How did the price and income elasticities of natural gas demand in China evolve from 1999 to 2015? The role of natural gas price reform

As a cleaner,high-efficiency,and low-carbon fuel,natural gas has been an important fuel resource for China.To achieve a substantial increase in natural gas demand,China has sought to reform its natural gas pricing mechanism.Employing a set of unbalanced panel data for China’s 30 provinces covering 1999-2015,this study aims to estimate the evolving price and income elasticities of natural gas demand and explore the effect of natural gas price reform in China.For this purpose,a series of econometric techniques allowing for cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity is utilized.The results suggest that although natural gas demand in China still lacks negative price elasticity,the phenomenon is improving.Moreover,the estimates suggest that natural gas demand in China is indeed becoming increasingly sensitive to income changes.Our estimates also provide strong evidence in favor of the effect of natural gas price reform on the change in price elasticity as the price elasticity decreases in five of the seven regions.In addition,the results indicate large variations in the change in price and income elasticities of natural gas demand across China’s regions.Natural gas demand is becoming more price inelastic in Southwest China and Northwest China,while such demand in North China and East China responds less sensitively to income changes.These findings offer several policy suggestions for the reform of China’s natural gas market at the national and regional levels.

Analysis of Influence of Price to Customer Satisfaction Based on the Prediction Models

For the purpose of improvement of the sales, confirming the influence of price to the sales and customer satisfaction of the product is important. The most suitable price should be determined from the view point of customers, and it is extremely important to implement a high quality product corresponding to the real need of customers. It may have close relationship between cost and an expense to implement the individual inherent attribute of system product. Also, it may have close relationship between production cost and price of product. For the purpose of improvement of the customer satisfaction for quality of system product, the method of quantitative quality requirement and evaluation based on the ISO/IEC9126 quality model that includes six quality characteristics is widely recognized. In the precedent study, I have introduced the requirements definition method for the quality of system product based on the system quality model defined in ISO/IEC9126 and proposed the effectiveness of it statistically. In the previous study, I have also confirmed the relationship between inherent attributes of the product and quantitative result of the measured value of total customer satisfaction from the view point of six quality characteristics statistically. I performed the development of the prediction model to estimate the total customer satisfaction for the system product from the view point of inherent attribute of the product. And, I have proposed the effectiveness of application of the estimated prediction model and possibility of improvement of the total customer satisfaction of a system product. Based on the result of previous study, in this paper, I propose the result of investigation of influence of price to customer satisfaction, and the possibility of application of estimated prediction model for improvement of the total customer satisfaction of system product based on the price of product. Also, based on the result of investigation of relationship among price and inherent attributes of product, I propose the possibility of application of estimated prediction model and improvement of the price of system product from the view point of inherent attributes of product.

The Impact of Price on Chemical Fertilizer Demand in China

Since 1998,the national policies on chemical fertilizer in China have been concentrated in limiting price plus subsidizing,abolishing agricultural tax,giving direct subsidies to farmers,and other aspects.In order to analyze the impact of national policies on the consumption of chemical fertilizer,this article selects the consumption of chemical fertilizer per unit,chemical fertilizer price index and farmers'net income in different provinces during the period 1998-2007 as variables,to conduct regression analysis of chemical fertilizer expenditure function,and calculate the price elasticity and income elasticity of chemical fertilizer demand in different provinces over the decade based on the regression results.The results show that at present the basic consumption of chemical fertilizer for agricultural development in China is 0.35 t/hm 2 ,and the consumption of chemical fertilizer is excessive in some provinces;the chemical fertilizer market has not been really established,and the price has little impact on demand.This indicates that the chemical fertilizer is essential for agricultural economic development,and it increases along with the increase of farmers'income; the intervention of the national policy in chemical fertilizer price is a fundamental reason for the rising demand for chemical fertilizer.This also to some extent indicates that the policy effect of merely using environmental taxes to change farmers'consumption of chemical fertilizer is limited;there is a need to transform the existing policies purely promoting agricultural economic development,toward giving different subsidies in accordance with whether the farmers'fertilization pattern is beneficial to the environment.

Quantitative Assessment of the Impact of China's Direct Grain Subsidies on Grain Yield--Based on the Empirical Analysis of Panel Data Pertaining to 29 Provinces in the Period 2004-2007

We build the influence function empirical model of China's grain production at the present stage in view of the factors influencing direct grain subsidies,using Cobb-Douglas production function model.And we estimate the elasticity coefficient of impact of China's direct grain subsidies on grain yield,using the panel data pertaining to 29 provinces in the period 2004-2007;comparatively analyze the validity and limitation of policy factors of direct grain subsidies on China's grain yield.The results show that at the present stage,the elasticity coefficient of impact of China's direct grain subsidies on grain yield is 0.002 3,and under the existing subsidy system and level,direct grain subsidies play a positive role in increasing grain yield,but the role is limited;the elasticity coefficient of impact of the food price on grain yield is much larger than that of impact of direct grain subsidies on grain yield.Therefore,the government should strengthen and improve direct grain subsidy policies;in the mean time,pay full attention to the use of market mechanism to consolidate the basic role of the food price in promoting food security to a great extent.

Price Discrimination of Film Products and Building of Hierarchical Market under the Background of “Internet Plus”

Price Discrimination of film products is theoretically feasible and logically inevitable, and it has been used for a long time in film industry as well. However, there are practical paradoxes in the new environment due to market factors like popularization of Internet environment and Online to Offline(O2O) retailers between hierarchical markets. Compared with high-level markets, low-level markets are lack of conditions for differentiated lower price like cinema infrastructure, and environment for film consumption market, so that the consumption potential for market has not been motivated yet. Therefore, it is quite important to pay close attention to how to expand the market by clearer gradient pricing structures and Internet platform.

Mathematical model of the adjustment of the optimal price of the substituting commodity

In this paper, from the two economic concepts of the price elasticity of demand and the cross elasticity of demand, under the assumption that the operator＇s management goal is to obtain the profit maximization, the author established the mathematical model of the adjustment of the optimal price of the substituting commodity.

Effect of Increase in Price of Oil on Behavior of Private Car Owners in Beijing

In order to understand the short-term response of private car owners to changes in the price of oil,a survey was conducted in Beijing after the gasoline price in China rose in June 2008.It showed that private car drivers in Beijing reduced their trips in the one month period following the price adjustment.Certain trip characteristics and drivers' demographics significantly influenced price elasticity in the short term,including the purpose of the trip,the distance covered and the income of the car driver.

Does the EVA valuation model explain the market value of equity better under changing required return than constant required return?

Through the Economic-Value-Added(EVA)valuation model,the expected market value of equity can be determined by adding the book value of equity with the present value of expected EVAs under the assumption of constant required return and constant return on equity.The equation of EVA valuation model has taken its shape under the assumption of constant required return and constant return on equity.However,a large body of empirical evidence indicates that required rate of return never remain constant.The EVA-valuation model formulated under constant required return cannot be implemented under the scenario of changing required return.In this study,we explored whether the EVA valuation model could be implemented under changing required return by making any changes in the model and found that it could be implemented under the scenario of changing required return by replacing the book value of the equity of the existing model with the present value of required earnings or normal market earnings.We further examined whether the explanatory ability of the EVA valuation model under the assumption of changing required return is better than that of the valuation model under the assumption of constant required return.Relative information content analyses were conducted by considering sample of the intrinsic value of equities determined by valuation models and the market value of equities of 69 large-cap,88 mid-cap,and 79 small-cap companies.The results showed that the EVA-based valuation model with changing normal market return outperformed the EVA-based valuation model with constant required return.

An Analysis on the Disparity of the Private Investment in Human Capital between Urban and Rural Residents in Guangxi

The constant growth of human capital is the essential force of Economic growth. The deep research on private investment in urban and rural human capital in Guangxi is necessary for developing economy and narrowing urban-rural gap. Through the analysis on the historic statistics, it is found that there were disparities total quantity and investment structure of private investment in human capital of urban and rural residents. By using the ELES model, the marginal investment trend, investment demand, elastic income, own-price elasticity and mutual-price elasticity of private investment in human capital of urban and rural residents are analyzed. It is pointed out that income is the key factor that affects the private investment in human capital of urban and rural residents. In Guangxi, the private investment and marginal investment in human capital of urban and township residents are higher than that of rural residents;the own-price elasticity and mutual price elasticity of rural residents' private investment in human capital are all higher than that of urban residents'.

Study on Demand Response of Residential Power Customer

In order to optimize the ladder-pricing scheme in Shanghai, we present a multi-objective optimization model (MOOM). To build this model, first we use price elasticity theory;divide the ladder pricing into peak electricity bill and valley electricity bill in the time dimension to model the single-user demand response. Second based on the single-user demand response model, combined with the overall users’ electricity distribution density function, we build an all-users demand response model. The proposed model has two objectives: minimize energy consumption and maximize residents’ satisfaction. Simulation results confirm that the proposed model can optimize the ladder-pricing scheme.

Price Discrimination in the Steel Industry:Evidence from Egypt

This paper studies and enlightens mainly price discrimination;which is simply selling products for differentiated prices.First,a literature framework is detailed with all the theories and types of price discrimination throughout the years.It is a strategy that is used worldwide by so many companies and firms,but this paper studies specifically the activity of the major player in the Egyptian steel industry;Ezz steel.The research resulted in;that there is no price discrimination,activities are implied in the industry currently by the companies due to the interference of the government.However,before that,the company applied some strategies that are illustrated in the paper in detail.

Methodology for Obtaining Electricity-Price Patterns in Customer Response Programs

The main objective of electricity regulators when establishing electricity markets is to decrease the cost of electricity through competition. However, this scenario cannot be achieved without a full participation of the electricity demand by reacting against electricity prices. The aim of this research is to develop tools for helping customers and aggregators to join price and demand response programs, while helping them to hedge against the risk of short-term price volatility. In this way, the capacity of and hybrid methodology （Self-Organizing Maps and Statistical Ward＇s Linkage） to classify high electricity market prices is analysed. Besides, with the help of Non-Parametric Estimation, some price-patterns were found in the abovementioned clusters. The contained knowledge within these patterns supplies customer market-based information on which to base its energy use decisions. The interest for this participation of customers in markets is growing in developed countries to obtain a higher elasticity in demand. Results show the capability of this approach to improve data management and select coherent policies to accomplish cleared demand offers amongst different price scenarios in a more flexible way.

On the Transmission Mechanism of the Chinese Land Policy in Macroeconomic-control: A Theoretical Study Based on Modified IS-LM Model

The purposes of this paper are to bring land factor into the general fame of national product and develop a new modified‘IS-LM equilibrium model',aiming to find out the impacts of land factor on the effective allocation of capital between total supply and total demand constituting gross national product,to analyze the relation mechanism among land factor and macroeconomic variables,and to discuss the theoretical mechanism under which land,fiscal and monetary policy are integrated. Methods employed include econometrics and model analysis. The results indicate that:( i) on the conditions that the equilibrium of supply and demand in land market,the modified IS-LM model taking into account land factor successfully performs transmission mechanism of land policy participation in macroeconomic-control by means of money capital regulation;( ii) the direction and intensity of land policy control are effected by elasticity of land supply and land price,meanwhile different characteristics of land supply elasticity exit in different stages of economic development;( iii) the realization of IS-LM equilibrium requires the aggregate effects of fiscal,monetary and land policy. It is concluded that land policies for macroeconomic-control drives land price higher,and land supply regulation would diminish financial effect. During the economic expansion or recovery period,the effect of expansionary land policy would be counteracted by high land price. During the economic transition or recession period,the government could control economical operation better through tightening land policy.

中国出口能源的供给价格弹性大小的一个估计——基于CES生产函数的估计

基于CES生产函数形式,文章推导了出口商品供给价格弹性的表达式。根据中国1997年至2017年的能源数据,文章计算出中国出口能源的供给价格弹性值。文章计算结果显示,中国出口能源供给价格弹性值为0.868266。从出口能源品种上看,中国出口能源商品供给价格弹性值存在很大的差异性。文章计算结果显示,中国出口煤炭的供给价格弹性值为-1.328703,中国出口石油的供给价格弹性值为-3.148054,中国出口电力的供给价格弹性为0.335038。

基于时变价格弹性矩阵的深谷电价多目标定价策略

随着碳中和、碳达峰目标的提出,构建高比例新能源的新型电力系统已成为未来能源电力的发展形态,由此导致的高比例新能源渗透使系统净负荷曲线呈现剧烈的波动性和显著的深谷特征,对电力系统安全运行以及供需平衡提出了新挑战。为此,提出了一种基于时变价格弹性矩阵的需求侧深谷电价多目标定价模型。首先,确立基于模糊隶属度的深谷时段划分方法,并利用贝叶斯判别法对时段划分结果进行合理性评估。其次,针对用户需求响应的动态性,建立具有时变特征的价格弹性矩阵模型衡量用户的响应程度。最后,以用户满意度和系统峰谷差作为待优化的两个目标,建立多目标混合整数规划的深谷电价定价模型,并用非支配排序遗传算法求解模型并得到其Pareto最优解。为了检验所提模型的有效性,将其应用于中国华东地区某省的实际场景进行仿真分析。结果表明,上述模型可在高比例新能源渗透情景下降低峰谷差,促进用户用电行为向深谷时段转移,缓解电力系统在深谷时段的运行压力。

考虑负荷时空均衡和弹性响应的电动汽车快充电价定价策略

为了引导电动汽车有序充电,提出了一种考虑负荷时空均衡和弹性响应的电动汽车快充电价定价策略。引入交通流理论描述交通路网,建立电动汽车快充负荷时空分布模型;考虑配电网调度和电动汽车快充负荷的弹性需求,构建源-荷互动下的快充电价定价架构,并基于潮流追踪法从时空双维度推导快充电价的计算方法;在此基础上,计及电动汽车负荷弹性响应特性,以提升配电网的负荷均衡性为目标,建立快充电价定价策略,并通过迭代算法求解该定价策略。算例仿真结果表明,所提定价策略能够有效引导电动汽车进行有序快充,激励电动汽车用户与配电网友好互动,提升负荷的时空分布均衡性。

The Application of the Theory of the Price Elasticity of Demand to the EMS Management

Express Mail Service (EMS) is the most competitive one of the post services. Price competition is the core of market competition and so for EMS. In this paper, we calculate the coefficient of demand elasticity and then put forward the price strategy for EMS to increase its competitive power.

简易续约规则对谈判药品价格和持续供应的影响:现象及可行性方案探究

目的:探索在2022年医保目录简易续约背景下是否存在一类特殊现象,即部分药品会不断触发连续降价条件以致最终退出医保目录。方法:本文通过构建需求价格弹性模型,结合医保目录谈判和续约规则进行数值模拟,对多轮简易续约情况进行讨论,以验证简易续约规则是否影响药品可持续供应。最后,本文对可行性方案的适用条件进行数理分析。结果:在2022年简易续约规则下,市场上确实存在一类药品,当其首次医保谈判药品降价幅度和其弧弹性满足一定条件时,会陷入无限降价的困境。该现象可能是由于企业错估药品需求或是进入医保目录后药品销量飙升,量价线性关系被打破。减少续约次数和重新谈判能够降低此类现象发生的可能性。结论:2023年简易续约规则一定程度上避免了此类现象的发生,后续政策可将阶梯型降价标准改为连续型。

Women’s empowerment and food consumption:Evidence from female-headed households in Tanzania

Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household food consumption is minimal.Using the most recent(2017-2018)national household survey data from Tanzania,this study examined the influence of women’s empowerment on household food consumption.First,we compared the monthly consumption of eight food categories between female-headed households(FHHs)and male-headed households(MHHs)using both descriptive statistics and the propensity score matching(PSM)method.Furthermore,we adopted the two-stage Linear Expenditure System and Almost Ideal Demand System model(LES-AIDS)to estimate income and price elasticities for the two household types.The results show that FHHs consume bread and cereals,fish,oils and fats,vegetables,and confectionery(sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.)more than MHHs.Moreover,FHHs have a significantly higher income elasticity of demand for all food groups than MHHs.They are also more price elastic than MHHs in meat,fish,oils,fats,sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.

蓄热式电采暖参与消纳受阻风光的源荷协调滚动调度

蓄热式电采暖负荷具有时移性和连续可调性,可作为需求侧资源解决乡村地区新能源消纳困难与清洁供暖问题。当前实施的峰谷分时电价,不能根据源荷变化有效引导电采暖运行以消纳受阻风光。因此提出采用场景法描述风光荷的不确定性,根据源荷峰谷时段变化确定分时电价。并且考虑电采暖响应分时电价时出现用电同时率高问题,引入需求价格弹性系数,建立以蓄热式电采暖运行成本和系统负荷峰谷差期望最小的日前日内源荷协调优化模型,滚动调整每时段各灵活资源出力。最后,通过仿真验证模型的有效性。