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Entropy balancing for causal effects in discrete choice analysis: The Blue Planet II effect

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Listed:
  • Hynes, S.
  • Ankamah-Yeboah, I.
  • O’Neill, S.
  • Needham, K.
  • Bich Xuan, B.
  • Armstrong, C.

Abstract

In this study the discrete choice experiment approach was employed in a survey of the Scottish general public to analyse how respondents make trade-offs between blue growth potential and marine ecosystem service delivery associated with the Mingulay cold water reef complex. Results indicate a higher willingness to pay for management options associated with the highest possible levels of marine litter control followed by the highest possible levels of fish health. Using entropy balancing, a multivariate reweighting method to produce balanced samples in observational studies, we also test the impact that having watched the BBC Blue Planet II documentary series may have had on individuals’ willingness to support marine conservation activity. Whether or not respondents had seen the BBC Blue Planet II series was found to have a significant impact on people’s preferences. Despite this, the willingness to pay (WTP) does not differ between the two groups suggesting that such documentaries may impact preferences but not the final action of WTP. It is argued that the entropy weighting approach can be a useful tool in discrete choice modelling when the researcher is concerned with estimating differences in preferences between a group of interest and a comparison group.

Suggested Citation

  • Hynes, S. & Ankamah-Yeboah, I. & O’Neill, S. & Needham, K. & Bich Xuan, B. & Armstrong, C., 2020. "Entropy balancing for causal effects in discrete choice analysis: The Blue Planet II effect," Working Papers 309500, National University of Ireland, Galway, Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:semrui:309500
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.309500
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    Keywords

    Environmental Economics and Policy; Institutional and Behavioral Economics;

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