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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2024–12–16
three papers chosen by Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| By: | Azizbek Tokhirov (CERGE-EI, a joint workplace of Charles University and the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic; GEOMIGRACE, Geographic Migration Centre, Department of Social Geography and Regional Development, Faculty of Science, Charles University) |
| Abstract: | I investigate the consequences of income fluctuations caused by commodity price changes on happiness levels in regions specialising in export agriculture. Using a difference-in- differences framework, I compare subjective well-being patterns of households living in cotton and non-cotton geographical areas of Tajikistan before and after the 2010/11 cotton price increase. The results indicate that exposure to income fluctuations, even to a positive one, is associated with a notable decrease in the reported levels of financial and overall life satisfaction. The well-being changes are mainly observed between households engaged in agricultural employment, the number of which became larger only in cotton regions in response to the shock. The results of triple difference-in-differences estimations reveal that remittances mediate the negative effects of export price fluctuations but only on financial satisfaction, suggesting that a mere compensation of income losses does not fully restore subjective well-being. |
| Keywords: | subjective well-being, export prices, household income, remittances |
| JEL: | I31 Q02 |
| Date: | 2023–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ost:wpaper:400 |
| By: | Hambur Wang |
| Abstract: | Air pollution has emerged as a serious challenge for China, posing a threat to public health and hindering the progress of sustainable economic development. In response to air pollution and other environmental issues, the Chinese government introduced a new Environmental Protection Law in 2015. This paper investigates the impact of the new Environmental Protection Law's implementation and corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments on air pollution and public subjective well-being. Using panel data at the macro level, we employ a difference-in-differences (DID) model, with Chinese provinces and municipalities as units of analysis, to examine the combined effects of the new Environmental Protection Law and changes in corporate ESG investment intensity. The study evaluates their impacts on air quality and public subjective well-being. Findings indicate that these policies and investment behaviors significantly improve public subjective well-being by reducing air pollution. Notably, an increase in ESG investment significantly reduces air pollution levels and is positively associated with enhanced well-being. These results underscore the critical role of environmental legislation and corporate social responsibility in improving public quality of life and provide empirical support for promoting sustainable development in China and beyond. |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2411.06110 |
| By: | Tong Su (College of Economics and Management, Baoding University, China // Azman Hashim International Business School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia); Liping Zhang (Azman Hashim International Business School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia // College of Economics and Management, Baoding University); Liping Zhang (College of Antiquities and Museums, Baoding University) |
| Abstract: | As the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices continues to rise in the modern business landscape, understanding their impact on consumer behavior has become a key focus of marketing research. This conceptual paper proposes a framework that examines the determinants of brand happiness within the context of ESG initiatives, with a specific emphasis on Self-Green Brand Congruity (SGBC) as a moderating factor. Building on the foundations of Self-Congruity Theory and the emerging relevance of ESG, this study predicts that brands that align their sustainability efforts with consumer values are more likely to foster positive emotional responses, such as brand happiness. Furthermore, it is proposed that SGBC enhances the strength of the relationship between ESG practices and brand happiness, particularly among consumers with a strong ESG identity. Based on this conceptual framework, research propositions are developed to guide future empirical investigations. |
| Keywords: | Brand Happiness, Self-Green Brand Congruity (SGBC), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Conceptual paper |
| JEL: | M31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iefpro:14716496 |