Incorporating risk assessment and benefit - cost analysis in environmental management

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Risk Anal.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.1988.tb00506.x· OSTI ID:6167293

Rycroft, R W; Regens, J L; Dietz, T

Current public sector programs for managing environmental risks contain two key sources of variation: organizational mandates and other structural factors; and the individual perceptions and values of decision makers themselves. Research to date has focused almost exclusively on the organizational dimension. There is a paucity of systematic analysis focusing on the individual dimension of risk policy making within an institutional context. Limited intraagency evaluation of individual and collective judgments of environmental risk issues is a second major shortcoming. This is striking because some of the most controversial environmental decisions have featured highly visible, internal disputes such as the conflict between the Environmental Protection Agency's political and technocratic sides in considering alternative strategies for improving air quality in the late 1970s. Using data from interviews with a key set of individuals at the US Environmental Protection Agency, this study examines intraagency views about the incorporation of risk assessment and benefit-cost analysis in environment management.

• Research Organization: George Washington Univ., Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6167293
• Journal Information: Risk Anal.; (United States), Journal Name: Risk Anal.; (United States) Vol. 8:3; ISSN RIAND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
ATTITUDES
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMAN FACTORS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIZING
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POPULATIONS
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
REGULATIONS
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RISK ASSESSMENT
SURVEYS
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS