Bore drain replacement in south-west Queensland: benefits and costs for land managers

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lachlan Pegler ◽  
Renée Moore ◽  
Delphine Bentley
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Financial Benefit ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
South West ◽  
Resource Condition ◽  
Land Systems ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Benefits And Costs

The Bore Drain Replacement Project (BDRP) in south-west Queensland provided government subsidies to land managers to convert water distribution systems from open earth bore drains to piped water systems, thereby addressing Great Artesian Basin (GAB) sustainability issues. To fully evaluate the benefits and costs of the project for land managers, both a financial benefit-cost analysis and a study of land managers' perceptions were conducted. The main benefit for land managers from bore drain replacement, was a substantial decrease in operating costs (mean decrease of 87%). Results of the financial benefit-cost analysis showed that the mean private benefit to total cost ratio (BP:CT) (0.86, at a real discount rate of 6%, over 10 years) was less than the break-even value of unity . The mean BP:CT (0.6) for land managers with less than 50% of bore drains on mulga (Acacia aneura F. Muell ex. Benth) land systems was also less than unity, while those land managers with bore drains predominately on mulga land systems had a mean BP:CT that only marginally exceeded unity (1.1). With a government subsidy (study mean 72%), the private benefits to private cost ratio (BP:CP), averaged across all land managers in the study, was 2.25. The break-even subsidy level for land managers was calculated as 17% of the total capital cost. Land managers perceived a number of important benefits from bore drain replacement that were not included in the financial benefit-cost analysis, due to difficulty quantifying values. These included benefits from changes in grazing management, increased time-savings and an improved quality of life. In general, there were no changes documented in animal productivity, native and feral animal populations, or carrying capacity in the 18 months since piping, although potential changes for the future were identified. Some land managers noted improvements to natural resource condition near bore drains after closure, while most expected little deterioration in natural resource condition near the new water points. Recommendations are made for ongoing funding support for bore drain replacement, including further monitoring and evaluation, with emphasis on conducting an economic public and private benefit-cost analysis. Land managers' capacity to pay, willingness to adopt change and public benefits of the project should be considered in cost sharing arrangements and determination of future government subsidy levels.

Accounting for the Distribution of Benefits and Costs in Benefit–Cost Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
James K. Hammitt
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Choice ◽  
Alternative Evaluation ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Transfer Programs ◽  
Net Benefits ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Benefits And Costs

Abstract Benefit–cost analysis (BCA) is often viewed as measuring the efficiency of a policy independent of the distribution of its consequences. The role of distributional effects on policy choice is disputed; either: (a) the policy that maximizes net benefits should be selected and distributional concerns should be addressed through other measures, such as tax and transfer programs or (b) BCA should be supplemented with distributional analysis and decision-makers should weigh efficiency and distribution in policy choice. The separation of efficiency and distribution is misleading. The measure of efficiency depends on the numéraire chosen for the analysis, whether monetary values or some other good (unless individuals have the same rates of substitution between them). The choice of numéraire is not neutral; it can affect the ranking of policies by calculated net benefits. Alternative evaluation methods, such as BCA using a different numéraire, weighted BCA, or a social welfare function (SWF), may better integrate concerns about distribution and efficiency. The most appropriate numéraire, distributional weights, or SWFs cannot be measured or statistically estimated; it is a normative choice.

A Hybrid Approach Based on the Fuzzy AHP and Benefit Cost Analysis to Evaluating Cutting Blade Alternatives

2013 ◽  
Vol 364 ◽  
pp. 513-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Wei Xu ◽  
Jin Yao ◽  
Jun Li
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Fuzzy Ahp ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Manufacturing Cost ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Consumption Cost ◽  
Benefit Cost

The cutting blade selection has been important issue for manufacturing systems due to the fact that it might affect productivity, precision and manufacturing cost. It is a multiple-criteria decision making problem for evaluating blade alternatives. In this paper, the hybrid approach is discussed,which combined the fuzzy AHP and benefit cost analysis. An improved AHP method based on triangular fuzzy number is used to analyze the cutting performance of blade alternatives. It can make up for the deficiency in the conventional AHP. Furthermore, the benefit cost analysis is carried out to evaluate the economic performance of alternatives. The benefit cost ratio is calculated by using the fuzzy AHP score and tool consumption cost. Tool consumption cost is obtained in consideration of tool service life and procurement cost. The optimal blade alternative with highest benefit/cost ratio can be found out. In addition, the proposed approach is also illustrated on a sample case study.

The Moral Justification of Benefit/Cost Analysis

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. Hubin
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Moral Theory ◽  
Moral Justification ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Moral Foundations ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Moral Theories ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Direct Implementation

Benefit/cost analysis is a technique for evaluating programs, procedures, and actions; it is not a moral theory. There is significant controversy over the moral justification of benefit/cost analysis. When a procedure for evaluating social policy is challenged on moral grounds, defenders frequently seek a justification by construing the procedure as the practical embodiment of a correct moral theory. This has the apparent advantage of avoiding difficult empirical questions concerning such matters as the consequences of using the procedure. So, for example, defenders of benefit/cost analysis (BCA) are frequently tempted to argue that this procedure just is the calculation of moral Tightness – perhaps that what it means for an action to be morally right is just for it to have the best benefit-to-cost ratio given the accounts of “benefit” and “cost” that BCA employs. They suggest, in defense of BCA, that they have found the moral calculus – Bentham's “unabashed arithmetic of morals.” To defend BCA in this manner is to commit oneself to one member of a family of moral theories (let us call them benefit/cost moral theories or B/C moral theories) and, also, to the view that if a procedure is (so to speak) the direct implementation of a correct moral theory, then it is a justified procedure. Neither of these commitments is desirable, and so the temptation to justify BCA by direct appeal to a B/C moral theory should be resisted; it constitutes an unwarranted short cut to moral foundations – in this case, an unsound foundation. Critics of BCA are quick to point out the flaws of B/C moral theories, and to conclude that these undermine the justification of BCA. But the failure to justify BCA by a direct appeal to B/C moral theory does not show that the technique is unjustified. There is hope for BCA, even if it does not lie with B/C moral theory.

scholarly journals A retrospective assessment of the costs of EPA’s 1998 Locomotive Emission Standards

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kopits
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Retrospective Assessment ◽  
Emission Standards ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Data Limitations ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Benefits And Costs

Abstract:While the need to update EPA benefit-cost analysis to reflect the most recent science is broadly acknowledged, little work has been done examining how well ex ante BCAs estimate the actual benefits and costs of regulations. This paper adds to the existing literature on ex post cost analyses by examining EPA’s analysis of the 1998 Locomotive Emission Standards. Due to data limitations and minimal ability to construct a reasonable counterfactual for each component of the cost analysis, the assessment relies mainly on industry expert opinion, augmented with ex post information from publicly available data sources when possible. The paper finds that the total cost of bringing line-haul locomotives into compliance with the 1998 Locomotive Emission Standards rule remains uncertain. Even though the initial per-unit locomotive compliance costs were higher than predicted by EPA, total costs also depend on the number of locomotives affected by the regulation. Over 2000–2009, the number of newly built line-haul locomotives was higher but the number of remanufactured line-haul locomotives was lower than EPA’s estimate.

scholarly journals Integrated Undergraduate Management Education: An Informal Benefit / Cost Analysis

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
William L. Casey, Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Management Education ◽  
Assessment Data ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Core Program ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Benefits And Costs

This paper seeks to contribute to the literature of management education by evaluating assessment data on Babson Colleges integrated undergraduate management core program (IMC). Transitions from functionally isolated curricula to more integrated alternatives involve both benefits and costs, accruing to faculty, students and sponsoring institutions. The relative benefits and cost of the Babson program are weighted based on recent assessment initiatives at the college.

scholarly journals Profitability of semi-intensive and intensive egg production in South-West and South-South zones of Nigeria.

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-127
Author(s):  
V. O. Okoruwa ◽  
A. E. Obuyelu ◽  
O. Ikoyo-Eweto
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Net Income ◽  
The South ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
South West ◽  
Poultry Farmers ◽  
Benefit Cost

The paper examines the profitability of two improved poultry systems (semi-intensive and intensive egg production system)i in the South-West and South-South zones of Nigeria using descriptive statistics, farm budget analysis approach and the benefit-cost analysis. The data for the study were ob­tained through a multi-stage sapling approach from 70 poultry farmers selected from four states (Edo and Delta in South-South; Lagos and Oyo in the South -West) in the study area. Empirical evidence from the analysis shows that the poultry farmers are predominantly male and mostly single. A greater proportion (80%) of them fell between the ages of 31-50 years and had a least secondary school education. Majority of the farmers (86%) used black nera breed because of its high productiv­ity, resistance to diseases and environmental stress and good quality carcass when disposed as spent layer The study further reveals that differences exist in profitability between the two groups of poultry farmers as the net income of farmers using the battery cage system was about 1.8 times the net income of farmers using deep litter system. However; the benefit-cost ratio indicates that both group of farmers are making profit since the benefit-cast ratio of their poultry business exceed one.

scholarly journals Benefit-Cost Analysis of a Package of Early Childhood Interventions to Improve Nutrition in Haiti

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (S1) ◽  
pp. 154-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Wong ◽  
Mark Radin
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
National Income ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Base Case Scenario ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Early Childhood Interventions

We conduct a benefit-cost analysis of a package of early childhood interventions that can improve nutrition outcomes in Haiti. Using the Lives Saved Tool, we expect that this package can prevent approximately 55,000 cases of child stunting, 7,600 low-weight births and 28,000 cases of maternal anemia annually, if coverage reaches 90% of the target population. In addition, we expect these nutrition improvements will avoid 1,830 under-five deaths, 80 maternal deaths and 900,000 episodes of child illness every year. Those who avoid stunting will experience lifetime productivity benefits equivalent to five times gross national income per capita in present value terms, at a 5% discount rate. While previous benefit-cost analyses of this specific package have only estimated the lifetime productivity benefits of avoided stunting, this paper also accounts for reductions in fatal and non-fatal health risks. In the base case scenario, the annualized net benefits of the intervention equal Haitian gourdes 13.4 billion (USD 211 million) and the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is 5.2. Despite these substantial benefits, the package may not be the most efficient use of a marginal dollar, with alternative interventions to improve human capital yielding BCRs approximately three to four times higher than the base estimate.

A Social Benefit Cost Analysis of Special Economic Zones in India: A Study of Noida SEZ

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 139-153
Author(s):  
Babita ◽  
N. K. Bishnoi
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Social Benefit ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Special Economic Zones ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Indian Economy ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Economic Zones

Special economic zones (SEZs) in India have been in news due to their usefulness vis-à-vis adverse effects on economy. A good number of opponents opine that costs incurred by SEZs outweigh the benefits. However, it cannot be denied that SEZs have played a positive role in the welfare of the economy. Thus, to examine this issue, we carried out a social benefit–cost analysis (SBCA) on Noida Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) within the context of enclave model for the period of 2009–2016. The result shows the positive net present value and benefit–cost ratio greater than one under methodological assumptions. This infers that NSEZ is contributing towards the welfare of Indian economy. One interesting findings of the study is that NSEZ is generating positive gains to economy with the absence of various market distortions which could otherwise reduce the realised benefits. Hence, need arises to eliminate such distortions from outside area of economy also to make it competitive at global level. Therefore, it can be concluded that competitiveness of the Indian economy can be enhanced with the removal of market distortions and liberalisation of rules, regulation and policies for economic development activities. Hence, the Government of India should emphasise and make regulations and policies that encourage competitiveness of the industries. JEL Classification: D04, D61, F13, H2, J01

scholarly journals Benefit–Cost Analysis of Undergraduate Education Programs: An Example Analysis of the Freshman Research Initiative

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. rm1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Walcott ◽  
Phaedra S. Corso ◽  
Stacia E. Rodenbusch ◽  
Erin L. Dolan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Undergraduate Education ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Benefit Cost

Institutions and administrators regularly have to make difficult choices about how best to invest resources to serve students. Yet economic evaluation, or the systematic analysis of the relationship between costs and outcomes of a program or policy, is relatively uncommon in higher education. This type of evaluation can be an important tool for decision makers considering questions of resource allocation. Our purpose with this essay is to describe methods for conducting one type of economic evaluation, a benefit–cost analysis (BCA), using an example of an existing undergraduate education program, the Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) at the University of Texas Austin. Our aim is twofold: to demonstrate how to apply BCA methodologies to evaluate an education program and to conduct an economic evaluation of FRI in particular. We explain the steps of BCA, including assessment of costs and benefits, estimation of the benefit–cost ratio, and analysis of uncertainty. We conclude that the university’s investment in FRI generates a positive return for students in the form of increased future earning potential.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document