Investment decisions with the social and environmental impacts of new technology

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5977668

Evans, D A.C.

The purpose of this study was to analyze technology assessment from a finance point of view. Specifically, the study investigated the opinions of firms in the chemical, the computer, and the pharmaceutical industries on technology assessment and the practices they currently use. In addition, it examined the effect of these practices on the financial performances of the firms. Results indicated that the accountability of the firm is the primary explanation for (1) the firm's perceived feasibility of assessing the impacts of new technology, and (2) the firm's emphasis of those impacts in its investment decision. Technology assessment was seen as beneficial because it helped to identify areas of financial and market exposure and to stay in legal compliance. The firms indicated a mistrust of the public and the government. The technology assessment methods used confirmed that assessment is performed as a defensive action. Firms establish the relative importance of their impacts based on the punishment they might face for neglecting them (e.g., government penalties). Likewise, the most selected method of identifying impacts (determining whether the technology will meet government regulation) displays defensiveness.

• Research Organization: Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5977668
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
INDUSTRY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
ECONOMIC IMPACT
INVESTMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
DECISION MAKING
290500* - Energy Planning & Policy- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety