In this paper, we propose an approach to take into account , in a robust way, part-worth uncertainty in a share-of-choice (SOC) model. More precisely, we extend the method proposed by Wang and Curry by endogenously including competition. Indeed in their approach, competition is described exogenously and the model cannot take into account part-worth uncertainty for the competition’s products. Our extension permits us to take into account all effects of part-worth uncertainty, even those relative to the competition, and therefore improve substantially Wang and Curry’s approach.
The numerical solution of the Dirichlet problem for an elliptic Pucci’s equation in two dimensions of space is addressed by using a least-squares approach. The algorithm relies on an iterative relaxation method that decouples a variational linear elliptic PDE problem from the local nonlinearities. The approximation method relies on mixed low order finite element methods. The least-squares framework allows to revisit and extend the approach and the results presented in [Caffarelli, Glowinski, 2008] to more general cases. Numerical results show the convergence of the iterative sequence to the exact solution, when such a solution exists. The robustness of the approach is highlighted, when dealing with various types of meshes, domains with curved boundaries, nonconvex domains, or non-smooth solutions.
Small companies need help to detect and to respond to increasing security related threats. This paper presents a cloud service that automates processes that make checks for such threats, implement mitigating procedures, and generally instructs client companies on the steps to take. For instance, a process that automates the search for leaked credentials on the Dark Web will, in the event of a leak, trigger processes that instruct the client on how to change passwords and perhaps a micro-learning process on credential management. The security governance service runs on the cloud as it needs to be managed by a security expert and because it should run on an infrastructure separated from clients. It also runs as a cloud service for economy of scale: the processes it runs can service many clients simultaneously, since many threats are common to all. We also examine how the service may be used to prove to independent auditors (e.g., cyber-insurance agents) that a company is taking the necessary steps to implement its security obligations.
This paper proposes the use of a blockchainbased structure in order to store evidences in a digital forensics investigation. The traditional chain of evidence is augmented with properties of immutability and traceability, thanks to a cryptographic process. The blockchain is constructed by forensics experts by adding evidences through the process. Since the blockchain is immutable, it can be shared among the different parties involved in a prosecution in order to review the chain of evidence and build their case. Furthermore, the blockchain structure can be applied to other forensics fields, like drugs, firearms, NDA. This blockchain is called a Digital Evidence Inventory (DEI) and is part of a wider framework encompassing a Forensics Confidence Rating (FCR) structure, in order to give experts the ability to rate the level of confidence for each evidence and a Global Digital Timeline (GDT) to order evidence through time. The whole framework is called ‘Aldiana’.
Given the importance of wood products in CO2 sequestration, an increase in the use of local wood in construction may help reduce the sector's net emissions. However, given the low prices of wood, the Swiss forest industry is unwilling to produce more, despite the important potential of wood mobilization. Financial incentives may help meet the goals of both environmental and economic sustainability, if actors respond to price changes. To estimate demand and supply price- and cross-elasticities on the market for roundwood in Switzerland, we use a rich yearly time series data set covering the period 1949–2013. We consider both short term and long term relationships, thanks to a lagged adjustment model and correct for the price endogeneity using a supply-demand equations system estimated with the 3 Stage Least Squares approach. We find that the demand for roundwood is elastic in the long and short run, while the supply is not. However, supply still responds positively to a price increase. In this context, a 10% increase in the price paid to suppliers would lead to a 5% increase in Swiss roundwood production and a 10% decrease in price paid by consumers to an 18% increase in roundwood consumption. Such an increase in the use of wood would lead to sequester 1% of Swiss CO2 emissions in wood products each year.
When purchasing a car in Switzerland, consumers can consult three quality labels. First, a reliability label provides the probability that a given car will have a breakdown in the next year. Second, an energy efficiency label, based on fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, ranks cars from A to G. Third, a safety label, based on crash tests, ranks cars from five to one stars. The aim of this paper is to establish whether these labels have an impact on the price of new cars in Switzerland. Using a hedonic regression model, we show that the reliability label influences the price. More precisely, a decrease by one per thousand of the breakdown’s probability increases, on average, the car price by 639 Swiss francs. For the energy efficiency and the safety labels, the hedonic model attains its limits due to collinearity issues and the question cannot be answered in a satisfactory way.
Purpose – This paper aims to present a recent study on the definition and measurement of quality dimensions of public electronic records and archives (QADEPs: Qualités des archives et documents électroniques publics). It develops an original model and a complete method with tools to define and measure electronic public data qualities within public institutions. It highlights also the relationship between diplomatics principles and the measurement of trustworthiness of electronic data in particular. This paper presents a general overview of the main results of this study, with also illustrative examples to demonstrate the feasibility of measuring the qualities of electronic archives in the context of public institutions. Design/methodology/approach – This research was conducted in two phases. The first one was the conceptual phase in which the quality dimensions were identified and defined with specific sets of indicators and variables. The second phase was the empirical phase which involved the testing of the model on real electronic documents belonging to several public institutions to validate its relevance and applicability. These tests were performed at the Archives of the State of Wallis and the Archives of the State of Geneva, thanks to different measurement tools designed especially for this stage of the research. Findings – The QADEPs model analyzes the qualities of electronic records in public institutions through three dimensions: trustworthiness, exploitability and representativeness. These dimensions were divided into eight sub-dimensions comprising 17 indicators for a total of 46 variables. These dimensions and their variables tried to cover the main aspects of quality standards for electronic data and public documents. The study demonstrates that nearly 60 per cent of the measured variables could be automated. Research limitations/implications – The QADEPs model was defined and tested in a Swiss context on a limited sample of electronic public data to validate, essentially, its feasibility. It would be useful to extend this approach and test it on a broader sample in different contexts abroad. Practical implications – The decisionmaking of records retention in organizations and public institutions in particular is difficult to establish and justify because it is based generally on subjective and non-defendable practices. The QADEPs model offers specific metrics with their related measuring tools to evaluate and identify what is valuable and what is eliminable within the whole set of institutional electronic information. The model should reinforce the information governance of those institutions and help them control the risks related to information management. Originality/value – The current practice of archival appraisal does not yet invest in a meticulous examination of the nature of documents that should be preserved permanently. The lack of studies on the definition and measurement of the qualities of electronic and public electronic records prevents verification as to whether archival materials are significant. This paper fills in some of the gaps.
Après la mise en place d’une taxe sur le chiffre d’affaire des GAFA par le gouvernement français, Amazon a annoncé répercuter la totalité de la taxe sur ses clients. Cette situation met en exergue un pouvoir de marché trop important.
