Evaluating the benefits and effectiveness of public policy

University dissertation from Stockholm : Economic Research Institute, Stockholm School of Economics (EFI)

Author: F. Mikael Sandström; Handelshögskolan I Stockholm.; [1999]

Keywords: Social Sciences Economics and Business Economics; Samhällsvetenskap Ekonomi och näringsliv Nationalekonomi; Random utility maximization; Travel cost analysis; Conditional logit; Multinomial logit; Logit; Panel data; Instrumental variables; Baltic Sea; Eutrophication; Water quality; Mammography; Taxes; Eco-labeling; Automobiles; Accelerated vehicle retirement programs; Scrappage; SOCIAL SCIENCES Business and economics Economics; SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP Ekonomi Nationalekonomi;

Abstract: The dissertation consists of four essays that treat different aspects or the evaluation of public policy. Two essays are applications of the travel cost method. In the first of these, recreational travel to the Swedish coast is studied to obtain estimates of the social benefits from reduced eutrophication of the sea. The second travel cost essay attempts at estimating how the probability that a woman will undergo mammographic screening for breast cancer is affected by the distance she has to travel to undergo such an examination. Using these estimated probabilities, the woman's valuation of the examination is obtained. The two other essays deal with automobile taxation. One essay analyzes how taxation and the Swedish eco-labeling system of automobiles have affected the sale of different car models. The last essay treats the effects of taxes and of scrappage premiums on the life length of cars.

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