title: Partial least squares structural equation modeling-based discrete choice modeling: An illustration in modeling retailer choice

authors: Hair, Joseph

subjects: Discrete choice modeling

abstract: Commonly used discrete choice model analyses (e.g., probit, logit and multinomial logit models) draw on the estimation of importance weights that apply to different attribute levels. But directly estimating the importance weights of the attribute as a whole, rather than of distinct attribute levels, is challenging. This article substantiates the usefulness of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for the analysis of stated preference data generated through choice experiments in discrete choice modeling. This ability of PLS-SEM to directly estimate the importance weights for attributes as a whole, rather than for the attribute’s levels, and to compute determinant respondent-specific latent variable scores applicable to attributes, can more effectively model and distinguish between rational (i.e., optimizing) decisions and pragmatic (i.e., heuristic) ones, when parameter estimations for attributes as a whole are crucial to understanding choice decisions.

text: Partial least squares structural equation modeling-based discrete choice modeling: An illustration in modeling retailer choice Commonly used discrete choice model analyses (e.g., probit, logit and multinomial logit models) draw on the estimation of importance weights that apply to different attribute levels. But directly estimating the importance weights of the attribute as a whole, rather than of distinct attribute levels, is challenging. This article substantiates the usefulness of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for the analysis of stated preference data generated through choice experiments in discrete choice modeling. This ability of PLS-SEM to directly estimate the importance weights for attributes as a whole, rather than for the attribute’s levels, and to compute determinant respondent-specific latent variable scores applicable to attributes, can more effectively model and distinguish between rational (i.e., optimizing) decisions and pragmatic (i.e., heuristic) ones, when parameter estimations for attributes as a whole are crucial to understanding choice decisions.

year: 2018

title: Concepts of proportionality in investment protection of patents and access to health resources

authors: Aydin, Dilara

subjects: patent

abstract: This thesis seeks to demonstrate why investment protection of patented health resources is disproportionate and how the disproportionate power can be mitigated. The argument asserts that the protection of patented health resources under international investment agreements (“IIAs”) goes beyond the intended purpose of intellectual property (“IP”) law and can hinder access to health resources. While IP rights are significant components of IIAs, their inclusion within the scope of investment allows investors to challenge measures against their IP rights through the investor-state dispute mechanism (“ISDS”). A measure can be subject to a review of arbitral tribunals even though such measure serves the public interest.

The ISDS system imposes an additional legal layer for states. Such layer can hinder the rights to have a healthy life, rights to life and living a life with dignity, conflicting states’ human rights obligations. Therefore, this thesis argues that investment protection disproportionately benefits the patent holders. Consequently, this thesis scrutinises how this disproportionate benefit can be mitigated. To this end, this thesis investigates case law in investment arbitration where arbitral tribunals have applied (ii)judicial proportionality to determine if judicial proportionality can mitigate the disproportionate protection of patented health resources as an investment. This thesis further reveals midlevel proportionality in newly concluded IIAs where the purpose is to restore disproportionate investment protection of patented health resources. This thesis presents the first comprehensive analysis on proportionality principle in the context of patent and international investment law.

text: Concepts of proportionality in investment protection of patents and access to health resources This thesis seeks to demonstrate why investment protection of patented health resources is disproportionate and how the disproportionate power can be mitigated. The argument asserts that the protection of patented health resources under international investment agreements (“IIAs”) goes beyond the intended purpose of intellectual property (“IP”) law and can hinder access to health resources. While IP rights are significant components of IIAs, their inclusion within the scope of investment allows investors to challenge measures against their IP rights through the investor-state dispute mechanism (“ISDS”). A measure can be subject to a review of arbitral tribunals even though such measure serves the public interest.

The ISDS system imposes an additional legal layer for states. Such layer can hinder the rights to have a healthy life, rights to life and living a life with dignity, conflicting states’ human rights obligations. Therefore, this thesis argues that investment protection disproportionately benefits the patent holders. Consequently, this thesis scrutinises how this disproportionate benefit can be mitigated. To this end, this thesis investigates case law in investment arbitration where arbitral tribunals have applied (ii)judicial proportionality to determine if judicial proportionality can mitigate the disproportionate protection of patented health resources as an investment. This thesis further reveals midlevel proportionality in newly concluded IIAs where the purpose is to restore disproportionate investment protection of patented health resources. This thesis presents the first comprehensive analysis on proportionality principle in the context of patent and international investment law.

year: 2024

title: Different Coloured Tears: Bicultural Bereavement Perspectives

authors: Edge, Kiri

subjects: Maori

abstract: The research explored the pathways that Māori and Pākehā  bicultural whānau follow in  mourning, grieving and moving on through life, in response to the death of a signficant loved one. Of specific interest were sites of conflict, processes of negotiation and pathways to resolution occuring across cultural worlds whilst deciding on, organising and enacting tangi/funeral rituals for the deceased. These explorations were founded on the Pou Toko Manawa of the framework offered by Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi and related principles. The research was conducted across two distinct yet inter-related studies. The first study explored the bereavement experiences of individuals belonging to Māori and Pākehā bicultural families, offering insights related to the emergence of conflict, negotiation and pathways to resolution. The insights gathered gave rise to further explorations concerned with the perspectives of experts who facilitate, mediate and enact bereavement processes. As the second study, the expert perspectives revealed supports, constraints and legalitites that emerge in bicultural bereavement processes. The culmination of the two studies engender a multi-faceted understanding of key concepts, issues and processes in bicultural bereavement, and the cultural and socio-political landscapes within which these events are located. In considering the research findings within the theorectical framework of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, the research offers a unique bicultural and New Zealand specific understanding of conflict and resolution.

text: Different Coloured Tears: Bicultural Bereavement Perspectives The research explored the pathways that Māori and Pākehā  bicultural whānau follow in  mourning, grieving and moving on through life, in response to the death of a signficant loved one. Of specific interest were sites of conflict, processes of negotiation and pathways to resolution occuring across cultural worlds whilst deciding on, organising and enacting tangi/funeral rituals for the deceased. These explorations were founded on the Pou Toko Manawa of the framework offered by Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi and related principles. The research was conducted across two distinct yet inter-related studies. The first study explored the bereavement experiences of individuals belonging to Māori and Pākehā bicultural families, offering insights related to the emergence of conflict, negotiation and pathways to resolution. The insights gathered gave rise to further explorations concerned with the perspectives of experts who facilitate, mediate and enact bereavement processes. As the second study, the expert perspectives revealed supports, constraints and legalitites that emerge in bicultural bereavement processes. The culmination of the two studies engender a multi-faceted understanding of key concepts, issues and processes in bicultural bereavement, and the cultural and socio-political landscapes within which these events are located. In considering the research findings within the theorectical framework of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, the research offers a unique bicultural and New Zealand specific understanding of conflict and resolution.

year: 2017