Title: The value of accurate air quality forecasts

Authors: Ross Gittell, Robert S. Woodward

Addresses: Department of Management, University of New Hampshire, Whittemore School of Business and Economics, 15 College Road, Durham, NH 03824, USA. ' Departments of Health Management and Policy and Economics, University of New Hampshire, Hewitt Hall, Room 313, Durham, NH 03824, USA

Abstract: The value of accurate air quality forecasts critically depends upon how the information will be used. This paper proposes a simple model of private firm decision-making under uncertainty to consider potential economic applications and benefits from accurate air quality forecasts. It uses the findings of a survey of employees from five large employers in southern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts to confirm the potential productivity improvements possible from accurate air quality forecasts in the New England region.

Keywords: economic value; air quality forecasts; information value; decision making; uncertainty; environmental management; productivity improvement; forecasting.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2006.011899

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.6, pp.583 - 596

Published online: 30 Dec 2006 *

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