title: A multiattribute index for assessing environmental impacts of regional development projects: a case study of Korea.
abstract: Evaluating environmental impacts has become an increasingly vital part of environmental management. In the present study, a methodological procedure based on multiattribute utility theory (MAUT) has been applied to obtain a decision-maker's value index on assessment of the environmental impacts. The paper begins with an overview of MAUT. Next, we elicited strategic objectives and several important attributes, and then structured them into a hierarchy, with the aim of structuring and quantifying the basic values for the assessment. An environmental multiattribute index is constructed as a multiattribute utility function, based on value judgements provided by a decision-maker at the Korean Ministry of Environment (MOE). The implications of the results are useful for many aspects of MOE's environmental policies; identifying the strategic objectives and basic values; facilitating communication about the organization's priorities; and recognizing decision opportunities that face decision-makers of Korea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, Korea University, 5-1 Anam-Dong, Sungbuk-Ku, Seoul, 136-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Seung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Chol-Oh
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003657:Decision Making; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011050:Policy Making; D011640:Public Policy; D018570:Risk Assessment