A Multi-stages Decision Approach for Managerial Flexibility of Energy R&D Project under Fuzzy Environment

Abstract

In recent years, many countries and firms seek the new and renewable energy to cope with the impending global environmental crisis, such as depletion of fossil-based energy, climate change to control emissions of greenhouse gases. This paper aims to take the perspective of the firm, which undertakes the energy R\&D project to maximize profits implying minimization of total cost as well. Incorporating technical and market risks into energy R\&D project is crucial, in that the managers often face the rapidly changing environment full of uncertainties. The firms should incorporate managerial flexibility into energy R\&D project decision not only reducing uncertain risks, but also increasing potential market payoff. This research considers a multi-stages decision model in which real-option-based analysis is applied for energy R\&D project under fuzzy environment. Specifically, the market payoff is obtained when the new and renewable energy product is commercialized to market, while energy R\&D investment costs are exhausted gradually. Furthermore, the uncertain development performance and market information are described as fuzzy variables by credibility theory. Instead of the traditional real option pricing methods, the dynamic programming methodology that captures the uncertain product development performance and final market return is developed to more effectively characterize the managerial flexibility. This method can reflect the multi-stages nature of R\&D programme, while helping decision-makers take the optimal investment decision and capture future market opportunities of energy products.