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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2011‒08‒09
four papers chosen by |
| By: | Chongvilaivan, Aekapol (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies); Powdthavee, Nattavudh (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) |
| Abstract: | This paper is an empirical study of slope heterogeneity in job satisfaction. It provides evidence from the generalized ordered probit models that different job characteristics tend to have different distributional impacts on the overall job satisfaction. For instance, standard models tend to significantly underestimate the effects of monthly salary and hours worked at generating the "highly" satisfied workers, whilst lowering the incidence of the "very dissatisfied" workers. Although our results should be viewed as illustrative, we provide discussions of their potential implications for employers and they could help with the design of employment contracts. |
| Keywords: | generalized ordered probit, employment contract, heterogeneity, job satisfaction, salary, work-life balance |
| JEL: | J53 D61 |
| Date: | 2011–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5868&r=hap |
| By: | Powdthavee, Nattavudh (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) |
| Abstract: | This paper tests whether there is a potential payoff to grandparenthood in terms of life satisfaction. Using the new nationwide survey for the UK, which consists of over 5,000 grandparents and 6,000 non-grandparents aged 40 and above, and a flexible multiple-index ordered probit model with varying thresholds, we find that being a grandparent to at least one grandchild is associated positively and statistically significantly with individuals reporting to be very satisfied with life overall. Parents with no grandchildren are no more satisfied with life compared to non-parents of the same age. The findings suggest that even though children may not contribute significantly to parents' satisfaction with life overall, there may well be long-term benefits to having children, provided that our children go on and have children of their own. |
| Keywords: | life satisfaction, grandparenthood, grandchildren, generalized ordered probit, understanding society, happiness |
| JEL: | J13 |
| Date: | 2011–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5869&r=hap |
| By: | Duha T. Altindag; Junyue Xu |
| Abstract: | This paper demonstrates that institutional factors influence the subjective well-being of individuals differently in rich versus poor countries. A lower level of corruption, a more democratic government and better civil rights increase the well-being of individuals in rich countries, whereas an increase in per capita income has no impact. On the contrary, in poor countries the extent of corruption, democracy and civil rights has no influence on happiness, but an increase in per capita income impacts happiness positively. This stark contrast may be due to the difference of preferences over income and institutional factors. |
| Keywords: | Economic Development; Happiness; Subjective Well-Being; Institutions |
| JEL: | I31 D60 D73 |
| Date: | 2011–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:abn:wpaper:auwp2011-08&r=hap |
| By: | Antoinette Baujard - Université of Caen Basse-Normandie - CREM-CNRS |
| Abstract: | L'économie du bien-être a beaucoup évolué au cours du XXième siècle, jusqu'à entrer, disent certains, dans une impasse qui lui est fatale. Les controverses sur la possibilité et la pertinence des comparaisons interpersonnelles de bien-être sont réputées permettre d'expliquer cette évolution. Nous opposons à cette lecture standard une autre explication, essentiellement épistémologique et liée aux interprétations plus ou moins opérationnalles de l'utilité. Des conséquences importantes découlent de cette option, notamment quant au rôle de l'économie du bien-être dans l'action publique. |
| Keywords: | Economie du bien-être ; Comparaisons interpersonnelles d'utilité ; histoire de l'économie normative / Welfare economics ; Interpersonal comparisons of utilities ; History of normative economics |
| JEL: | A13 B2 D6 |
| Date: | 2011–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tut:cremwp:201102&r=hap |