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on Cultural Economics |
| By: | Antonello E. Scorcu (Department of Economics, University of Bologna, Italy); Laura Vici (Department of Economics, University of Bologna, Italy)) |
| Abstract: | The role of economic factors, such as family income, the price of illegal reproductions of books, the enforcement rules and the expected penalties are considered the main determinants of the possible infringements of the copyright law. However, the comparison between individual economic gains and losses offers only a partial explanation, as also cultural individual habits and peer effects exert important influences. Using a unique dataset based on a survey conducted at the University of Bologna, Italy, this paper analyses empirically the relevance of socio-economic as well as cultural determinants in the decision process of using illegal copies of university textbooks. From a policy perspective, the analysis suggests that an effective enforcement of the copyright rules should take into account the cultural behavior and students’ learning practices. |
| Keywords: | Copyright, textbooks, illegal copying |
| JEL: | Z11 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cue:wpaper:awp-01-2013&r=cul |
| By: | Yun Jeong Choi (School of Economics Yonsei University); Hyungha Oh (Korea Development Institute); |
| Abstract: | There is ample evidence that celebrity suicides may induce copycat suicides, with media coverage playing a critical role in mediating this relationship. This paper builds an economic model to explain this putative link based on the identity theory of Akerlof and Kranton (2000). The empirical analysis, using a Poisson regression model, demonstrates that Korean celebrity suicides, as well as media exposure to suicide stories, significantly increase suicide rates, especially for females and younger age groups. These findings provide some policy implications for media guidelines and their implementation in preventing suicides. |
| JEL: | D03 Z13 |
| Date: | 2013–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:yon:wpaper:2013rwp-56&r=cul |
| By: | Migheli Matteo; Ramello, Giovanni B. |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to shed light on scholarly communication and its current trajectories by examining academics’ perception of Open Access, while also providing a reference case for studying social norm change. In this respect, the issue of publication choice and the role of Open Access journals casts light on the changes affecting the scientific community and its institutional arrangements for validating and circulating new research. The empirical investigation conducted also offers a useful vantage point for gauging the importance of localised social norms in guiding and constraining behaviour. |
| Keywords: | Open Access, Scholarly Publication, Social Norms, Academics' Behavior, Economics of Science |
| JEL: | K19 Z13 O33 L17 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uca:ucaiel:13&r=cul |