A one-to-one map between a specific demand structure and a restricted cross-elasticity matrix is developed and tested using a random utility model. The resulting demand structure can be used to evaluate a firm's ability to differentiate its products, and can help determine if demand is...

This paper provides a method for nonparametrically modeling the relationship between consumer preference for product features, such as reliability or durability, and covariates that describe consumers and how they use the product. This relationship is of interest to firms designing and...

Utility maximizing solutions to economic models of choice for goods with either discrete quantities or non-linear prices cannot always be obtained using standard first-order conditions such as Kuhn-Tucker and Roy's identity. When quantities are discrete, there is no guarantee that derivatives of...

Consumer choice in surveys and in the marketplace reflects a complex process of screening and evaluating choice alternatives. Behavioral and economic models of choice processes are difficult to estimate when using stated and revealed preferences because the underlying process is latent. This...

Ultimately, patents have value to the extent to which the product features enabled by the patents have economic value in the marketplace. Products that are enhanced by inclusion of patented features should generate incremental profits. Incremental profits can be assessed by considering demand...

Direct utility models of consumer choice are reviewed and developed for understanding consumer preferences. We begin with a review of statistical models of choice, posing a series of modeling challenges that are resolved by considering economic foundations based on constrained utility...

"Bayesian statistics can help to provide unique insights into important issues in many fields. Bayesian statistics is not new, but traditionally it has not been widely taught as it is computationally challenging and there were criticisms surrounding the subjectivity of Bayesian methods. As...

This paper examines the effect of message characteristics on donation behavior using an economic model of giving. The utility of giving can come from one's own contribution and possibly from the combined contributions of others. Donors are assumed to be constrained utility maximizers, and the...