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Inferences from sparse data: An integrated, meta-utility approach to conservation research

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  • Chouinard, Hayley H.
  • Wandschneider, Philip R.
  • Paterson, Tobias

Abstract

Current behavioral research in conservation adoption has been unable to clearly identify the key characteristics of successful adoption. Most conservation studies employ a theory which focuses on one feature (e.g., profits, attitudes, information, norms, or technology). We propose an integrated, three-component framework to model conservation comprising: 1) motives (including stewardship) and meta-utility, 2) firm practices and technology choice, and 3) impacts. We justify this model and compare its use with others in an empirical setting. We build two empirical conservation measures and apply them to a sparse primary data set. Our results show links between the measures and underlying motives—financial and non-financial. We conclude that research and data interpretation using a multiple-motive, integrated framework can improve future research efforts and conservation policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Chouinard, Hayley H. & Wandschneider, Philip R. & Paterson, Tobias, 2016. "Inferences from sparse data: An integrated, meta-utility approach to conservation research," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 71-78.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:122:y:2016:i:c:p:71-78
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.11.019
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    Cited by:

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    3. Han, Guang & Niles, Meredith T., 2023. "An adoption spectrum for sustainable agriculture practices: A new framework applied to cover crop adoption," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    4. Tingting Liu & Randall J. F. Bruins & Matthew T. Heberling, 2018. "Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Best Management Practices: A Review and Synthesis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-26, February.
    5. Xiaojuan Fan & Guanghui Meng & Qingming Zhang, 2024. "Empirical Research on Factors Influencing Chinese Farmers’ Adoption of Green Production Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-13, July.
    6. Margarita Velandia & Roderick Rejesus & Christopher Clark & Karen L. DeLong & Annette Wszelaki & Susan Schexnayder & Kimberly Jensen, 2020. "Evaluating the Relationship between Fruit and Vegetable Growers Use of Plastic Biodegradable Mulches, and Environmental Stewardship and Labor Savings: The Case of Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, March.
    7. Bopp, C. & Engler, A. & Poortvliet, M. & Jara-Rojas, R., 2018. "Soil conservation behavior among annual crop farmers: the moderating role of intrinsic on extrinsic motivations," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277300, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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