While previous studies have investigated country-of-origin effect from various angles, it remained unexplored the extent to which Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) affects U.S. beef imports from specific countries. Using choice-experiment data, willingness to pay (WTP) for Australian, Canadian beef in addition to other enhancement attributes were estimated with a Mixed Logit Model and a Latent Class Model. The results revealed unobserved taste heterogeneity and important differences in the WTP between the imported and domestic steak. The Latent Class Model estimated the range of discount needed for consumers to switch from U.S. to Canadian steak was a range from $1.09 to $35.12 per pound. Results from the Mixed Logit Model reiterated strong domestic preference. Significant positive WTP for BSE-tested, traceable, and tenderness-assured beef were also observed. In addition, perceived risk theory was utilized to explain the difference in WTP for domestic and imported beef. The psychometric method proposed in Pennings et al. (2002) were adopted, which disentangled perceived risk into risk perception and risk attitude. Using a mixed logit model with error component specification, the result revealed a strong link between risk perception and risk attitude towards consumer choice of country-of-origin labeled beef. Specifically, we found that perceived risk factors have a stronger impact on imported beef than domestic beef, which could partially explain consumers’ aversion towards imported beef. Lastly, the perceived risk framework was expanded to explain variation in the WTP for traceable and BSE-tested beef. The results indicated significant and non-linear impact from risk attitude and risk perception to WTP for the attributes. In addition, BSE-concern, and perceived level of control agribusiness has on food safety significantly influenced WTP for traceable and BSE-tested beef.

Mit dem Forschungsprojekt wurde das Ziel verfolgt, den Einfluss des Münchner Stromausfalls im Winter 2012 auf die Zahlungsbereitschaft für Versorgungssicherheit sowie auf die Akzeptanz für Erneuerbare Energien zu untersuchen. Das Ausfallereignis in München bot sich in besonderer Weise für eine Untersuchung an, da etwa die Hälfte des Stadtgebiets betroffen war, sodass eine Trennung nach beeinträchtigten und nicht-beeinträchtigen Haushalten aus einer nahezu homogenen Stichprobe ermöglicht wurde. Im Zentrum der Untersuchung steht eine repräsentative Bevölkerungsumfrage, die zwei Monate nach dem Ausfallereignis durchgeführt wurde. Dazu wurden über das Telefonlabor der Technischen Universität Dresden 526 Personen aus Münchner Privathaushalten befragt. Nach unseren Befunden beeinflusst eine kleine Versorgungsunterbrechung, wie in München, die Einstellung hinsichtlich der Erneuerbaren Energien nur unwesentlich. Allerdings können wir mit Hilfe der kontingenten Bewertungsmethode einen signifikanten Einfluss des Ausfalls auf die Zahlungsbereitschaft für eine sichere Versorgung nachweisen. Darüber ergeben sich aus unserer Studie Erkenntnisse für die Umsetzung der Energiewende: Beispielsweise wurde der Wert für die letzte gelieferte Kilowattstunde Strom (Value of Lost Load), das Last-Abschaltpotenzial von Haushalten sowie die Akzeptanz der Höhe der EEG-Umlage ermittelt.

We estimate the willingness-to-pay for conserving crop diversity in the Czech Republic. Discrete choice experiments are used to elicit preferences for the conservation of wine, hop, and fruit tree varieties, while a double-bounded dichotomous choice approach is used to elicit preferences for the conservation of unspecified, "general" crop diversity. The WTP values are derived for both of these contingent products from a sample representative of the general Czech population (n=731) and a sample of respondents living in the South Moravian region that is characterized by agriculture and wine production (n=418). We demonstrate a strong preference for conserving fruit trees over hops and wine varieties, and derive positive mean WTP of the general Czech population (ages 18-69) of 56 Kč ($2.26). Mean WTP for the conservation of general crop diversity is 167 Kč ($6.80). On average, residents of South Moravia have a greater WTP for "general" crop as well as fruit tree conservation. In total, the Czech adult population (ages 18-69) has an aggregate WTP of ~1.25 billion Kč ($50.5 million) for the conservation of general crop diversity, and ~410 million Kč ($16.8 million) for the conservation of fruit trees, revealing the previously unmeasured social welfare benefits of these activities. The estimated benefits...

This thesis deals with the economic and environmental problems of biofuels in the Czech Republic and abroad. The goal is retrieval and analysis of economic studies that address economic and environmental impacts associated with the introduction of biofuels policy. Individual economic studies on the environment that are at work that are evaluated by using biofuels policy of macroeconomic and microeconomic models. Results of studies show that the introduction of biofuels policy creates economic and environmental impacts such as deforestation, environment, prices, employment and competitiveness of farmers.

En France le traitement du cancer est principalement dominé par les plateaux techniques hospitaliers, mais ceux-ci sont saturés et jugés trop coûteux. Pour ces raisons, les décideurs publics souhaitent développer des structures alternatives : l’hospitalisation à domicile ou les structures de proximités (SP) comme les maisons de santé pluridisciplinaires. Objectif :-Etudier l’adéquation entre les politiques publiques de santé et les préférences des patients et de la population générale.-Tester l’acceptabilité et la validité de la méthode de l’évaluation contingente (EV) (enquête de Disposition A Payer : DAP) comme moyen d’obtenir les préférences en population générale afin de guider la décision publique.Méthode : Nous avons développé un outil d’information et d’aide à la décision informatisé qui contenait 1. L’information sur les trois options de prise en charge : hôpital, domicile, SP 2. Une enquête de mesure des préférences 3. Des questionnaires socio-démographiques et de recueil de l’expérience de soins 4. Pour la population générale uniquement : une EV.Résultats :L’enquête auprès des patients a été réalisée dans 3 établissements (n=386), celle en population générale a été conduite sur un échantillon représentatif de la Région Rhône-Alpes (n=1001). L’hôpital était l’option préférée pour les deux populations 71% des patients contre 42,6% pour la population générale, suivi du domicile avec 24% pour les patients et 38,8% pour la population générale. L’acceptabilité et la validité de l’EC en population générale semble être confirmée par le faible nombre de protestataires et d’outliers ainsi que par la corrélation entre les DAP, le revenu et les préférences / In France, cancer treatments are mainly provided in hospitals but they are expensive, crowded and mainly located around big cities. For these reasons, French public health decision makers wish to develop alternative strategies such as home care and proximity structures (typically GPs, nurses and physiotherapists working together in the same medical office). ObjectivesTo study the adequacy between French health policy and patients’ & general population’s preferences. To test the acceptability and validity of the contingent valuation (CV) method as a mean of obtaining values in the general population to guide public decision makers. Methods: We developed a computerized decision aid composed of: 1. Information on the disease management options: hospital, home care and proximity structures; 2. A survey to measure preferences. 3. A socio demographic and an experience of care questionnaire. 4. For the general population only, a CV survey (willingness to pay: WTP) using a payment card was developed Results: The patients survey has been realized in three hospitals(n=386), whereas the general population survey has been conducted in a representative sample of the Rhône-Alps region (n=1001). Both populations preferred hospital, but the proportions are very different. Indeed, hospital is the preferred option for 71% of patients and only for 42,6% of the general population. Moreover, as compared to patients, the general population more often prefer PS, respectively 18,6% and 5 %. The acceptability and validity of the CV method in the general population seemed to be confirmed by the few rates of protesters and outliers, the correlation between preferences, income and WTP

Kravmärkningen existerar för att främja ekologisk framtagning av livsmedel, märkningen har existerat länge och vuxit till att bli ett välkänt varumärke. Hur väl märkningen fungerar för att påverka konsumtionen är något som är värt att studera närmare. Kravmärkta varor är generellt dyrare att producera och får därmed ett dyrare pris på marknaden. Därför krävs det att konsumenter har en vilja att betala för detta. Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka huruvida denna betalningsvilja faktiskt existerar hos studenter. Vi har inkluderat teorier för inkomstelasticitet, priselasticitet, externa effekter och nudging. Tillsammans med tidigare forskning har det diskuterats kring faktorer som påverkar studenters betalningsvilja. En enkätundersökning har även genomförts för att granska studenters kunskaper om Kravmärkningen samt testa deras betalningsvilja för specifikt utvalda konventionella respektive Kravmärkta livsmedel. Utöver enkätundersökningen har information samlats in genom en mailkorrespondens med butikschefen på Maxi ICA Stormarknad Linköping för att få mer kunskap kring eventuella strategier livsmedelsbutiken använder sig av. Studien visar att studenterna generellt är väl informerade om existensen av Krav som miljömärke, dock är kunskaperna låga rörande Krav:s arbete och syfte. Vi har observerat att det generellt är färre individer som väljer Kravmärkt framför konventionellt, resultatet skiljer sig dock för olika livsmedel. Faktorn inkomst har vi observerat flera samband gällande, då de högre inkomstintervallen verkar vara synonymt med den högsta angivna betalningsviljan för Bregott. För äggen däremot syns inget tydligt samband mellan högre inkomstintervall och högre betalningsvilja. Ytterligare en faktor som har stor påverkan på betalningsviljan är pris, då större prisskillnader mellan konventionellt och Kravmärkt resulterat i att fler väljer det konventionella alternativet. Individuella preferenser som visat att konsumenten väljer att prioritera miljömärkningar visar att en viss kännedom existerar, men skillnad mellan kännedom och faktiskt agerande föreligger. Vilket även tidigare forskning styrker. Preferenser styr inte konsumtionen i samtliga fall, utan pris verkar vara största influerade faktorn. Detta kan grunda sig i omständigheterna, som bland annat i denna studie skulle kunna vara att urvalspopulationen består av studenter. / The ecolabel Krav exists to promote organic food production. The label has existed for a long time and has grown to be a well-recognized brand. How well the label works to influence consumption is something worth investigate more closely. Since the ecolabeled food are generally more expensive to produce, and thus get a higher market price, consumers must have a desire to pay the higher price. The purpose of this thesis is to examine whether the willingness to pay actually exists among students. The included theories are income elasticity, price elasticity, external effects and nudging. These together with previous research have discussed the factors concerning consumers behavior. A survey has also been conducted to examine students knowledge concerning the ecolabel Krav, and to test their willingness to pay for selected conventional and Krav labelled groceries. In addition to the survey, information has been collected through an email correspondence with the store manager at Maxi ICA Stormarknad Linköping to get information about possible strategies the grocery store use. The study shows that consumers are well informed about the existence of Krav as an ecolabel, but the knowledge is poor regarding the work Krav is performing and the purpose of it. We have generally observed that there are fewer individuals choosing the ecolabel Krav over conventional, the result differs between groceries. We have observed several connections regarding the factor income, the higher income ranges seem to be a synonym with the highest willingness to pay for Bregott. For the eggs, we cannot see any clear connection between the higher income ranges and the higher willingness to pay. Another factor that has high impact on the willingness to pay is the price, when a bigger price difference between conventional and Krav groceries exist, this results in a connection that more individuals chose the conventional option. Individual preferences of ecolabels show that a certain awareness exist, but that there is a difference in awareness and action. Which previous research strengthens. Preferences does not determine consumption in all cases, instead price seems to be the deciding factor. This can be based on the selected population which are students.

A exigência de consumidores por alimentos originados de sistemas que forneçam boas condições de vida aos animais de produção consiste numa realidade em inevitável crescimento. Legislações internacionais elaboradas por demanda de mercado pressionam os produtores e a indústria brasileira a cumprir normas que estabelecem padrões mínimos de bem-estar animal (BEA). No caso específico da suinocultura, um dos aspectos mais polêmicos é o alojamento das matrizes durante a gestação. As gaiolas individuais, sistema convencional no Brasil, promove limitação física e social, além de predispor a distúrbios locomotores e comportamentais. Por outro lado, o sistema proposto para melhorar o BEA, as baias coletivas, provocam outros problemas, como as brigas por disputa hierárquica e por alimento, e o baixo controle individual, que poderiam prejudicar o desempenho reprodutivo. Dessa forma, um equipamento individual de arraçoamento automatizado (ESF) foi desenvolvido para amenizar essa situação. Para descobrir o efeito do alojamento em grupo com o ESF no desempenho reprodutivo das matrizes, foi realizada uma comparação de dados reprodutivos dos dois sistemas, localizados numa mesma propriedade. Dados mensais de três anos foram coletados dos registros das granjas e analisados por teste T-Student para as variáveis paramétricas e por teste de Mann-Whitney para as não paramétricas. De acordo com os resultados, o desempenho das matrizes alojadas em baias foi superior. Apenas a média do peso do leitão ao nascimento foi significantemente inferior em relação ao sistema individual, sugerindo que a conversão de sistemas é não apenas favorável ao BEA e ao mercado exigente, mas também para a produtividade. Além da questão do produtor, é essencial avaliar a percepção do consumidor brasileiro quanto ao BEA, visto que seu poder de compra é uma forte influência no mercado, e que apenas as exigências internacionais não são suficientes para provocar mudanças em todos os sistemas de produção do país. Por isso, também foi realizado um levantamento com consumidores. Utilizou-se dois métodos de coleta: online e em campo (pontos de comércio), para uma maior abrangência e representatividade. Os dados coletados foram analisados por estatística descritiva, e o teste Qui-quadrado foi aplicado para avaliar se houve associação entre a distribuição das respostas e o perfil dos participantes. Ambas as pesquisas demonstraram que o consumidor reconhece a senciência dos animais de produção, sente que é dada pouca importância ao tema no Brasil, enquanto consideram o governo como principal responsável por promover melhorias. Concordam que consumir produtos com certificação em BEA pode contribuir para melhorar as condições dos animais, apesar de não conseguirem identificar o selo nas embalagens. Além disso, apesar dos participantes alegarem não conhecer os sistemas de produção atuais, demonstraram interesse sobre o assunto e disposição para pagar mais por produtos certificados. No entanto, algumas respostas devem ser indagadas quando pareadas com o real comportamento do consumidor. / Consumer\'s demand for animal-friendly food is an inevitably growing reality. International legislation drawn up by market demand pressure Brazilian farmers and the industry to comply with minimum animal welfare standards. Specifically in pig production, one of the most controversial aspects is the housing of sows during gestation. Individual crates, which is the conventional system in Brazil, promote physical and social restriction, and predispose to lameness and behavioural disorders. On the other hand, group pens were proposed system to improve animal welfare, but bring other problems, such as hierarchical and food competition aggression, and low individual control, which could impair reproductive performance. In this way, electronic sow feeder (ESF) was developed to mitigate this situation. So, to find out the effect of group housing with ESF system on reproductive performance of sows, a comparison of reproductive data of both systems, located in the same farm, was performed. Monthly data of three years were collected from the farm records and analyzed by T-Student Test for parametric variables and Mann-Whitney Test for the non-parametric variables. According to the results, group housing showed better performance. Only piglet weight at birth was significantly higher in individual housing, suggesting that the conversion of housing systems is not only favourable to farm animal welfare (FAW) and to demanding market, but also to productivity. In addition to the farmer issue, it is essential to evaluate Brazilian consumer\'s perception of FAW, since his/her purchasing power causes strong impact on market. Besides, international legislation is not enough to bring about changes in all Brazilian farms and food industries. Therefore, a consumer survey was conducted. Two data collection methods were used: online and in loco (marketplaces). for greater number of answers and representativeness. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and chi-square Test was applied to evaluate if there was association between answers\' distribution and participants\' profile. Both surveys have shown that consumer recognizes farm animals\' sentience, feels that little importance is given to the subject in Brazil, while he/she considers the government as the main responsible for promoting FAW. They agree that consuming animal-friendly products can help improve animals\' conditions, even though they cannot identify certification seal. In addition, while participants claim they are not familiar to farming systems, they have shown interest in the topic and willingness to pay more for certified products. However, some answers should be analyzed when paired with actual consumer behaviour.

Diese Dissertation quantifiziert die Zahlungsbereitschaft (ZB) der Konsumenten für die Verbesserung des Kraftstoffverbrauchs von Personenkraftwagen (PKW) und untersucht die Faktoren, die den unterschiedlichen Verbraucherbewertungen dieser Verbesserungen zugrunde liegen. Die Arbeit besteht aus drei eigenständigen Aufsätze, deren wissenschaftlichen Beiträge sowohl im inhaltlichen als auch im methodischen Bereich liegen. Auf der methodischen Seite nutzt die Arbeit verschiedene Datentypen und statistische Verfahren, um die ZB-Werte zu ermitteln. Inhaltlich werden in der Arbeit die Auswirkungen verschiedener Faktoren untersucht, von denen einige in der Literatur noch nicht oder nur teilweise im Zusammenhang mit der ZB für Kraftstoffeffizienz erforscht wurden. Der erste Aufsatz untersucht die Auswirkungen von Kraftstoffpreisen auf den Marktwert der Kraftstoffeffizienz. Dabei wird zwischen Änderungen im Budget für die Nutzung eines Autos mit niedrigerem Kraftstoffverbrauch und Änderungen im Budget für dessen Kauf unterschieden. Anhand offenbarter Präferenzdaten in Form aggregierter Marktdaten wird analysiert, wie sich die Unterschiede in den Fahrzeugattributen im Preis widerspiegeln und wie Änderungen der Kraftstoffpreise die ZB für den Kraftstoffeffizienz beeinflussen. Die Untersuchung im zweiten Aufsatz basiert ebenfalls auf offenbarten Präferenzdaten, aber auf individueller Ebene. Diese Art von Daten ermöglicht es, die individuelle Bewertung der Kraftstoffeffizienz zu ermitteln und die Heterogenität der Verbraucher bezüglich ihrer Zahlungsbereitschaft mit beobachteten verbraucher- und transaktionsspezifischen Merkmalen in Beziehung zu setzen. Der dritte Aufsatz quantifiziert die Unterschiede in den Präferenzen der Verbraucher für identische Verbesserungen des Kraftstoffverbrauchs sowie der CO2-Emissionen mit Hilfe von wahlbasierten Conjoint-Experimenten. Die Rolle der individuellen Merkmale in der ZB von Verbrauchern wird zusätzlich untersucht. / The present thesis quantifies the consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for improvements in fuel efficiency of passenger cars with gasoline and diesel engines at the German automobile market and explores factors related to consumers' differences in the valuation of these improvements. The thesis consists of three self-contained essays with the contributions in both the conceptual and the methodological domain. Methodologically, the thesis exploits various data types and statistical techniques to elicit the WTP values, whereas conceptually, it considers the effects of various determinants, some of which have not yet or only partially been studied in the literature on the consumer valuation of fuel efficiency. The first essay investigates the effects of fuel prices on the market value of fuel economy while distinguishing between changes in the budget for driving a car with better fuel economy and changes in capital investments in better car quality. Revealed preference data, in the form of aggregate market data on vehicle prices and attributes for diesel and gasoline cars, are used to analyze how the differences in attributes of cars are reflected in their prices and to explore co-movements of the vehicle price sensitivity to fuel economy with changes in fuel prices. The investigation in the second essay is also based on revealed preference data, but from the observed car purchase transactions at the individual level. This type of data allows to recover the individual valuation of fuel efficiency and to relate the recovered heterogeneity in consumers' WTP for a reduction in fuel costs to the observed consumer- and purchase-related characteristics. The third essay quantifies the differences in consumers' preferences for identical improvements in FC and CO2 emissions using stated preference data. The role of individual characteristics in the consumers' WTP for these environmentally important attributes is additionally studied.

La culpabilité en marketing est un concept analysé essentiellement dans des recherches anglo-saxonnes. Les recherches françaises sur ce thème s’avèrent rares. Ce concept a de plus toujours été abordée en tant qu’outil de persuasion publicitaire ou à l’issue du comportement d’achat. La culpabilité qui pourrait expliquer un acte d’achat semble avoir été peu analysée. Cette thèse s’est intéressée au rôle que la culpabilité pourrait jouer dans le comportement du consommateur. Nous nous sommes notamment demandés si une stimulation de la culpabilité pouvait augmenter le consentement à payer. / Guilt in marketing is a concept which is mostly analysed by anglo-saxon researchers. French research on this topic is limited. This concept has always been analysed as a persuasion tool or after a purchase. The guilt that could explain a consumer’s purchase doesn’t seem to have been analysed much. The purpose of this thesis deals with the following topic : the role of guilt in the consumer behaviour. We have particulary wondered whether guilt stimulation could increase the willingness to pay.

Cette recherche a pour objectif d’étudier le consentement à payer (CAP) accordé au label ducommerce équitable. Elle se structure en deux volets : le premier vise à identifier le prix maximum quele consommateur est prêt à consentir pour l'achat de produits labellisés « équitable » et à situerl'importance du label « équitable » par rapport à d'autres attributs tels que la qualité intrinsèque et leprix du produit. Le deuxième volet s'attache à déterminer l'influence de quatre catégories de variables(sociodémographiques, de personnalité, de valeurs personnelles et attitudinales) sur le consentement àpayer les produits équitables.Pour répondre à ces questions, nous avons mené deux enquêtes sur le chocolat dans le cadre de deuxapproches méthodologiques différentes : l’expérimentation économique et l’analyse conjointe. Lesrésultats montrent que le label « équitable » accroît significativement le CAP moyen desconsommateurs. De même, la qualité intrinsèque du chocolat influe sur le CAP équitable.L’importance du label « équitable » dans la préférence du consommateur moyen est comparable àcelle de la qualité intrinsèque du produit et est inférieure à celle du prix. Enfin, les déterminants duCAP équitable diffèrent selon la qualité intrinsèque du produit. Il s’agit, dans le cas d’un chocolat debonne qualité, de variables sociodémographiques (sexe, CSP et niveau d’études), de personnalité(matérialisme, générosité, convictions de contrôle interne, libéralisme et évaluation morale del'argent), de valeurs personnelles (d'ordre individuel et social) et des variables attitudinales(connaissances des produits équitables, attitudes envers les produits labellisés « commerce équitable »,confiance dans la labellisation « équitable » et implication vis-à-vis des produits labellisés« équitable»). / The objective of this research is to examine the willingness-to-pay (WTP) granted to the fair tradelabel. The study consists of the two parts: the focus of the first one is to identify the maximum pricethe consumer is willing to accept to buy products labeled "fair" and to define the importance of thelabel "fair" compared with other attributes such as the intrinsic quality and price. The second part aimsto determine the influence of the four categories of variables (socio -demographic, personality,personal values and attitudinal) on the consumer willingness-to-pay for fair trade products.To answer these questions, we have conducted two surveys on chocolate products using two differentmethodological approaches: economic experimental study and conjoint analysis. The results show thatthe label "fair" significantly increases the average WTP of consumers. Similarly, the intrinsic qualityof the chocolate affects the equitable consent of the WTP. The importance of "fair" label of theaverage consumer' preference is comparable to the intrinsic quality of the product and is lowercompared to the price. Finally, the determinants of the equitable consent of WTP vary depending onthe intrinsic quality of the product. It relates, in the case of a good quality chocolate, to the sociodemographicvariables (gender, educational level and WTP), variables related to personality(materialism, generosity, internal control beliefs, liberalism and moral evaluation of money), personalvalues (individual and social) and attitudinal variables (knowledge of fair trade products, attitudestoward products labeled "fair trade", confidence in the fair labeling and involvement with respect toproducts labeled "fair").