scholarly journals Reducing Attribute Non-Attendance Risk in Choice Experiment: An application of Design Attribute Relative Importance Index for Waste Management Service Provision in Segmented Markets

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shehu Usman Adam ◽  
Shaufique F. Sidique ◽  
Mad Nasir Shamsudin
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Environmental Goods ◽  
Segmented Markets ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Design Attribute

Attribute non-attendance is an estimation problem that biases welfare estimates in the economic valuation of environmental goods when choice experiment (CE) is used. The potential for observing the problem is increased when segmented markets with dissimilar preferences exist for environmental goods but not captured in the experimental design for CE. The current procedure for avoiding this problem relies on qualitative techniques, which limits applications to large samples and thus prone to bias. To reduce such bias, this study used an alternative technique based on the design-attribute relative importance index (DARII) to determine respondents’ prioritization of attributes within and across markets. Our results in solid waste management services demonstrate that all selected attributes were highly ranked across markets. While such finding conforms to expectations based on the interview, we found a statistically significant difference in attributes prioritization across markets. We thus conclude that assuming equal priority for attributes in different market segments may be improper but possibly tangled when the qualitative method is used. As such, the study recommends CE studies to use DARII before the experimental design stage.

scholarly journals Choice Experiment Attributes Selection: Problems and Approaches in a Modal Shift Study in Klang Valley, Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Kaffashi ◽  
Mad Nasir Shamsudin ◽  
Shaufique Fahmi Sidique ◽  
Abdullatif Bazrbachi ◽  
Alias Radam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Attribute Selection ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Modal Shift ◽  
Selection Problems ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Klang Valley ◽  
Shift Study

<p>Choice experiment (CE) is a questionnaire based method that the accuracy of research questionnaire determines the validity of the research outcomes. Attribute selection has a prime importance in every CE studies. If respondents do not understand or do not have preference for a certain attribute, the attribute non-attendance problem might happen that biases overall results of the research. Qualitative approaches such as literature review, focus group discussion, and in depth discussion commonly applied in CE researches. However, especially in the developing countries context where ethnical and cultural diversity is a challenge in conducting survey based questionnaires, qualitative methods are not sufficient in selecting attributes. Present study investigates the application of relative importance index (RII) in respondents’ preference for attributes in a modal shift study in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The 5 point Likert scale questions were employed to enhance respondents’ preferences for initial 24 selected attributes. The results of this study showed that from 24 pre-selected attributes, only 18 of them had RII&gt;0.5 and could be included in the final CE design. The results of this study could help researchers to control for unobserved problems in selecting the attributes which could not be discovered through qualitative approaches.</p>

scholarly journals Discrete choice experiment for eliciting preference for health services for patients with ALS and their informal caregivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Tobin ◽  
Sinead Maguire ◽  
Bernie Corr ◽  
Charles Normand ◽  
Orla Hardiman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Discrete Choice Experiment ◽  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Strong Preference ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition with a mean life expectancy of 3 years from first symptom. Understanding the factors that are important to both patients and their caregivers has the potential to enhance service delivery and engagement, and improve efficiency. The Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) is a stated preferences method which asks service users to make trade-offs for various attributes of health services. This method is used to quantify preferences and shows the relative importance of the attributes in the experiment, to the service user. Methods A DCE with nine choice sets was developed to measure the preferences for health services of ALS patients and their caregivers and the relative importance of various aspects of care, such as timing of care, availability of services, and decision making. The DCE was presented to patients with ALS, and their caregivers, recruited from a national multidisciplinary clinic. A random effects probit model was applied to estimate the impact of each attribute on a participant’s choice. Results Patients demonstrated the strongest preferences about timing of receiving information about ALS. A strong preference was also placed on seeing the hospice care team later rather than early on in the illness. Patients also indicated their willingness to consider the use of communication devices. Grouping by stage of disease, patients who were in earlier stages of disease showed a strong preference for receipt of extensive information about ALS at the time of diagnosis. Caregivers showed a strong preference for engagement with healthcare professionals, an attribute that was not prioritised by patients. Conclusions The DCE method can be useful in uncovering priorities of patients and caregivers with ALS. Patients and caregivers have different priorities relating to health services and the provision of care in ALS, and patient preferences differ based on the stage and duration of their illness. Multidisciplinary teams must calibrate the delivery of care in the context of the differing expectations, needs and priorities of the patient/caregiver dyad.

scholarly journals Understanding the influence of physical resources and social supports on primary food providers’ snack food provision: a discrete choice experiment

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany J. Johnson ◽  
Rebecca K. Golley ◽  
Dorota Zarnowiecki ◽  
Gilly A. Hendrie ◽  
Elisabeth K. Huynh
Keyword(s):  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Social Supports ◽  
Social Condition ◽  
Parent Support ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Utility Weight ◽  
Physical Resources ◽  
Choice Tasks

Abstract Background Snack eating occasions contribute approximately a third of children’s energy intake, with approximately half of all unhealthy foods consumed during snack times. Therefore, it is critical to understand the drivers of primary food providers’ snack provision. The study aims were to determine the relative importance of physical resources and social supports when primary food providers are choosing snacks to provide to their child, and to investigate how these attributes differ in social versus non-social occasions, and between subgroups of primary food providers based on socio-economic position. Methods Primary food providers of three to seven-year olds completed an online discrete choice experiment, by making trade-offs when completing repeated, hypothetical choice tasks on the choice of snacks to provide to their child in: 1) non-social and 2) social condition. Choice tasks included two alternatives consisting of varying attribute (i.e. factor) levels, and an opt-out option. The order of conditions shown were randomized across participants. Multinomial logit model analyses were used to determine utility weights for each attribute. Results Two-hundred and twenty-five primary food providers completed the study, providing 1125 choice decisions per condition. In the non-social condition, the top three ranked attributes were type of food (utility weight 1.94, p < 0.001), child resistance (− 1.62, p < 0.001) and co-parent support (0.99, p < 0.001). In the social condition, top ranking attributes were child resistance (utility weight − 1.50, p < 0.001), type of food (1.38, p < 0.001) and co-parent support (1.07, p < 0.001). In both conditions, time was not a significant influence and cost was of lowest relative importance. Subgroup analyses revealed cost was not a significant influence for families from higher socio-economic backgrounds. Conclusions Type of food, child resistance and co-parent support were of greatest relative importance in primary food providers’ snack provision decision-making, regardless of social condition or socio-economic position. In designing future interventions to reduce unhealthy snacks, researchers should prioritize these influences, to better support primary food providers in changing their physical and social opportunity. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry no. ACTR N12618001173280

Causes of Delay in Budget Hotel Construction Projects

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milind T. Phadtare
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Business Group ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Joint Effort ◽  
Indian Context ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Project Participants ◽  
Causes Of Delays ◽  
Industry Training

Delay in construction projects is a universal phenomenon. However, the topic is not adequately studied in the Indian context. This paper attempts to identify the causes of delays in construction of budget hotels in India and suggest remedies to avoid some delays. A business group constructing budget hotels across the country is approached for this study. Forty causes of delay have been identified and Relative Importance Index was calculated. The contribution of each category of causes of delay to overall delay in the projects was computed. Remedies such as, joint effort of the participants of the industry, training, coordination between project participants and project timing and scheduling are suggested and validated.

scholarly journals Strategies for Effective Waste Reduction and Management of Building Construction Projects in Highly Urbanized Cities—A Case Study of Hong Kong

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Ann T. W. Yu ◽  
Irene Wong ◽  
Zezhou Wu ◽  
Chi-Sun Poon
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Waste Management Practices

Hong Kong is a densely populated city with high-rise developments, and as in other metropolitan cities, the amount of waste generated from construction projects in the city is increasing annually. The capacity of existing landfills is expected to be saturated by the 2020s. Construction waste management has been implemented for years but the performance is still not satisfactory. The aim of this research paper is to explore and formulate strategies and measures for effective construction waste management and reduction in highly urbanized cities such as Hong Kong. A desktop study on construction waste management practices was carried out for a preliminary understanding of the current situation in Hong Kong. Semistructured interviews and focus group meetings were further conducted to shed light on how to improve construction waste reduction and management in Hong Kong. The main contributions of this research study are the potential short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies, which are related to the design stage, tender stage, construction stage, and government support. The five major strategies recommended are financial benefits to stakeholders, public policies in facilitating waste sorting, government supports for the green building industry, development of a mature recycling market, and education and research in construction waste minimization and management.

A benchmarking approach to the progress of green materials and systems’ use in the UAE construction industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aly Elgayar ◽  
Salwa Mamoun Beheiry ◽  
Alaa Jabbar ◽  
Hamad Al Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Green Materials ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines

Purpose Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced several green regulatory guidelines, federal decrees, and a considerable number of environmentally friendly initiatives. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the top green materials and systems used currently in the UAE construction industry as per the new laws dictate as well as see if professionals are switching over to incorporate more green materials, systems, and/or designs. Design/methodology/approach The work involved reviewing internationally popular green materials and systems for construction, developing a questionnaire based on the literature review, surveying professionals in the seven UAE emirates, and ranking the findings based on the relative importance index. Findings Findings found the top used green materials and system in the UAE’s construction industry. As well as identified that there is a communication gap between the design and implementation phases that is possibly hindering the use of more green materials and systems. Originality/value This study sets a baseline to measure the UAE’s progress over the coming years in terms of integrating more green construction materials, systems, methodologies, and trends.

scholarly journals Insights of project managers into the problems in project management

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Vincent Livesey
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Team Management ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Hard Skills ◽  
Importance Index

A Delphi study using project managers who had managed projects in excess of $500 million was used to confirm the significance and frequency of problems resulting from the nature of projects. Using the results obtained from the Delphi study a ranking of the problems experienced in these projects was obtained by calculating a Relative Importance Index. Additionally, the Delphi panel members were asked their views concerning the need for traditional project management skills (hard skills) and team management skills (soft skills) as project size increased from below $50 million to over $500 million. A substantial increase in the need for both skills was indicated with the increase in the need for soft skills being the most significant.

scholarly journals Feeding habits of Cocobolo Andinoacara pulcher in the cienaga Grande de Lorica, Colombia

2016 ◽  
pp. 5189-5197
Author(s):  
Charles W Olaya-Nieto ◽  
Liquey Camargo-Herrera ◽  
Vanessa Díaz-Sajonero ◽  
Fredys F Segura-Guevara
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Stomach Content ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Total Length ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Gut Length

ABSTRACTObjective. The feeding habits of Cocobolo (Andinoacara pulcher) in the cienaga Grande de Lorica, Sinu river basin, were studied. Materials and methods. The stomach content was analyzed using the Proportion of empty stomachs, Grade of digestion, Frequency of occurrence, numerical Frequency, Gravimetry, relative importance Index (RII) and the gut length-total length relationship. Results. 39.8% of stomachs were empty, 47.1% of preys were fresh and five food groups were identified. Vegetable remains was the most frequent group (63.8%) and the prey with greatest composition in weight (33.5%), while Rest of fishes was the most abundant group (34.7%). It was observed that in low and rising waters, fishes was the most consumed prey, while that in high and falling waters the most consumed prey was vegetable remains. Vegetable remains, detritus and fishes were food groups of secondary relative importance, while Insects and Others were circumstantial or incidental groups. Conclusions. The results achieved indicate that Cocobolo is a fish with omnivores feeding habits with a preference for fishes and vegetable remains. RESUMEN Objetivo. Se estudiaron los hábitos alimentarios de Cocobolo (Andinoacara pulcher) en la ciénaga Grande de Lorica, cuenca del río Sinú, Colombia. Materiales y Métodos. El contenido estomacal se evaluó con el Coeficiente de vacuidad, Grado de llenado, Grado de digestión, Frecuencia de ocurrencia, Frecuencia numérica, Gravimetría, Índice de importancia relativa y la relación longitud intestinal- longitud total. Resultados. El 39.8% de los estómagos se encontró vacío, el 47.1% de las presas en estado fresco y se identificaron cinco grupos alimentarios. Material vegetal fue el grupo más frecuente (63.8%) y con mayor composición por peso (33.5%), mientras que Restos de peces fue el más abundante (34.7%). Se observó que en aguas bajas y en aguas ascendentes, peces fue la presa más consumida, mientras que en aguas altas y aguas descendentes, fue material vegetal. Material vegetal, detritos y restos de peces fueron grupos alimentarios de importancia relativa secundaria, mientras que insectos y otros fueron circunstanciales o incidentales. Conclusiones. Los resultados alcanzados indican que Cocobolo es un pez de hábitos alimentarios omnívoros con preferencia por peces y material vegetal.

scholarly journals Faktor Penglibatan Pelajar dalam Aktiviti Bukan Akademik anjuran Universiti

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Nazriah Rasul ◽  
Rafiza Mohamed ◽  
Siti Nurhuda Abd. Wahid ◽  
Yusmady Md. Junus ◽  
Rosmiza Awang Noh
Keyword(s):  
Relative Importance ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Importance Index

Aktiviti-aktiviti yang dianjurkan di universiti tidak kira akademik atau bukan akademik haruslah boleh membentuk pelajar yang seimbang bukan sahaja dari aspek jasmani dan emosi, malah dari aspek rohani dan intelek juga. Walau bagaimanapun, trend terkini pelajar adalah kurang melibatkan diri dalam aktiviti-aktiviti anjuran universiti Oleh itu kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti faktor penglibatan pelajar dalam aktiviti bukan akademik anjuran universiti dan mengenal pasti langkah-langkah yang boleh diambil supaya lebih ramai pelajar melibatkan diri dalam aktiviti bukan akademik anjuran universiti. Ia dijalankan terhadap 888 orang responden daripada 5,534 pelajar diploma di Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (UTMKL). Berdasarkan kepada keputusan analisa menggunakan kaedah Relative Importance Index (RII), faktor pengaruh rakan telah dikenal pasti sebagai faktor yang paling mempengaruhi penglibatan pelajar terhadap aktiviti bukan akademik anjuran universiti iaitu dengan nilai RII sebanyak 0.79. Manakala faktor yang paling kurang mempengaruhi pelajar menyertai aktiviti bukan akademik anjuran universiti ialah faktor personaliti pelajar dengan nilai RII sebanyak 0.59. Maklum balas daripada pelajar berkenaan dengan langkah-langkah yang boleh diambil supaya lebih ramai pelajar melibatkan diri dalam aktiviti bukan akademik anjuran universiti dianalisis menggunakan kaedah Analisa Bertema. Maklum balas pelajar telah dikelaskan kepada 6 tema iaitu penambahan aktiviti yang aktif dan menarik, penambahan infrastruktur oleh universiti, menambah baik saluran komunikasi pelaksanaan aktiviti, merancang pelaksanaan aktiviti, sokongan universiti dalam bentuk kewangan dan memberikan galakan dan motivasi. Hasil daripada kajian ini boleh diguna pakai dalam membuat perancangan aktiviti akademik di universiti bagi menarik lebih ramai pelajar melibatkan diri. Kajian seperti ini harus dijalankan pada masa akan datang. Perincian mengikut jenis aktiviti bukan akademik dan perbandingan mengikut jantina terhadap faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penglibatan pelajar terhadap aktiviti bukan akademik dapat membantu dalam menjelaskan dan memperincikan lagi penglibatan para pelajar dengan lebih menyeluruh.

scholarly journals Seasonal variation on diet of juvenile Elops saurus Linnaeus, 1766 (Ladyfish) in the Parnaiba River Delta

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane Araujo Santos ◽  
Thamires Souza Gonçalves ◽  
Patricia Silva do Nascimento ◽  
Cézar Augusto Freire Fernandes ◽  
Francisca Edna de Andrade Cunha
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Importance Index

Abstract: Aim Identify seasonal variations in the diet of juvenile living in the estuary of the Parnaíba River Delta. Methods Food items were identified through analysis of stomach contents, and later submitted to analysis by regular methods for Frequency of Occurrence (FO), Frequency Numerical (FN), Gravimetric Frequency (FW) and Relative Importance Index (IRI). Results Juvenile diet of Elops saurus that inhabit the lagoons in the Parnaíba delta was composed in order decreasing of importance by Osteichthyes (Teleostei), Insecta and Crustacea in addition to Polychaeta and Nematoda. It was also observed a high frequency of occurrence of fragments of plastics in the diet. In the rainy season, 17 items were recorded in the diet, whereas in the dry season only 7 items were present. Relative Importance Index showed high presence of the Teleostei fish (69.93%) on diet of E. saurus during the rainy season, whereas during the dry period the insects of the families Corixidae (43.25%) and Dysticidae (39.16%). Conclusions With the study it was possible to identify that juvenile are piscivorous in the rainy season when there is a higher availability of prey in the environment and insectivores in the dry season when it reduces the supply of food, indicating feeding flexibility to environmental alterations.

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