Publications
Recent Publications
Airbnb's customer satisfaction: exploring international differences
Pedro Nunes, Maria L. Loureiro
Abstract
There is no doubt that the sharing economy strongly impacted the travel accommodation industry worldwide. To choose between accommodations, travelers rely on peers' opinions through quantitative and qualitative reviews. Understanding the factors that impact guest satisfaction is crucial for Airbnb's hosts to be competitive. This paper explores the drivers that lead to guest satisfaction by analysing sentiments and emotions salient in customer reviews retrieved from insideairbnb.com. To understand preferences towards the different accommodations, we considered geospatial variables, and characteristics of accommodations, in relation to sentiment and emotion scores from the reviewers. Ordered logistic regressions were estimated, considering the reviewers' language. Our research describes the differences in the factors that lead to satisfaction according to customer origin. In particular, German, Spanish, and French tourists seem to be in general more demanding than British tourists, while domestic (Portuguese) tourists show, in general, a higher level of satisfaction or conformity. We employ NLP to extract the sentiment scores to be modeled as a function of different characteristics, geophysical information, and others while considering the different languages in which the reviews were originally written. Although international perceptions in hospitality have been studied before, very little is known about what features tourists from different backgrounds value on Airbnb's listings. We contribute to filling this gap in the literature by analyzing reviews in five languages and by studying emotional differences between tourist backgrounds.
Link
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4329444
Citation
Nunes, Pedro and Loureiro, Maria. Airbnb's customer satisfaction: exploring international differences (January 19, 2023). Available at SSRN.
Keywords
Airbnb, Accommodation, Online Reviews, Languages, Sentiment Analysis, Emotions
Choice Experiments with Facial Expression Analysis: How Do Emotions Affect Wine Choices?.
Maria L. Loureiro, Djamel Rahmani, Cristina Escobar, Chema Gil
Abstract
In this paper, we assess the role of emotions in choices. We elicited emotions using an innovative facial expression analysis approach, comparing the results to those for a traditional hedonic rating scale. To this end, we conduct an experiment combing surveys and actual wine tasting. The results show a positive and significant relationship between positive emotions (joy), positive experiences (valence), and wine choices, especially in the case of wines with credence attributes (organic or selected vintage organic wines). Moreover, we conclude that facial recognition mechanisms predict choices more accurately than actual hedonic liking scores do.
Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4291297
Citation
Loureiro, Maria and Rahmani, Djamel and Escobar, Cristina and Gil, Chema, Choice Experiments with Facial Expression Analysis: How Do Emotions Affect Wine Choices?.
Keywords
facial expression analysis, Discrete choice experiment, organic wine, credence attributes
Application of choice models in tourism recommender systems.
Ameed Almomani, Paula Saavedra-Nieves, Pablo Barreiro, Roi Durán, Rosa Crujeiras, Maria L. Loureiro, Eduardo Sánchez
Abstract
Choice models (CM) are proposed in the field of tourism recommender systems (TRS) with the aim of providing algorithms with both a theoretical understanding of tourist's motivations and a certain degree of transparency. The goal of this work is to overcome some of the limitations of current state-of-art algorithms used in TRSs by providing: (1) accurate preferences, which are learnt from user choices rather than from ratings, and (2) interpretable coefficients, which are achieved by means of the set of estimated parameters of CM. The study was carried out with a gastronomic data set generated in an ecological experiment in the tourism domain. The performance of CM has been compared with a set of baseline algorithms (rating-based and ensembles) by using two evaluation metrics: precision and DCG. The CM outperformed the baseline algorithms when the size of the choice set was limited. The findings suggest that CM may provide an optimal trade-off between theoretical soundness, interpretability and performance in the field of TRS.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1111/exsy.13177
Citation
Ameed Almomani, Paula Saavedra-Nieves, Pablo Barreiro, Roi Durán, Rosa Crujeiras, Maria L. Loureiro, Eduardo Sánchez. 2022. Application of choice models in tourism recommender systems. Expert Systems, vol 40.
Keywords
artificial intelligence, choice models, ensembles, knowledge engineering, recommender systems
Hot in Twitter: Assessing the emotional impacts of wildfires with sentiment analysis.
Maria L. Loureiro, María Alló, Pablo Coello
Abstract
Social media generates a significant amount of information in terms of perceptions, emotions, and sentiments. We present an economic analysis using the information provided by Twitter messages, describing impressions and reactions to wildfires occurring in Spain and Portugal. We use natural language processing techniques to analyze this text information. We generate a hedonometer estimate on how sentiments about wildfires vary with exposure, measured via Euclidean distance from the catastrophic event, and air quality. We find that direct exposure to wildfires significantly decreases the expressed sentiment score and increases the expressions of fear and political discontent (protest). Economic valuation of these losses has been computed to be between 1.49€–3.50€/year/Kilometer of distance to the closest active fire. Welfare losses in terms of air quality have been computed as 4.43€–6.59€/day of exposure.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2022.107502
Citation
Maria L. Loureiro, María Alló, Pablo Coello. 2022. Hot in Twitter: Assessing the emotional impacts of wildfires with sentiment analysis. Ecological Economics, 200(8):107502.
Keywords
Environmental Impacts; Natural Language Processing; Happiness; Hedonometer; Wildfires
Clean Energy Adoption of Cooking Technologies in Rural Households: The Role of Women
Rossana Tornel, Eva Iglesias, Maria Loureiro
Abstract
Technology transfer of LPG, biogas and improved cookstoves is a strategy that has been used to provide rural households around the world with clean energy to solve environmental and health problems. Despite the benefits that these technologies can offer, the level of adoption continues to be relatively low. Through a quantitative literature review (meta-analysis) of 41 scientific studies conducted between 2003-2020 in developing areas and augmenting this dataset with other variables from the World Bank and the Social Progress Index, we find that factors that encourage technology adoption by rural households are related to socio-economic conditions, as well as social capital, cultural aspects, and specifically gender issues. We find that when women are interviewed or invited to attend specific meetings to learn about the new technology, the adoption rate increases by 18.39%. However, due to cultural differences and social norms, women are often excluded from technology implementation processes.
Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4142027
Citation
Loureiro, Maria and Tornel, Rossana and Iglesias, Eva, Clean Energy Adoption of Cooking Technologies in Rural Households: The Role of Women.
Keywords
Clean energy, female empowerment, gender issues, green energy social capital.
Stated Preferences in Tumultuous Times: Investigating Environmental Preferences Over a Five-Year Period Controlling for COVID-19
Martin Ørbeck, Henrik Lindhjem, Gorm Kipperberg, Maria Loureiro
Abstract
Temporal aspects of environmental preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) have not yet received attention comparable to their importance. We investigate how WTP and preferences have evolved over five years. Data generated by two identical contingent valuation surveys on oil spill prevention applied to a high-quality internet panel of Norwegian households in 2015 and 2020 were analyzed. The 2020 respondents consisted of both new and a number of retest participants. This data structure is rare in the literature, and our test-retest (TR) sample is the largest of any studies beyond 1-2 years. We find a significant increase in WTP when comparing full samples of all individuals, while no significant change is found in the TR sample. Estimated preference functions are stable for both samples when controlling for various factors. Utilizing decomposition analysis, we find that a negative shift in preferences causes WTP to decrease among TR respondents. Using COVID-specific survey questions and matching the number of COVID cases in respondents' county on the day they completed the survey, we find that the pandemic likely produced a downward bias of 10-20 percent on WTP in 2020. Further investigations suggest this is due to psychological, rather than economic, implications of the pandemic.
Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4280689
Citation
Ørbeck, Martin and Lindhjem, Henrik and Kipperberg, Gorm and Loureiro, Maria, Stated Preferences in Tumultuous Times: Investigating Environmental Preferences Over a Five-Year Period Controlling for COVID-19.
Keywords
Temporal stability, test-retest, COVID, stated preferences
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the climate change debate on Twitter?
Maria L. Loureiro, María Alló
Abstract
Climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic share many similarities. However, in the past months, concerns have increased about the fact the health emergency has put on hold during the pandemic many climate adaptation and mitigation policies. We focus our attention on understanding the role of the recent health emergency on the transmission of information related to climate change, jointly with other socio-economic variables, social norms, and cultural dimensions. In doing so, we create a unique dataset containing the number of tweets written with specific climate related keywords per country worldwide, as well as country specific socio-economic characteristics, relevant social norms, and cultural variables. We find that socio-economic variables, such as income, education, and other risk-related variables matter in the transmission of information about climate change and Twitter activity. We also find that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly decreased the overall number of messages written about climate change, postponing the climate debate worldwide; but particularly in some vulnerable countries. This shows that in spite of the existing climate emergency, the current pandemic has had a detrimental effect over the short-term planning of climate policies in countries where climate action is urgent.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.07.011
Citation
Maria L. Loureiro, María Alló, 2021. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the climate change debate on Twitter? Environmental Science & Policy, 124: 451-460.
Keywords
Climate change; COVID-19; Public bads; Social norms; Twitter
Measuring productivity in the extractive industries: evidence fron Spanish fluorite mining
Xosé Antón Rodriguez, Maria L. Loureiro, Carlos Arias
Abstract
The extractive industries, as the suppliers of essential raw materials, carry out activities that are fundamental to the development of modern societies. Therefore, how they are managed and administered is of the utmost importance. Optimizing these management procedures is often difficult, however, due to the highly specific nature of the extraction of non-renewable resources. The sustainable management of the process should begin on the extraction stage to efficiently utilize said resources. Total productivity indices are good indicators for measuring efficiency. This work proposes the construction of total productivity indices that break down productivity growth into its principal determinants. The elaboration of these indices takes into consideration the idiosyncratic nature of the industry, how the gradual depletion of the resources impacts upon productivity, and scenarios in which more than one principal output is generated. The methodology which is proposed in this paper is used to analyse fluorite mining in Spain. Based on the empirical analysis, the study shows how the depletion of resources and countervailing technological advances serve to determine the levels of productivity within the industry. In light of these results, policy implications are then discussed.
Link
To be published soon.
Citation
Xosé Antón Rodriguez, Maria L. Loureiro, Carlos Arias, 2021. Measuring productivity in the extractive industries. Evidence from Spanish fluorite mining. Accepted in Resources Policy.
Keywords
Extractive industries; Non-renewable natural resources; Total productivity; Technical change; Resources depletion; Output aggregation; Fluorite mining
Guidance to Enhance the Validity and Credibility of Environmental Benefit Transfers
Robert Johnston, Kevin J. Boyle, Maria L. Loureiro, Stale Narvud, John Rolfe
Abstract
Benefit transfer is the use of pre-existing empirical estimates from one or more settings where research has been conducted previously to predict measures of economic value or related information for other settings. These transfers offer a feasible means to provide information on economic values when time, funding and other constraints impede the use of original valuation studies. The methods used for applied benefit transfers vary widely, however, and it is not always clear why certain procedures were applied or whether alternatives might have led to more credible estimates. Motivated by the importance of benefit transfers for decision-making and the lack of consensus guidance for applied practice, this article provides recommendations for the conduct of valid and reliable transfers, based on the insight from the combined body of benefit transfer research. The primary objectives are to: (a) advance and inform benefit-transfer applications that inform decision making, (b) encourage consensus over key dimensions of best practice for these applications, and (c) focus future research on areas requiring further advances. In doing so, we acknowledge the healthy tension that can exist between best practice as led by the academic literature and practical constraints of real-world applications.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-021-00574-w
Citation
Robert Johnston, Kevin J. Boyle, Maria L. Loureiro, Stale Narvud, John Rolfe, 2021. Guidance to Enhance the Validity and Credibility of Environmental Beneft Transfers. Environmental and Resource Economics
Keywords
Beneft–cost analysis; Beneft transfer; Best practice; Guidance; Non-market value; Valuation; Value transfer
How to Value Public Science Employing Social Big Data?
Maria Loureiro, Maria Alló
Abstract
Scientific discoveries can be classified as public goods. Arrow (1962) discussed properties of knowledge that make it a public good; highlighting in particular, the fact that it cannot be depleted when shared, and once it is made public others cannot easily be excluded from its use. So, public good is a commodity or service that is provided without profit to all members of a society, either by the government or by a private individual or organization. Thus, a global public good is a public good that goes beyond borders, and CERN scientific output is the perfect example of a global public good.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52391-6_13
Citation
Loureiro M.L., Alló M. (2021) How to Value Public Science Employing Social Big Data?. In: Beck H.P., Charitos P. (eds) The Economics of Big Science. Science Policy Reports. Springer, Cham.
Keywords
Science; CERN;
Sensing climate change and energy issues: Sentiment and emotion analysis with social media in the U.K. and Spain
Maria Loureiro, Maria Alló
Abstract
In this paper we assess the sentiments and emotions related to climate change in the U.K. and Spain during the first six months of 2019, and how these relate to different preferences and concerns about energy policies. In doing so, we analyze Twitter messages related to climate change occurring in both countries, using natural language processing (NLP) tools. We find that messages in the U.K. related to climate change are less negative than in Spain; whereas the most evoked feeling in the U.K. (Spain) is anticipation (fear). However, our results show quite similar views about preferences for energy policies in these two Western European countries. In particular, renewable sources of energy are associated with positive perceptions, and coal with negative; whereas heteregoneous preferences are present in the case of nuclear energy. Information of this type may be relevant in order to understand public reactions and preferences towards mitigation and adaptation policies across countries. Our results complement and correspond quite well with those previously published in European surveys. We advocate the use of social media in order to assess sentiment and emotion analysis in close to real time events or manifestation of opinions, not properly covered by official statistics.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111490
Citation
Loureiro M.L., Alló, M., 2020. Sensing climate change and energy issues: Sentiment and emotion analysis with social media in the UK and Spain. Energy Policy, Volume 143, 111490
Keywords
Climate change; Energy policies; Emotions; Sentiment analysis; Social media; Twitter
Assessing preferences for wildfire prevention policies in Spain
Maria Alló, Maria Loureiro
Abstract
Recent data show that fire concentration is becoming rather predominant in Southern European areas. Specifically, 2017–2018 were some of the worst years on record for fires in Europe. We conduct a survey among households in order to understand citizens' preferences towards fire prevention programs in Spain, aiming to reduce the occurrence of megafires. In the survey, special attention is given to prevention policies and the role played by the perceived risk associated with wildfire occurrence. Through the application of a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE), it was found that Spanish households are willing to support forest fire prevention programs to reduce the frequency of occurrence of the most aggressive wildfires, although it is noteworthy that this support in terms of Willingness to Pay (WTP) estimates is not greater in high risk areas. That is, there is a certain level of discouragement among citizens in high frequency areas when dealing with policies against wildfires, which may be associated with the “risk paradox”.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2020.102145
Citation
Alló, M., Loureiro M.L., 2020. Assessing preferences for wildfire prevention policies in Spain. Forest Policy and Economics. Volume 115, 102145.
Keywords
Forest fires; Risks; Climate; Preferences; Prevention; willingness to pay
Exploring Energy Use in Retail Stores: A Field Experiment
Maria Loureiro, Xavier Labandeira
Abstract
The optimization of energy use is a growing concern in the commercial sector, particularly for retailers, given its relevance within total expenses and the increasing scrutiny of environmental performance indicators. In this paper, we conduct a field experiment (randomized control trial) in a major multinational company to test how information provided to store managers concerning the environmental impacts of energy use induces changes in selected temperatures within an automated technical platform. Based on the experiment conducted in 155 stores located in three countries, our results reveal that managers receiving the information treatment are more likely to change the thermostat manually to reduce the gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures; this is consistent with a more sustainable heating and cooling pattern.
Link
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2019.104570
Citation
Maria Loureiro, Xavier Labandeira. 2019. Exploring Energy Use in Retail Stores: A Field Experiment . Energy Economics. Volume 84, Supplement 1, October 2019, 104570
Keywords
Energy efficiency ; retail store ; fashion ; environment
Relationship between wine-evoked emotions and consumers’ preferences and willingness to Pay
Rahmani, Djamel ; Loureiro, Maria ; Escobar, Cristina ; Gil, Jose Maria
Abstract
A labelled discrete choice experiment (DCE) combined with a blinded wine tasting was conducted among 180 Catalans red wine drinkers to assess their preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for three different wines: conventional, organic, and selected vintage organic wines in the context of habitual purchase. The DCE was carried out before and after wine tasting and a comparison between pre and post responses was undertaken to measure the effect of wine taste on wine repurchase. Facial expression analysis was conducted to test whether different wine typologies evoke different emotions and if these emotions influence consumers’ wine choices and WTP. Moreover, we tested for hypothetical bias in the DCE subjecting half of the sample to a hypothetical DCE and the other half to a nonhypothetical DCE. Results show that consumers’ preferences for the three wine typologies in both hypothetical and nonhypothetical DCE were not statistically different. However, consumers’ preferences were significantly influenced by wine taste, evoked emotions and actual liking. Our findings showed that there was a positive and significant association between wine evoked emotions (positive experience) and wine choices, especially in the case of organic and selected vintage organic wine. However, wine evoked emotions did not affect significantly consumers’ WTP for each of the three wine typologies. Our findings also showed that organic or selected vintage organic wines were preferred by women and participants with high environmental involvement. Our findings improved our understanding of wine choices, contributed to the application of DCEs for eliciting preferences and provided useful information to winemakers.
Link
https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/289662/
Citation
Rahmani, Djamel; Loureiro, Maria; Escobar, Cristina; Gil, Jose Maria. 2019. Relationship between wine-evoked emotions and consumers’ preferences and willingness to Pay. Agricultural Economics Society –AES, 93rd Annual Conference, April 15-17, 2019, Warwick University, Coventry, UK.
Keywords
Wine evoked emotions ; facial expression analysis ; taste ; organic wine ; discrete choice experiment ; actual liking ; hypothetical bias ; willingness to pay
Assessing drivers’ preferences for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) in Spain
Djamel Rahmani, Maria L Loureiro
Abstract
With the aim of analyzing preferences for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), two stated preference methods (a contingent valuation exercise and a discrete choice experiment (DCE)) were used in a survey conducted in a representative sample of Spanish drivers. Overall, our findings show robustness between the willingness to pay (WTP) estimates elicited via a latent class model (LCM) and those from a payment card question. In both cases results show an average positive WTP, although insufficient to actually cover the extra cost of HEVs. The lack of interest for HEVs may be motivated by different reasons, including the low level of information related to this technology, and additional false believes about the autonomy of these vehicles. Furthermore, drivers who declare a willingness to buy HEVs do not always do so for environmental reasons, but rather for reputational issues related to their self-image. Thus, in order to increase the market share for HEV vehicles in the Spanish market, informative campaigns and additional economic incentives may be designed.
Link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0739885919300630
Citation
Rahmani, Djamel, Loureiro, Maria L., 2019. Assessing drivers’ preferences for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) in Spain. Research in Transportation Economics.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2018.10.006
Keywords
Hybrid electric vehicles; Latent class model; Willingness to pay; Discrete choice experiments
Evaluating management options for a Marine and Terrestrial National Park: Heterogeneous preferences in choice experiments
Melina Barrio, Maria L Loureiro
Abstract
In order to analyze preferences for various management options at the Atlantic Islands National Park in Spain, a stated choice survey was carried out. The complexity of responses and the identification of a wide variety of heterogeneous preferences and motivations were studied through the analysis of follow up questions. The application of a latent class model employing the information gathered in the follow-up questions has proved useful to disentangle different preferences and motivations. The results show that not considering this heterogeneity in the estimation process may lead to biased results, and therefore to an erroneous interpretation of individual's management preferences. In particular, results seem to indicate that those individuals with rational responses prefer to pay more for actions to improve the quality of the National Park rather than to expand it; while those with a protest attitude are more reactive to some measures, such as visits control and the creation of smoking areas.
Link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17306644
Citation
Martinez, M.B., Loureiro, M.L., 2018. Evaluating management options for a Marine and Terrestrial National Park: Heterogeneous preferences in choice experiments. Marine Policy 95, 85-94.
Keywords
Atlantic Islands National ParkAttitudinal questionsChoice experimentsHeterogeneous preferencesLatent class modelManagement policyProtest responses
Why is the market for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) moving slowly?
Djamel Rahmani, Maria L. Loureiro
Abstract
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) could be a good short term option to help achieve global targets regarding road transport greenhouse gas emissions. Several common and country-specific public policies based on price or tax rebates are established in order to encourage the adoption of HEVs. The present research empirically assesses market preferences for HEVs in Spain, looking at the role of subsidies. An interactive internet-based survey was conducted in a representative sample (N = 1,200) of Spanish drivers. Drivers are willing to pay an extra amount of €1,645 for a HEV model compared to a conventional vehicle, premium which is well below the price markup for these cars. Therefore, current levels of economic subsidies applied in isolation to promote these types of vehicles may have a quite limited effect in extending their use. Overall, it is found that drivers have clear misconceptions about HEVs, which affect their purchasing choices and perceptions. Therefore, a policy mix of various incentives (including informational campaigns) may be required in order to stimulate the demand for HEVs.
Link
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0193777#sec002
Citation
Rahmani D, Loureiro ML (2018) Why is the market for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) moving slowly? PLoS ONE 13(3): e0193777.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193777
Keywords
Views on sustainability and the willingness to adopt an environmental management system in the Mexican vegetable sector
Luz E Padilla-Bernal, Alfredo Lara-Herrera, Alberto Vélez Rodríguez, Maria L Loureiro
Abstract
In Mexico, agriculture’s main environmental problems are related to water resources, deforestation and soil erosion. These problems are more acute in arid or semiarid regions such as in the state of Zacatecas. Environmental management systems (EMS) can be an alternate means for improving environmental conditions. In this study, factors that determine willingness to adopt an EMS in the vegetable production units of the state of Zacatecas were identified. We also analysed views on sustainability and production practices oriented toward environmental management and care of natural resources, as well as drivers and barriers to EMS adoption. Factors determining EMS adoption were level of education, awareness of the importance of caring for and protecting natural resources, application of agricultural practices oriented toward protecting the environment, and ignorance of environmental problems.
Link
https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/abs/10.22434/IFAMR2017.0015
Citation
Padilla-Bernal, L.E., Lara-Herrera, A., Vélez-Rodríquez, A., Loureiro, M.L., 2018. Views on sustainability and the willingness to adopt an environmental management system in the Mexican vegetable sector. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 21, 423 – 436.
Keywords
environmental management systems, natural resource management, vegetable sector
Economic impacts of marine ecological change: Review and recent contributions of the VECTORS project on European marine waters
Rolf A Groeneveld, Heleen Bartelings, Tobias Börger, Francesco Bosello, Erik Buisman, Elisa Delpiazzo, Fabio Eboli, Jose A Fernandes, Katell G Hamon, Caroline Hattam, Maria Loureiro, Paulo ALD Nunes, Joanna Piwowarczyk, Femke E Schasfoort, Sarah L Simons, Adam N Walker
Abstract
Marine ecological change is likely to have serious potential economic consequences for coastal economies all over the world. This article reviews the current literature on the economic impacts of marine ecological change, as well as a number of recent contributions to this literature carried out under the VECTORS project. We focus on three main types of change, namely invasive alien species; outbreak-forming species, such as jellyfish and toxic algae; and gradual changes in species distribution and productivity. The case studies available in the literature demonstrate that the impacts of invasions and outbreaks on fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism can potentially amount to several tens of millions of dollars each year in some regions. Moreover, stated preference studies suggest a substantial impact on coastal tourism and non-use values that is likely not visible in case studies of specific outbreak events. Climate-driven gradual changes in distribution and productivity of commercial fish stocks will have an impact on fisheries, although these impacts are likely to be overshadowed by much larger changes in prices of seafood and fuel.
Link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771416301032
Citation
Groeneveld, R.A., Bartelings, H., Börger, T., Bosello, F., Buisman, E., Delpiazzo, E., Eboli, F., Fernandes, J.A., Hamon, K.G., Hattam, C., Loureiro, M., Nunes, P.A.L.D., Piwowarczyk, J., Schasfoort, F.E., Simons, S.L., Walkera, A.N., 2018. Economic impacts of marine ecological change: Review and recent contributions of the VECTORS project on European marine waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 201, 152-163.
Keywords
Economic analysis, Introduced species, Algal blooms, Climatic changes, Recreation, Fisheries
Los Incendios Forestales Y Su Impacto Económico: Propuesta Para Una Agenda Investigadora
Maria L Loureiro, Maria Allo
Abstract
Los incendios forestales son uno de los mayores problemas ambientales a los que se tiene que enfrentar el sur de Europa, dada la virulencia a la que han llegado en estos últimos años. Ante esta situación, es importante llevar a cabo una valoración económica del alcance, que considere además los costes directos o el impacto sufrido como consecuencia de la pérdida de los servicios ecosistémicos forestales. Este punto es de vital importancia, puesto que dicha estimación ayudará a reclamar una correcta compensación a las comunidades afectadas. También, a su vez, dicha estimación constituye una información útil para la gestión y priorización de acciones de defensa contra incendios. El objetivo de este pequeño artículo es presentar las clasificaciones más relevantes existentes en cuanto a los daños de los servicios ecosistémicos perdidos, destacando las últimas metodologías disponibles y mostrando a través de un caso concreto, la importancia de considerar la valoración económica de este tipo de pérdidas.
Link
http://www.usc.es/econo/RGE/Vol27/rge27312.pdf
Citation
Alló, M., Loureiro M.L., 2018. Os incendios forestais e o seu impacto económico: proposta para unha axenda investigadora. Revista Galega de Economía 27-3. ISSN 1132-2799. ISSN-e 2255- 5951
Keywords
servicios ecosistémicos, incendios forestales, daño económico
Sharing the gains in forest management: Insights from the application of principles of collective action
Maria Alló, María L Loureiro García
Abstract
- Aim of study:
To analyze the factors that motivate the sharing of a contribution to a common pool resource (CPR).
- Area of study:
We obtained data from Galicia communal forests during 2013-2014.
- Material and methods:
A survey among forest owners in which questions about decisions, mimicking those in public good games, were included. In addition, the compliance with the principles of collective action (PCA), and their implications in the management of CPR were tested.
- Main results:
PCA are not functioning perfectly in our sample of communal forest owners. In line with previous literature, results suggest that individuals are willing to share an important amount of endowment in a CPR. Examining the role that PCA play in individuals’ decisions, it was observable that when owners face the sharing of an endowment, the monitoring, conflict resolution mechanism and minimal recognition of rights imply more cooperative results. Current communal forests should promote a better application of these PCA in order to obtain a more cooperative behavior from their members.
- Research highlights:
Communal forest owners are quite generous according to the results obtained. In addition, it has also been found that the endowment is an important factor to consider, while social aspects represented through the PCA also matter when explaining sharing decisions. The present study may be useful in order to promote stronger cooperation in local communities.
Link
https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=6805978
Citation
Alló, M., Loureiro, M.L., 2018. Sharing the gains in forest management: Insights from the application of principles of collective action. Forest Systems 27(2).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2018272- 13078)
Keywords
The impact of illegal harvesting on time preferences and willingness to participate in shellfish resource management
Maria Alló, Maria L Loureiro
Abstract
The shellfish sector suffers from overexploitation of many species. The aim of this paper is to analyze through a discrete choice experiment (DCE) the preferences of shellfish gatherers with respect to a proposed recovery program; assessing the role of time preferences and the impact of illegal harvesting. In terms of time preferences, results show that shellfish gatherers are quite impatient with regards to their extraction levels (with a discount rate between 7 and 11% for a period of 12 months, depending on the conservation scenario considered). These results can be a consequence of the risky environment in which fishers operate. Furthermore, it was found that the concerns about illegal harvesters increase the shellfish gatherers’ discount rates. These results imply that sustainability of the resources is in danger.
Link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0928765515300129
Citation
Alló, M, Loureiro, ML., 2017. The impact of illegal harvesting on time preferences and willingness to participate in shellfish resource management. Energy and Resource Economics.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reseneeco.2017.10.006
Keywords
Illegal harvesting, Shellfish management, Time
The role of social norms on conservation programmes in shellfish fisheries
Maria Alló, Maria L Loureiro
Abstract
Ostrom (1990) has argued that in collective action problems, social factors are crucial in order to promote conservation. A survey instrument among shellfish gatherers has been used to analyse their preferences with respect to a proposed conservation management programme, assessing the effect of co-management initiatives and the impact of social norms on extraction. Results show that shellfish gatherers working in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) behave more conservatively with respect to their counterparts in terms of their current extraction patterns, promoting species conservation. With regards to social norms, expected believes about the fulfilment of the current extraction regulation in their network, allow for the acceptance of restrictions imposed by the conservation management plan without decreasing the shellfish gatherers’ utility in any significant way.
Link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X16306297
Citation
Alló, Maria, Maria L. Loureiro., 2017. “The role of social norms on conservation programs in shellfish fisheries, Marine Policy 84134-141.
Keywords
Club goods, MPA, Social norms, Illegal catches, Institutions, Shellfish management
How Sensitive Are Environmental Valuations To Economic Downturns?
Maria L Loureiro, John Loomis
Abstract
This paper assesses the temporal stability of willingness to pay estimates (WTP) under changing economic conditions. Specifically, two questions are addressed: a) is WTP stable over time? And b) if it is not, are the changes just driven by socio-economic effects, or something else? In order to investigate these questions, we used data from the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) study conducted after the Prestige oil spill in Spain in 2006, and a second wave of the same survey repeated in 2009, after Spain entered a serious recession. Median WTP estimates dropped from €60.36 in 2006 to €26.92 in 2009 per household, a statistically significant reduction. To investigate the amount of the drop in WTP due to observables versus changes in preferences between 2006 and 2009, we use the 2006 logit WTP coefficient estimates with 2009 levels of the independent variables and we obtain a WTP of €46.37. This estimate is statistically different from the 2009 estimate (€26.92). In the same fashion, by using 2009 logit WTP coefficients with 2006 data, we obtain an estimate of €50.29, also different from the 2006 estimate. Implications of these findings for temporal stability of welfare measures and benefit transfer exercises are also discussed.
Link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800916301549
Citation
Loureiro, Maria L. ; J. B. Loomis, 2017.How Sensistive are Environmental Valuations to Economic Downturns? Ecological Economics, 140, 235-240.
Keywords
WTP sensitivity, Passive use value, Economic conditions
The impact of offshore wind farms on beach recreation demand: Policy intake from an economic study on the Catalan coast
Louinord Voltaire, Maria L Loureiro, Camilla Knudsen, Paulo ALD Nunes
Abstract
Offshore wind energy development can have major economic implications because of the potential impact on coastal recreation demand – particularly for countries that are characterised by high offshore wind power potential while also being popular tourist destinations. In this context, the impact of offshore wind farm projects on beach recreation demand in Catalonia (Spain) during the 2012 summer season was examined. A combined revealed and stated preference approach, which allows joint modelling of actual and hypothetical demands, was applied. The results demonstrate a significant welfare loss up to €203 million per season. The results further show that the installation of a wind farm mainly will cause a shift in trips to Catalan beaches without wind farms, which implies that the estimated negative economic impacts will occur mostly in areas where wind farms are located. From a political economy point of view, this may call for the design and implementation of re-distributive instruments to offset the negative impacts caused by wind farms.
Link
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X16303189
Citation
Voltaire, L, Loureiro, Maria L., C. Knudsen, PALD Nunes, 2017. The impact of offshore wind farms on beach recreation demand: Policy intake from an economic study on the Catalan coast, Martine Policy, 81, 116-123.
Keywords
Beach recreation demand, Mixed revealed and stated preference approach, Count data model, Offshore wind farms, Coastal tourism, Consumer surplus loss
The Economics of Oil Spills
Maria L. Loureiro and Maria Alló
Abstract
Vessel oil spills are very serious natural hazards that have affected coasts worldwide for many decades. Although oil spills from tankers are highly publicized, very little is known about the role played by the incentives and regulatory instruments in place to prevent them. In order to shed some light on these issues, data were collected worldwide on large oil spills from multiple databases, starting in the 1970s, and merged with other socioeconomic records. A crucial concern is that that large oil spills have been undercompensated over time with respect to the damages caused. A meta-analysis was estimated in order to assess relevant factors affecting the damage claimed in oil spills and the compensations received by the affected parties. Meta-regression results show that the legislation applied (strict unlimited liability versus limited liability) played a crucial role in both the amount claimed and the final compensation received. Also, time-trend variables are shown as determining factors for both the damages and claims that are finally paid. To correct the large gap between damage claimed and compensation scenarios, it is recommended to strengthen compensation funds, while carrying out more comprehensive assessment studies which apply valuation methods comparable with those proposed by green capital initiatives for marine ecosystem services, and which could be used successfully during the litigation process.
Link
Citation
Loureiro, ML., Alló, M., 2017. The economics of oil spills. Oxford Research Encyclopedia, DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780199389414.013.501
Keywords
oil spills, compensation, damage claims, strict liability, IMO