Multiple Value Dimensions Research Articles

Leveraging factors for sustained green consumption behavior based on consumption value perceptions: testing the structural model

Changing lifestyle and consumption pattern being the aftermath of growth and urbanization, is putting a strain on environment and sustainable development. The consumption value perceptions are identified in the study as the drivers of sustained green product consumption and intention to pay the green price premium using the theory of consumption values. These value perceptions are certain parameters measuring consumer utilities along multiple value dimensions impacting choice behavior. Environmental attitude, contextual factors and consumer innovativeness were included as the first-order constructs. Data was collected through survey based method using structured questionnaires. Structural equation modeling was applied for testing the hypothesized model. Results confirmed consumers' price and knowledge perceptions to be the major determinants of the behavioral outcome of sustained green consumption and behavioral intention to pay the green price premium is the outcome of sustained green consumption. Implications of the research were discussed.

Valuing ecological resources through stakeholder participation

This paper presents a pilot effort to identify a methodology to more efficiently codify, quantify and illustrate the intrinsic values associated with ecological resources as expressed by stakeholders. Existing methodologies examine the value of ecological resources, but are often criticized for their monetary focus. These methods generally produce quasi-market values for non-market resources. The natural and cultural resources associated with a national park are analyzed in terms of the expressed values of active stakeholders to quantitatively produce multiple dimensions of value for each resource relative to all others. The resulting abstract and graphical value-space quantitatively reflects stakeholder participation, reflects non-market intrinsic value, and proactively contributes to environmental management and decision making.

Neural bases of human mate choice: Multiple value dimensions, sex difference, and self-assessment system

Mate choice is an example of sophisticated daily decision making supported by multiple componential processes. In mate-choice literature, different characteristics of the value dimensions, including the sex difference in the value dimensions, and the involvement of self-assessment due to the mutual nature of the choice, have been suggested. We examined whether the brain-activation pattern during virtual mate choice would be congruent with these characteristics in terms of stimulus selectivity and activated brain regions. In measuring brain activity, young men and women were shown two pictures of either faces or behaviors, and they indicated which person they would choose either as a spouse or as a friend. Activation selective to spouse choice was observed face-selectively in men's amygdala and behavior-selectively in women's motor system. During both partner-choice conditions, behavior-selective activation was observed in the temporoparietal regions. Taking the available knowledge of these regions into account, these results are congruent with the suggested characteristics of value dimensions for physical attractiveness, parenting resources, and beneficial personality traits for a long-lasting relationship, respectively. The medial prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortices were nonselectively activated during the partner choices, suggesting the involvement of a self-assessment process. The results thus provide neuroscientific support for the multi-component mate-choice mechanism.

E-government evaluation: towards a multidimensional framework

This paper analyses how electronic government (e-government) value is defined and assessed by evaluating the progress of e-government research to date and comparing it to existing prescriptions of public sector information technology (IT) research based on multidisciplinary public administration and information systems (IS) perspectives. The paper shows that e-government projects are characterised by many stakeholders with multiple value dimensions (financial, social and political), but that few e-government studies adopt a multidimensional perspective incorporating all value dimensions and relevant stakeholders. The paper proposes a framework for identifying, analysing, communicating and managing e-government value in a more objective and comprehensive fashion.

Environmental Decision Analysis: Meeting the Challenges of Making Good Decisions at CALFED

We present a methodology to support decision making at CALFED based on the principles of decision analysis, an analytical approach to decision making designed to handle complex decisions involving both uncertainty and multiple dimensions of value. The impetus for such an approach is a recognized need to enhance communication between scientists and management and between program elements within CALFED. In addition, the environmental decision analysis framework supports both the explicit representation of uncertainty in the decision problem and communication about risk, important elements of most environmental management decisions. The decision analysis cycle consists of four phases: 1) formulate, 2) evaluate, 3) appraise, and 4) decide. In phase one, we identify the objectives and also the alternatives, or possible actions. To facilitate inter-comparison between proposed actions, we recommend formulation of a set of common metrics for CALFED. In our pilot study, we introduced common metrics for salinity, winter-run Chinook salmon survival, and habitat health. The second phase focuses on quantifying possible impacts on the set of metrics, drawing on existing data, model runs, and expert opinions. For the evaluation phase, we employ tools such as decision trees to assess the system-wide impacts of a given action. In the final phase, tools such as expected cost-benefit analysis, value contribution diagrams, and 3-D tradeoff plots aid communication between various stakeholders, scientists, and managers. While decision analysis provides a spectrum of decision support tools, we emphasize that it does not dictate a solution but rather enhances communication about tradeoffs associated with different actions.