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Are Preferences for Food Quality Attributes Really Normally Distributed? An Analysis using Flexible Mixing Distributions

Caputo, V.; Scarpa, R.; Nayga, Jr. R.M.; Ortega, D.L.

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Authors

V. Caputo

Jr. R.M. Nayga

D.L. Ortega



Abstract

We empirically question the commonly invoked assumption of normality of taste distribution in mixed logit models with continuous random parameters. We use a WTP-space random utility discrete choice model with flexible distributions on data from two choice experiments regarding beef with nested set of quality attributes. We specifically focus on distributional features such as asymmetry, multi-modality and range of variation, and find little support for normality. Our results are robust to attribute dimensionality in experimental design. Implications of our results for practitioners in the field are discussed.

Citation

Caputo, V., Scarpa, R., Nayga, J. R., & Ortega, D. (2018). Are Preferences for Food Quality Attributes Really Normally Distributed? An Analysis using Flexible Mixing Distributions. Journal of Choice Modelling, 28, 10-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocm.2018.04.003

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 23, 2018
Online Publication Date May 21, 2018
Publication Date Sep 1, 2018
Deposit Date Apr 27, 2018
Publicly Available Date Nov 21, 2019
Journal Journal of Choice Modelling
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 28
Pages 10-27
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocm.2018.04.003
Keywords Flexible taste distributions, Mixed logit, Logit mixed logit, Food preferences, Preference heterogneity.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1332454

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