New projects: Environmental policy and human action
WebmasterThe project is focused on developing a better understanding of what motivate choices with environmental consequences.
Neoclassical or conventional economic theory suggests providing economic incentives so that what is best for society also becomes individually beneficial. Institutionally oriented models assume that people may
accept some personal sacrifices to attain solutions that in such situations are better for the group. They may observe such acts as duties or as meaningful in themselves.
More specifically the idea is to study how the institutional context influences individual motivations. The hypothesis to be explored is that the institutional context signals whether it is the individual's interests only
(individual rationality) or the interests of the wider group (social rationality) that forms the expected logic of a situation - for example of treating waste. If this hypothesis gains support, several policy options appear beyond
those of the conventional model.
The project wants to develop these options. It will also help us understand when conventional policies can be pursued and when and why such policies may fail. Based on this, the project aims both at delivering advice to policy makers and input to the process of advancing our understanding of human
action.
The empirical basis of the project will be studies of two existing policy areas (waste handling and restrictions on studded tires) and two experiments with systematic variation in the institutional context. At present very few
experiments have tested the hypothesis that institutions are rationality contexts and hence may convey different
logics or types of motivations.
Researchers with different disciplinary background will be involved, and one of the innovative aspects of the project is to bring together representatives of competing perspectives on human choice. The involved researchers come from Noragric, Department of Economics and Resource Management (also UMB) and from Cicero (Oslo). A strong international team is finally connected to the project as advicers. 3 Mln NOK will be allocated to this project .
Updated: 18.12.07
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Del med en venn:
Department of International Environment and Development Studies
- Noragric
Phone: +47 64 96 52 00
Fax: +47 64 96 52 01
E-mail: noragric@umb.no
Postal address:
Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
P.O. Box 5003
NO-1432 Aas
Norway
Visiting/delivery address:
Universitetstunet 1 (Tivoli)
NO-1432 Ås
Phone: +47 64 96 52 00
Fax: +47 64 96 52 01
E-mail: noragric@umb.no
Postal address:
Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
P.O. Box 5003
NO-1432 Aas
Norway
Visiting/delivery address:
Universitetstunet 1 (Tivoli)
NO-1432 Ås