We estimate the production function for agricultural output in Eastern Africa incorporating climate variables disaggregated into growing and non-growing seasons. We find a substantial negative effect of within growing season variance of precipitation. We simulate predicted climate change for the...

In this paper, we propose a reputation-signalling model of demand for consumer goods containing pro-social characteristics such as a ‘fair trade’ or ‘organic’ certification. We show that reputation signalling can reverse price reactions resembling the crowding-out of pre-existing motives...

Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) pricing schemes are becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of industries. We develop a model incorporating self-image into the buyer's utility function and introduce heterogeneity in consumption utility and image-sensitivity, which generates different purchase...

We investigate the role of an indigenous social network in Ethiopia, the iddir, in facilitating factor market transactions among smallholder farmers. Using detailed longitudinal household survey data and employing a difference-in-differences approach, we find that iddir membership improves...

This article discusses models in data envelopment analysis (DEA) relaxing the standard convexity assumptions. The basic model treats mutually incomparable pairs of sets to be generated by a procedure proposed earlier. Each pair consists of a consumption set and a production set of feasible...

We discuss the design of interactive, internet based benchmarking using parametric (statistical) as well as non-parametric (DEA) models. The user receives benchmarks and improvement potentials. The user is also given the possibility to search different efficiency frontiers and hereby to explore...

Four different programming models dealing with the agricultural sectors in Canada, The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark are analysed. The purpose is to construct a knowledge base for the development of a new sector model for Danish agriculture. This analysis has created a valuable set of...

A major challenge to legislators, insurance providers and municipalities will be how to manage the reimbursement of health-care on partially open markets under increasing fiscal pressure and an aging population. Although efficiency theoretically can be obtained by private solutions using...

This paper analyses how systematic stabilisation policy by monetary authorities may change individual price adjustment decision. The model is a stochastic dynamic menu cost model that results in (S,s)-price rules where the price is fixed inside a band. The resulting price rigidity causes output...

Effective economic regulation demands clear objectives, sound economic reasoning and a careful analysis of the inevitable trade-offs between conflicting societal interests. The key problems are linked to the information asymmetry between the regulator and the regulated firms. Although the market...