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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2010‒03‒28
eight papers chosen by |
| By: | Gaëlle Ferrant (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - CNRS : UMR8174 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - Paris I) |
| Abstract: | The measurement of gender inequalities has become an important topic in the academic literature. First, appropriate indicators are needed to compare the relative situation of women in developing countries. Second, there is renewed attention given to the relationship between gender inequality and economic growth. Measuring gender inequalities contributes to knowing whether greater inequality promotes or hampers growth. This paper aims to develop a new methodology in order to build an aggregate index of gender inequalities in developing countries : the Gender Inequalities Index (GII). Using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), the GII aggregates different dimensions of gender inequalities in order to determine endogenously the weight of each variable. |
| Keywords: | Composite index, gender inequality, development economics. |
| Date: | 2010–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:cesptp:halshs-00462463_v1&r=hap |
| By: | Viviana Di Giovinazzo |
| Abstract: | This paper explores Scitovsky’s contribution to behavioral economics and examines in particular the changes his theory based on the findings of human brain psychophysiologists has brought to choice theory. The evidence here gathered points out how Scitovsky was making his suggestions for an alternative to the rationalist-based theory of choice model as far back in the early 1970s. The same evidence singles out Scitovsky as one of the most influential forerunners of a successful program of psychologically-based economic research which has only recently been acknowledged as a promising field for further investigation. |
| Keywords: | Scitovsky, behavioral economics, arousal, comfort, pleasure, satisfaction, rational-choice theory |
| JEL: | A12 B59 D11 |
| Date: | 2010–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mib:wpaper:179&r=hap |
| By: | Arnstein Aassve; Maria Sironi; Alice Goisis |
| Abstract: | In this paper we analyse the relationship between happiness and childbearing taking a comparative perspective. We argue that fertility and happiness are somewhat linked and we investigate whether there are important differences across European countries. Using happiness as a welfare measure offers important benefits over income especially when interest lies in understanding how individuals' wellbeing is associated with childbearing outcomes. We use the European Social Survey (ESS) and apply simple regression techniques, controlling for country differences, and find indeed a positive and significant association between happiness and childbearing. However, parents do not appear to be consistently happier in some countries than in others. The final set of analyses reveals a very strong interconnection between, childbearing, partnership and happiness. |
| Keywords: | happiness, childbearing, European social survey, ESS |
| Date: | 2009–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:don:donwpa:010&r=hap |
| By: | Arnstein Aassve; Cristina Ruggeri; Zsolt Spéder |
| Abstract: | Increasing life expectancy coupled with declining birth rates is prompting European countries to revise their current pension schemes. The key elements of pension reforms are 1) introducing funded schemes as a means to supplement the current pay-as-you-go system, and 2) a lengthening of the working careers of European citizens. The policy reforms needed constitutes perhaps the biggest challenge facing European policy makers since the introduction of the welfare state after the Second World War. The urgency of the policy reforms are reflected by the European Council Summits of Stockholm (2001) and Barcelona (2002), where the attending policy makers agreed to both increase the labour force participation among older workers and to delay the retirement period. Notwithstanding the efforts, recent changes in the employment rates and the retirement age indicate that the great majority of countries are way off the targets set for 2010. On the backdrop of the policy challenges lying ahead, we consider in this paper individuals' preferences for work and retirement in 23 European countries. A deeper understanding of these preferences helps policy makers, not only informing them about the potential success of the planned pension reforms, but also to make adjustments to its design that may lead to efficiency gains in welfare provision. We find that on average individuals prefer to retire at a younger age than the current mean retirement age. However, there is huge variation in these preferences both at the individual and country levels. We find rather robust evidence to suggest that individuals are willing to work longer as the average life expectancy is increasing. |
| Keywords: | life expectancy, GDP, retirement preferences, pension reforms, European Social Survey, multilevel models |
| Date: | 2009–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:don:donwpa:022&r=hap |
| By: | Sabatini, Fabio |
| Abstract: | Questo paper presenta un questionario e una guida pratica per la misurazione del capitale sociale. Il lavoro vuole costituire un vero e proprio manuale rivolto a ricercatori, studenti e docenti, consulenti di impresa e operatori del terzo settore che per qualsiasi ragione, dalla redazione della tesi di laurea alla valutazione dell’assetto organizzativo di un’azienda, siano alle prese con la misurazione del capitale sociale e di altri fenomeni poco tangibili ma economicamente rilevanti. In questo contesto, il capitale sociale è trattato nelle sue molteplici sfaccettature. Ciascuna dimensione è fotografata da un gruppo di domande, elaborate a partire dalle considerazioni fornite dalla letteratura teorica oppure dagli spunti provenienti dalla ricerca empirica. This paper presents a guidebook and a questionnaire for the measurement of social capital. Our aim is to provide researchers, teachers, students, and practictioners with a set of practical instructions and tools to carry out empirical research on social capital and other related intangible assets. |
| Keywords: | capitale sociale; imprenditorialità; beni relazionali; fiducia; norme sociali; reti; partecipazione sociale; partecipazione politica; social capital; entrepreneurship; intangible assets; social norms; relational goods; trust; networks; social participation; political participation |
| JEL: | A13 C81 Z13 R23 |
| Date: | 2010–03–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:21355&r=hap |
| By: | Hearn, Jeff (Hanken School of Economics); Tallberg, Teemu (Hanken School of Economics); McKie, Linda (Glasgow Caledonian University); Gripenberg, Pernilla (Hanken School of Economics); Jyrkinen, Marjut (Hanken School of Economics); Niemistö, Charlotta (Hanken School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | This Working Paper reports the background to the first stage of the ongoing research project, The Quest for Well-being in Growth Industries: A Collaborative Study in Finland and Scotland, conducted under the auspices of the Academy of Finland research programme The Future of Work and Well-being (2008-2011). This collaborative project provides national and transnational data, analysis and outputs. The study is being conducted in the Department of Management and Organisation, Hanken School of Economics, Finland, in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University, University of East London, Heriot-Watt University and Reading University, UK. The project examines policies and practices towards the enhancement of work-related well-being in growth industries, and contradictory pressures and tensions posed in this situation. The overall aim is to evaluate the development, implementation and use of work-related well-being policies in four selected growth industries. These sectors – electronics, care, finance and accounting, and tourism – have been selected on the basis of European Union and national forecasts, and demographic and socio-economic trends in employment. In this working paper we outline the background to the research study, the initial research plan, and how the survey of employers has been constructed. The working paper concludes with a brief discussion of general ongoing research issues arising in the project. |
| Keywords: | care; companies; cultures; employing organisations; methodology organisations; organisation carescapes; well-being; work |
| Date: | 2009–12–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhb:hanken:0548&r=hap |
| By: | FLEURBAEY, Marc; SCHOKKAERT, Erik; DECANCQ, Koen |
| Keywords: | happiness, satisfaction, preferences, welfare economics, psychology |
| JEL: | D60 D71 |
| Date: | 2009–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cor:louvco:2009017&r=hap |
| By: | Jones, Carol Adaire; Milkove, Daniel; Paszkiewicz, Laura |
| Abstract: | Household economic well-being can be gauged by the fi nancial resources (income/ wealth) available to the household or by the standard of living enjoyed by household members (consumption). Based on responses to USDAâs annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), a joint effort by the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, ERS has long published estimates of farm household income and wealth. This report presents, for the first time, estimates of consumption-based measures of well-being for farm households based on new questions in ARMS. The consumption measure provides a different perspective from income or wealth on farm householdsâ well-being relative to that of all U.S. households. |
| Keywords: | household consumption, household income, household well-being measures, farm households, self-employed households, permanent income, permanent income hypothesis., Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, |
| Date: | 2010–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:uersrr:58299&r=hap |