measures. Predictive validity analysis found necessity shoppers (NS) are more likely to buy one over buy one get one half off (BOGOHO). NS were associated with a higher connection to community/group (CTCG). Higher hyperopia (i.e. disinclination to indulgence) with necessity shopping beliefs heightened this CTCG. A higher CTCG was associated with a greater likelihood to select BOGOHO.Originality/valueNS (more connected to others) buy more to share with others, while buying just enough for themselves. Social connections are long-term investments involving more people and more needs to fulfill. Brands marketed with communal values and able to enhance social connections are discussed as implications to encourage NS to buy more.

The Impact of Profiles Data Assimilation on an Ideal Tropical Cyclone Case

Profile measurements play a crucial role in operational weather forecasting across diverse scales and latitudes. However, assimilating tropospheric wind and temperature profiles remains a challenging endeavor. This study assesses the influence of profile measurements on numerical weather prediction (NWP) using the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model coupled to the parallel data assimilation framework (PDAF) system. Utilizing the local error-subspace transform Kalman filter (LESTKF), observational temperature and wind profiles generated by WRF are assimilated into an idealized tropical cyclone. The coupled WRF-PDAF system is adopted to carry out the twin experiments, which employ varying profile densities and localization distances. The results reveal that high-resolution observations yield significant forecast improvements compared to coarser-resolution data. A cost-effective balance between observation density and benefit is further explored through the idealized tropical cyclone case. According to diminishing marginal utility and increasing marginal costs, the optimal observation densities for U and V are found around 26–27%. This may be useful information to the meteorological agencies and researchers.

Diversity and Inclusion Management in Human Resource Management - Based on Marginal Utility Perspective

Abstract This paper optimizes human resource management from the perspective of marginal utility. The utility function proposes the subtraction function of consumption, which represents the law of diminishing marginal utility. The Lagrange multiplier method solves the maximum utility problem. In human resource management, utility and marginal utility are redefined, and the probability density function and distribution function of exponential distribution are used as the index’s marginal utility and utility functions, respectively. Human resource management optimization models I and II were constructed based on the marginal utility, and the models and model parameters were solved. This paper applies the human resource management model to Company R as an example. The calculation shows that the total investment of the current index resources of Company R is 2.55 million yuan, and the total utility calculation is 0.8306. Under the optimization of human resource management based on Model I, the expected value of company R reached 0.8631 while maintaining the unchanged index resource input, an increase of 3.91%. The optimization based on Model II resulted in the index resource input being 2.3285 million yuan, with an unchanged total utility that was reduced by 8.69%.

ПОЛЕЗНОСТЬ И ВРЕДНОСТЬ ЦИФРОВЫХ БЛАГ: ТЕОРЕТИКО-МЕТОДОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ

The purpose of the article is to criticize existing approaches to understanding the concept of marginal utility and to study the marginal utility of digital goods. A critical analysis of the concepts of benefits and utility in the works of K. Marx and K. Menger is carried out from the standpoint of the Hegelian method of cognition. It is concluded that the works of these authors use a rational approach (K. Marx's is more functional-rational, and K. Menger's is abstract-rational). Continuing to follow the Hegelian logic, the authors clarify the concept of utility from the point of view of negatively reasonable and positively reasonable approaches, considering not only the usefulness, but also the harmfulness of economic benefits. A study of the marginal usefulness of digital goods was conducted using a survey of the student audience. The differences in the marginal usefulness of digital goods of various functional classes – goods with fixed information content and products that are more related to services, representing a structural shell that interactively interacts with the user and allows the consumer to independently fill it with information and develop content - are substantiated. This forms various strategies for increasing the overall utility of the consumer – from increasing the number of goods consumed to self-restraint. Producers of digital goods can also use various scenarios for promoting information products – adapting the latter to more convenient use together and during any other activity, as well as introducing protective measures that prevent consumer care in the form of paid subscriptions, cumulative discounts and network effect. The phenomenon of underconsumption of digital goods is revealed, the tendency to increase the average duration of Internet use is explained. The reason for this is the low marginal utility of digital goods. The phenomenon of irrelevant knowledge has been revealed, so most users agree with the hygienic restrictions of using the Internet, but do not apply them to themselves, thereby postulating the usefulness of digital goods and not noticing the downside of usefulness – harmfulness.

Evaluation method of environmental carrying capacity of tourist attraction to be developed based on marginal utility analysis

Evaluation method of environmental carrying capacity of tourist attraction to be developed based on marginal utility analysis

Islamic Banking's Decades-Long Institutionalisation Struggle: The Case of Pakistan

Islamic Banking (IB) still struggles to institutionalise its practices at the wider societal level. The literature, despite having covered the sector from several angles, has overlooked an objective evaluation of the root causes of its restricted institutionalisation so far. This empirical investigation into Pakistan's IB sector fills this void and investigates the sector's apparent limited success in institutionalising its practices despite having been formally accorded legitimate legal status around the world. The paper, bringing the sector's governance to the spotlight, concludes that the social practice's 'site' of development – the Islamic Shari'ah jurisprudence, has too strong a coupling of internal elements to accommodate the sector's current loose adherence to its principles and laws, and thus the sector, rather than its 'site' of its development, needs to adapt and reorient to accomplish unrestricted institutionalisation. The paper also extends Foucault's theoretical constructs in the sector's peculiar context, which stems from a unique cultural, economic, and regulatory environment. The paper aims to add a new dimension to the IB governance literature and help steer future research focus to areas with the highest marginal utility for the sector and its stakeholders.

Evaluation method of environmental carrying capacity of tourist attraction to be developed based on marginal utility analysis

Evaluation method of environmental carrying capacity of tourist attraction to be developed based on marginal utility analysis

A differential game of water pollution management in the trans-jurisdictional river basin

Strengthening cooperation of water pollution management in the trans-jurisdictional river basin is of great significance for ensuring water security and deepening the construction of ecological civilization. Therefore, this paper established a dynamic differential game model of pollution management in the trans-jurisdictional river basins composed of upstream and downstream governments and sewage enterprises, calculated the strategic equilibrium solution of multi-stakeholders, analyzed the changes of strategy selection of different stakeholders under cost and non-cost sharing, and simulated strategy selection of stakeholders under multi-scenarios. The main findings are as follows: (1) Cost sharing policy enhances the governance efforts level of all stakeholders and increases social welfare. (2) The selection of governance strategies by multiple stakeholders has an interactive influence which is affected by the cost–benefit relationship of each stakeholder. The proportion of cost sharing and incentives affect the variation of the utility of the upstream government, downstream government, and sewage enterprises in cooperation. (3) The increase in the attenuation coefficient of governance utilities and the governance costs of the three parties will reduce the level of water pollution management efforts of the three parties. (4) The increase of marginal utility and social welfare effect will enhance the level of governance efforts. (5) The cost sharing ratio of the downstream government has an impact on the governance efforts of the upstream government. (6) Downstream government rewards, corporate social reputation, and external influence coefficient of regional river pollution management has an important impact on the level of governance efforts of sewage enterprises. Based on the above conclusions, this paper puts forward suggestions from the perspectives of cooperation strategies, reward and punishment mechanisms, and the application of advanced technology and equipment to help strengthen cooperation of water pollution management in the trans-jurisdictional river basin.

Developing an agent-based microsimulation for predicting the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) demand in developing countries: A case study of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has been widely recognised as an affordable and effective mass transport system that can solve various mobility issues in countries that are unable to afford rail-based mass transit options. However, it is extremely challenging to predict the demand for the first BRT service in a city of a developing country with a weak public transport system using aggregate models, given the radical difference in the level of service between the BRT and the existing modes. Further, there can be substantial changes in the activity and travel patterns in a city after the introduction of the BRT which simpler disaggregate level analysis tools are unable to predict. Agent-based simulation tools, which are the state-of-the-art tools for simulating complex travel behaviour, are hence more appropriate for predicting the network conditions after the introduction of a new BRT system. But the application of such simulation tools has been primarily limited to developed countries where the transport landscape and the travel behaviour are very different from the developing countries. To address this gap, this paper presents a demand forecasting model for BRT and integrates it into an activity-based micro-simulation tool in the context of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and one of the fastest growing megacities in the world. The model was developed based on an existing multi-agent, activity-based, travel demand simulator (MATSim). The MATSim implementation in the context of Dhaka focused on two aspects: (1) implementing behaviour models in MATSim to reflect the mode choice in the presence of the proposed BRT (2) integrating multiple data sources (including stated-preference data) for calibrating the mode choice and other components of MATSim to realistically mimic the travel behaviour in the city. Once calibrated, different access scenarios for BRT were simulated using MATSim, and the sensitivity of the outputs to different modelling assumptions is tested. Results from the simulation showed that the marginal utility of travel time, travel cost, and pricing structure of BRT significantly influenced BRT travel demands. Also, BRT demand was found to be the highest (25% of the total trips) in the scenario with multi-modal access/egress connections. While such direct model outputs presented in this paper will be useful for the planners to maximise the ridership of the proposed BRT, the calibrated simulator will be also useful for the evaluation of other innovative transport modes in the context of Dhaka in the future.

An integrated accounting system of the economic-social-ecological framework for assessing the value of intensive land use: A case study of the Taihu Lake governance project

Assessing the value of land resources is a prerequisite for resource management, as well as for resolving the conflict between supply and demand. In the realm of intensive land use (ILU), a standardized framework for accounting methods from a project perspective has yet to be established. Therefore, taking the Taihu Lake governance project (TLGP) (which includes the Xingou River project, Xinmeng River project and Zoumatang River project) as a case study, this paper firstly constructs an integrated value accounting system based on economic, social and ecological frameworks. Furthermore, with consideration of physical parameters, we incorporated the integrated land section price method, income reduction method, alternative market method, and equivalent factor method are all incorporated to assess the value of ILU at distinct stages within the research area. This approach serves to elucidate the evolving dynamics of ILU valuation. The results showed that: (1) There were significant differences in the values generated by the ILU in different projects. The integrated value of the TLGP brought about by ILU was 177,189,300 yuan, and the ILU of the Xinmeng River project was significantly higher than the Zoumatang River project and the Xingou River project. (2) The ILU at different stages basically displayed the law of diminishing marginal utility. Consistent with changes in the different stages of the TLGP, the value of ILU in Stage I of the Zoumatang River project and the Xingou River project was significantly higher than that in Stage II. Additionally, the accounting system proposed in this study has the advantages of reasonable index setting and simple process operability. This helps to realize the comparison of ILU values across projects and stages. The results of this study can provide a reference for the management and sustainable use of land resources during the construction of water conservancy and other projects.

Reform and exploration of biopharmaceutics blended teaching in the context of "first-class undergraduate education"

In recent years, the biopharmaceutical industry has developed rapidly, creating urgent demand for high-quality, innovative, and application-oriented talents. In the context of "first-class undergraduate education", it is of great significance to reform and explore biopharmaceutics blended learning to foster professional talents who can adapt to the industrial development. The blended teaching of biopharmaceutics course in Hubei University was based on small private online course (SPOC) and ChaoXing platform, aiming to meet the first-class "AIC (advanced, innovation, challenge)". The course strengthened the three phases of teaching: before, during, and after class, and innovated teaching methods actively to achieve curriculum goals, and integrated typical cases organically. In addition, the course improved the discriminative power of assessment by strengthening the formative performance evaluation. Moreover, the course provided guidance for students to improve the learning efficiency through investigating the students' learning behavior and employing the marginal utility curve to analyze the characteristics of group activities. Furthermore, the course also offered students personalized learning guidance based on their career planning. The reform of biopharmaceutics blended teaching has achieved significant outcomes, such as improving students' satisfaction, students' innovation and entrepreneurship ability, and curriculum construction level, thus may serve as a reference for the teaching reform and research of the related courses.

Pro-environmental behavior and subjective well-being: Culture has a role to play

This paper explores the relationship between pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) and subjective well-being (SBW) through the lens of cultural values. Using data from a global sample of individuals from the World Value Surveys, we show that there is a strong positive link between PEBs and SWB. Importantly, we highlight the role that culture plays in this relationship. We show that the positive link between PEBs and SBW is less pronounced for people with a more individualistic value system. We argue and demonstrate empirically that individualists display higher levels of PEB, and this translates into lower marginal SWB from PEB due to diminishing marginal utility.

ОПТИМИЗАЦИЯ ВОДОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОГО КОМПЛЕКСА НА ОСНОВЕ СИНЕРГЕТИЧЕСКОЙ ОЦЕНКИ СТОИМОСТИ ГИДРОРЕСУРСА

The purpose of this article is to solve the multicriteria problem of optimizing the operation of hydroelectric power stations based on the selection of the optimal activities of the water-chemical complex (water management complex). The work has developed a universal methodology that combines the optimization method and the theory of marginal utility assessment. The proposed approach is based on the construction and analysis of a matrix of contradictions between participants in the water management complex and the use as the main criterion of the minimum deviation of the actual volume of water consumption (consumption) by participants in the water-chemical complex from its optimal value. The work also analyzes the conflicting interests of the water and chemical complex participants by comparing the requirements for issuing guaranteed power of hydroelectric power plants and ensuring guaranteed navigation depths as the most significant participants in the water-energy complex based on the use of Pareto optimization - the optimal set. Using the example of the Novosibirsk hydroelectric power station and water-chemical complex, it is expected to obtain an assessment of the economic effect from the implementation of the proposed criterion and the developed methodology for optimizing the water-chemical complex. Based on the results of implementing the developed approach at the Novosibirsk HPP, it was possible to find the optimal regime for managing the capacity of the HPP reservoir and achieve an increase in the level of the upper and lower pools.

The Gender Equality Paradox in STEM fields: Evidence, criticism, and implications

The gender gap in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science) in richer and more egalitarian countries compared to poorer and less egalitarian countries is called “Gender Equality Paradox” (GEP). We provide an overview of the evidence for the GEP and respond to criticism against the GEP. We explain the GEP by the higher identity costs of women in wealthier countries due to an increase in the gender stereotype gap and at the same time a lower marginal utility of wealth. We discuss why the GEP in rich countries in the future might enlarge the gender pay gap in spite of more gender equality.

Valuing life over the life cycle

Adjusting the valuation of life along the (i) person-specific (age, health, wealth) and (ii) mortality risk-specific (beneficial or detrimental, temporary or permanent changes) dimensions is relevant in prioritizing healthcare interventions. These adjustments are provided by solving a life cycle model of consumption, leisure and health choices and the associated Hicksian variations for mortality changes. The calibrated model yields plausible Values of Life Year between 154K$ and 200K$ and Values of Statistical Life close to 6.0M$. The willingness to pay (WTP) and to accept (WTA) compensation are equal and symmetric for one-shot beneficial and detrimental changes in mortality risk. However, permanent, and expected longevity changes are both associated with larger willingness for gains, relative to losses, and larger WTA than WTP. Ageing lowers both variations via falling resources and health, lower marginal continuation utility of living and decreasing longevity returns of changes in mortality.

Estimating the ex ante adoption determinants of novel cropping systems with nonpecuniary benefits

AbstractLandowners who value the nonpecuniary benefits of novel cropping systems may be more likely to adopt those systems in response to new market opportunities. We examine ex ante adoption decisions for bioenergy crops in Wisconsin using stated preference data from nonoperator landowners. Bioenergy crops produce biomass, a private good, and may jointly contribute to civic or environmental public goods. We find that pecuniary and nonpecuniary benefits influence landowner decisions, but the effects differ by annual and perennial crop types. Landowners may trade pecuniary for nonpecuniary benefits when equating the marginal utility of land uses, resulting in lower willingness‐to‐accept values for adoption.

The digital payment-financial inclusion nexus and payment system innovation within the global open economy during the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper retrospectively examines how the digital payment-financial inclusion nexus fostered demand-driven payment system innovation and diffusion within the global open economy during the COVID-19 crisis. To that end, the paper uses a cross-sectional sample of 127854 respondents from across 123 economies, extracted from the 2021 wave of the Global Findex Survey. Together with a hybrid theoretical framework that bridges the quadruple helix (QH) innovation model with random utility theory (RUT), the study characterizes individuals’ stated preferences for cashless payment across the three consumption domains of in-store shopping, online shopping, and regular bills settlement. The parameters of the resulting econometric model are estimated within the R software version 3.6.3. The findings from all nine considered demand side financial inclusion indicators reveal that globally, during the crisis, formal financial inclusion had a significantly positive impact on the marginal utility, and thus likelihood that individuals use digital payment solutions (DPS) for in-store and online shopping experiences, as well as regular bills settlement. Additionally, DPS uptake for online shopping highlighted a significant gender-based gradient in favor of males. Moreover, higher education levels, labor market participation, rising income levels, reduced COVID-19 related financial worries, mobile phone ownership, and internet access, are all found to have positively contributed to individuals’ DPS uptake likelihood during the crisis. Furthermore, a cross-country heterogeneity in individuals’ cashless payment preferences remained persistent across the three consumption domains due to macroeconomic, regulatory, cultural, and digital infrastructural readiness differences between countries. Overall, the findings provide support for evidence-based decision making by all digital payment ecosystem stakeholders.

Does digitalization mitigate regional inequalities? Evidence from China

Regional inequality significantly influences sustainable development and human well-being. In China, there exists pronounced regional disparities in economic and digital advancements; however, scant research delves into the interplay between them. By analyzing the economic development and digitalization gaps at regional and city levels in China, extending the original Cobb-Douglas production function, this study aims to evaluate the impact of digitalization on China’s regional inequality using seemingly unrelated regression. The results indicate a greater emphasis on digital inequality compared to economic disparity, with variable coefficients of 0.59 for GDP per capita and 0.92 for the digitalization index over the past four years. However, GDP per capita demonstrates higher spatial concentration than digitalization. Notably, both disparities have shown a gradual reduction in recent years. The southeastern region of the Hu Huanyong Line exhibits superior levels and rates of economic and digital advancement in contrast to the northwestern region. While digitalization propels economic growth, it yields a nuanced impact on achieving balanced regional development, encompassing both positive and negative facets. Our study highlights that the marginal utility of advancing digitalization is more pronounced in less developed regions, but only if the government invests in the digital infrastructure and education in these areas. This study’s methodology can be utilized for subsequent research, and our findings hold the potential to the government’s regional investment and policy-making.