| Abstract: |
Purpose This paper analyzes individual subjective well-being using a survey
database from the Strasbourg metropolitan development council (France). The
authors focus on the effects of externalities generated by public services
(transport, culture and sport), environmental quality and feeling of security
in the Strasbourg metropolitan area (Eurométropole de Strasbourg, EMS).
Results show that EMS specificities (public facilities, environmental quality,
safety and security) and individual features like opportunities to laugh or
live with children significantly influence individual well-being. These
findings are robust when using three subjective measures: feeling of
well-being, environmental satisfaction and social life satisfaction. The
authors also show that income may affect the perceived well-being of
individuals belonging to a low-income group, while individuals belonging to a
high-income group tend to be unsatisfied with environmental quality but
satisfied with their social life. Besides, social comparison in terms of
income does not matter for individual well-being in the Strasbourg
metropolitan area. Design/methodology/approach Theoretical and empirical paper
—Utility theory in economics—Econometric modeling using an ordered probit
model. Findings Specificities of the Strasbourg metropolitan area-France
(public services related to transport, culture and sport, environmental
quality perceived as convenient for individual health, sense of security)
significantly impact individual subjective well-being. Income does not
substantially impact the individual subjective perception of happiness: income
may matter for the feeling of well-being only for individuals belonging to a
low-income group. Wealthy individuals tend to be unsatisfied with
environmental quality but satisfied with their social life. Social comparison
in terms of income does not matter for individual well-being in the Strasbourg
metropolitan area. Research limitations/implications Cross-sectional data, but
it is the only available database from a survey conducted by EMS in 2017 to
collect information on potential elements relative to individual well-being in
the Strasbourg metropolitan area. Practical implications Results shed light on
the role of territorial policies in improving individual well-being and might
provide some guidelines for policy-makers concerned about the population's
welfare. Policy-makers should give strong attention to public facilities (an
essential element of local public action) and improve environmental quality.
If they care about the population's happiness, they have to reorient current
policies in this direction. Of course, through the inquiry in 2017 giving this
database, the Strasbourg agglomeration development council aimed to provide
such evidence to the local administration. Nevertheless, the results were a
bit upsetting for many people in the administrative and political circles, who
generally prioritize economic and demographic development, while the citizens'
responses to the inquiry have revealed a strong focus on the quality of
everyday life in their neighborhood. Originality/value The present study
contributes to the literature on subjective well-being, with a focus on the
role of local characteristics and living environment. The authors' starting
point is related to the standard utility theory, indicating that environmental
quality and public services are positive externalities. The authors
investigate whether the local living environment and public facilities are
crucial elements explaining individual well-being. To do this, we consider
three subjective measures: feeling of well-being, environmental satisfaction
and social life satisfaction, which are used as proxies of individual utility.
The authors consider different explicative variables representing
specificities of EMS in terms of public services (transport, culture and
sport), environmental quality perceived as convenient for individual health,
safety and security, etc. The authors also provide a test for relative
standing by including the median monthly household income at the municipality
level. |