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Policy dilemma of innovation: An info-gap approach

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  • Ben-Haim, Yakov
  • Osteen, Craig D.
  • Moffitt, L. Joe

Abstract

New ideas or technologies are often advocated because of their purported improvements on existing methods. However, what is new is usually less well-known and less widely tested than what is old. New methods may entail greater unknown dangers as well as greater potential advantages. The policy maker who must choose between innovation and convention faces a dilemma of innovation. We present a methodology, based on info-gap robustness, to deal with the innovation dilemma. We illustrate the approach by examining the policy decisions for managing the light brown apple moth in California.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben-Haim, Yakov & Osteen, Craig D. & Moffitt, L. Joe, 2013. "Policy dilemma of innovation: An info-gap approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 130-138.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:85:y:2013:i:c:p:130-138
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2012.08.011
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jarský, Vilém, 2015. "Analysis of the sectoral innovation system for forestry of the Czech Republic. Does it even exist?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 56-65.
    3. Shira Daskal & Adar Ben-Eliyahu & Gal Levy & Yakov Ben-Haim & Ronnen Avny, 2022. "Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction by Building a Robust Social-Emotional Preparedness Program," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-22, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation; Policy selection; Robustness to uncertainty; Info-gaps; Light brown apple moth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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