Discrete Choice Research Articles

A binary choice model for adoption of an emerging travel mode with unique service features

In the era of emerging technologies, the transportation system is witnessing the introduction of innovative mobility services, such as autonomous vehicles, which possess unique service features that cannot be seen from conventional travel modes. To facilitate the understanding of the behavioral impacts and the adoption of innovative mobilities, a novel binary weibit model with an oddball alternative (BW-O) is developed for the binary choice between conventional and emerging mobilities. The BW-O model explicitly considers the unprecedented (or unique) service features of emerging travel modes while retaining the closed-form choice probability. This study empirically illustrates the application of the BW-O model in the mode choice context. The desirable properties of the BW-O model compared to the existing binary choice models are discussed both theoretically and empirically. In the binary mode choice problem with an emerging travel mode, the unique service features of the emerging mode can lead to the “oddball” effect and “superstar” effect, which play a critical role in the travel behavior and mode adoption. The BW-O model inherently captures both effects by considering a higher perception variance for the emerging mode and asymmetric choice probabilities between different modes. Thus, as revealed by the empirical results, the BW-O model outperforms the basic binary weibit model in terms of both model fit and predictive power. The developed BW-O model is not only applicable to the mode choice problem in transportation systems, but also opens a door for more general class-imbalanced binary choice contexts where an alternative has additional attractiveness and asymmetric choice probability.

Analysis of socioeconomic and built environment factors influencing travel mode choice of older adults in Georgia

This paper explores the travel behavior of older adults in comparison to younger adults using the 2017 U.S. National Household Travel Survey Georgia Add-on. We employ a discrete mode choice model to examine how the relationships between travel outcomes and socioeconomic, trip, and built environment characteristics vary by age. Travel modes are categorized into automobile, public transit, and non-motorized modes (i.e., walking and biking). The analysis reveals significant differences in factors related to non-auto mode travel outcomes between age groups. The presence of health conditions is associated with a lower likelihood of older adults choosing non-auto modes, and this effect intensifies with age. The association between trip purposes and travel outcome also varies; home-based-other purpose trips, such as healthcare appointments or community activities, are associated with a higher probability of older adults choosing non-motorized modes compared to other trip purposes. Residential density is more of a factor for older adults' non-auto mode choices, and older adults living in non-auto mode supportive environments are more likely to maintain non-auto mode usage. The study further finds that older adults and those with health conditions live and travel in less dense, less walkable areas than their counterparts, which makes it difficult for them to have viable non-auto transportation options. To expand mobility options for older adults, planners should design programs for older adults with health conditions and provide services for those who can no longer drive or without access to automobiles. Additionally, considering built environment conditions and the varying needs of individuals based on trip purposes is recommended to satisfy the mobility needs of older adults in accordance with their lifestyles.

Walking on sunshine: Application of a choice experiment to understand impacts of climate change on tourism attractions

Summer destinations and local attractions in Western European countries are increasingly affected by climate change, predominantly high temperatures and impacts by thunderstorms. In order to assist practitioners, this study investigates the trade-offs visitors make under different expected weather conditions and develops recommendations for adaptation strategies. A survey containing a discrete choice experiment including different types of attractions, accessibility and weather conditions, was conducted (N=5,544). The results show that the impacts of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and heat as a result of climate change cannot be assessed in a blanket manner. Visitors are less sensitive to high temperatures than to the probability of thunderstorms and cooler temperatures are preferred, especially for outdoor activities. Furthermore, the survey revealed that the majority of respondents would rather travel further (spatial substitution) than change the desired activity (activity substitution).We expected that steering instruments such as higher parking fees or the enhanced accessibility by public transportation are able to change mobility patterns and enhance mitigation strategies. However. parking fees, meant to influence behavior and enhance the shift from private car to public transportation, showed limited effects. Finally, the results underline that the perceived utility of sustainability certifications remains low, and that certification has a very limited influence on the decision-making process.

From Niche to Mainstream: US Consumer Trends and Preferences for Elderberry Products

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is an emerging and popular specialty crop in North America and worldwide. Both the fruit and flowers are being increasingly consumed because of their proven health benefits, mostly in the form of dietary supplement products. We explored changes in consumer knowledge and purchasing preferences regarding elderberry products after comparing results of a survey conducted in 2022 with those of a previous study conducted in 2011. Findings based on responses from 1036 US residents revealed that 41.2% had previously consumed elderberry products. This marks a significant increase from the 6.9% reported in the 2011 survey. Elderberry-based vitamin supplements were the most consumed elderberry product reported in the survey. Approximately half of the respondents reported consuming this product, which is an approximately seven-fold increase from 7.0% reported in 2011. We noted a change in purchasing venues, with more than 50% of participants purchasing elderberry products from grocery stores in 2022 compared to 43% in 2011. An analysis of a discrete choice experiment revealed that, among selected product attributes, organic and pesticide-free production of elderberries were the most important attributes. Statistical results of the choice experiment suggested that consumers were willing to pay, on average, US$3.51 more per 12-ounce (355 mL) bottle of juice made from organic elderberries and an even higher premium of US$3.97 more per bottle of pesticide-free elderberry juice compared to that for juice made from conventionally grown elderberries. We also estimated that consumer products made with American-grown elderberries would garner a 13% price premium over elderberries grown in Europe. Elderberry products with carbon neutrality elicited a 13% premium per bottle of juice (approximately US$1.91 more per bottle) compared to that of those without disclosure of the carbon emission information. In summary, elderberry products labeled as pesticide-free, locally produced, and carbon-neutral are likely to offer the greatest market appeal to US consumers and would further contribute to the mainstreaming of elderberry products.

Does targeted information impact consumers’ preferences for value-based health insurance? Evidence from a survey experiment

Abstract Objectives Value-based insurance design (VBID) aims to direct consumers’ preferences by incentivizing the use of high-value care and discouraging the use of low-value care. However, consumers often have limited knowledge of health insurance and the health insurance system, possibly distorting their preferences. In this study, we aim to investigate the impact of specific information treatments on consumers’ preferences for VBID. Methods We implemented an information experiment as part of a representative survey on health insurance literacy and preferences for VBID within Switzerland’s choice-based health insurance system. Preferences for VBID were measured through a discrete choice experiment. Cross-sectional data on 6,033 respondents aged 26–75 were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed logit regressions. Results Respondents showed strong preferences for their current health insurance instead of VBID alternatives. A general description of current regulations on cost-sharing, drug disbursement, and monthly premiums significantly increased preferences for VBID (p < 0.01). Pointing respondents specifically to VBID further reduced the opposition against VBID plans. At the same time, there is evidence for anchoring effects in copayments after receiving the information treatments, irrespective of the value of the care. Conclusions The results of this study highlight that individuals are susceptible to provided information about health insurance when building their preferences for VBID. One potential explanation is limited health insurance literacy, implying that tailored communication strategies may be needed to improve insurance decision-making. JEL Classification I11, I13.

Treatment Preferences of Physicians Treating Adult Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorderin the United States and Canada: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Factors influencing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment preferences have been studied among patients but not physicians in the United States (US) and Canada. This study assessed treatment preferences of physicians treating adult patients with ADHD in both countries. An online discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted (October 4-20, 2023) among physicians from Dynata's US and Canadian panel who treated adult patients with ADHD. Preference weights for efficacy (improvement in ADHD symptoms) and safety [risks of adverse events (AEs)] attributes were estimated using a conditional logistic regression model, and were used to calculate the willingness to trade-off and relative importance of the attributes. Among 510 US and 347 Canadian physicians (64.1% and 69.2% male, respectively), improvement in ADHD symptoms had a significant positive impact, and the risks of AEs (except the risk of feeling jittery in Canada) had a significant negative impact on physician preferences for ADHD treatments. US physicians were willing to tradeoff 0.44, 0.35, 0.20, 0.17, and 0.17 percentage points of improvement in ADHD symptoms to avoid a one-percentage-point risk of insomnia, nausea, feeling jittery, anxiety, and dry mouth, respectively; among Canadian physicians, these were 0.31, 0.21, 0.12, 0.20, and 0.07, respectively. The relative importance of the efficacy versus safety attributes (i.e., the risks of AEs included in the DCE taken together) was 45.5% versus 54.5% in the US and 56.3% versus 43.7% in Canada. Efficacy was the most important single attribute for physicians treating adult patients with ADHD in both the US and Canada; however, the risks of AEs taken together had greater relative importance than efficacy alone among US but not Canadian physicians. These findings highlight potential discrepancies in physician and patient preferences based on existing evidence and underscore the importance of shared decision-making, which may in turn increase patients' treatment satisfaction.

Tourist mobility packages in an island mass tourism destination: Exploring preferences heterogeneity and willingness-to-pay

Ensuring a sustainable and efficient transportation system meeting visitor mobility needs is paramount for mass tourist destinations. Recognising this challenge, some destinations are embracing Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solutions as a strategy to create a more sustainable transportation system for tourists. This study uses a discrete choice experiment to analyse tourists’ preferences and willingness to pay for MaaS packages in two well-known municipalities of the Canary Islands, one of Europe’s premier mass tourism destinations. The empirical evidence of taste heterogeneity revealed by the analysis indicates that a one-size-fits-all solution is inadequate. Therefore, the development of mobility packages must be tailored to the specific needs of distinct tourist segments. This approach caters to individual preferences and maximises the perceived value for each tourist segment, promoting the adoption of sustainable transportation options.

Eye movements in binary food choice context: assessing the complexity of restaurant menus on virtue vs. vice foods

ABSTRACT This paper explores binary food choices through the lens of information load theory. We conducted two laboratory studies using the eye-tracking approach to understand the influence of the high menu complexity on visual attention for virtue versus vice food options. This paper also examined the moderating effect of time on the initial fixation. Our findings showed that the time duration taken to reach the first fixation influences binary food choices. This was evident when participants were tasked with selecting food options from a high menu complexity. Specifically, fixation duration is greater for virtue food than vice food in a high menu complexity context. However, no differences in fixation duration between vice and virtue foods were observed in low menu complexity. This study provides key insights into understanding how differences in menu complexity impact customers’ binary food choice decisions concerning vice and virtue foods.

The digitalization of emergency department triage: the perspectives of health professionals and patients.

Digitalization in the healthcare sector offers several organizational advantages, ranging from enhanced service quality to cost savings. However, its adoption often progresses slowly and faces challenges, especially in critical settings like emergency departments, requiring prompt, clear, and efficient communication. As such, this study aims to comprehensively assess the factors influencing the preference for digitalized tools over traditional methods from the perspectives of both service providers and users. We employ two ad hoc stated preference surveys in which we ask respondents to reveal their preference in simulated triage scenarios. Three main alternatives are proposed: traditional procedures, a fully digitalized solution with no direct patient-professional interaction, and a hybrid option that combines traditional and digital aspects. Scenarios and alternatives vary according to predetermined attributes, selected among the features acknowledged to impact the triage efficiency and efficacy: the possibility to communicate in a known language, the completeness of information retrieved from the patient, the time dedicated to triage activity, and the level of privacy. Responses are analyzed by means of discrete choice models. Our findings reveal a preference for the hybrid approach, wherein patients use digital tools to input relevant information, followed by an interview with healthcare professionals. Nevertheless, distinct alternative- and case-specific features can favor the preference toward other kinds of triage. Respondents prefer shorter triage times and the opportunity to interact in a known language, while the level of privacy does not significantly impact their choices. Interestingly, the presence of an algorithm assigning urgency code diminishes the probability that healthcare professionals select the fully digitalized option. This study provides important insight into the utilization of digital tools in emergency departments. The results can be used by hospital managers and policy makers to develop digital tools that meet the needs of both users and healthcare professionals. This, in turn, may result in cost savings and improved quality of service.

Leveling up on labels? Consumer preferences for firm‐level eco‐labels as substitutes for or complements to product‐level eco‐labels

AbstractEco‐labels can inform consumers about the environmental impact of their purchase decisions, but preferences for different types and combinations of labels—especially the under‐researched concept of firm‐level eco‐labels—are poorly understood. Furthermore, the effectiveness of displaying one versus more labels on products remains unclear, as does the impact of consumers' specific shopping goals and the availability of information about the labels' meaning. Relying on discrete choice experiments and with theory on consumers' attributions and goal pursuit as its starting point, this paper tackles the questions, “How do consumers respond to different types and combinations of eco‐labels, and how does information about the labels' meaning and specific shopping goals impact revealed label preferences?”. The results establish firm‐level eco‐labels as important supplements to or replacements for (some) product‐level eco‐labels and have implications for firms' decisions on which labels to feature on products as well as legislators' efforts to stimulate responsible consumption.

Spatial overlap: trade-offs in refugees’ residential choices

ABSTRACT Social science research gives rise to what we call the ‘refugee mobility puzzle’: While restrictions on the freedom of residence limit refugees’ socio-economic integration, those who do not face such restrictions often move to areas with high unemployment that similarly hinder their labor market prospects. This study addresses a central element of this puzzle: What draws refugees to high unemployment areas? We propose the spatial overlap hypothesis arguing that refugees in comparatively generous reception systems initially prioritize or are forced to prioritize non-labor-market resources such as affordable housing and proximity to social networks. Thereby they often settle in areas with general economic disadvantage as such areas frequently overlap with said resources. Based on the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees this study tracks residential histories of more than 2,400 refugee respondents across all German counties and postcodes. Discrete choice models show that preferences for cities, lack of affordable housing, the presence of small, service-oriented companies, and co-ethnic communities explain refugees’ gravitation to disadvantaged areas. These results support the spatial overlap hypothesis and suggest that recently approved refugees face trade-offs: area characteristics that are initially attractive tend to spatially overlap with such that likely inhibit longer-term integration prospects.

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programmatic preferences among people who inject drugs: findings from a discrete choice experiment.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) holds promise for decreasing new HIV infections among people who inject drugs (PWID), yet daily oral PrEP use is low, and PrEP modality and delivery strategy preferences in this population remain understudied. From May 2022-June 2023, we conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with PWID in San Diego, California. Participants viewed 18 PrEP program scenarios in sets of three and chose their preferred scenario within each set. Scenarios consisted of various combinations of five characteristics: PrEP modality (injectable, implantable, oral), frequency of use (annual, bi-monthly, daily), service location (community-based organization, clinic, telemedicine), prescription access location (on-site, street outreach, mail), and adherence supports (social support, outreach worker, phone/text reminder). Multinomial logit regression estimated probabilities of choosing PrEP program scenarios as a function of the five characteristics to estimate part-worth utility scores (PWUS; reflecting relative preferences for specific characteristic values) and relative importance scores (RIS; reflecting the relative influence of each characteristic on program choice). We also explored differences by hypothesized modifiers of preferences (i.e., sex assigned at birth, housing status, injection frequency, prior PrEP awareness). Among 262 participants, mean age was 43.1 years, and most reported male sex assigned at birth (69.5%), identified as non-Hispanic (60.3%), and were previously unaware of PrEP (75.2%). Frequency of use (RIS: 51.5) and PrEP modality (RIS: 35.3) had the greatest influence on PrEP program choice. Within these characteristics, participants had relative preferences for annual use (PWUS: 0.83) and oral PrEP (PWUS: 0.57), and relative aversions to daily use (PWUS: -0.76) and implantable PrEP (PWUS: -0.53). Generally, participants did not indicate preferences for specific service or prescription access locations, or adherence supports; however, among those with prior PrEP awareness, prescription access location and adherence supports had a slightly greater influence on PrEP program choices. Our study considered diverse PrEP scenarios and highlighted potential preferences for long-acting oral modalities. Although not currently available, renewed investment in long-acting oral PrEP formulations may facilitate PrEP care engagement among PWID. Additional delivery and implementation strategy research is needed to support PrEP uptake and persistence in this population.

What motivates the choice to custom hire pest management spraying services?

This article presents a model of how farmers choose to custom hire for pest control. The decision-making process is illustrated through a discrete choice experiment conducted via a pilot survey of soybean growers in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. Farmers responded to a hypothetical pest infestation by choosing between custom operators, spraying on their own, or leaving the field to its fate. Among farmers who choose to spray, the mean willingness to pay for marginal increases in timeliness (as defined as the chance of late spraying) ranges from 37 to 52 cents per acre. We also find that farmers more averse to risk are more sensitive to custom operator timeliness and that farmers with better-developed social networks are less sensitive to the risk of delay. The results of this study can motivate future research into the drivers of on-farm decision-making, especially as it relates to custom hire behavior in pest control and other field operations. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Identifying pragmatic solutions to reduce cigarette smoking prevalence in Indigenous North Americans: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods study protocol.

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking of any race or ethnicity in the United States. Efforts to address smoking prevalence in this population have not historically targeted maintenance of smoking cessation, or behaviors associated with pregnancy. Recent longitudinal cohort studies have identified maintenance of cessation and pregnancy as potential opportunities to address smoking in AI/AN people. To promote success in achieving sustained smoking cessation in AI/AN people, we propose a community engaged sequential exploratory mixed-methods study focused on identifying pragmatic elements of cessation interventions. A discovery sample of 45 AI/AN people will be included in the qualitative study in one of two arms consisting of small groups or one-on-one interviews to develop elements of cessation interventions for evaluation in a discrete choice experiment survey. These one-on-one interviews will characterize the key drivers of smoking relapse and unique experiences of smoking during pregnancy. An additional, independent small group will consist of counselors who engage in smoking cessation counseling. A larger-scale survey will be administered to an AI/AN cohort from Olmsted County, Minnesota (n = 898). Elements of successful interventions will be used to inform a smoking cessation intervention pilot study. Community stakeholders have informed the methods outlined in this protocol, and there is a longitudinal engagement plan for the duration of study. We outline the methods to understand optimal strategies to promote sustained cigarette smoking cessation and cessation during pregnancy in AI/AN people. This study is critical to inform a pilot intervention aimed at reducing smoking prevalence in AI/AN people.

Consumer Willingness to Pay for Food Products Enriched with Brewers’ Spent Grain: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG), a nutrient-rich by-product, offers the food industry a sustainable opportunity. This study explores consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for food products enriched with BSG, focusing on the influence of sustainability logos and brand information. Using a discrete choice experiment (DCE), analyze how these attributes impact consumer preferences for two products: BSG-enriched bread and chocolate dessert. Key variables included the presence of sustainability logos and BSG information, brand type (premium, low-cost, or no-brand), and price. An online survey was conducted, and the multinomial logit (MNL) model was applied to the data (n = 402). Overall, these results suggest that sustainability logos and BSG information positively influence consumer choices, although brand significance varies across product categories. For bread, the brand plays a critical role in purchasing decisions, while for chocolate dessert, the price is the main decision factor. This research highlights that through the addition of BSG, the bread and chocolate manufacturing industry in Uruguay can increase profits with a premium price and improve product quality, transforming the food industry and advancing sustainable development.

Preferences and valuation of small-scale wastewater treatment system maintenance using discrete choice method: Case of community-managed system in Jakarta, Indonesia

The focus of public service delivery on sustainability and universal access has enabled the enactment of many community-based programs in Indonesia. However, relevant studies that examine the willingness to pay among households that utilize community-managed facilities are lacking, despite it being one of the most important factors for maintenance and a strong indicator of commitment. In the present study, we aimed to estimate household users' preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) to understand their demand for related services. It estimates household user preferences and willingness to pay to understand the demand for related services through a choice experiment. By comparing all service attributes, the results highlight that users derive the highest utility if they updated reactors and pipelines, and, conversely, if the responsible authority is changed. The desire for quality improvement and service expansion were confirmed using this model. The mixed model estimated a willingness to pay of 0.03–3.13 USD for average users, depending on the attributes. Our findings confirm that families who belong to a community that operates a decentralized system derive greater benefits from improved maintenance; thus, they are willing to pay more to enjoy the service. Notably, at its core, a community-managed system, such as the Sanimas Program, is a co-production initiative between multiple levels of government institutions and local residents. Therefore, maintenance actions should involve resource- and payment-intensive efforts, such as half-year sanitary desludging and system replacement owing to deterioration and hazards. Policy regulations that correct the distribution of roles among partners for maintaining the system should be initiated. These findings provide evidence for the government's commitment to the community and could help convince other stakeholders to redirect their attention to supporting sustainable system performance.

Healthcare professionals’ preferences for the specialist pharmacy service medicines advice clinical enquiry service: a discrete choice experiment

Abstract Introduction The Specialist Pharmacy Service Medicines Advice (SPS-MA) service answers enquiries from primary care professionals in England. The preferences of service users for the way this service is provided (e.g. opening hours, speed and route of reply, amount of detail in answer etc.) are unknown. Such information would be useful to ensure the service meets the needs of users as well as possible within the constraints of available resources. Aim To determine healthcare professionals’ preferences for the Specialist Pharmacy Service Medicines Advice clinical enquiry service using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Methods International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research good research practices were used to conduct a DCE1. Previous literature2, documentary analysis of SPS-MA policies, and interviews with four SPS-MA enquirers and three SPS-MA service providers/managers identified seven key attributes of the clinical enquiry service. Each attribute could be defined using one of 2-3 descriptions (‘levels’). A D-efficient experimental design generated 20 pairs of potential clinical enquiry service variants, each described by one level linked to each of the seven attributes. These 20 pairs were blocked into two online surveys (10 pairs per survey), which asked participants to choose which service from each pair they would prefer to contact. The 1669 SPS-MA clinical enquiry contacts with a recorded email in the year to November 2023 were randomised to receive an email invitation to complete one of the survey variants. Preferences for each attribute level were estimated using conditional logit regression. Using the HRA decision tool, this project was not considered research by the NHS. It was given a favourable opinion by the University of Bath ethics review process on 27th November 2023 (reference 1153-2222). Results 236 participants completed a survey (52% GP pharmacists, 26% other pharmacists, 22% other professional; median 15 years’ experience). Weekend opening and opening hours did not significantly affect preferences (p≥0.226). All other attributes did significantly affect preferences (p≤0.015). An answer within one hour or two days was most valued (preference weightings (95%CI) relative to five days: 0.89 (0.76-1.03) and 0.58 (0.45-0.72), respectively). Communication by email was highly valued (preference weighting: 0.62 (0.47-0.77) relative to telephone only). The availability of a website of frequently asked questions was also valued (preference weighting: 0.48 (0.31-0.64) relative to no website). Answering the telephone within 20 seconds and a detailed response were valued, but to a lesser degree. Sub-group analysis found that participants qualified for <15 years valued email communication and detailed responses more strongly than other participants (p≤0.035). Discussion / Conclusion Where clinically appropriate, the SPS-MA clinical enquiry service should prioritise speed of reply, communication by email and a website of frequently asked questions. Longer opening hours are not required. This is the first study to use of a DCE to investigate professional enquirers’ preferences for a medicines information/advice service. This allowed analysis of the strength of preferences and how they were traded off. Due to the small number of non-pharmacist enquirers to the SPS-MA service, it was not possible to investigate how professional background influences preferences.

How supermarket retailers value business outcomes of healthy food retail strategies: a discrete choice experiment

How supermarket retailers value business outcomes of healthy food retail strategies: a discrete choice experiment

Unveiling Hong Kong’s mental health preferences: insights from survey experiment towards precision care

ABSTRACT This study, grounded in the discourse on precision mental health (PMH), investigates the service preferences of Chinese adults in Hong Kong. Through discrete choice experiments with 1,006 residents aged 18–75, mixed logit regression analysis was used to identify individual preferences, with sub-group analyses uncovering variations therein. Results highlight a strong preference for services that offer prompt access, affordability and professional endorsement, particularly outside the public sector. Additionally, familial contexts significantly influence these preferences, revealing conflicts in provider selection, access modalities, intervention types and the extent of family involvement. Psychological stress also affects service choice. This study underscores the diverse nature of service preferences among Chinese adults in Hong Kong, emphasising the need for targeted policy interventions to enhance PMH implementation within the local healthcare system. By exploring these nuanced preferences, this study enriches discussions on optimising mental healthcare delivery in Hong Kong and potentially other regions.

Determinants of receiving government support by small and medium-sized enterprises in Russia

Government support measures help companies overcome various restrictions impeding their growth and develop ment, which is of special relevance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These measures, therefore, must reach the target companies and ensure efficient allocation of resources. The article reveals key characteristics of SMEs in Russia that increase the probability of them receiving government support. The research methodology is based on public interest theory, public choice theory and the concept of economic freedom. The research method is a two-step regression analysis, in which the binary choice model is first evaluated, and then the LASSO model is used to assess the impact of the textual content of the companies’ websites. The dataset of the study is represented by data on 2,176 Russian metallurgical enterprises for 2020–2023, of which 57% were receiving government support. The results of the first step of evaluation showed that the organization’s age and size meas ured by revenue were the key factors associated with the probability of receiving government support. At the second step, we found that the mention of certain goods or materials on the websites, the enterprise’s location and orientation towards foreign stakeholders were significantly related to the likelihood of getting state support. The study offers tools for analyzing the determi nants of government support for SMEs and highlights the importance of this analysis for more efficient allocation of government resources.