New methods of modeling and estimating preferences

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to quantify preferences without having to have any utility data. Design/methodology/approach We use duality theory, Taylor’s theorem and nonlinear regressions. Findings We presented pioneering quantitative methods in economics and business. These methods can be applied to numerous topics in empirical and theoretical economics and business. Moreover, this paper highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of economics. In doing so, it emphasized the interface between economics, marketing, management, statistics and mathematics. Furthermore, it circumvented a major obstacle in the literature: the curse of dimensionality. Originality/value The authors introduce a novel and convenient approach to utility modeling. In doing so, they present a general utility function in a simple form. Furthermore, they develop a method to measure preferences without any utility data. They also devise a method to measure the marginal utility. Then, they develop new methods of modeling and measuring the consumer utility. In so doing, they overcome a major obstacle: the curse of the dimensionality. In addition, they introduce new methods of modeling and measuring the consumer demand for the firm’s good.