Experimental Study of Effectiveness of Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Control Group Contract

21 Pages Posted: 2 Nov 2006

See all articles by Helen N. Pushkarskaya

Helen N. Pushkarskaya

University of Kentucky - Department of Agricultural Economics

Hal R. Arkes

Ohio State University - Department of Psychology

Date Written: October 2, 2006

Abstract

The goal of this experimental study was to test an effectiveness of a group contract designed to control nonpoint source water pollution from farms' runoff (Pushkarskaya 2003). In particular, the regulator pays for pollution reduction credits earned by the group of the farmers, who voluntary enter the contract, and is concerned only with the total level of the abatement achieved, while the group of farmers undertakes responsibility to distribute the payment so as to induce the farmers to deliver the desired level of abatement.

First round of experiments was conducted using as subjects undergraduate students from the Ohio State University, second round of experiments was conducted using as a subjects Kentucky farmers, who would be an actual subjects to this policy if it is ever implemented. Experiments with farmers can be considered as an intermediate step between traditional experiments with undergraduate students and field experiments.

Results of these experiments suggest, in contrast to common believes among environmental economists, that uncertainty, associated with diffusive nature of nonpoint source water pollution, not only does not affect negatively farmers' participation in the program, but also might play a positive role in promoting a cooperation within a group.

Keywords: non-point pollution control, experiments, subject pool

JEL Classification: Q25, C99, D79

Suggested Citation

Pushkarskaya, Helen N. and Arkes, Hal R., Experimental Study of Effectiveness of Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Control Group Contract (October 2, 2006). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=941218 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.941218

Helen N. Pushkarskaya (Contact Author)

University of Kentucky - Department of Agricultural Economics ( email )

Lexington, KY 40546
United States

Hal R. Arkes

Ohio State University - Department of Psychology ( email )

240N Lazenby Hall
1885 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
United States
614-292-1592 (Phone)
614-688-3984 (Fax)

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