Policy Implications of a Behavioural Economics Analysis of Land Use Determinants in Rural Scotland

The paper analyses the land use behaviour of Scottish land managers and the factors influencing it in the current context of the EU rural land use policies. The analysis employs a frequently used behavioural economics method, namely structural equation modelling (SEM). Central to the empirical analysis in this paper is a cross-section database containing data collected in May to June 2009 through telephone interviews of 600 land managers in Scotland. The model tests and estimates the relationships between land use behaviour, i.e., behavioural intentions to change the size of business/holding, and several of its a priori determinants found significant in the scientific literature. The results indicate that a stronger propensity to change size of their businesses is exhibited by younger land managers who intend to pass their land on to family, with larger land size and stronger attitudes towards increasing it, with lower percentage of their income made up from Government support, who are less likely to have perceived changes in regulation and input/output prices as having an impact on their business, who discuss and plan changes in size of business with their banks/building societies, and frequently access sources of information to help with their strategic decisions.Land use, rural policies, Scotland, structural equation modelling, Land Economics/Use,

Understanding the neglected : a framework for indicator selection in sustainable tourism

This study developed and investigated responses to a new conceptual framework for sustainable tourism indicator development in a Scottish context.  In recent years, growing attention has been paid to both sustainable tourism indicators and to transparency in decision-making. This has been coupled with calls for academics to set out an underlying theory upon which a sustainability indicator approach could be based (Bell and Morse, 2008). This study responded to these calls. A conceptual framework of seven implicit determinants – concepts which this study contended affected indicator selection but which were not always considered explicitly was developed. Data were gathered from international sustainable tourism indicator authors and experts, stakeholders, and policy-makers.  This enabled an exploration of the relative importance of considering these implicit determinants, familiarity with them, possible links between them, and the potential for additional implicit determinants.  Analysis suggested the framework was of greatest use to strategic level policy-makers and that the framework should be introduced as early as possible into the indicator development process. It was also advocated that the framework should be considered in its entirety. Furthermore, four underlying reasons as to why people might approach indicator selection differently were advanced.  These included an individual’s role in indicator development, the amount of power an individual had, the context (political, institutional and geographical) in which an individual was developing indicators, and an individual’s familiarity with sustainability. This study provided Bell and Morse’s underlying theory to guide indicator selection and decision-taking, the form of a conceptual framework.  This will aid those developing indicators to make explicit decisions regarding the conceptual issues embedded in sustainable tourism indicator development. In doing so, it will increase transparency and improve the process of indicator selection.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Commentary: Association of American Geographers - Recreation, Tourism and Sport Specialty Group - Student Paper Award Sustainable Tourism Indicators in Scotland: What Should We Be Considering?

This paper explores the interconnections and relative importance of seven determinants implicit in the development of sustainable tourism indicators. These determinants provide a framework for understanding the process of indicator selection for sustainable tourism. This research has suggested that some of the implicit determinants may be interconnected and some may be more important than others. The paper reports findings from twelve stakeholder groups in two Scottish National Parks which are engaged in developing sustainable tourism indicators. It is important for park authorities to be aware of the different views of stakeholder groups on the issues surrounding indicator selection and development and this research provided an opportunity for such groups to be consulted. The paper will examine the relative importance each group placed on the implicit determinants and consider possible reasons for between-group differences. Analysis will also focus on the existence of linkages between individual implicit determinants. The paper concludes that different typologies of stakeholder groups exist, affecting both the interpretation of, and importance attributed to, the determinants and that the framework as a whole serves to be more than the sum of its parts

Commentary: Association of American Geographers - Recreation, Tourism and Sport Specialty Group - Student Paper Award Sustainable Tourism Indicators in Scotland: What Should We Be Considering?

This paper explores the interconnections and relative importance of seven determinants implicit in the development of sustainable tourism indicators. These determinants provide a framework for understanding the process of indicator selection for sustainable tourism. This research has suggested that some of the implicit determinants may be interconnected and some may be more important than others. The paper reports findings from twelve stakeholder groups in two Scottish National Parks which are engaged in developing sustainable tourism indicators. It is important for park authorities to be aware of the different views of stakeholder groups on the issues surrounding indicator selection and development and this research provided an opportunity for such groups to be consulted. The paper will examine the relative importance each group placed on the implicit determinants and consider possible reasons for between-group differences. Analysis will also focus on the existence of linkages between individual implicit determinants. The paper concludes that different typologies of stakeholder groups exist, affecting both the interpretation of, and importance attributed to, the determinants and that the framework as a whole serves to be more than the sum of its parts

Policy Implications of a Behavioural Economics Analysis of Land Use Determinants in Rural Scotland

The paper analyses the land use behaviour of Scottish land managers and the factors influencing it in the current context of the EU rural land use policies. The analysis employs a frequently used behavioural economics method, namely structural equation modelling (SEM). Central to the empirical analysis in this paper is a cross-section database containing data collected in May to June 2009 through telephone interviews of 600 land managers in Scotland. The model tests and estimates the relationships between land use behaviour, i.e., behavioural intentions to change the size of business/holding, and several of its a priori determinants found significant in the scientific literature. The results indicate that a stronger propensity to change size of their businesses is exhibited by younger land managers who intend to pass their land on to family, with larger land size and stronger attitudes towards increasing it, with lower percentage of their income made up from Government support, who are less likely to have perceived changes in regulation and input/output prices as having an impact on their business, who discuss and plan changes in size of business with their banks/building societies, and frequently access sources of information to help with their strategic decisions