A simple twist of fate Fatas, Enrique; Restrepo-Plaza, Lina; Banuri, Sheheryar
Journal of economic behavior & organization,
September 2024, 2024-09-00, Letnik:
225
Journal Article
Recenzirano
•We study cooperation in a social dilemma experiment: the governance game.•Our between subjects’ factorial design compares three institutions (Random replacement of rules, Referendum, and Voting) to ...a Baseline condition in which the ruler is never replaced.•Contribution levels are not significantly different across conditions, but voters retain a larger proportion of the surplus generated by the game in democratic regimes (Voting and Referendum).•Voters tolerate the electoral uncertainty associated with Referendum as rulers strategically learned to use transfers to stay in power.
In this paper we study electoral systems in an experimental governance game in which citizens contribute to a public good and policymakers decide how to distribute it. In the Voting condition, citizens receive information about the policymaker performance (how much she shared of the public good with individual participants), her skills and her altruism, and vote directly for a policymaker for the next election cycle. In the Referendum condition voters receive information about the policymaker's performance before deciding whether to remove her from office in a simpler binary choice (in or out). If they decide to remove the incumbent, a new policymaker is chosen randomly from the remaining group members, in the spirit of referendums like Brexit or the plebiscite about the peace agreements in Colombia. We compare these two electoral mechanisms with two baselines in which the policymaker is never replaced (Baseline) and another one (Random) in which the policymaker is always randomly replaced by another participant. Our results show that both electoral mechanisms are largely effective in improving citizens’ earnings by generating more equitable sharing rules. Citizens in Voting and Referendum extract greater surplus from policymakers than in the other conditions and voting against a candidate (Referendum) is more effective in increasing surplus than voting for a candidate (Voting). Contributions to the public good and conditional cooperation patterns remain strikingly similar in democratic (Referendum and Voting) and non-democratic (Baseline and Random) conditions. Empirical expectations about contributions of other citizens are similar as well. However, we show that policymakers distribute the public good differently in democratic institutions, and more effectively in Referendum than in Voting, as policymakers use clientelist transfers to avoid being replaced. Overall, both democratic institutions are effective in improving citizens’ payoffs by indirectly limiting policymakers’ surplus.
In the context of voluntary vaccination, we consider two additional provisions as well as pre-emptive vaccination for a unified model over epidemiology and evolutionary game theory to assess the ...extent to which advanced and late provisions restrict the spread of disease. To circumvent infection, people can be vaccinated pre-emptively before the epidemic season, but the imperfectness of vaccination or an unwillingness to be vaccinated may cause people instead to either be late-vaccinated or use self-protection. Here, self-protection corresponds to actions such as wearing a mask, washing hands, or using a mosquito net and is defined as the third strategy after pre-emptive vaccination (the first strategy) and late-vaccination (the second strategy). Our model can reproduce multiple social dilemma situations resulting from what is known as the vaccination dilemma (originating from preemptive vaccination), which works on a global time scale (i.e., repeated seasons approaching social equilibrium), and also from two other dilemmas due to late provisions, which work on a local time scale (i.e., every time step in a single season). To reproduce how an individual can acquire information for adaptation from neighbors or the society for a suitable provision, we introduce several strategy-updating rules for both global and local time scales and this behavioral feedback has a significant effect to reducing a transmissible disease. We also establish the social efficiency deficit (SED) indicator for a triple-dilemma game to quantify the existence of a social dilemma. Relying fully on a theoretical framework, our model provides a new perspective for evaluations: (i) how much more advantageous and effective pre-emptive vaccination is in eradicating a communicable disease compared with late provisions such as late vaccination and self-protection, and (ii) the extent of the social dilemma resulting from each of the three provisions, given the new idea of SED. The main effect of the triple-dilemma is that expensive provision displays no SED (no dilemma) until the efficiency or effectiveness of provisions reaches a certain level.
The reasons for household food waste are complex and not yet fully understood, especially with regards to how the food retail sector might influence and interact with food management practices. This ...study explores the causes of household food waste from this perspective, drawing from practice theory and the concept of systems of provision. Survey data from 460 Seoul households is analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses to assess whether avoidable food waste per household member is affected by the type of food retailers (e.g. supermarkets, hypermarkets, traditional markets, etc.) a household buys its groceries from. Seoul was chosen as the research site due to its diverse food retail sector and South Korea's distinctive food waste policy environment. The results indicated that households' grocery shopping trips take on different characteristics depending on the type of retailer visited, and that these characteristics, including travel time and buying frequency, are differentially associated with over-purchasing and avoidable food waste. Overall, this study suggests that the influence of food retailers on household food waste is not limited to marketing promotions, but also extends to the ways they may shape households' grocery shopping patterns. As such, waste reduction policies and initiatives need to take urban retail development patterns into greater account in order to more effectively tackle the problem of household food waste.
•Examined household food waste's connection to food retailing using survey data.•Food retail formats were distinguished by over-purchasing and trip characteristics.•Over-purchasing and food waste reduced by short travel times and frequent trips.•Hypermarket format implicated in contributing to household food waste.
There is increasing consensus that transitioning towards reduced meat consumption and more plant-based diets is a key feature to address important health and sustainability challenges. However, ...relevant evidence that may inform these transitions remains fragmented with no overarching rationale or theoretical framework, which limits the ability to design and deliver coordinated efforts to address these challenges.
Eleven databases were systematically searched using sets of keywords referring meat curtailment, meat substitution and plant-based diets, as well as consumer choice, appraisal or behavior (2602 articles selected for title and abstract screening; 161 full-texts assessed for eligibility; 110 articles selected for extraction and coding). Barriers and enablers were identified and integrated into an overarching framework (i.e., COM-B system), which conceptualizes behavior as being influenced by three broad components: capability, opportunity and motivation.
This review mapped potential barriers and enablers in terms of capability, opportunity, and motivation to reduce meat consumption and follow more plant-based diets. These included lack of information for consumers and difficulty to acquire new cooking skills (barrier, capability), changes in service provision in collective meal contexts (enabler, opportunity), and positive taste expectations for plant-based meals (enabler, motivation). Evidence on variables referring to the motivation domain is clearly increasing, but there is a striking need for studies that include capability and opportunity variables as well. The results of this review are relevant to a variety of fields and audiences interested in promoting sustainable living and health improvements through dietary choice.
•Evidence on transitions to more plant-based diets is increasing but still fragmented.•This limits concerted efforts to successfully shape and sustain these transitions.•We present a systematic review of relevant variables, framed as barriers and enablers.•These were mapped into a coherent overarching framework of behavior change.•Studies that integrate capability, opportunity and motivation variables are needed.
To compare self-reported clinical outcomes following medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol sourced from either a pharmacy or health clinic.
We conducted a prospective, non-randomized, ...non-inferiority cohort study across four regions in Ghana, from high-volume pharmacies and health clinics. Participants seeking medical abortion (less than nine weeks’ gestation) who met usual medical abortion eligibility criteria were recruited. Data collection included baseline surveys, follow-up phone interviews, and self-reported assessments of medical abortion outcomes. The study aimed to enroll 2000 medical abortion users (1000 from each source).
Complete outcome data was available and analyzed from 1958 participants (of 2208 enrolled), with the adjusted risk difference of need for additional treatment to complete the abortion indicating non-inferiority of the pharmacy group compared to the clinic group −2.3% (95% CI −5.3% to 0.7%). Both groups reported low rates of additional treatment (4.9%) and adhered similarly to the abortion regimen. Secondary outcomes showed no significant differences, with moderate acceptability in both groups (65.4% pharmacy, 52.3% facility). Adverse outcomes were rare: one ectopic pregnancy, one blood transfusion and no deaths or other major complications were reported.
Accessing medical abortion pills directly from pharmacies without prior consultation from a provider demonstrated non-inferior self-reported clinical outcomes compared to seeking care from health clinics. The findings align with the growing global evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of medical abortion self-care.
This study contributes data which support future registration of over-the-counter use of medical abortion drugs up to nine weeks’ gestation. Such measures could expand options for safe abortion care, especially in regions where unsafe abortion poses a substantial maternal health risk.
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03727308).
This paper draws from the service science and professional service literatures to conceptualize financial auditing as an economic service. A central characteristic of economic services is the ...participation of the customer/client in the production process. The necessity of having the customer/client be a co-producer introduces greater heterogeneity to the provision of services relative to the manufacturing of goods which, in turn, creates a tension between service quality and service efficiency. One implication of this tension is that standardization of the audit process may not increase audit quality. We further argue that audit research should give more attention to the idiosyncratic nature of audit engagements and the importance of successful cooperation between the service provider (the audit firm) and the client for improving audit quality. Utilizing research on service networks, we draw attention to a broader perspective than the dyadic relations of service provider and client to show that the possible frictions between the value of co-creation of the service and the independence of the service professional are endemic to the service process, implying that efforts to maximize auditor independence may have unexpected costs that impair audit quality.
We sought to describe the experiences of physicians who successfully incorporated abortion care into their practices in the United States. We explored facilitators of and barriers to abortion ...provision.OBJECTIVESWe sought to describe the experiences of physicians who successfully incorporated abortion care into their practices in the United States. We explored facilitators of and barriers to abortion provision.In this qualitative study, we conducted semistructured interviews with a national sample of obstetrician-gynecologists and family medicine physicians providing abortion care. Interviews addressed facilitators of and barriers to abortion provision, lessons learned and recommendations for future providers. We analyzed data using a content analysis approach.STUDY DESIGNIn this qualitative study, we conducted semistructured interviews with a national sample of obstetrician-gynecologists and family medicine physicians providing abortion care. Interviews addressed facilitators of and barriers to abortion provision, lessons learned and recommendations for future providers. We analyzed data using a content analysis approach.We interviewed 14 obstetrician-gynecologists and 11 family medicine physicians providing abortion care as part of their practices. We identified four categories of facilitators and barriers: personal, community, training, and workplace factors. Major facilitators included supportive leadership and professional mentorship. Major barriers included antagonistic colleagues and leadership. Lessons learned included proactively assessing leadership support, identifying institutional allies, actively minimizing workplace conflict and being perceived as a team player. Recommended resources to increase abortion provision included clinical support, mentorship, funding, negotiation coaching, and access to clinical policies.RESULTSWe interviewed 14 obstetrician-gynecologists and 11 family medicine physicians providing abortion care as part of their practices. We identified four categories of facilitators and barriers: personal, community, training, and workplace factors. Major facilitators included supportive leadership and professional mentorship. Major barriers included antagonistic colleagues and leadership. Lessons learned included proactively assessing leadership support, identifying institutional allies, actively minimizing workplace conflict and being perceived as a team player. Recommended resources to increase abortion provision included clinical support, mentorship, funding, negotiation coaching, and access to clinical policies.Institutional leadership support emerged as a critical facilitator for initiating and continuing to offer abortion care. Efforts to expand abortion access should include investments in supportive leadership, both in academic and community practices.CONCLUSIONSInstitutional leadership support emerged as a critical facilitator for initiating and continuing to offer abortion care. Efforts to expand abortion access should include investments in supportive leadership, both in academic and community practices.Maximizing abortion access is essential to counteract the legislative and political restrictions imposed on abortion care. Institutional support is a critical facilitator of abortion provision, and efforts to expand abortion access should include investments in supportive leadership and health care administration.IMPLICATIONSMaximizing abortion access is essential to counteract the legislative and political restrictions imposed on abortion care. Institutional support is a critical facilitator of abortion provision, and efforts to expand abortion access should include investments in supportive leadership and health care administration.
Climate change can have marked effects on ecosystem service (ES) provision in the Andes, particularly in peri-urban areas. In addition to global-change related processes, cumulative effects such as ...changing socio-political dynamics, environmental policies, and conflicts are also changing type and magnitude of land use–land cover (LULC) dynamics in the Colombian Andes. Studies in the region have investigated the effects of LULC change, deforestation and extreme climatic events on the hydrology of watersheds and carbon sequestration. Yet, less is known on how the cumulative effects of climate and LULC changes will drive water yield and carbon sequestration. To investigate these cumulative effects, we study two different watersheds near Bogota, Colombia and their ES for the period 2016–2046. We use IPCC-LULC scenarios, expert elicitation, hydro-meteorological data, and integrated modelling using temporal LULC change and ESs valuation models to parse out effects of LULC versus climate change on two representative ESs. Our results show forest and shrublands remain stable during the analysis period. However, urban conversion of agricultural pastures is substantial. We found that climate change scenarios had greater effect on water yield and supply than LULC scenarios in both watersheds. However, carbon sequestration was greater in rural forest and shrubland areas farther from Bogota. In contrast to current land use zoning being promoted by local elected officials, our findings indicate that land-use development and policies in near-urban basins need to minimize urbanization in agriculture and pasture LULCs, as these can have substantial effects on water yield. Similarly, land use polices in ex-urban areas need to conserve forested and shrubland areas to maximize their carbon offset potential. Collectively, our results highlight the need to incorporate climate change conditions in decision making and land use planning processes, in order to maintain the capacity of ecosystems, both urban and rural, to provide services to society.
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•Cumulative climate change and LULC dynamics can have marked effects on ecosystem services.•We studied such effects on water yield and carbon sequestration in two watersheds in Colombia.•Climate scenarios had greater effect on water provision than land-use land-cover scenarios.•Carbon sequestration was greater in forest and shrubland areas farther from Bogota.•It is key to incorporate climate conditions in land planning for sustainable provision of services.
The ocean contains unique biodiversity, provides valuable food resources and is a major sink for anthropogenic carbon. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an effective tool for restoring ocean ...biodiversity and ecosystem services
, but at present only 2.7% of the ocean is highly protected
. This low level of ocean protection is due largely to conflicts with fisheries and other extractive uses. To address this issue, here we developed a conservation planning framework to prioritize highly protected MPAs in places that would result in multiple benefits today and in the future. We find that a substantial increase in ocean protection could have triple benefits, by protecting biodiversity, boosting the yield of fisheries and securing marine carbon stocks that are at risk from human activities. Our results show that most coastal nations contain priority areas that can contribute substantially to achieving these three objectives of biodiversity protection, food provision and carbon storage. A globally coordinated effort could be nearly twice as efficient as uncoordinated, national-level conservation planning. Our flexible prioritization framework could help to inform both national marine spatial plans
and global targets for marine conservation, food security and climate action.
This paper considers incentives to provide goods that are partially shareable along social links. We introduce a model in which each individual in a social network not only decides how much of a ...shareable good to provide, but also decides which subset of neighbours to nominate as co-beneficiaries. An outcome of the model specifies an endogenously generated subnetwork and a public goods game occurring over the realised subnetwork. We prove the existence of specialised pure strategy Nash equilibria: those in which some individuals contribute while the remaining individuals free ride. We then consider how the set of efficient specialised equilibria vary as the constraints on sharing are relaxed and we show that, paradoxically, an increase in shareability may decrease efficiency.
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