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For the Greater Good? A Test for Strategic Bias in Group Environmental Decisions

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  • Stefan A. Hajkowicz

    (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems)

Abstract

This paper presents a study which tests for strategic bias in group decision support models. Strategic bias occurs when individuals provide preference information to a group decision model which, they perceive, will improve their own outcomes and not necessarily those of the group. A test is made for strategic bias in a decision model used to allocate funds amongst 14 natural resource management regions in Queensland. The funds are a crucial source of revenue for the regions to achieve environmental objectives. In this real decision problem representatives from each region supplied criteria weights for a multiple criteria analysis model. Results reveal moderate to weak presence of strategic bias. Regions mostly selected weights that would improve their outcome relative to the weights of other regions. But this was not overly pronounced and there were exceptions. Whilst some degree of strategic bias existed these results show a willingness to separate individual and group preferences when interacting with formal decision procedures. Further research is required to see how this changes under unstructured negotiation and arbitration as opposed to a formal model.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan A. Hajkowicz, 2012. "For the Greater Good? A Test for Strategic Bias in Group Environmental Decisions," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 331-344, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:grdene:v:21:y:2012:i:3:d:10.1007_s10726-010-9196-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10726-010-9196-4
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