Standardized Price Research Articles

Multilevel determinants of cannabis prices in legal markets: Evidence from products sold in nearly 4000 cannabis dispensaries in the United States.

Following cannabis legalization, sales in legal markets have steadily increased. Policies influencing product prices are crucial for cannabis regulation and control. This study aimed to evaluate the determinants of cannabis prices at the product, dispensary, and state levels in legal markets in the United States. Nationwide data on product- and dispensary-level characteristics were collected in 2022 and merged with state-level policy data. The final analysis included 710,588 cannabis flower products from 3,693 dispensaries across 30 states and Washington D.C. with recreational and/or medical cannabis legalization. Multilevel mixed-effects regressions were used to estimate the associations between cannabis prices and product-, dispensary-, and state-level characteristics. Pre-rolls and dried flowers were analyzed separately. The average standardized price per gram was $11.72 for pre-rolls and $9.05 for dried flowers, with significant variations across states. A positive association was found between prices and THC level (THC elasticity of price = 0.17, 95 % CI: 0.088, 0.25) and a negative association was found between prices and item weight (weight elasticity of price = -0.18, 95 % CI: -0.22, -0.14). There was limited evidence of associations between prices and dispensary-level characteristics, such as dispensary type (medical vs. recreational), license status, and density of nearby competitors. State tax rates at the retail level were positively associated with prices. These relationships were consistent for both pre-rolls and dried flowers. Policies targeting potency and item weight may have substantial impacts on cannabis prices in legal markets. Future research is needed to examine how consumers respond to these policies.

Exploring service quality and pricing ethics of motorcycle drivers in cabanatuan: Perspectives of student clients

This study explores the service quality and pricing ethics of motorcycle drivers in Cabanatuan City, focusing on the perceptions of student clients. Motorcycle services, widely used for their affordability and accessibility, often face challenges related to professionalism, safety, and ethical pricing practices. This research evaluated the factors influencing customer satisfaction and trust among students, including safety, professionalism, punctuality, vehicle condition, and pricing transparency. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed, collecting data from 35 student respondents through a structured questionnaire disseminated via Google Forms. The results revealed moderate satisfaction with professionalism, punctuality, and vehicle condition but highlighted significant gaps in safety measures, transparency in pricing, and driver behavior. Ethical concerns, including inconsistent fare practices and perceived overcharging, were particularly evident during peak demand periods, undermining student trust. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions such as mandatory driver training, standardized pricing mechanisms, and improved service coverage to enhance the reliability and equity of motorcycle services. However, the study's scope was limited to a single semester and a small sample of 35 respondents, restricting the generalizability of the results. Future research should expand the sample size and include broader demographics to comprehensively understand the issues.

Principles and research progress of gene editing technology

Gene editing is a new genetic engineering technology. Given the quick development of molecular biology technology, genome editing tools have made great progress from the initial ZFNs and TALEN technology to CRISPR-Cas9 technology in recent years. Gene editing is the modification of specific targets in the genome of an organism to change its genetic information and phenotypic characteristics. This study analyzed the principle and research progress of gene editing technology through the data. For example, CRISPR-Cas9 can protect against secondary viral attacks, and ZFNs can be cleaved on any genomic sequence. Studies have found that there are still great challenges in the clinical field of genetic technology. Including the need for standardized safety protocols, regulatory transparency, and pricing frameworks, which increase the risk of further mutations. This article elaborates on the role and future development of gene editing in medicine, and provides a reference for the future field of gene editing technology.

Comparing the Quality of Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Dominated and Delivered by Public and Private Sector Platforms in China: Standardized Patient Study.

Telemedicine is expanding rapidly, with public direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine representing 70% of the market. A key priority is establishing clear quality distinctions between the public and private sectors. No studies have directly compared the quality of DTC telemedicine in the public and private sectors using objective evaluation methods. Using a standardized patient (SP) approach, this study aimed to compare the quality of DTC telemedicine provided by China's public and private sectors. We recruited 10 SPs presenting fixed cases (urticaria and childhood diarrhea), with 594 interactions between them and physicians. The SPs evaluated various aspects of the quality of care, effectiveness, safety, patient-centeredness (PCC), efficiency, and timeliness using the Institute of Medicine (IOM) quality framework. Ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression models with fixed effects were used for continuous variables, while logistic regression models with fixed effects were used for categorical variables. Significant quality differences were observed between public and private DTC telemedicine. Physicians from private platforms were significantly more likely to adhere to clinical checklists (adjusted β 15.22, P<.001); provide an accurate diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85, P<.001), an appropriate prescription (adjusted OR 3.87, P<.001), and lifestyle modification advice (adjusted OR 6.82, P<.001); ensure more PCC (adjusted β 3.34, P<.001); and spend more time with SPs (adjusted β 839.70, P<.001), with more responses (adjusted β 1.33, P=.001) and more words (adjusted β 50.93, P=.009). However, SPs on private platforms waited longer for the first response (adjusted β 505.87, P=.001) and each response (adjusted β 168.33, P=.04) and paid more for the average visit (adjusted β 40.03, P<.001). There is significant quality inequality in different DTC telemedicine platforms. Private physicians might provide a higher quality of service regarding effectiveness and safety, PCC, and response times and words. However, private platforms have longer wait times for their first response, as well as higher costs. Refining online reviews, establishing standardized norms and pricing, enhancing the performance evaluation mechanism for public DTC telemedicine, and imposing stricter limitations on the first response time for private physicians should be considered practical approaches to optimizing the management of DTC telemedicine.

The vacated space of volume/price of the drugs centralized procurement with quantity in secondary and above public hospitals of China

BackgroundIn 2018, the National Centralized Drug Procurement (NCDP) policy has been implemented in 11 provinces, and promoted across the country in 2019. The main feature of the policy is “volume for price”, therefore, it is necessary to measure the price relationship, not only to reduce the price of drugs, reduce the burden of patients' medical costs, but also facilitate pharmaceutical companies to access enough innovation incentives. The aim of this study was to assess the vacated space effect of the drug centralized procurement by national organizations in exchange of price for quantity.MethodsA difference-in-differences (DID) model was employed to analyze the effect of the 4 + 7 pilot drugs centralized purchasing policy on drug sales volume and selected versus clinically substitutable unselected varieties, using observational data from 2018 to 2019. We compared drug procurement data between secondary and above public hospitals in pilot and non-pilot cities throughout China.ResultsThe study showed that the average treatment effect (ATE) of sales in the in-hospital market for the selected supply varieties in centralized purchasing is -0.42, and with a sales volume of 0.49. This indicates a volume-price vacated space of 1.16 ~ 1.17 DDD (defined daily dose)/Yuan, implying that for every 1 defined daily dose (DDD) increase in reported volume, the standardized price decreased by 1.16–1.17 Yuan. The ATE of in-hospital market sales for drugs not selected in centralized procurement shows a decrease of 0.13. This finding highlights the presence of the price linkage effect. The ATE of sales volume is 0.57, indicating a volume-price space of 4.38 ~ 4.39 DDD/Yuan for unselected drugs, approximately 3.75 higher relative to that of the selected ones.ConclusionsThe ratio of the volume-price space of clinically substitutable unselected and selected drugs may serve as direct evidence for evaluating the shift from centralized purchasing of drug varieties to clinically substitutable other ones. To strengthen the volume-based negotiation approach and maximize the effectiveness of centralized purchasing policies, we recommend the strategic implementation of a three-tiered centralized purchasing system, the expansion of drug coverage, and the introduction of relevant constraints and incentives.

Assistance in Designing Citarum River Cliff Protection to Control River Erosion in Atirompe Village, Majalaya District, Bandung Regency

Rivers are often used as a water source for agriculture, transportation, and water supply needs. One of the causes of riverbanks' damage is scouring the cliff's foot, which cannot withstand scouring currents. If not addressed immediately, it will cause more severe damage. Citarum River is one river that passes through Atirompe Village, Majalaya District. The riverbanks in the area have a risk of cliff failure. The study objective was to analyze the problem, design the protection, and calculate the budget. The hydrology and riverbank analysis of the Majalaya River has been performed. The steps are important to analyze the depth and width of the scour caused by the flow of the Citarum River water. Sediment data were collected at three locations, namely the upstream, middle, and downstream of the river segment that will be reviewed. In data processing, to obtain a sediment rating curve, it is necessary to measure the flow velocity, which will later be calculated and used as the flow rate that flows during TSS data collection. Using the HEC – RAS 6.2 software, the calculations with the Ripley Equation were compared to obtain the scour depth. For the design alternative, constructing a steel sheet pile-type cliff protection structure is one form of planning to protect riverbanks. This study also analyzes the recapitulation of the budgeting for protecting the Citarum riverbanks in Atirompe Village, Majalaya District. Using standardized unit price, the total price for the protection is 1,8 billion rupiahs.

Pricing and quality decisions for standardized and collaborative services in a home health care service platform

Home health care service platforms (HHCSPs) serve older consumers by gathering informal caregivers who offer standardized care services and/or collaborative care services. These platforms aim to maximize both profit and consumer surplus by motivating participants to make proper price and quality decisions. Service prices can be determined by an HHCSP or an informal caregiver, leading to four scenarios: standardized service pricing by platform (PLS scenario), standardized service pricing by informal caregiver (ICS scenario), collaborative service pricing by platform (PLC scenario), and collaborative service pricing by informal caregiver (ICC scenario). We develop an analytical model to examine the service price and quality decisions based on these four scenarios. We find that the preferred scenarios of the HHCSP and the informal caregiver are those in which they can take the power of pricing. In most cases, the preferred scenario of the informal caregiver (HHCSP) will more likely evolve from the ICCPLC scenario to the ICSPLS scenario as the informal caregiver becomes more efficient. The HHCSP focusing on consumer surplus may not help generate many more economic benefits. Social welfare can be maximized under the ICS, PLS and PLC scenarios, while it is always lowest under the ICC scenario. In addition, we propose two contracts to increase collaboration between platforms and informal caregivers. The findings are robust in two extensions where both categories of service coexist and where the service rate affects the market demand.

Two‐sided markets: The influence of market power on information utilization strategy and welfare

AbstractIn the digital age, platforms have leveraged consumer data to discern product preferences, thereby bolstering transaction rates via personalized recommendations. As such, consumer information not only serves as a crucial resource for market expansion but also as a competitive tool for personalized recommendations. Our research explores the strategic application of consumer information by dual‐sided platforms, within the context of two upstream merchants vending identical goods. We scrutinize the decision‐making process of these platforms in three distinct scenarios, examining their propensity to utilize consumer information for personalized recommendations, and the subsequent ramifications on pricing, consumer surplus, and social welfare. Our findings suggest a tendency among platforms to exploit consumer information, thereby inducing merchants to adopt a standardized pricing strategy through adjusted commissions. However, when a significant disparity in platform strengths is present, the more dominant platform is inclined to elevate commission levels, leading to discriminatory pricing by merchants. Interestingly, our study reveals that on platforms where information utilization and pricing strategies are optimally balanced, consumer surplus escalates in tandem with the intensification of inter‐platform competition. In contrast, total social welfare diminishes with increased competition. This research offers valuable insights into the strategic use of consumer information by platforms, with significant implications for pricing strategies, consumer surplus, and social welfare.

Role of prices in driving the variation in spending across medical groups.

To understand the relative role of prices versus utilization in the variation in total spending per patient across medical groups. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of medical claims for commercially insured adults from a large national insurer in 2018. After assigning patients to a medical group based on primary care visits in 2018, we calculated total medical spending for each patient in that year. Total spending included care provided by clinicians within the medical group and care provided by other providers, including hospitals. It did not include drug spending. We estimated the case mix adjusted spending per patient for each medical group. Within each market, we categorized medical groups into quartiles based on the group's spending per patient. To decompose spending variation into price versus utilization, we compared spending differences between highest and lowest quartile medical groups under two scenarios: (1) using actual prices (2) using a standardized price (same price used for a given service across the nation). In total, 3,921,736 patients were assigned to 7284 medical groups. Per-patient spending in the highest quartile of spending medical groups was $1813 higher than per-patient spending in the lowest spending quartile of medical groups (50% higher relative spending). This overall difference was primarily driven by differences in inpatient care, imaging, and specialty care. In the scenario where we used standardized prices, the difference in spending between medical groups in the top and bottom quartiles decreased to $1425, implying that 79% of the $1813 difference in spending between the top and bottom quartile groups is explained by utilization and the remaining 21% by prices. The likely explanation for the modest impact of prices is that patients cared for by a given medical group receive care across a wide range of providers. Prices explained a modest fraction of the differences in spending between medical groups.

How to Guarantee the Sustainable Operation and Maintenance of Urban Utility Tunnels? From the Perspective of Stakeholder and the Whole Life Cycle

Urban utility tunnels (UUTs) have become an important infrastructure for sustainable urban development. However, numerous uncertainties brought by the complex stakeholder groups seriously hinder sustainable operation and maintenance (O&amp;M) of UUT projects, which make it necessary to plan the development of UUT projects in advance. Previous studies mostly identified and analyzed the influencing factors from the partial life cycle perspective and neglected the limitations of exploring the complex whole life cycle factors from one single perspective. This paper comprehensively considered the perspectives of stakeholder roles and the whole UUT project life cycle and proposed a factor identification and analysis framework. In the factor identification section: (a) literature surveys were conducted to identify all influencing factors of stakeholders at each stage; and (b) 21 types of factors were identified through semi-structured interviews. In the factor analysis section: (a) the hierarchical structure of the factors was analyzed by introducing the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach and Interpretative Structural Model (ISM); (b) the various factors were divided into linkage, dependent, autonomous, and driving factors to clarify their influence degrees; and (c) the core influencing factor was determined based on the above analysis results and the two perspectives. The results indicated that (1) the pricing and charging mechanism is the decisive factor affecting the sustainable O&amp;M of UUTs, the government should focus on establishing a standardized and transparent pricing and charging mechanism; (2) policy support to encourage social capital and user participation should be actively explored; and (3) UUT development must rely on the strong promotion of the government, and the needs of all stakeholders throughout the life cycle should be paid attention to. This study can provide useful insights for guaranteeing the sustainable O&amp;M of UUTs in China and similar regions.

Impact of Proteinuria and Kidney Function Decline on Health Care Costs and Resource Utilization in Adults With IgA Nephropathy in the United States: A Retrospective Analysis

Among patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), proteinuria and decline in kidney function may be associated with increased economic burden. This study aimed to provide current information on the epidemiology and economic burden of IgAN in the United States. Retrospective cohort study. Overall, 9,984 patients in the Optum's Market Clarity database identified by the presence of at least 2 natural language processing-derived IgAN signs and disease and symptoms terms; 813 with linked claims data included in a health care resource utilization/cost subcohort. High-risk proteinuria (≥1g/d), chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage. Standardized prevalence, health care resource utilization, costs. Descriptive statistics for categorical and continuous variables. Direct standardization for prevalence estimation. Generalized linear models for health care resource utilization/costs, reported as per-patient-per-month (PPPM) costs in 2020 US dollars. The estimated standardized US prevalence of IgAN (2016-2020) was 329.0 per 1,000,000 persons. High-risk proteinuria (≥1 vs<1 g/d) was associated with a higher mean PPPM number of outpatient visits (3.49 vs 1.74; P=0.01) and pharmacy claims (3.79 vs 2.41; P=0.01), contributing to higher mean total costs PPPM ($3,732 vs $1,457; P=0.01). Furthermore, higher CKD stage was also associated with higher health care resource utilization (number of outpatient visits PPPM, number of pharmacy claims PPPM, proportion of patients with inpatient visits and emergency department visits; P<0.001) and mean total cost PPPM (from $2,111 CKD stage 1 to $10,703 CKD stage 5/kidney failure; P<0.001). Generalizability outside of the catchment group for the database, missing data/errors inherent in retrospective database studies, relatively small sample size, use of Optum Market Clarity standardized pricing algorithms, exclusion of out-of-pocket costs. Health care resource utilization and costs were higher for IgAN patients with high-risk proteinuria and worsening kidney function. Treatments that reduce proteinuria and slow CKD disease progression may reduce the economic burden associated with IgAN. Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare kidney disease. Over time, the kidneys may leak protein into the urine (proteinuria). IgAN can lead to kidney failure. Because IgAN is rare, it is hard to know how many people have it. This study used electronic health records to estimate the number of patients with IgAN in the United States, describe the characteristics of patients, and understand their treatments and the costs. The number of patients with IgAN increased between 2016 and 2020. The researchers think this is because doctors learned more about IgAN. Patients with severe disease used more health care resources and had higher costs. The authors believe treatments that slow kidney damage may reduce the cost of treating IgAN.

Prioritization of Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Residential Communities in China Considering Public Participation with Basic Uncertain Linguistic Information

In recent years, the adoption of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) is rapidly increasing globally due to their economic and environmental benefits. In order to ensure the smooth implementation of HRESs, it is important to systematically capture societal preferences. However, few studies focus on the effective integration of public opinion into energy planning decisions. In this study, a decision-making approach for public participation in HRES planning is proposed to optimize the configuration of off-grid HRESs. First, an HRES evaluation index system considering public participation was constructed; to address the situation where the public from different backgrounds may have limited and inconsistent understanding of indicators, the basic uncertain linguistic information (BULI) is introduced to express evaluations and associated reliability levels. The indicator weights were then determined through the evaluation of both the public and the expert opinions. Second, the BULI-EDAS decision approach was developed by extending the EDAS method to the BULI environment to optimize HRES planning. Finally, the proposed model was applied to identify the optimal configuration in rural China. The comparative analysis results show that the proposed method can avoid misunderstandings and facilitate realistic public judgments. The selected optimal plan has a standardized energy price of 0.126 USD/kWh and generates 45,305 kg CO2/year, resulting in the best overall performance. The proposed HRES planning method provides a practical approach for decision makers to conduct HRES planning in a public participation environment to promote clean energy transitions.

Tiered network health plans and changes in physician practice intensity.

To examine whether physicians in tiered physician networks where tier assignments are based on "intensity" of care, which is the quantity of resources used per-episode of care, change their intensity after learning detailed information about how their intensity compares to their peers. Administrative data on intensity and quality at the physician-episode level for all physicians included in a tiered physician network offered through the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) in 2010-2015. Data on physicians' share of revenue from GIC patients from the 2012 Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database. For 21,086 physicians in seven specialties, we estimate the impact of the dissemination of detailed intensity performance information in 2014 on physician intensity per episode of care overall and decomposed into physician services, facility, and pharmaceutical subcomponents. Intensity outcomes were measured using a standardized price schedule. Using a difference-in-differences regression, we compared physicians with high exposure to the tiered network via a large share of their revenue coming from GIC patients ("GIC share") to physicians who were less exposed. Measures of intensity of care and GIC share were log-transformed, and models controlled for physician-episode type fixed effects. We linked GIC share to administrative data using National Provider Identifier. There were no statistically significant differences in total intensity of care with the informational intervention for physicians in procedure-based specialties (-0.12 elasticity of intensity per episode with respect to GIC patient share, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.06) or in relationship-based specialties (0.09, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.33). There were also no differences in intensity of subcomponents of care following the intervention. Tiered network incentives had no detectable impact on intensity of care that physicians provided to patients.

Investigating the Impact of E-Cigarette Price and Tax on E-Cigarette Use Behavior

Although the relationship between tax and price and youth cigarette use is well established, little is known about these associations and youth e-cigarette use. This research examines U.S. youth sensitivity to changes in e-cigarette prices and tax using standardized measures of e-cigarette taxes and prices. This analysis uses national data on past 30-day use and the number of days using e-cigarettes (i.e., the intensity of use) from the repeat cross-sectional 2015-2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in combination with inflation-adjusted standardized e-cigarette price and tax data to understand whether changes in e-cigarette price and tax were associated with changes in e-cigarette use. Two-part demand regression models controlling for demographics and e-cigarette restriction policies were conducted to calculate price and tax elasticities of demand, in addition to $0.50 and $1.00 price and tax increase simulations. Increased e-cigarette prices and taxes were associated with significant reductions in past 30-day use. Prices were also significantly associated with decreases in the intensity of use. A $0.50 and $1.00 tax increase leads to a 6.3% and 12.2% decrease in past 30-day use and a 4.7% and 9.3% decrease in intensity, respectively. A $0.50 and $1.00 price increase leads to a 4.1% and 8.2% decrease in past 30-day use and a 4.2% and 8.3% decrease in intensity, respectively. Higher prices and taxes reduce youth current e-cigarette use and days using e-cigarettes. Policies increasing e-cigarette prices, such as excise taxes, can reduce youth current e-cigarette use and days using e-cigarettes.

A Review of Challenges and Solutions in the Use of Murabaha Products in Islamic Banking

Despite the explicit prohibition on charging interest, certain Islamic banks continue to rely on interest-based benchmarks as a pricing reference due to the absence of stable and widely-available alternatives. This reliance contradicts the essence of Islamic banking, which necessitates the absence of any interest-related elements in operational activities and pricing stipulations. This article addresses the challenges Islamic banks face in implementing Murabaha, an Islamic financing technique incorporating interest rates in specific pricing stipulations. To assist individuals or businesses interested in utilizing Murabaha, the article provides recommendations emphasizing the importance of understanding Islamic finance principles, complying with Shariah guidelines, researching reputable Islamic financial institutions, comparing pricing and terms, comprehending associated risks, and seeking professional advice. Additionally, the article presents a proposal to enhance the Shariah compliance of Murabaha financing. Building upon existing guidelines, the proposal suggests strengthening the cost-plus-profit structure, increasing customer involvement, promoting ethical sourcing, and facilitating greater disclosure and accountability. These recommendations aim to address potential challenges and ensure the transparency and authenticity of Murabaha transactions, aligning them more closely with Shariah principles. Furthermore, the article explores the challenges faced globally in implementing Murabaha practices in Islamic banks and proposes solutions to overcome them. Adherence to Islamic principles, including transparency, ethical sourcing, and equitable decision-making, is essential in Murabaha transactions. However, issues such as lack of standardization, limited expertise, and inadequate regulatory frameworks hinder the effective implementation of Murabaha. Proposed solutions include developing international standards, enhancing training and expertise, and strengthening regulatory frameworks. Implementing these solutions will improve Murabaha practices, fostering the growth and stability of the Islamic finance industry. Lastly, the article examines Islamic banks’ challenges in setting benchmark prices for Murabaha practices and proposes solutions to address this issue. Transparent pricing based on ethical and Shariah-compliant principles is essential for Murabaha, yet the need for readily available reference benchmarks poses challenges in ensuring fairness, consistency, and market competitiveness. The proposed solutions include developing standardized pricing benchmarks, industry collaboration for data sharing, and regulatory initiatives to promote transparency and accountability. Implementing these solutions will enhance the effectiveness and credibility of Murabaha practices worldwide, benefiting Islamic banks and the broader Islamic finance industry.

Influence of Customer Satisfaction on Effective Development of Tourism Services in Mysore Division

The tourism industry is getting buoyancy in the present-day knowledge era. The knowledge of the people around the globe, increasing in the higher rate their aspirations for pleasure is also growing commensurately. The best service to customers and quality can be achieved consistently by improving services and paying special attention to good service standard performance tourism companies in Mysore Division. With the entire globe being a single market, a service provider in the tourism industry needs to cater to a divergent group of customers with divergent expectations. It is impossible to satisfy everybody in standardized pricing, product design, promotion, place, people, process, and physical evidence. Hence, the study was undertaken to analyze the influence of customer satisfaction on the effective development of tourism and related services in the Mysore Division. The study was based on primary data considering 264 tourists who visit Mysore Division. It was found that customer satisfaction significantly influenced the effective development of tourism and related services in the Mysore Division.

Виставково-ярмаркова діяльність як інтеграційний інструмент реалізації інтересів АПК

The state of modern exhibitions is considered, the latter being an important means of communication between producers and consumers in the Ukrainian market under market economy. Exhibitions reflect the material, technological, information, and communication development; they have become a standardized price indicator, an economic and political platform forecasting changes in supply and demand in the global agricultural market, and a globalized phenomenon with economic, political and socio-cultural content. The author argues that international agricultural exhibitions and fairs are the most effective tools for studying the situation in the agro-industrial market, finding potential consumers, establishing business and cooperation contacts, setting up business cooperation and integration, searching for investors, and more. The article characterizes such leading international agricultural exhibitions as: “Agritechnica”, or the International Exhibition of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment in Hanover; IGW Berlin (International Green Week), which is the largest platform for exhibiting equipment and products of the food industry, agriculture and horticulture; International Green Week (IGW); EuroTier Hannover, or the International Exhibition of Livestock and Poultry; SIMA Simagena Simavip, which is an agricultural exhibition in Paris; SIA (Salon International de L'agriculture), or Paris Agricultural Salon, specializing in animal husbandry, horticulture and food; AgriEquip, or International Modern Agricultural Equipment &amp; Technology Exhibition held in Shanghai; the international exhibition of Warsaw Food Expo in Poland; and International Agro-Industrial Exhibition in Kyiv. It is argued that participation in exhibitions strengthens the competitiveness of agricultural enterprises, create long-term mutually beneficial partnerships, increase the enterprise’s domestic and foreign trade, and promote agricultural and food products in other market segments.

How Is the Sustainable Consumption Intention Model in Food Industry under Preference Uncertainties? The Consumer Willingness to Pay on Recycled Packaging Material

Food packaging is costly to consumers and generates a huge volume of packaging waste, especially in Indonesia. Prior studies have neglected to construct a causal sustainable consumption intention model in food industry and link to the consumer willingness to pay under preference uncertainties. To address the gaps, this study explores consumer attributes to build a causal sustainable consumption intention model and takes the model to address the consumer willingness to pay under preference uncertainties. This study proposes a causal model that integrates five aspects of sustainable consumption intention model: (1) sustainable consumption knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; (2) government policy and regulation on sustainable consumption; (3) recycled packaging eco-labeling certification; (4) supply chain innovation and infrastructure; and (5) sustainable product purchasing features. This study uses the fuzzy Delphi method to confirm the reliability and validate the criteria and applies cause and effect model to address the causal model. In addition, this study collects 428 valid responses to address the willingness to pay for causal sustainable consumption intention model and a cognitive best-worst choice experiment to confirm the model in the food industry. The result reveals that recycled packaging eco-labeling certification is the major aspect for enhancing the model, followed by government policy and regulation and supply chain innovation and infrastructure. In practice, consumers incur inconvenience in purchasing sustainable food products but prefer recycled packaging material at a standardized price.

Compliance to FDA’s elimination of free tobacco product sampling at vape shops

ObjectiveThe 2016 FDA’s “Deeming Rule” prohibited free samples of vaping products. The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance with or adaptation to this newly established FDA policy. MethodsVape shops were recruited in Southern California between November 2017 and December 2018. Data collectors interviewed 121 vape shop employees who responded to questions pertaining to the sampling protocol at their shop. Nicotine levels used for sampling were also assessed for consideration of future policy adoption. ResultsOnly 7.4% of shops were non-compliant to federal sampling rules. The remaining shops either: 1) charged a fee for samples (58.7%); 2) deducted the fee from the final purchase price (5.8%); or 3) eliminated product sampling (28.1%). Of the shops that charged for sampling (including membership fees), 94.4% initiated a minimal cost protocol (≤$1) for sampling. Half (50.0%) the shops that allowed sampling offered nicotine-containing samples. ConclusionThere was high compliance (92.6%) to the change in policy among vape shops. However, minimal modification of sampling protocol was observed due in part to the lack of specificity on parameters of compliance, which lessened the potential impact of the policy. To further protect consumers, policymakers must develop unambiguous and comprehensive policies to achieve intended results and true compliance. At minimum, future tobacco product sampling policies should consider standardized pricing; alternatively, total elimination of tobacco product sampling is suggested.

APPLICATION OF NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR STANDARDIZED TRANSFER PRICING DOCUMENTATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA – ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS FOR TAX AUTHORITIES AND TAXPAYERS

Transfer pricing raises a number of issues and challenges for companies operating transfer operations and for the tax administrations of the countries in which they operate. Along with the increasing role of international transfer pricing on a global scale, increasing attention is paid to possible improvements in the control in this area and improving the regulatory measures in the individual countries aimed at limiting and countering the attempts at manipulation by companies in order to reduce paid profit taxes, customs duties, etc. through the transfer pricing. In modern conditions of continuously increasing globalization, more and more perceivable is the need for application of uniform, internationally recognized requirements and rules to documentation and control of transfer prices.&#x0D; The main purpose of this scientific paper is to examine the major rules and requirements related to the preparation of standardized transfer pricing documentation in the Republic of Bulgaria in the contemporary conditions. It discusses the increasing role and significance of international transfer pricing in the context of globalization and the necessity for application of uniform international guidelines on transfer pricing. A special attention is paid to the systematization of significant advantages and benefits of the application of standardized, globally recognized requirements in the field of transfer pricing in the Republic of Bulgaria both for companies -taxpayers and for tax administrations.&#x0D; The methodology of research of the issues in the paper involves the application of the historical-logical and systematic approaches and the methods of observation, comparison, analogy, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, etc. In accordance with the systematic approach, the information for transfer pricing of the different constituent entities of the multinational groups is considered as an integral part of the information for transfer pricing of the group as a whole.&#x0D; As a result of the research made, it is concluded that the implementation of the standardized rules for documentation that multinational groups must prepare in order to justify the methodology for determining transfer prices used in their international intra-group transactions provides valuable advantages and benefits both for the tax administrations of the relevant countries and for the taxpayers.&#x0D; From the perspective of tax authorities, the adoption of standardized requirements achieves improvement of the methodology of transfer pricing and tax audit in this area, higher degree of reliability, comparability and transparency of information provided by taxpayers for control over transactions between related parties. Through these requirements are achieved also better results in the tax discipline, the prevention of tax evasion and effective tools for avoidance and resolution of transfer pricing disputes.&#x0D; From the position of the taxpayers it is of utmost importance that through the uniform, internationally recognized requirements for documentation and tax audit of transfer prices the burden and costs in preparing the documentation on pricing in international transactions between related parties are significantly reduced. The introduction of these rules creates clarity and predictability with regard to information required to prove that their transactions with related parties satisfy the arm’s length principle. The standardized documentation enables taxpayers to defend their tax position, provides guarantees for the tax treatment of the transactions between related parties, possibilities for advance compliance with the requirements and hence for avoidance of penalties and transfer pricing disputes with tax administrations.