nep-dcm New Economics Papers
on Discrete Choice Models
Issue of 2010‒05‒15
two papers chosen by
Philip Yu
Hong Kong University

  1. When Judgments and Preferences Fail to Conform: Research on Preference Reversals for Product Purchases By Holger Müller; Eike Benjamin Kroll; Bodo Vogt
  2. Testing Kahneman's Attitudinal WTP Hypothesis By Ryan, Anthony M.; Spash, Clive L.

  1. By: Holger Müller (Faculty of Economics and Management, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg); Eike Benjamin Kroll (Faculty of Economics and Management, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg); Bodo Vogt (Faculty of Economics and Management, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg)
    Abstract: In this paper, the preference reversal phenomenon known from risk research is investigated according to which subjects prefer gamble A over B in competitive decisions although they reveal higher valuations in terms of a cash equivalent (CE) or a willingness to pay (WTP) for the latter when gambles are assessed separately in monadic judgments. In contrast to the experimental settings of research on risky choices, our studies observed unforced and binding purchase decisions of experienced consumers between real products in natural shopping environments. Results confirm robustness of preference reversals in risk-free purchase decisions indicating that orderings of product preferences reverse significantly between evaluations in monadic and competitive designs. While recent pricing research has been largely focused on monadic designs and suggested BDM mechanisms or second-price auctions for elicitations of consumers’ true willingness to pay, results of our studies indicate a substantial discrepancy between preference orders based on monadic judgments and preferences that consumers reveal in competitive purchase decisions.
    Keywords: Preference Reversals, Willingness to Pay, Monadic Designs, Competitive Designs, Pricing Research, Procedure Invariance
    Date: 2010–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mag:wpaper:100003&r=dcm
  2. By: Ryan, Anthony M.; Spash, Clive L.
    Abstract: A psychological interpretation of willingness to pay (WTP) bids arising from the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) claims they represent a general contribution towards environmental causes rather than a personal economic valuation. Yet the evidence supporting this contribution model has been criticised for using group mean correlations to draw conclusions about individual motives. This paper avoids this problem by examining motives at an individual level. Evidence reported shows the need to qualify the role of the attitudinal explanation. Some, but not all, positive WTP bids are found to be based on contributory rather than economic motives, while the decision to bid zero or positive appears to represent a general psychological appraisal rather than being purely related to attitudes.
    Keywords: Contingent Valuation Method; Social Psychology; Environmental Valuation
    JEL: A13 H41 Q51
    Date: 2010–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:22468&r=dcm

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