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Multi-Criteria Analysis: "Good Enough" for Government Work?

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  • Leo Dobes
  • Jeff Bennett

Abstract

Multi-criteria analysis (including Triple Bottom Line approaches) is fundamentally flawed in principle, and is open to abuse by special-interest groups. Its increased use poses a significant risk to the quality of policy formulation by Australian governments.

Suggested Citation

  • Leo Dobes & Jeff Bennett, 2009. "Multi-Criteria Analysis: "Good Enough" for Government Work?," Agenda - A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics, vol. 16(3), pages 7-30.
    • Handle: RePEc:acb:agenda:v:16:y:2009:i:3:p:7-30
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    File URL: http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p88621/pdf/01.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diakoulaki, D. & Karangelis, F., 2007. "Multi-criteria decision analysis and cost-benefit analysis of alternative scenarios for the power generation sector in Greece," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(4), pages 716-727, May.
    2. Nick Hanley & Clive L. Spash, 1993. "Cost–Benefit Analysis and the Environment," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 205.
    3. Leo Dobes, 2007. "Turning Isolation To Advantage In Regional Cost—Benefit Analysis," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 26(1), pages 17-28, March.
    4. Ian J. Bateman & Richard T. Carson & Brett Day & Michael Hanemann & Nick Hanley & Tannis Hett & Michael Jones-Lee & Graham Loomes, 2002. "Economic Valuation with Stated Preference Techniques," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2639.
    5. Henry Ergas, 2009. "Infrastructure Australia, A Report to the Council of Australian Governments," Agenda - A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics, vol. 16(1), pages 79-82.
    6. Bennett, Jeffrey W. & Dumsday, Robert G. & Gillespie, Robert, 2008. "Analysing options for the Red Gum Forests along the Murray River," 2008 Conference (52nd), February 5-8, 2008, Canberra, Australia 6029, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Dobes Leo & Jotzo Frank & Stern David I., 2014. "The Economics of Global Climate Change: A Historical Literature Review," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 65(3), pages 281-320, December.
    2. Baker, Rick & Ruting, Brad, 2014. "Environmental Policy Analysis: A Guide to Non‑Market Valuation," 2014 Conference (58th), February 4-7, 2014, Port Macquarie, Australia 165810, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    3. Dobes, Leo, 2012. "Adaptation to Climate Change: Formulating Policy under Uncertainty," Working Papers 249390, Australian National University, Centre for Climate Economics & Policy.
    4. Davis, Katrina J. & Pannell, David J. & Kragt, Marit Ellen, 2012. "Determining the cost-effectiveness of Phytophthora cinnamomi management in the Fitzgerald River National Park," 2012 Conference (56th), February 7-10, 2012, Fremantle, Australia 124288, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    5. World Bank, 2011. "Climate Change and Fiscal Policy : A Report for APEC," World Bank Publications - Reports 2734, The World Bank Group.
    6. Lin Crase, 2010. "A Cautionary Note on the Use of Socio‐Economic Analyses in Water Planning," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 29(1), pages 41-47, March.
    7. Ozgur Isil & Michael T. Hernke, 2017. "The Triple Bottom Line: A Critical Review from a Transdisciplinary Perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(8), pages 1235-1251, December.
    8. Richard J. Thomas & Emmanuelle Quillérou & Naomi Stewart, 2013. "The rewards of investing in sustainable land management," Working Papers hal-01954823, HAL.
    9. Pierre-Emmanuel Arduin & Elsa Negre & Camille Rosenthal-Sabroux, 2013. "Towards a new tacit knowledge-based approach for decision process," Post-Print hal-01347323, HAL.
    10. Ward, E. John & Dimitriou, Harry T. & Dean, Marco, 2016. "Theory and background of multi-criteria analysis: Toward a policy-led approach to mega transport infrastructure project appraisal," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 21-45.
    11. Dean, M. & Hickman, R. & Chen, C.-L., 2019. "Testing the application of participatory MCA: The case of the South Fylde Line," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 62-70.
    12. Abbie A. Rogers & Fiona L. Dempster & Jacob I. Hawkins & Robert J. Johnston & Peter C. Boxall & John Rolfe & Marit E. Kragt & Michael P. Burton & David J. Pannell, 2019. "Valuing non-market economic impacts from natural hazards," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 99(2), pages 1131-1161, November.

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