Contingent Valuation Approach Research Articles

Willingness to Pay for Agricultural Soil Quality Protection and Improvement

Understanding and estimating the economic value that society places on agricultural soil quality protection and improvement can guide the development of policies aimed at mitigating pollution, promoting conservation, or incentivizing sustainable land management practices. We estimate the general public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for agricultural soil quality protection and improvement in Spain (n = 1000) and the UK (n = 984) using data from a cross-sectional survey via Qualtrics panels in March–April 2021. We use a double-bound dichotomous choice contingent valuation approach to elicit the individuals’ WTP. We investigate the effect of uncertainty on the success of policies aiming at achieving soil protection. In addition, to understand the heterogeneity in individuals’ WTP for agricultural soil quality protection and improvement, we model individuals’ WTP through individuals’ awareness and attitudes toward agricultural soil quality protection and the environment; trust in institutions; risk and time preferences; pro-social behavior; and socio-demographics in Spain and the UK. We found that there is significant public support for agricultural soil quality protection and improvement in Spain and the UK. We also found that the support does not vary significantly under uncertainty of success of policies aiming at achieving soil protection. However, the individual’s reasons for supporting agricultural soil quality protection and improvement are found to depend on the level of uncertainty and country. Hence, promoting public support for soil protection needs to be tailored according to the level of the general public’s perceived uncertainty and geographic location.

Evaluating the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages tax on overweight, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in an affluent Asian setting: A willingness-to-pay survey and simulation analysis

BackgroundThe potential health effects of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been insufficiently examined in Asian contexts. This study aimed to assess the impact of SSB taxation on the prevalence of obesity/overweight and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Hong Kong using a willingness-to-pay (WTP) survey and simulation analysis. MethodsA random telephone survey was conducted with 1000 adults from May to June 2020. We used a contingent valuation approach to assess individuals' WTP for SSBs under four tax payment scenarios (5%, 10%, 40%, and 50% of the current market price). Based on the WTP, a simulation analysis was conducted to project changes in SSB purchase and associated reductions in the prevalence of obesity/overweight and T2DM over a 10-year simulation period. FindingsWhen 5% and 10% taxation rates were introduced, approximately one-third of the population were unwilling to maintain their SSB purchase. Our simulation demonstrated a gradual decline in the prevalence of obesity/overweight and diabetes with a more pronounced decrease when higher taxation rates were introduced. 10% taxation resulted in a mean reduction of 1532.7 cases of overweight/obesity per 100 thousand population at the sixth year, while T2DM prevalence decreased by 267.1 (0.3%). ConclusionsThis study underscores the effects of an SSB tax on purchase behaviors and health outcomes in an affluent Asia setting, with a more pronounced influence on adult population. These findings are expected to inform policymakers in making decisions regarding an effective and equitable tax rate on SSBs.

Factors influencing consumer willingness to pay for rabbit meat in the Daveyton and Etwatwa areas of Gauteng province, South Africa

The purpose of the study was to determine the price point at which customers in the study locations are willing to pay for rabbit meat. The data was gathered by administering a semi-structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews with a randomly selected sample of 382 respondents. The acquired data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), specifically version 28.0. The researchers utilized the contingent valuation approach to ascertain the consumers' willingness to pay (WTP). The results showed that 83% of the respondents were prepared to pay for rabbit meat if their local meat outlet introduced it. About 43.7% of the respondents rejected the initial bid of R45/kg but accepted the discounted bids; 21% of the respondents accepted both the initial and discounted bids; 16.5% of the respondents only accepted the initial bid; and 18.6% of the respondents rejected both the initial and discounted bids. Furthermore, the results revealed that as monthly income increases, so does the respondents’ willingness to pay for rabbit meat. Although respondents showed interest in the purchasing and consumption of rabbit meat, they were not willing to buy the meat at a price of more than R40/kg. This indicates that when the seller introduces the meat to the local meat market in the study areas, they should be price-conscious.

Willingness to Pay for Lusi Island Ecotourism Development and Mangrove Conservation

Lusi Island is a small island formed from sedimentation at the estuary of the Porong River and has an area of 94 hectares on the border between Sidoarjo Regency and Pasuruan Regency. The mudflow dumped into the Porong River due to a mud volcano 15 years ago became the cause of the formation of the new island. The mangrove forest is one of the attractions of ecotourism on the island that could attract tourists. However, the determination of Lusi Island as a conservation area, and the increasing number of tourists do not damage the environmental sustainability of the island. Economic valuation could identify the interest and willingness of tourists to participate in preserving the mangrove forest on Lusi Island. The Contingent valuation approach is used to measure people’s preferences through direct interviews about how much respondents are willing to pay (WTP) to get an amenity and comfortable environment. The economic valuation method uses WTP (willingness to pay) as a technique for assessing the ability of tourists to contribute to the development of ecotourism. The results of this study become input in the development of ecotourism and mangrove conservation by considering the involvement of tourists in preserving Lusi Island.

Willingness to Pay Estimation for the Restoration of Water Quality of a Eutrophic Lake

Lakes are recognized as highly susceptible to the impacts of various anthropogenic activities, making them one of the most vulnerable aquatic ecosystems. These ecosystems frequently experience degradation due to the lack of policies recognizing the importance of their often overlooked regulating ecosystem services. A contingent valuation approach was employed to assess the stakeholders’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the restoration of the water quality of a eutrophic lake using the case of Tadlac Lake, situated within the municipality of Los Baños, Laguna Province, Philippines. The findings of the study revealed that households in the area expressed a WTP of Php 95.88/household/month or Php 1,150.56/household/year (1 USD=55.89 Php), with 72.30% of respondents indicating their readiness to support efforts to improve the water quality of Tadlac Lake. The likelihood of a positive response significantly varied depending on factors such as the offered price, gender, educational attainment, duration of residency, household size, income, and the method of questionnaire administration (cheap talk vs. non-cheap talk). These results underscore the community’s favorable disposition towards investing in improving Tadlac Lake’s water quality. This valuation study contributes a fresh perspective on lake management strategies. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of environmental education regarding social-ecological dynamics as a crucial requirement for crafting comprehensive policies that will steer sustainable management of natural lake resources.

Determinants of Visitors’ Willingness to Pay for Enhanced Ecosystem Services in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India: A Contingent Valuation Approach

This study examined the factors influencing visitors’ willingness to pay for improved ecosystem services through the conservation of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India. The MTR plays a crucial role in providing and protecting various ecosystem services. However, it is vulnerable to negative externalities and drivers of ecosystem change, which affect the quality and quantity of ecosystem services, leading to the loss of valuable ecosystem services. To address this issue, it is necessary to understand the adverse effects of externalities and drivers of ecosystem change, as well as to consider people’s preferences. To investigate the factors influencing visitors’ willingness to pay for enhanced ecosystem services in MTR, this study used a dichotomous choice-contingent valuation method and a logit regression model. The study found that 64% of visitors expressed concern about mitigating adverse impacts and were willing to provide financial support. The results of the logit regression analysis further revealed that factors such as family size, respondent education, monthly family income, environmental awareness, and bid price significantly influenced visitors’ willingness to pay. To enhance ecosystem benefits and address the challenges in tiger conservation within the reserve, our study suggests that several measures need to be implemented, including prioritizing education, awareness, the mitigation of human–wildlife conflict, and income-linked and dynamic pricing strategies.

Participants’ Willingness to Pay for Offsetting Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Large-Scale Sports-Tourism Events

Abstract: This paper aims to explore participants’ willingness to pay (WTP) for offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their participation in the World Winter Masters Games 2020 (WWMG20) in Innsbruck, Austria. We collected data from an online survey sent to participants at the event and used the contingent valuation approach to determine participants’ WTP and a set of alternative regression models to investigate the factors that mainly influence WTP. Our results show that the median WTP for offsetting GHG lies within a range of EUR 10 (lower bound) to EUR 20 (upper bound). Furthermore, WTP is positively influenced by participants’ attitudes toward climate change, their perception of the event as environmentally friendly, their level of education, as well as their overall expenses for traveling to the WWMG20.

Evaluating factors influencing Tennessee and Kentucky farmers’ willingness to sell produce through fresh stop markets

IntroductionThe food justice movement focuses on resolving food system inequalities, including, but not limited to, income, ethnicity, and race differences related to household access to food, farmer access to markets, and the fair treatment of farmworkers. Previous studies have focused on food system inequalities from the consumer demand side, but only a few studies have focused on the role farmers play in creating more equitable food systems. An example of a market model aiming to fulfill various missions of the food justice movement is Fresh Stop Markets (FSMs). FSMs aggregate food from local farmers and sell shares on a sliding scale based on consumers’ income. Lower income households pay less than higher-income households for the same food. A vital component of this market concept is farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs.MethodsWe used data from a 2020 survey of Tennessee and Kentucky fruit and vegetable farmers and the double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation approach to assess farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs when faced with a price discount scenario. A probit regression was used to investigate the factors correlated with farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs.Results and discussionResults suggest gross farm revenue, farmer age, education, experience selling produce through farmers markets, and running programs on the farm to educate communities about sustainable agriculture and food systems are associated with farmers’ willingness to sell produce through FSMs.ConclusionFarmer and farm business characteristics, as well as prior experience running education programs on the farm related to sustainable agriculture and food systems are important factors to consider when trying to engage farmers willing to sell produce through FSMs.

2022 consensus conference on diversity, equity, and inclusion: Developing an emergency medicine research agenda for addressing racism through health care research.

Racism in emergency medicine (EM) health care research is pervasive but often underrecognized. To understand the current state of research on racism in EM health care research, we developed a consensus working group on this topic, which concluded a year of work with a consensus-building session as part of the overall Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) consensus conference on diversity, equity, and inclusion: "Developing a Research Agenda for Addressing Racism in Emergency Medicine," held on May 10, 2022. In this article, we report the development, details of preconference methods and preliminary results, and the final consensus of the Healthcare Research Working Group. Preconference work based on literature review and expert opinion identified 13 potential priority research questions that were refined through an iterative process to a list of 10. During the conference, the subgroup used consensus methodology and a "consensus dollar" (contingent valuation) approach to prioritize research questions. The subgroup identified three research gaps: remedies for racial bias and systematic racism, biases and heuristics in clinical care, and racism in study design, and we derived a list of six high-priority research questions for our specialty.

A Contingent Valuation-Based Method to Valuate Ecosystem Services for a Proactive Planning and Management of Cork Oak Forests in Sardinia (Italy)

The paper develops a model through a contingent valuation approach to support public authorities in the exploration and assessment of ecosystem services (ESs) generated by forest and woodlands (FOWLs). This approach is employed to the cork oak forests of the Sardinia region (Italy) due to their ability in the provision and regulation of cultural and recreational values to society. The paper describes the economic valuation of cultural ESs through the contingent valuation method (CVM) with the purpose to explore residents and tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP) preferences towards conservation, valorisation, and the management of Goceano’s cork oak forests in Sardinia. The approach may help retain suitable support for DMs, planners, technicians, and operators for a better understanding of the ESs’ role in policy decisions, leading FOWLs towards a learning process between the environment, human beings, and landscape to promote and develop a proactive landscape and forest planning and management within the region.

Option Value, Existence Value, and Bequest Value of Mangrove in Jerowaru District, Lombok Timur Regency, Nusa Tenggara Barat

The value of mangroves is not only in the form of wood products, but can also be in the form of non-timber forest products (HHBK) and environmental services. Information is needed regarding the value of the importance of using mangroves in the future, the value of conserving their biodiversity, and the value of community appreciation for their existence. The research was conducted around of mangrove area in Jerowaru District, Lombok Timur Regency, Nusa Tenggara Barat Province from February – July 2022. The method used in this research is a quantitative approach through the provision of option values, existence values, and bequest values to mangroves which are determined based on estimates using WTP (willingness to pay), whose values are based on the contingent valuation approach. Based on the results of the assessment of the options benefit, the existence benefit, and the inheritance benefits, of mangroves in Jerowaru District, Lombok Timur Regency, Nusa Tenggara Barat Province, it is known that the value of the optional benefit related to biodiversity conservation for the benefit of utilization in the future is ± IDR 224,885.25/ha/year. The value of the existence benefit related to habitat continuity for user species ± IDR 84,953.96/ha/year and the value of the bequest benefit related to community appreciation of the ownership of resources ± IDR 1,066,667/ha/year

The Perception of Consumers Towards Microalgae as an Alternative Food Resource in Bangladesh: A Contingent Valuation Approach

The Perception of Consumers Towards Microalgae as an Alternative Food Resource in Bangladesh: A Contingent Valuation Approach

Willingness to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine and its associated determinants in Iran.

Understanding the individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine could help design policy interventions to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to estimate the individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for a COVID-19 vaccine and to identify its associated determinants. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 526 Iranian adults using a web-based questionnaire. A double-bounded contingent valuation approach was used to estimate WTP for the COVID-19 vaccine. The parameters of the model were estimated based on the maximum likelihood method. A considerable proportion of participants (90.87%) were willing to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine. Based on our discrete choice model, the estimated mean WTP for a COVID-19 vaccine was US$ 60.13 (CI: 56.80-63.46; p < 0.01). Having a higher perceived risk of being contaminated with COVID-19, higher average monthly income, higher education level, pre-existence of chronic diseases, previous experience of vaccination, and belonging to higher age groups were significant determinants associated with WTP for COVID-19 vaccination. The present study indicates a relatively high WTP and acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine among the Iranian population. Average monthly income, risk perception, education level, the preexistence of chronic disease, and previous vaccination experience increased the likelihood of WTP for a vaccine. Subsidizing the COVID-19 vaccine for the low-income population and raising risk perception among the population should be considered in formulating vaccine-related interventions.

Analysis of willingness to pay for carbon emission reduction by road users in northeastern Nigeria

This study investigates the willingness to pay for carbon reduction by road users in Northeastern Nigeria and addresses the lack of research on this topic in the region. A survey was conducted among 601 road users, and the data were analysed using descriptive and open-ended contingent valuation approach. The outcomes of the study showed that 65.7% of the surveyed road users were ready to pay for carbon offset, but at relatively low price point. However, 83% of the participants do not have experience on buying carbon emission. Additionally, 42.8% of the road users have a basic understanding of carbon offset program. The average open-ended willingness to pay for a carbon offset was found to be ₦100.73 per trip. The study recommends the need for a programme that will increase awareness and education to road users not only on carbon emission and climate change issues, but also on the importance of carbon offset programme for improving environmental sustainability of the region.

Contingent valuation approach to maximising park finances: a study of Kaziranga National Park

Contingent valuation approach to maximising park finances: a study of Kaziranga National Park

Unlocking the monetary value: investigating the importance of quality information in Australian red meat chains

Context This study assesses the monetary value of product quality information, specifically feedback from slaughter and production methods, within the Australian beef and sheep meat supply chains. Aims The primary objective was to investigate the value assigned by supply chain actors to product quality information, measured as willingness to pay for receiving it or willingness to accept payment for providing it. The study also aimed to explore how the value of this information varies based on information quality and quantity. Methods A contingent valuation approach was employed, utilising survey data from 104 producers. Logit models were used to identify the factors influencing meat producers’ willingness to accept payment and willingness to pay. Key results Over one-third of cattle and sheep producers expressed interest in receiving feedback from slaughter information and providing production methods information. Production methods information had the highest mean value at the premium information quality and quantity level, with values of AU$20.49/head in the beef industry and AU$10.13/head in the sheep industry. Conversely, feedback from slaughter information had the lowest mean value at the low information quality and quantity level, with values of AU$0.83/carcass in beef and AU$0.14/carcass in sheep. Farmers’ experience and education level significantly influenced their willingness to accept payment and willingness to pay for product quality information. Conclusions A significant proportion of producers within the Australian beef and sheep meat supply chains express a desire to provide or pay for product quality information. The value assigned to this information demonstrates a positive relationship with higher information quality and quantity. However, variations in expressed value of different information types, and the influence of farmer and farm characteristics, suggest the presence of chain failures that disrupt information valuation. Implications These findings have important implications for improving the performance of the red meat supply chains. Understanding the factors that influence the valuation of product quality information allows stakeholders to develop targeted strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of information exchange. This may involve addressing chain failures, and implementing measures to ensure consistent and accurate valuation of information. Ultimately, these improvements can contribute to enhanced decision-making processes and overall supply chain performance in the Australian beef and sheep meat industry.

Willingness to Pay (WTP) for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose and Its Determinants in Indonesia.

Willingness to pay (WTP) for booster doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is an under studied research topic. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the WTP for the booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines and its predictors in Indonesia using an online survey distributed all over the provinces of this low-middle-income country. The WTP was evaluated using a basic dichotomous contingent valuation approach, and its associated determinants were evaluated using a linear regression model. Out of 2935 responders, 66.2% (1942/2935) were willing to pay for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The majority of respondents (63.5%) were willing to pay within a price range of 100,000-500,000 Indonesian rupiah (IDR), i.e., USD 6.71-33.57. Being older than 40 years, having a higher educational level, having a higher income, knowing and understanding that booster doses were important, and having a vaccine status that is certified halal (permissible in Islamic law), were all associated with a higher WTP for the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines. The study findings imply that the WTP for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia is lower compared to acceptance of vaccines provided free of charge. This WTP data can be utilized to develop a pricing scheme for the booster doses of COVID-19 vaccination in the country with potential benefits in other low-income countries. The government may be required to provide subsidies for the herd immunity vaccination process to proceed as anticipated. Furthermore, the public community must be educated on the importance of vaccination as well as the fact that the COVID-19 epidemic is far from being over.

Understanding the nexus between forest dependence and willingness to pay for forest conservation: case of forest dependent households in Kenya

PurposeForests support human livelihoods and mitigate against climate change, yet they are at a risk of irreversible loss due to high degradation rates. The success of forest conservation mechanisms depends on involvement and support by forest dependent communities. In this paper, the authors assess forest dependent household's willingness to pay (WTP) labour or cash for a conservation programme seeking to restore degraded forestland in Mount Elgon Forest, Kenya.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 919 households in Mt Elgon forest reserve, Kenya. A double bounded contingent valuation approach was used to examine households' WTP and an ordered probit model to estimate the determinants of WTP.FindingsThe findings of the study show a higher WTP for conservation through labour days (12 days/month, equivalent to 1800 KES/month) compared to cash (KES 450/month). Forest dependence has a significant influence on households' willingness to support conservation activities. A higher WTP was observed amongst households with higher vulnerability (high shocks value, low asset value and those in the poorest wealth categories) implying that they are more willing to contribute for forest conservation.Originality/valueWhile emerging literature on WTP for forest conservation is growing, few studies have paid attention on the influence of forest dependence on WTP for forest conservation. There are limited studies on use of in-kind contribution as a payment vehicle for WTP. The study's findings show a high WTP in form of labour suggesting the importance of embracing in-kind contribution as a mechanism of supporting forest conservation in contexts of developing countries.

International Tourists' Willingness to Pay for A Wildlife Conservation Program: A Case Study of Northern Yellow-cheeked Gibbons in Bach Ma National Park, Vietnam

Extending protected areas has enabled global species and habitat protection, especially for endangered species. In addition, understanding social preferences for species protection is essential to contribute to the biodiversity conservation efforts of protected areas. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the preferences of international tourists towards the protection of the northern yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) through a proposed wildlife conservation program in Bach Ma National Park, Central Vietnam. Data for the study was collected from a face-to-face survey of 361 randomly selected foreign tourists visiting Bach Ma National Park. By using the dichotomous choice contingent valuation approach, we estimate international tourists' willingness to pay (WTP) for the proposed conservation program of gibbons and identify elements that influence their WTP for the conservation program. We found that international tourists strongly support conserving gibbon populations in the Bach Ma. The findings from the logistic regression model in the study reveal that the respondents' bid level, education, knowledge, biodiversity conservation, climate change, and revisit variables were all significantly predictive of WTP. The estimated mean WTP amount for one-time funding of the species conservation program was US$7.83 per international tourist. The obtained results of this study suggest that policy-makers and managers of national parks should consider the significance of international visitors' support for gibbon conservation efforts when designing and developing their social strategies, programs, and policies for protecting nature and preserving biodiversity, particularly with regard to tourism segmentation in protected areas.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Willingness to Pay for Emergency Public Dental Services in Saudi Arabia: A Contingent Valuation Approach.

Dental diseases remain major health problems worldwide, leading to pain, discomfort, and even death. In Saudi Arabia, public dental care services (i.e., services provided by government-owned health facilities) are provided free of charge for all Saudi citizens. However, public dental care facilities are overburdened and overcrowded, resulting in long waiting times to access dental care services. The consequent limited access to dental services can prolong discomfort and delay pain management, thereby exacerbating the suffering of patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the socioeconomic determinants of the willingness to pay for immediate public dental care in the face of a dental emergency in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional design was employed to obtain data from adult citizens of Saudi Arabia who were residents of the Holy City of Makkah. A pre-tested online questionnaire was used to obtain the responses from 549 individuals, selected through a snowball sampling technique, from 15 July to 10 August 2021. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages), Pearson's chi-square test, and binary probit regression were used as estimation techniques. The findings showed that 79.4% of the respondents were willing to pay for immediate public dental services, with the majority (86%) expressing a willingness to pay less than 500 Saudi Riyal (SAR). The binary probit regression estimates showed that respondents who were unemployed, those with a high school level of education or below, and those without private health insurance were less likely to be willing to pay for immediate public dental services. Thus, policies and initiatives aimed at enhancing the willingness to pay for immediate public dental services should target the unemployed, those with a high school level of education or below, and people without private health insurance.