Characterizing Heterogeneous Behavior of Non-Point-Source Polluters in a Spatial Game under Alternate Sensing and Incentive Designs

Authors

Asim Zia, University of Vermont
Shanshan Ding, University of Delaware
Kent D. Messer, University of Delaware
Haoran Miao, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Jordan F. Suter, Colorado State University
Jacob R. Fooks, Cigna
Todd Guilfoos, University of Rhode Island
Simona Trandafir, University of Rhode Island
Emi Uchida, University of Rhode Island
Yushiou Tsai, Arizona State University
Scott Merrill, University of Vermont
Scott Turnbull, University of Vermont
Christopher Koliba, University of Vermont

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2020

Abstract

Behavioral research on natural resource management has revealed a number of variables that can impact collective action. This research builds upon an interactive decision game using experimental economics methods with a focus on production decisions and the corresponding impact they have on ambient water quality. Using hierarchical clustering algorithms, four primary types of behavior are identified: competitive, hypercompetitive, cooperative, and hypercooperative. The results from the experiment are used to test the following three hypotheses: (1) financial incentives increase cooperative behavior, (2) increasing the number and frequency of water quality sensors increases cooperative behavior, and (3) the spatial location of the agents and sensors affect cooperative behavior. Mixed-effect multinomial logistic models reveal that policy incentives, sensor location, and frequency of sensing alter the behavioral strategies of decision makers in the experiment and that outcomes vary by spatial location. From a watershed planning perspective, minimal investments in advanced environmental monitoring/sensing systems can potentially have large effects in improving water quality; however, there is also some evidence of marginal diminishing returns associated with such investments.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Rights Information

© 2020

Recommended Citation

Zia A, Ding S, Messer KD, Miao H, Suter JF, Fooks JR, Guilfoos T, Trandafir S, Uchida E, Tsai Y, Merrill S. Characterizing Heterogeneous Behavior of Non-Point-Source Polluters in a Spatial Game under Alternate Sensing and Incentive Designs. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 2020 Aug 1;146(8):04020054.

DOI

10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0001242