• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.119-153
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• 2011

This study reviews various aspects of model formulating processes of dichotomous choice responses of the contingent valuation method (CVM), which has been increasingly used in the preliminary feasibility test of Korea public investment projects. The theoretical review emphasizes the consistency between WTP estimation process and WTP measurement process. The empirical analysis suggests that two common parametric models for dichotmous choice responses (RUM and RWTP) and two commonly used probability distributions of random components (probit and logit) resulted in all most the same empirical WTP distributions, as long as the WTP functions are specified to be a linear function of the bid amounts. However, the efficiency gain of DB response compared to SB response were supported on the ground that the two CV responses are derived from the same WTP distribution. Moreover for the exponential WTP function which guarantees the non-negative WTP measures, sample mean WTP were quite different from median WTP if the scale parameter of WTP function turned out to be large.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.130-142
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• 2014

The Korean government is considering implementation of the marine ecosystem restoration technology program (MERTP) to analyze the current status of the marine ecosystems and causes for the ecosystem deterioration as well as to eventually establish a master strategic plan for restoring ecosystem functions and preventing ecosystem functional loss. In order to determine likelihood of successful implementation, it is essential to perform an analysis of the economic feasibility of the program. The present study assessed economic feasibility of the MERTP. To this end, the dichotomous choice contingent valuation (CV) method is used. In particular, dichotomous choice (DC) format is employed as a method of eliciting willingness-to-pay (WTP) response to incentive-compatible mechanisms. The study also employed the spike model to deal with zero WTP responses from the DC CV survey. This survey of 1,000 randomly selected households in accordance with the guidelines provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA) was carried out nationwide in 2013. And, the respondents were asked in person-to-person interviews about their WTP for implementing the MERTP. The results showed that the annual mean WTP was estimated to be 5,414 won per household. Consequently, the annual benefit from the MERTP would be about 98.6 billion won for the next five years. Economic feasibility assessment utilizing the MERTP investment cost and expansion cost of the value provided that net present value, benefit/cost ratio, and internal rate of return are 337.8 billion won, 5.20, and 65.9 %, respectively, which are bigger than 0, 1.0, and 5.5 %, and that the MERTP passes the cost-benefit analysis.