Projekty badawcze
Economic effects of Brexit-induced changes in international trade
UMO-2018/31/B/HS4/01855 - OPUS
Economic effects of Brexit-induced changes in international trade
UMO-2018/31/B/HS4/01855 - OPUS
Reasons and effects of educational and qualification mismatches of graduates in the labor market in Poland
UMO-2018/31/B/HS4/02409 - OPUS
Reasons and effects of educational and qualification mismatches of graduates in the labor market in Poland
UMO-2018/31/B/HS4/02409 - OPUS
Characteristics of new business models and their impact on traditional markets: the case of Airbnb
UMO-2017/27/N/HS4/00951 - PRELUDIUM
Characteristics of new business models and their impact on traditional markets: the case of Airbnb
UMO-2017/27/N/HS4/00951 - PRELUDIUM
The aim of the research project is to identify and analyse local differences in the development and functioning of Airbnb networks in comparison to the traditional hotel industry. The analysis focuses on the characteristics of Airbnb networks and traditional hotels in selected capital cities of the European Union with intensive tourism. The research proposal is motivated by the assumption that the increasing importance of Airbnb in tourism services has a significant impact on the sustainable development of cities and on the usage of housing assets. Consumption habits and the provision of services are undergoing significant changes in the recent years. The development of information and communication technology (ICT) enabled the emergence of online platforms. Due to the wide adoption of smart devices and the expansion of 4G networks, the usage ofplatforms in services provision strongly increased. As transaction costs are significantly reduced by online platforms, almost anyone can provide services outside the formal services sector. Peer-to-peer services (consumer-to-consumer services) provided via platforms gained significant market shares and seem to be substitutes for services provided by traditional firms. As a result, online platforms changed the functioning of markets both at the local and global level. The research proposal is examining the changes in the hotel services.
The empirical analysis will be based on advanced data-science tools, implemented for the construction of the data base, data visualisation and statistical analysis. The project is based on the analysis of big data, obtained from websites with the usage of web-scraping techniques. Web-scraping is an innovative method of collecting unstructured data from websites with the usage of a web-crawler. Various sources of data will be used for the analysis: Airbnb.com, Booking.com (popular platform for traditional accommodation providers) and Tripadvisor.com (platform collecting tourist attractions). The analysed platforms are leading in their services and they are recognisable across Europe. To verify the research hypotheses, the author will employ various statistical methods, including Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) and hedonic regression. For data visualisation, among other techniques Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) will be used. The analysis will include EU capital cities with intensive tourism. In order to involve all major geographical areas of the EU (touristic Iberian Peninsula, Central-Europe, Visegrad countries, Scandinavia, Balkans etc), the analysed cities will be selected from every region. The minimum number of analysed cities will be 10.
Discipline-ContributionThe proposed research project aims to contribute to the literature with the following: 1. Compare the spatial distribution of Airbnb and traditional accommodation providers; 2. Determine whether the services provided via Airbnb are complementary for the traditional hotel industry, and reveal the differences between them; 3. Analyse the impact of Airbnb on the sustainable development of cities and tourism; 4. Present the sharing economy’s level of development across the European Union.
Regionalization of national input-output tables based on non-survey methods
UMO-2017/26/M/HS4/00732 - HARMONIA
Regionalization of national input-output tables based on non-survey methods
UMO-2017/26/M/HS4/00732 - HARMONIA
The main goal of the project is to apply for the first time entropy econometrics into regionalization of national IO tables. Also, we want to compare the outcome of three different non-survey regionalization methods: location quotient based, RAS and entropy econometrics. Finally, we want to compute regional IO tables for Poland based on the regionalization methodology that proves to be the most accurate one. Proposed project should significantly improve the knowledge concerning the application of different regionalization methods. In this sense we will take a part in the methodological discussion in the field of the regional (sub-national/interregional) input-output analyses that has been observed in recent years (in particular in Regional Studies and Economic Systems Research journals). From the point of view of Polish researchers and policy makers much more important will be computation of regional input-output tables for Poland. There could be used to verify the accuracy of the tables compiled recently by Zawalińska (project DEC2012/07/B/HS4/03251) and applied in many future studies. The main reason behind the choice of the research topic is the lack of the studies that apply entropy econometrics in regionalization of national input-output tables. Also, there hardly exist studies comparing the outcomes of different non-survey methods. As a result there exists a gap in the literature that can be, for the first time, at least partially filled due to the completion of proposed project.
Development of hybrid models in context of valuation of non-market goods
UMO-2016/21/N/HS4/02094 - PRELUDIUM
Development of hybrid models in context of valuation of non-market goods
UMO-2016/21/N/HS4/02094 - PRELUDIUM
Non-market goods valuation is a topic of major interest in many branches of economics such as environmental, cultural or transportation. It provides necessary information about distribution of benefits from given public good, which allows for its more efficient allocation. In order to value some non-market good researcher must choose one of the preference elicitation method and apply proper econometric models to data. One of the main objectives of such process is finding factors, which influence individual preferences. Nowadays, there is a growing realization in relevant literature that “soft information” variables such as perceived attributes of a public good (e.g. perceived cleanness of the lake), attitudes, knowledge, experience or some psychological factors are of major importance. As suggested by behavioral sciences these factors may have a significant impact on preference formation, which seems to be acknowledged by many empirical studies. Main problem with such variables is that they are not straightforward to measure and therefore not easy to include in the statistical model. In his Noble lecture, Daniel Kahnemann highlighted that there is still the gap between cognitive and decision-making models with an in-depth understanding agent behavior. Hybrid choice models have a prospect to fill this gap. It is a very flexible class of models allowing for incorporation of “soft information” variables directly into choice model by applying so called latent variables framework. There are also other extensions in these models such as e.g. preference heterogeneity. Growing number of their application in empirical research suggest that there is a belief among researchers that they can provide more valuable insight into individuals preferences by allowing for more behavioral approach.
The main objective of this research project is a further development of hybrid models. It is motivated by growing need of usage of more behaviorally adequate models in public goods valuation to provide high quality of estimated welfare measures. Basic research conducted in this project will consist of two parts. First of them will be more theoretical and focused on betted understanding of hybrid models. Although their growing popularity they are frequently treated as a “black box” and relatively little attention is devoted to understanding their results and inference based on them. Due to their complicated structure different effects can be easily confounded if the model is not specified properly. Using Monte Carlo simulation we want to address this issue by investigating how the choice of model specification can influence the obtained results and inference. The second problem, which we will also address by simulation, is the prospect of hybrid models to deal with bias caused by endogeneity of so called indicator variables. Answers to these research questions will provide us with better understanding of hybrid models, especially on correct interpretation of results and influence of “soft information” variables on individuals decisions.
Second part of basic research aims to expand hybrid models to other valuation method such as travel cost method. It is a non-market good valuation method which can be used to estimate benefits from goods usually used for recreational purposes such as forests, seas or lakes. In this method econometric models are used to investigateinfluence of various factors on recreation demand (defined asnumber of visits to given site during given period of time). Hybrid count data models, proposed by us, will allow for analysis of influence of “soft information” variables as well. To date these factors are omitted or included incorrectly. Benefits of ournew approach will be presented by conducting valuation of public good with travel cost method. Obtained results will be compared with traditional, simpler approach in which behavioral factors are omitted.
Macro-behavioral assessment of climate policies
UMO-2016/21/B/HS4/00647 - OPUS
Macro-behavioral assessment of climate policies
UMO-2016/21/B/HS4/00647 - OPUS
The project will provide climate assessment models with realistic behavioral foundations, by incorporating into existing models a variety of behavioral tendencies and biases. New models will be developed, which account for heterogeneity and bounded rationality of agents. So far, the analysis of climate policies relies on the model, which assumes that people act as perfect utility maximizers. Empiricalevidence shows that the model is an invalid description of how people actually behave. Many behavioral models have been proposed so far, which incorporate into economic theory a variety of realistic behaviors. Recently, such models have been increasingly used in macroeconomics. It has been shown that they can explain empirical macro phenomena beyond a rational-agent model. However, so far, behavioral-macro models have not been used for the assessment of climate policies. In this project, we will study how the estimates of the social cost of carbon (SCC) differ under a variety of behavioral assumptions, as well how behavioral tendencies may undermine the effectiveness of climate policies. For instance, the SCC is an estimate of the economic damages associated with a small increase in carbondioxide (CO2) emissions or it represents the value of damages avoided for a small emission reduction.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the EU Commission rely on the social cost of carbon (SCC) to estimate the benefits and costs of environmental policies. We will compare our findings to existingestimates, and evaluate when behavioral failures may undermine the effectiveness of climate policies.
Lottery play through the lens of behavioural economics
UMO-2016/21/B/HS4/00688 - OPUS
Lottery play through the lens of behavioural economics
UMO-2016/21/B/HS4/00688 - OPUS
Why do people play lotteries? Given current pay-out rates, about half the money spent on coupons will on average be lost; only a handful of lucky ones out of millions of players will actually win the jackpot (and, as studies show, will probably not spend it wisely and within a few years will not be much happier than they were before winning anyway). Several potentially appealing explanations of lotteries’ surprising popularity have been put forward, but it is often difficult to put them to a proper test.
In this project we will try to conduct several experiments in the field, trying to verify various reasons for which people could perceive lotteries as more attractive than they really are. For example, we will let customers choose between coupons with randomly selected numbers and coupons with numbers could choose themselves. Observing the fraction that strictly prefer the latter, we will have a better understanding of how many customers (erroneously) believe that they are able to hand pick the numbers that will give them a better chance.
Another group of studies in this project will look at the advertisements. It is often claimed that marketing of lotteries is responsible for pushing people towards excessive play. We will conduct content analysis of the ads, aimed at identifying motives for and beliefs about playing that they try to capitalize upon. We will then link this classification with perceived persuasive potential of each clip or slogan. This will provide us with some ideas of which (mis)conceptions about lotteries may most effectively be utilized by marketers. We shall also investigate the manipulative techniques used by firms and individuals offering “systems” or “guides” to lottery play, allegedly helping become a millionaire.
Finally, we will look at actual sales data and conduct novel econometric analyses. For example, we will look at the games in which customers have a choice between a greater chance for a smaller amount and a smaller chance for a greater amount of money. Popularity of each of the options will provide us with evidence on the distribution of types of distortions in perception of low probabilities. The project will thus result in the progress of scientific inquiry in the gambling industry and decision making in risky situations in general. It will also result in development of a website aimed at the general public, with education materials debunking popular myths associated with lottery play, especially those often cleverly used by marketers and fraudsters.
Household economics in three-generation families. The role of intra-houshold altruism in the distribution of common resources for health care
UMO-2016/21/B/HS4/01992 - OPUS
Household economics in three-generation families. The role of intra-houshold altruism in the distribution of common resources for health care
UMO-2016/21/B/HS4/01992 - OPUS
Understanding intergenerational transfers within the family is a key factor for designing of effective policies on health and social care or education policy.While, the topic of resource allocation in a twogeneration household, i.e. consisting of parents and children, has been well established, surprisingly, the analysis of economic behavior in relation to the oldest generation (grandparents) has attracted limited attention so far.
Assuming the increasing life expectancy among European citizens the issue of transfers in three-generation households will gain in importance. An important class of empirical and theoretical studies shows that resource allocation between parents and children can be explained by altruistic behavior towards children in a two-generation framework. In this project, we are going to examine how the distribution of resources is affected by the inclusion of the thirdgeneration (the generation of grandparents) in households, where resources are mainly provided by middleaged working generation (parents). In particular, we will investigate if altruism, e.g. direct and indirect reciprocity, can explain the distribution of resources in the three generation framework.
Additionally, we are going to explore whether decisions regarding the distribution of resources in the three-generation households are less effective than those in the twogeneration households and under which conditions the needs of grandparents are being sacrificed to needs of the children.
The context of our study will be health care. In this project we are going to apply both: an experimental method, and a Choice Experiments (CE) non-market valuation method based on stated preferences. We plan to conduct two major surveys: an experimental survey in the Laboratory of Experimental Economics at the Faculty of Economic Sciences in the University of Warsaw and the CE on the nationwide sample carried out by the professional polling agency. In the experimental study, we would like to mimic the financial relationships between family members in three- and two-generation households and then to manipulate potentially relevant factors (such as e.g. income, individual or common decision taking) to see how this influence willingness to pay (WTP) for particular family members. The sample composition will allow us to analysis the differences in valuation between the three- and twogeneration households. The advantage of experimental study is that the choices made by individuals are not hypothetical. Subjects decisions have real financial consequences (the payment from the lab experiment). The advantage of the second study – the CE valuation study is possibility to estimate WTP for improving the health of individual household members, and estimate the marginal rate of substitution between the valuation of the health of the middle generation of the valuation of the health of their children and parents (the oldest generation). The Choice Experiment method is based on stated preferences.
The theoretical basis of this method is the characteristic demand theory by Lancaster, the random utility theory and the experimental design theory. In the project we will attempt to design a theoretical model on the resources allocation including intra-household altruism in the three-generation families.
How does multisensory virtual experience impact environmental behaviour?
UMO-2019/35/J/HS6/03166 - IDEALAB
How does multisensory virtual experience impact environmental behaviour?
UMO-2019/35/J/HS6/03166 - IDEALAB
Air pollution is a serious threat to public health. The main source of the problem are cars and heating habits. Using coal and trash for heating, as well as wood in a fireplace for pleasure, leads to exceeding quickly the daily norms of air pollution. Even though the harmfulness of air pollution and its relationships with our daily behaviour is commonly known, the problem persists. But what if we
could see, touch, and hear pollution? Would that encourage us to change our behaviour and improve our health? Our team, using virtual reality and cooperating with local communities, will
investigate how multisensory experience of air pollution influences the air quality in Poland and Norway.
The project aims to understand how multisensory virtual experience impacts real environmental behaviours. Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can reflect the real world but it can also
enrich it with elements exceeding reality. We can experience VR through both head mounted displays and ordinary smartphones. The latter also allow to experience virtual environments in the form of
augmented reality, where virtual elements are overlaid on the real world. For now, virtual environments provide mainly visual and auditory experience. Nevertheless, new multisensory
solutions and products are being developed and implemented. Air pollution can be detected by our bodies only when it reached dangerously high level. But polluted air is dangerous for us much before
we can smell and see it. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of multisensory air pollution experience on actual human behaviour. In our analyses, we will take into consideration also
economic and socio-cultural factors to understand better what influences the air quality in small Polish and Norwegian towns.
VAPE is a transdisciplinary project in which we link a multisensory experience in VR, real-time air pollution measurement, economic and psychological analysis, and civil engagement. We plant to build
a network of low-cost air quality sensors in selected cities in Poland and Norway. We will use the data recorded by us to build a multi-sensory virtual experience. We will observe how this VR experience will affect attitudes and readiness for pro-ecological behaviour among the residents of selected towns.
Moreover, we will involve local community and artists in creating these experiences. In laboratory experiments, we will test how multisensory virtual experience of air pollution affects us on a neuronal,
physiological, and behavioural level to further increase the effectiveness of our field operations.
Finally, we will use the economic theory of decision making and experimental economics to see how we can scale up the solution.
Determinants of taxation of inheritance and donations in the model approach
UMO-2018/29/B/HS4/01021 - OPUS
Determinants of taxation of inheritance and donations in the model approach
UMO-2018/29/B/HS4/01021 - OPUS