Willingness to Pay for Certified Wooden Furniture: A Market Segment Analysis

Market segmentation techniques were applied to identify and describe potential consumer clusters with highest hypothetical willingness to pay (WTP) for certified wooden furniture. Representative samples of the British and Norwegian population were surveyed by telephone and asked to choose between two profiles of wooden furniture, where one was eco-labeled and more expensive. The eco-labeled would certify that the wood originated from sustainable forestry. The survey data allowed for substantiating the attribute segmenting with the hypothetical choice behavior between eco-labeled and unlabeled wood and logit model estimates of WTP. The statistical method to identify the segments was k-means cluster analysis, principally using stated importance of product attributes and estimated WTP for eco-labeling as grouping variables.One segment profiled as an "eco-segment" was confirmed by placing a higher value on the dimensions (values) of environmentalism—trusting environmental and outdoor organizations regarding information about forestry and environment, and having a higher rate of membership in environmental organizations. This "eco-segment" amounted to more than 1/4 of the samples. The British eco-segment could be described as relatively "greener" than the Norwegian. The British also had higher estimated WTP for eco-labeling compared to the Norwegians. The eco-segments had their media interest directed more towards intellectual issues than the other segments. Demographically, the eco-segments did not differ significantly from the other segments, except that the British had a greater female majority

Logistics costs in Norway: comparing industry survey results against calculations based on a freight transport model

This paper presents estimates of logistics costs in Norway. Two different methodological approaches are taken: (i) use of the national freight transport model for Norway, in which logistics costs as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) are obtained from national freight flows between municipalities in Norway and from foreign trading partners and (ii) use of a survey of industry representatives, where the results are aggregated to the macro level and yield logistics costs as a share of GDP. The transport model includes detailed cost functions for transport and other logistics cost components along with a module for optimal shipment size, frequency and mode choice. Although the two approaches are quite different, we find almost identical estimates of transport costs. For the other logistics cost components (warehousing, capital costs, insurance, wastage, packaging and administration), the survey-based approach yielded slightly higher estimates, indicating that the freight transport model does not cover all logistics cost components.publishedVersio

Lexicographic answering in travel choice: Insufficient scale extensions and steep indifference curves?

This study assesses lexicographic answering in stated choice surveys of travel alternatives. Respondents answering lexicographically in three different data sets are analysed in relation to how important they found the attributes that dominated their choices. Lexicographic answering is also regressed against covariates indicating commuting situation and socioeconomic status. A larger share of those answering lexicographically in relation to one specific attribute stated that this attribute was decisive in their choice compared to the share trading-off attribute levels in choices. Furthermore, a large majority of those answering lexicographically stated that the difference between the highest and lowest values of the attribute, according to which they chose lexicographically, was “very important”. Relevant variables explained lexicographic answering in a logistic regression analysis, e.g. that the probability of lexicographic answering with respect to travel time increases with income and travel distance. Response strategies other than neo-classical trade-off, e.g. simplification with a focus on one attribute alone, cannot be ruled out. However, the results indicate that lexicographic answering is due primarily to steep indifference curves in combination with insufficient attribute scale extension. These findings have implications for choice design and for the treatment of respondents answering lexicographically

Assessing recreation specialization to guide nature-based tourism development: A hybrid choice model of birder destination preferences

Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Birding is a growing nature-based tourism activity, and a better understanding of birder preferences could support tourism development and species conservation. Using a hybrid choice modeling approach, we analyzed birding destination preferences and how they vary by recreation specialization. This approach allows a continuum of specialization rather than allocating birders into discrete segments. A sample of 205 birders recruited in the 2017 summer season in Varanger, Norway, completed an online choice experiment with scenarios that included five systematically-varied destination attributes: Birding quality, bird diversity, landscape scenic quality, facilitation (e.g., trails and specialized guides), and a visitor fee. The hybrid choice (HC) model explained preference heterogeneity better than the attributes only multinomial logit (MNL) or random parameters logit (RPL) models. Birding quality, landscape scenery, and a medium level of facilitation were significant predictors in all models, while high bird diversity was significant only in the RPL and HC models. Interaction terms in the HC model indicated that birding quality, bird diversity, and the highest level of facilitation (specialized guides and birding hides) were more important for “more specialized” birders than for “less specialized” birders. Findings allow destinations to target birder segments more deliberately, while also assisting in planning and management decisions.Assessing recreation specialization to guide nature-based tourism development: A hybrid choice model of birder destination preferencespublishedVersio

Are bilateral conservation policies for the Bialowieza forest unattainable? Analysis of stated preferences of Polish and Belarusian public

© 0 2017 Sviataslau Valasiuk, Mikołaj Czajkowski, Marek Giergiczny, Tomasz Żylicz, ... Per AngelstamTransboundary nature protected areas constitute a considerable proportion of all the existing spatial forms of biodiversity protection. One prominent example is the Białowieża Forest, shared by Poland and Belarus. There is a considerable literature on allocation of funds to preserving nature shared by several countries. Some of this literature assess the funding schemes and the impacts on biodiversity within the EU. A particular challenge for the Białowieża Forest is that the larger part of it is outside the EU border. There has been less research on the economic benefits that citizens attach to protected transboundary land nature on the other side of the border. We are trying to fill the gap by finding out and comparing preferences towards increased protection of domestic and foreign segments of the transboundary Białowieża Forest, stated by samples of Polish and Belarusian citizens. The results of a discrete choice experiment show an almost unilateral preference for nature conservation, passive protection of forest land, on the domestic side. Whilst Polish respondents on average are willing to pay for an increased area under protection, on their side of the border, most Belarusians seem to be satisfied with the status quo. Taken at face value, there is even an apparent mutual disutility derived from the perspective of co-financing bilateral passive protection programmes in the Białowieża Forest. By use of latent class analyses of responses, a group of the Polish sample willing to contribute to the transboundary conservation is identified and described, and compared against the non-cooperative groups on both sides of the border. The results can to some extent be explained by a strict border division with a high fence, by differences in welfare or by behavioural reasons. However, it cannot be ruled out that the affected populations simply do not perceive the Białowieża Forest as a binational public good.acceptedVersio

Analyzing the deeper motivations for nature-based tourism facility demand: a hybrid choice model of preferences for a reindeer visitor center

Wildlife interpretive centers may increase the attractiveness of natural areas for visitors, provide local employment and income, and channel visitors to reduce wildlife disturbance. However, interpretive center success depends on understanding visitor preferences. This is facilitated by integrated analysis of individual characteristics, such as attitudes and demographic factors, and situational characteristics, such as interpretive center features. The current study integrates these characteristics via a hybrid choice model estimated with multi-level structural equation modeling in the context of prospective visits to a wild reindeer center in Norway. Results indicate that interpretive preferences vary, with foreigners prioritizing guided options more highly than do Norwegians. Neither sample prioritized technologically-intense media options. Both samples prioritized avoiding negative effects on wildlife habitat, with foreigners prioritizing it more highly. Connectedness to nature predicted preferences for visiting the interpretive center over not visiting. Consistent with the value-attitude hierarchy, intrinsic values predicted these preferences only indirectly, via connectedness. Comparison of the hybrid choice model with a basic multinomial logit model highlights the benefits of including latent variables to understand the deeper structure of preferences

Attitudinal drivers of home bias in public preferences for transboundary nature protected areas

We assess what drives the lower valuation of nature protection on the other side of the border in two European transboundary nature areas, the Białowieża Forest (Poland and Belarus), and Fulufjället (Norway and Sweden). Applying hybrid choice modelling, we account for people's attitudes when eliciting their preferences for extensions of transboundary nature protected areas. We examine the impact of attitudes on a so-called ‘home bias’ effect appearing in public preferences stated towards transboundary nature protected areas; that is the inclination towards preferring the domestic part. We find that concerning the intention of visiting the foreign part of the transboundary area, the appreciation of transboundary justice and altruism are the main systematic mitigators of home bias. Suspicious attitude towards the neighbouring country, the anticipation of unilateral foreign provision, and the manifestations of ‘patriotism’ apply as home bias drivers only to a limited degree. Facilitating visits to the foreign part by enhancing cross-border access can be expected to shift peoples' preferences towards transboundary co-operation.publishedVersio

Konsekvenser på virkesproduksjon av endrede transportkostnader - fra FAS til CIF

Det eksisterer to hovedprinsipper for levering av varer mellom produsenter og konsumenter i innsatsfaktormarkeder. Enten kan leverandøren stå for transport, eller så kan kjøperen ta seg av transport fra produksjonssted til konsumsted. Situasjoner der leverandøren står ansvarlig for transport omtales gjerne som CIF (Cost of Insurance and Freight, dvs. kostnader for forsikring og frakt). Når kjøperen tar seg av transport, kalles leveransen FAS (Free Alongside Ship, dvs. fritt levert ved (hoved)transportmiddelet som er bil i Norge). I skogindustrien tilsvarer disse to leveringsprinsippene levering på industritomt og ved bilvei. I mange år var FAS det rådende prinsippet for tømmerleveranser fra norske skoger, men de siste årene har vi sett en gradvis overgang til et system med sonepriser, hvilket i prinsippet likner CIF. Valg av leverings- og prissystem kan påvirke lønn­somheten i virkeproduksjonen....publishedVersio

Attitudinal drivers of home bias in public preferences for transboundary nature protected areas

We assess what drives the lower valuation of nature protection on the other side of the border in two European transboundary nature areas, the Bialowieza Forest (Poland and Belarus), and Fulufja center dot llet (Norway and Sweden). Applying hybrid choice modelling, we account for people's attitudes when eliciting their preferences for extensions of transboundary nature protected areas. We examine the impact of attitudes on a so-called 'home bias' effect appearing in public preferences stated towards transboundary nature protected areas; that is the inclination towards preferring the domestic part. We find that concerning the intention of visiting the foreign part of the transboundary area, the appreciation of transboundary justice and altruism are the main systematic mitigators of home bias. Suspicious attitude towards the neighbouring country, the anticipation of unilateral foreign provision, and the manifestations of 'patriotism' apply as home bias drivers only to a limited degree. Facilitating visits to the foreign part by enhancing cross-border access can be expected to shift peoples' preferences towards transboundary co-operation