1 |
Three Essays on Household Consumption ExpendituresAhmad Zia Wahdat (11114679) 22 July 2021 (has links)
In my dissertation, I investigate the relationship between household consumption expenditures and transitory income shocks. In the first two essays, I pay particular attention to household expenditures in the aftermath of natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent and costly in the U.S. since 1980. Additionally, I study specialty farm producers' risk attitudes after an income shock due to natural disasters. Although the permanent income hypothesis predicts that households smooth consumption over their lifetimes, credit-constrained households may find consumption smoothing impractical. This dissertation brings forth evidence regarding heterogeneity in the effect of income shocks on household expenditures. First, I find that floods and hurricanes affect food-at-home (FAH) spending in different ways. The average 15-day decrease in FAH spending is about $2 in the 90 days after a flood and about $7 in the 30 days after a hurricane. In other words, floods have a prolonged effect and hurricanes have an immediate effect. I find that floods and hurricanes remain a threat to the FAH expenditures of vulnerable households, for instance, low-income households and households in coastal states. Second, Indiana specialty farm households reduce their monthly expenses of food and miscellaneous categories by about $119 and $280, respectively, after an income loss of 20%-32%. I also find that Indiana specialty producers are less willing to take financial risk after an income loss experience, i.e., they have a decreasing absolute risk aversion. Finally, in the third essay, I show that Australian households exhibit loss aversion in consumption expenditures which also means that they behave asymmetrically in their consumption response to income shocks. However, it is only working-age younger households that show asymmetric consumption behavior as opposed to the symmetric behavior of retirement-age households. The main message of these various findings is clear: after an income shock, the magnitude of change in consumption expenditures and the saliency of certain expenditure categories for adjustment are context- and population-dependent. Hence, income support policies and post-disaster relief programs may benefit from a better understanding of the consumption behavior of beneficiary population, to achieve maximum impact through better targeting.
|
2 |
Analysing the predictors of financial vulnerability of the consumer market microstructure in SouthAfricaDe Clercq, Bernadene 11 June 2014 (has links)
This study aimed to develop a causal chain that illustrates the path through which a
variety of factors influence consumer financial vulnerability. In order to achieve the
stated aim, it was necessary to firstly identify the factors that gave rise to consumers
being financially vulnerable. Secondly, the nature of the causal chain between the
identified factors was determined. Thirdly, the causes of consumer financial
vulnerability according to key informants in the financial services industry were
determined. Finally, based on the results of the first three stages, possible
explanations for consumer financial vulnerability were provided.
Before the construction of the causal chain could be explored, a theoretical
framework regarding household financial position as well as financial attitudes and
behaviours was provided. The theoretical framework was supported by a description
of the linkages through which consumers function and transact in an economy by
applying chain reasoning. The chain reasoning was extended by providing financial
statements reflecting the results of consumers’ interactions in the macroeconomy
with an extract from the national accounts of South Africa presenting the income
statements, balance sheets and relevant financial ratios of consumers for the period
in which the research was conducted (2008 to 2009).
For this study, the explanatory sequential mixed methods design was deemed
appropriate to achieve the proposed research objectives. The research process
firstly consisted of a quantitative strand where the possible causes for consumer
financial vulnerability were identified after which the results were validated with data
obtained in the second phase by means of four focus group discussions.
To determine the factors giving rise to and establish the causal chain of overall
consumer financial vulnerability, regression analysis was conducted. Based on the
results of the regression analysis, it became evident that the financial vulnerability
chain is not a singular linear process but rather a non-linear process (with
contemporaneous and singular linkages) with a variety of factors influencing financial
vulnerability, but also influencing each other over time. / Management Accounting / D. Accounting Science
|
3 |
Analysing the predictors of financial vulnerability of the consumer market microstructure in SouthAfricaDe Clercq, Bernadene 11 June 2014 (has links)
This study aimed to develop a causal chain that illustrates the path through which a
variety of factors influence consumer financial vulnerability. In order to achieve the
stated aim, it was necessary to firstly identify the factors that gave rise to consumers
being financially vulnerable. Secondly, the nature of the causal chain between the
identified factors was determined. Thirdly, the causes of consumer financial
vulnerability according to key informants in the financial services industry were
determined. Finally, based on the results of the first three stages, possible
explanations for consumer financial vulnerability were provided.
Before the construction of the causal chain could be explored, a theoretical
framework regarding household financial position as well as financial attitudes and
behaviours was provided. The theoretical framework was supported by a description
of the linkages through which consumers function and transact in an economy by
applying chain reasoning. The chain reasoning was extended by providing financial
statements reflecting the results of consumers’ interactions in the macroeconomy
with an extract from the national accounts of South Africa presenting the income
statements, balance sheets and relevant financial ratios of consumers for the period
in which the research was conducted (2008 to 2009).
For this study, the explanatory sequential mixed methods design was deemed
appropriate to achieve the proposed research objectives. The research process
firstly consisted of a quantitative strand where the possible causes for consumer
financial vulnerability were identified after which the results were validated with data
obtained in the second phase by means of four focus group discussions.
To determine the factors giving rise to and establish the causal chain of overall
consumer financial vulnerability, regression analysis was conducted. Based on the
results of the regression analysis, it became evident that the financial vulnerability
chain is not a singular linear process but rather a non-linear process (with
contemporaneous and singular linkages) with a variety of factors influencing financial
vulnerability, but also influencing each other over time. / Management Accounting / D. Accounting Science
|
Page generated in 0.0941 seconds