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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Thomas Cadet (University of Rennes1 - CREM UMR CNRS 6211, France); Sophie Larribeau (University of Rennes1 - CREM UMR CNRS 6211, France Keywords: network effect, mobile operator, satisfaction, recommendation); Thierry Pénard (University of Rennes1 - CREM UMR CNRS 6211, France) |
| Abstract: | On mobile phone markets that have reached the maturity stage, customer recommendation becomes a critical focus for operators to attract subscribers from rival operators. Referral propensity is also an indicator of subscriber satisfaction and loyalty. The aim of this paper is to examine the factors that influence customer recommendation. Precisely, we want to know whether referral propensity is more driven by supply-side effects (i.e. characteristics of mobile services) or demand-side effects (i.e. network effects). We use data from French subscriber surveys. The main findings are that referrals depend primarily on supply-side effects: operators’ brand image, the price and quality of services, and customer relations. Price, however, is considered to be a less significant factor than the quality of service when it comes to recommending an operator. Also, information on services and the variety of offerings available, as well as network effects, do not seem to influence referral propensity. |
| Keywords: | network effect, mobile operator, satisfaction, recommendation, customer referral |
| JEL: | D12 L96 |
| Date: | 2012–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tut:cremwp:201242&r=ict |
| By: | Temel, Tugrul; Kinlay, Dorjee |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a method for assessing food security information system with respect to its structure, connectedness and performance. The paper illustrates how to set up an operational food security information system, identify its leverage components and pathways of information flow, and qualitatively measure its performance in terms of utility obtained from the information. Both a workshop and a questionnaire are designed as means of gathering the data required for the measurement of the performance. The workshop identifies priority information flow patterns and the associated utilities, while the questionnaire gathers the data for the estimation of the organizational learning and information dissemination capacities. Finally, the evaluation of the system is put in perspective by integrating the traditional structure-conduct-performance approach into the method developed. |
| Keywords: | food security information system; system performance; learning and dissemination capacities; informed policy making |
| JEL: | D23 D83 D85 Q18 |
| Date: | 2012–12–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:43177&r=ict |
| By: | Ana Rincon; Michela VECCHI; Francesco VENTURINI |
| Abstract: | We analyse the impact of ICT spillovers on productivity in the uptake of the new technology using company data for the U.S. We account for inter- and intra-industry spillovers and assess the role played by firm’s absorptive capacity. Our results show that intra-industry ICT spillovers have a contemporaneous negative effect that turns positive 5 years after the initial investment. By contrast, inter-industry spillovers are important both in the short and in the long run. In the short run, companies’ innovative effort is complementary to ICT spillovers, but such complementarity disappears with the more pervasive adoption and diffusion of the technology. |
| JEL: | D22 D24 D62 O33 |
| Date: | 2012–08–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pia:wpaper:103/2012&r=ict |
| By: | Dan Farhat (Department of Economics, University of Otago, New Zealand) |
| Abstract: | This study uses artificial neural networks (ANNs) to reproduce aggregate per-capita consumption patterns for the New Zealand economy. Results suggest that non-linear ANNs can outperform a linear econometric model at out-of-sample forecasting. The best ANN at matching in-sample data, however, is rarely the best predictor. To improve the accuracy of ANNs using only in-sample information, methods for combining heterogeneous ANN forecasts are explored. The frequency that an individual ANN is a top performer during in-sample training plays a beneficial role in consistently producing accurate out-of-sample patterns. Possible avenues for incorporating ANN structures into social simulation models of consumption are discussed. |
| Keywords: | International Migration; International Agreements; Regional Labour Markets |
| JEL: | F22 F55 R23 |
| Date: | 2012–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:otg:wpaper:1205&r=ict |