scholarly journals Cognitive Biases in Building Energy Decisions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9960
Author(s):  
Maic Rakitta ◽  
Jannis Wernery
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Bounded Rationality ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
Decoy Effect ◽  
Building Environment ◽  
Technical Solutions

Research on sustainability in the building sector currently focuses mainly on technical solutions while little attention is given to how behaviour influences the uptake of these solutions. Bounded rationality may have a significant impact on the effective implementation of more sustainable technologies that are already available. However, empirical evidence on the effects of bounded rationality in the building sector, such as cognitive biases, is still lacking. Here, we present an empirical investigation of four cognitive biases in the building environment, namely the framing, anchor, default, and decoy effect. For that, energy-related decisions situations were presented to approximately 270 participants in an online survey. Our results show that awareness of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings can be raised through framing that the willingness to pay more for an energy-efficient home can be increased by presenting it as default, and that the choices can be shifted towards more energy-efficient appliances by using a decoy. The hypothesis that anchoring increases the willingness to pay more for the installation of a solar system could not be supported. These findings decrease the lack of empirical data on cognitive biases in the context of buildings and further indicate the potential of choice architecture in the building environment. The influence of cognitive biases in energy-related decisions should be used to increase the adaptation of sustainable technologies.

scholarly journals Assessing social preferences in reimbursement negotiations for new Pharmaceuticals in Oncology: an experimental design to analyse willingness to pay and willingness to accept

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik J. Wettstein ◽  
Stefan Boes
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Real World ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Social Preferences ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Patient Organisation ◽  
Patient Benefit

Abstract Background Price negotiations for specialty pharmaceuticals take place in a complex market setting. The determination of the added value of new treatments and the related societal willingness to pay are of increasing importance in policy reform debates. From a behavioural economics perspective, potential cognitive biases and other-regarding concerns affecting outcomes of reimbursement negotiations are of interest. An experimental setting to investigate social preferences in reimbursement negotiations for novel, oncology pharmaceuticals was used. Of interest were differences in social preferences caused by incremental changes of the patient outcome. Methods An online experiment was conducted in two separate runs (n = 202, n = 404) on the Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform. Populations were split into two (run one) and four (run two) equally sized treatment groups for hypothetical reimbursement decisions. Participants were randomly assigned to the role of a public price regulator for pharmaceuticals (buyer) or a representative of a pharmaceutical company (seller). In run two, role groups were further split into two different price magnitude framings (“real world” vs unconverted “real payoff” prices). Decisions had real monetary effects on other participants (in the role of premium payers or investors) and via charitable donations to a patient organisation (patient benefit). Results 56 (run one) and 59 (run two) percent of participants stated strictly monotone preferences for incremental patient benefit. The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) against standard of care (SoC) was higher than the initial ICER of the SoC against no care. Regulators stated lower reservation prices in the “real world” prices group compared to their colleagues in the unconverted payoff group. No price group showed any reluctance to trade. Overall, regulators rated the relevance of the patient for their decision higher and the relevance of their own role lower compared to sellers. Conclusions The price magnitude of current oncology treatments affects stated preferences for incremental survival, and assigned responsibilities lead to different opinions on the relevance of affected stakeholders. The design is useful to further assess effects of reimbursement negotiations on societal outcomes like affordability (cost) or availability (access) of new pharmaceuticals and test behavioural policy interventions.

scholarly journals Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Potting Mix with Biochar

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3432
Author(s):  
McKenzie Thomas ◽  
Kimberly L. Jensen ◽  
Dayton M. Lambert ◽  
Burton C. English ◽  
Christopher D. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Market Potential ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Consumer Demographics ◽  
Market Shares ◽  
Potential Market ◽  
Dedicated Energy Crops

Biochar is a co-product of advanced biofuels production from feedstocks including food, agricultural, wood wastes, or dedicated energy crops. Markets for soil amendments using biochar are emerging, but little is known about consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for these products or the depth of the products’ market potential for this product. This research provides WTP estimates for potting mix amended with 25% biochar, conditioned on consumer demographics and attitudes about product information labeling. Data were collected with an online survey of 577 Tennessee home gardeners. WTP was elicited through a referendum contingent valuation. Consumer WTP for an 8.81 L bag of 25% biochar potting mix is $8.52; a premium of $3.53 over conventional potting mix. Demographics and attitudes toward biofuels and the environment influence WTP. Biochar amounts demanded are projected for the study area’s potential market. Optimal prices, profits, and market shares are estimated across different marginal costs of producing biochar potting mix.

Residents’ preferred measures and willingness-to-pay for improving urban air quality: A case study of Hanoi city, Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Cong Nguyen ◽  
Hang Dieu Nguyen ◽  
Hoa Thu Le ◽  
Shinji Kaneko
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Urban Air Quality ◽  
Multivariate Probit ◽  
Urban Air ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Opinions

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to understand residents’ choice of preferred measures and their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the measures to improve the air quality of Hanoi city.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire surveys were conducted to collect the opinions of 212 household representatives living in Hanoi City. The survey tools were tested and adjusted through an online survey with 191 responses. Multivariate probit and linear regression models were used to identify determinants of respondents’ choices of measures and their WTP.FindingsRespondents expressed their strong preferences for three measures for air quality improvements, including: (1) increase of green spaces; (2) use of less polluting fuels; (3) expansion of public transportation. The mean WTP for the implementation of those measures was estimated at about 148,000–282,000 Vietnamese dong, equivalent to 0.09–0.16% of household income. The respondents’ choices appear to be consistent with their characteristics and needs, such as financial affordability, time on roads and their perceived impacts of air pollution. The WTP estimates increase with perception of air pollution impacts, time on roads, education and income; but are lower for older people.Originality/valueTo gain a better understanding of public opinions, we applied multivariate probit models to check whether respondents’ choices were consistent with their characteristics and perceptions. This appears to be the first attempt to test the validity of public opinions on choices of measures for improving urban air quality in Vietnam. Our WTP estimates also contribute to the database on the values of improved air quality in the developing world.

scholarly journals A Choice Based Experiment of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): A Valuation of Attributes

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiushuo Yu ◽  
Ben Campbell ◽  
Yizao Liu ◽  
Jiff Martin
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Organic Products

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) operators are becoming more innovative in their efforts to attract consumers to become CSA shareholders. Therefore, CSA operators must understand which attributes consumers value. Using an online survey of Connecticut consumers in conjunction with a choice experiment, we evaluate consumer preference and willingness to pay for various attributes, including risk mitigation. We find younger consumers are more likely to prefer CSAs with organic products, while a greater diversity of products in the CSA share will increase preference for a CSA for some consumers. Further, we find that consumers with and without CSA experience value the risk-mitigation attribute.

Energy consultants calculating sustainability for residential buildings

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 825-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Andre Søraa ◽  
Håkon Fyhn ◽  
Jøran Solli
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the role of a particular energy calculator in enhancing the energy efficiency of existing homes by asking how this calculator was developed and how it is domesticated by craftspeople working as energy consultants.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on qualitative interviews with users and producers of the energy calculator (n= 22), as well as participation in energy consultation training.FindingsThe paper finds that, in the energy calculator, there is a striking lack of connection between the domestication and script because of lack of energy consultants’ involvement in the design and implementation process.Practical implicationsThe enrolment of energy consultants as energy calculator users earlier in and throughout the design process could be valuable in making the transition to an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building sector.Social implicationsThe paper argues for recognition of the role of energy consultants, especially craftspeople, as participants in the design process for tools of governance. This is a call to acknowledge the value of particular skills and experiences possessed by craftspeople doing home consultation.Originality/valueBy understanding the intricate developer–user synchronicity in tools developed for upgrading the building sector, energy mitigation can be made more effective.

scholarly journals The Need for an Alternative to Culling Day-Old Male Layer Chicks: A Survey on Awareness, Alternatives, and the Willingness to Pay for Alternatives in a Selected Population of Dutch Citizens

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elske N. de Haas ◽  
Eva Oliemans ◽  
Maite A. A. M. van Gerwen
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vegetarian Diet ◽  
Poultry Meat ◽  
In Ovo ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Poultry Products ◽  
Current Price

A concerning by-product of producing laying hen chicks are the hatched male layer chicks. As a consequence of their inability to lay eggs, these male chicks are culled as day-old chicks in the hatchery. To find an alternative for this ethical dilemma (generally), three alternatives are under study, namely, in ovo sex determination, using dual-purpose breeds, and the rearing of layer cockerels. In order to assess the awareness of this practice and preference for one of the alternatives, we conducted an online survey of the Dutch public. Most of the 259 respondents completing the survey were highly educated woman (HEW, n = 143) versus others (REST, n = 86). The questionnaire was divided into six topics: (1) general knowledge of the poultry industry, (2) awareness of culling male layer chicks (CMC), and (3) its acceptability, (4) alternatives to CMC, (5) willingness to pay (WTP) for eggs without CMC, and (6) WTP for cockerel meat. Awareness about CMC was 52%, and its acceptability was rejected by 78% (HEW) and 67% (REST). The level of acceptability increased when more salient facts were given, and almost all respondents agreed that an alternative was needed (90% HEW, 84% REST). For both groups of respondents, more than 50% preferred in ovo sex determination over keeping the current practice or using dual-purpose breeds or male layers. Furthermore, the majority of respondents were willing to pay more than double the price for eggs without CMC being involved. Roughly 40% would not buy processed cockerel meat burgers, most likely due to their vegan or vegetarian diet. Of the remaining respondents, half were willing to pay the current price or 1 euro more for processed cockerel meat burgers. The most important factors when buying poultry meat or eggs without CMC were food safety, animal friendliness (welfare), and the environment; price was the least important factor. Despite the skewed respondents' background, the results of our survey show that consumers are willing to pay more for poultry products that do not require culling day-old male chicks.

scholarly journals ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HYDRAULIC DRIVE OF THE TRACTOR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.V. Yudin ◽  
◽  
R.N. Puzakov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Hydraulic System ◽  
Hydraulic Drive ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Uneven Terrain ◽  
Operational Characteristics ◽  
High Dynamic ◽  
Hydraulic Accumulator ◽  
Technical Solutions

During the movement of the tractor on the uneven terrain, there are fluctuations that cause jumps of the working fluid in the hydraulic system and high dynamic loads. The solution to this problem is the use of an energy-saving hydraulic drive with a hydraulic accumulator and a system of aggregates this leads to increased efficiency and increased productivity of skidding grippers. A mathematical model of working processes with an energy-saving hydraulic drive is compiled.

Abstract 150: Antithrombotic Use in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation (NVAF): Alignment between Guidelines and Emerging Evidence with Clinician Prescribing Preferences

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Shafrin ◽  
Amanda Bruno ◽  
Joanna P MacEwan ◽  
Avrita Campinha-Bacote ◽  
Jeffrey Trocio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Stroke Risk ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Treatment Comparison ◽  
Dosing Frequency ◽  
Indirect Treatment ◽  
Treatment Comparisons

Background: 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines recommend anticoagulation for NVAF patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc≥2, but do not endorse a specific therapy. Several published indirect treatment comparisons demonstrate similar stroke risk reduction but distinct differences for bleeding risk among novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in NVAF patients. Objectives: Survey physicians to determine how their preferences over antithrombotic therapies compare with current treatment guidelines and indirect treatment comparisons. Methods: An online survey was completed by 200 physicians who regularly treat patients with NVAF. Respondents answered 12 questions comparing two hypothetical antithrombotic treatments that varied across five attributes: stroke risk, major bleeding risk, inconvenience (i.e., regular INR blood-testing/dietary restrictions), dosing frequency and patient out-of-pocket (OOP) cost. Physician willingness to trade higher OOP cost for improvements in other attributes was estimated using a logistic regression. Based on these results, we calculated the share of prescriptions that would be written for apixaban, aspirin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin using real-world US patient OOP costs. Results: Physicians were willing to trade an increase in monthly OOP cost of $38.21 (95% CI: $22.07-$54.34) for a 1 percentage point (absolute) decrease in annual stroke risk. Physicians also placed a positive value on less inconvenience ($34.46, 95% CI: $8.50-$60.41), and a 1 percentage point reduction in the risk of a major bleed ($14.44, 95% CI: $8.01-$20.88). Physicians did not have a significant willingness to pay to reduce dosing frequency from twice to once per day ($17.16; 95% CI: -0.08-$34.40). Cardiologists and cardiac electrophysiologists had higher willingness to pay for stroke risk reduction than general practitioners ($54.32 vs. $24.74, p<0.001). Based on these preferences, physicians would recommend NOACs to 77% of patients, with apixaban (32%) being the preferred NOAC. Conclusions: Similar to findings from indirect treatment comparison studies, physicians largely prefer NOACs_particularly apixaban_compared to warfarin or aspirin for stroke risk reduction in NVAF patients. Additional research is needed to determine why NOACs are underused in practice.

Analyzing German consumers’ willingness to pay for green electricity tariff attributes - a discrete choice experiment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Danne ◽  
Saramena Meier-Sauthoff ◽  
Oliver Musshoff
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Discrete Choice Experiment ◽  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Multinomial Logit Model ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Green Electricity ◽  
Electricity Tariff

Abstract Background: In order to achieve an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy supply, it is necessary that this goal is supported by society. In different countries worldwide it has been shown that one way consumers want to support the energy transition is by switching to green electricity. However, few people make the leap from their intention to a buying decision. This study explores parameters that influence whether German consumers would hypothetically decide to switch to a green electricity tariff.Methods: A quota-representative online survey including a discrete choice experiment with 371 German private households was conducted in 2016. For the econometric analysis, a generalized multinomial logit model in willingness to pay space was employed, enabling the estimation of WTP values to be as realistic as possible.Results: The results show that consumers’ decision whether or not to make the switch to green energy is mainly influenced by the source of green energy, whether a person can outsource the switching process, and a person’s attitude towards the renewable energy sources levy that currently exist in Germany.Conclusions: The findings indicate that politics should focus on supporting wind and solar energy as German consumers prefer these sources over biogas. As the results suggest, the EEG levy is a reason why consumers have lower WTP for switching to a green tariff. Therefore a switching bonus with a specifically “framed” bonus in the amount of the current EEG levy could be a promising strategy for the increase of green energy tariff acceptance. Furthermore, attention should be given to psychological and behavioral aspects, as the results indicate that these factors influence the consumer’s choice for a green electricity tariff.JEL classifications: C23, C25, Q40, Q50

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document