Esta dissertação busca analisar a eficiência econômica da forma de classificação das usinas geradoras nos leilões de contratação de energia elétrica por disponibilidade. Historicamente, o Brasil tem apresentado uma matriz de geração de energia elétrica predominantemente hídrica, que, embora mais econômica do que as matrizes de geração prevalentemente térmicas, pode resultar em déficits de geração em períodos de escassez hidrológica. O ano de 2001 evidenciou tal perigo. Nele, uma série de baixas afluências hidrológicas, sem o prévio incremento adequado do parque gerador, resultou no Programa de Redução do Consumo e, através desse, num decréscimo de 20% na demanda por energia elétrica à época, acentuando a preocupação pela incorporação de empreendimentos termelétricos para diversificar a matriz de geração do País. Entre as modificações realizadas, destaca-se a alteração da estrutura de comercialização de energia elétrica no Brasil visando a favorecer à expansão da oferta termelétrica, concebendo-se a modalidade de contratação por disponibilidade. Tal modalidade transfere o risco da operação e do preço do combustível dos ombros do gerador para os do consumidor. Contudo, fez-se necessário, para viabilizar tal modalidade de contratação, o uso de ferramental diferenciado para classificação dessa nova oferta de energia nos leilões, e a ferramenta adotada foi o Índice de Custo Benefício (ICB). Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar os resultados econômicos decorrentes do uso do ICB na contratação de usinas termelétricas por disponibilidade, verificando se ele se mostrou ou não adequado a tal fim. Para isso, analisam-se os resultados dos leilões para a contratação da energia de novos empreendimentos, destacando a participação de cada fonte energia e os valores financeiros exercidos por meio dos preços, das receitas fixas e dos respectivos ICBs. Além disso, é feita uma análise das operações das usinas termelétricas após a contratação. Dessa forma, são utilizados os anos operativos de 2014 e 2015, nos quais foi registrada uma profunda escassez hidrológica, como base na comparação de cenários de geração de energia elétrica com diferentes participações entre empreendimentos termelétricos a óleos derivados do petróleo e a gás natural. Os cenários utilizados são quatro: dois com composição real entre as dessas duas fontes termelétricas (óleos derivados do petróleo e a gás natural) para os anos de 2014 e 2015; e dois simulados, com 100% da geração termelétrica sendo realizada apenas a gás natural para os mesmos anos. Os resultados financeiros encontrados indicam que a potencial economia no custo da energia elétrica gerada no cenário simulado comparado ao cenário real seria da ordem de 6 bilhões de reais nos anos de 2014 e 2015. Assim, considerando as 59 usinas que integraram o universo da análise, o resultado que indica ineficiência no uso ICB, o qual apontou vantagem econômica de certos empreendimentos no momento de suas contratações que não se concretizaram nos cenários testados de baixa hidrologia. Ademais, fica clara a necessidade de aprimorar a metodologia de classificação de empreendimentos de geração de modo que tal metodologia leve em conta os efeitos de eventuais anos de baixa hidrologia, buscando tornar a contratação de energia elétrica no Brasil mais econômica e mais aderente à volatilidade hidrológica do País. / This thesis seeks to analyze the economic efficiency of the classification method for power plants in power availability contracts. Historically Brazil has presented a predominantly hydroelectric power generation matrix, which, though more economical than predominantly thermal generation matrix, can result in the generation deficits in hydrological scarcity periods. The year 2001 showed such danger. In it a number of low hydrological inflows, without adequate prior increase in generating capacity, resulted in rationing of 20% in demand for electricity at the time, stressing the concern by incorporating thermal power projects to diversify the country generation matrix. Among the changes made, it altered the electricity market structure in Brazil in order to favor the expansion of the thermoelectric supply, creating the availability contracts modality. This mode transfers the risk of the operation and the price of fuel from generator to the consumer. However, it was necessary to enable this type of contract, the use of different tools for classification in the auctions, and the tool adopted was the Cost Benefit Index (CBI). The objective of this study is to analyze the economic results from the use of CBI in hiring thermoelectric plants using availability contracts, checking if was or not suitable for this purpose. In this sense, we analyze the results of the auctions for new energy projects, highlighting the contribution of each energy source and the financial figures exercised through prices, the fixed income and ICBS. Moreover, it is also made an analysis of the operations of power plants after hiring. Thus, operating years used were 2014 and 2015, in which it was registered a profound hydrological shortage, based on the comparison of electricity generation scenarios with different interests between thermal power projects to petroleum oils and natural gas. The scenarios used were four: two with real composition between these two thermal sources for the years 2014 and 2015, petroleum oils and natural gas; and two simulated, with 100% of thermal generation with natural gas for the same years. The financial results indicate that the potential savings in the cost of the electricity generated in the simulated scenario compared to the real scenario would be around 6,1 billion reais in the years 2014 and 2015. Thus, considering the 59 plants that integrated the universe of analysis, the result indicates the inefficiency of the use ICB, which pointed out the economic advantage contracts that were not hired in low hydrology scenario tested. In addition, it is a clear the need to improve the classification methodology for generation projects in a way that takes into account the effects low hydrology year, trying to make the electricity contracts more economical to Brazil and more adherent to hydrological volatility of the country.

O objetivo principal da presente pesquisa foi estimar o valor monetário de visitação do Parque "PHILLIPE WESTIN CABRAL DE VASCONCELOS" e adjacências da ESALQ/ USP localizado no Município de Piracicaba do Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, foi aplicado o método de valoração contingente, adotando-se o modelo de referendo com distribuição de probabilidade logística. O levantamento de dados foi efetuado no período de agosto a setembro de 2004, realizando-se 207 entrevistas, extraindo-se uma amostra para aproveitamento de 202 observações. O valor médio da disposição a pagar foi estimado em R$ 14,53 por mês. O beneficio econômico total foi estimado em R$ 37.487,40 por mês, considerando o numero total estimado de 2.580 visitantes mensais. Tais valores demonstram o considerável beneficio econômico que os atributos do Parque da ESALQ/ USP geram para toda a população local. Tais resultados podem ser utilizados para auxiliar no planejamento de políticas de visitação ordenada do lugar, além de auxiliar na justificativa do investimento na manutenção e preservação do lugar. O estudo constatou os motivos para não aceitação do valor de pagamento mensal. O valor sugerido, a restrição orçamentária e a imputação de que a manutenção e preservação de áreas naturais publicas é responsabilidade do governo, são algumas das principais razões. / The main objective of the present research was to estimate the monetary value of visitation of Park "PHILLIPE WESTIN CABRAL OF VASCONCELOS" and adjacencies of ESALQ/USP located in the City of Piracicaba, State of São Paulo. For which, the method of contingent valuation was applied, adopting the model countersignature with distribution of logistic probability. The data-collected was over the period between August and September 2004. The sample totaled 207 interviews, out of which, 202 were used in the estimation procedures. The average value of the willingness to pay was estimated to be R$ 14,53 per month. The total economic benefit was calculated to be R$ 37.487,40 per month considering a total monthly visitation of 2.580. Such values demonstrate a considerable economic benefit that Park of ESALQ/USP generates for all its visitors. Such results can be used to assist in the planning of visitation policies and to justify the investment in the Park’s maintenance and preservation. Also, the main reasons for payment refusal were: suggested value; the income restriction; and the perception that the maintenance and preservation of public natural areas are responsibility of the government.

Aufgabenstellung: Die Europäische Kommission strebt an, die Zahl der Getöteten im Straßenverkehr in der EU bis zum Jahr 2010 zu halbieren, unter anderem durch Einsatz von Telemedizin in der präklinischen Notfallrettung. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Untersuchung der Kosten-Wirksamkeit von Telemedizinsystemen für die präklinische Notfallrettung bei Verkehrsunfällen in Deutschland. Methodik: Aus Sicht der Gesellschaft und der Krankenkassen werden drei Varianten eines Telemedizinsystems mit dem Status Quo in Deutschland, das heißt dem "Nicht-Einsatz von Telemedizin" in der präklinischen Notfallrettung, verglichen. Die Analyse erfolgt auf Basis retrospektiv erhobener Daten für einen Zeithorizont von zehn Jahren. Berücksichtigt werden Systemkosten, Kosten der Personenschäden und Strukturkosten des Rettungsdienstes. Diese werden diskontiert und nicht inflationsbereinigt. Der Nutzen wird mittels gewonnener Lebensjahre durch die Verkürzung des therapiefreien Intervalls und die Verbesserung der Laienhilfe gemessen. Aufgrund der Uneinheitlichkeit der Daten werden Annahmen und Abschätzungen getroffen. Ergebnis: Im Basisergebnis ist der Kosten-Wirksamkeits-Quotient für die Variante "Telemedizin für Laienhelfer" (299.366 Euro pro gewonnenes Lebensjahr) höher als für die Variante "Automatische Unfallmeldung" (247.977 Euro pro gewonnenes Lebensjahr). Den besten Kosten-Wirksamkeits-Quotient erzielt die Vollausstattung mit 239.524 Euro pro gewonnenem Lebensjahr. Im Rahmen von multivariaten Sensitivitätsanalysen (best und worst case scenario) wird festgestellt, dass eine Senkung der Systemkosten die Gesamtkosten überproportional reduziert und dass durch eine schnelle Marktdurchdringung der Kosten-Wirksamkeits-Quotient des Telemedizinsystems deutlich verbessert werden kann. Fazit: Für alle drei Varianten des Telemedizinsystems werden hohe Kosten pro gewonnenes Lebensjahr erwartet. Eine Einführung dieser Systeme erscheint nur in einer abgestimmten europäischen Vorgehensweise realistisch. / Objective: Since the European Commission set a goal of reducing the number of road accident deaths across the EU by 2010 to one half, the use of telemedicine for pre-clinical traffic accident emergency rescue is very high on the agenda. The purpose of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of telemedical devices for pre-clinical traffic accident emergency rescue in Germany. Methods: Three telemedical devices are compared from the perspective of society and health insurance with baseline assumptions in Germany, i.e. the non-application of telemedicine in pre-clinical emergency rescues. The analysis is based on retrospective statistical data covering a period of ten years. Costs resulting from telemedical device, personal injury, wasted journeys and erroneous dispatching of rescue services are discounted and not adjusted for inflation. The outcome is measured in terms of "life years gained" by reducing therapy-free intervals and improvements in first-aid provided by laypersons. Due to the uncertainty of data, certain assumptions and estimates are necessary. Results: In the base case scenario the cost-effectiveness ratio of the device "Telemedicine for laypersons" (Euro 299,366 per life year gained) would be higher than of the "Automatic Accident Alert" (Euro 247,977 per life year gained). The full equipment device has the best cost-effectiveness ratio (Euro 239,524 per life year gained). Multi-way sensitivity-analysis with best and worst case scenarios show that decreasing costs of telemedical device would disproportionately reduce total costs, and that rapid market penetration would largely increase the cost-effectiveness ratio of the devices. Conclusion: The net costs per life year gained in the application of the three telemedical devices are estimated as quite high. The implementation of the devices seems only realistic as part of a larger European co-ordinated initiative.

The objective of this thesis is to develop an ecological economic framework for the assessment and establishment of protected areas (PAs) that are aimed at conserving forests and biodiversity. The framework is intended to be both rigorous and relevant to the decision-making process. Constructivism is adopted as the paradigm guiding the research process of the thesis, after firstly examining also positivist philosophy and ???post-normal??? scientific methodology. The tenets of both ecological and environmental economics are then discussed. An expanded model of human behaviour, which includes facets derived from institutional economics and socioeconomics as well as aspects of neoclassical economics, is outlined. The framework is further developed by considering, from a contractarian view point, the implications of intergenerational equity for biodiversity conservation policies. The issues of intragenerational distribution and allocation are then considered. In this regard, cost-benefit analysis (CBA), as applied to the valuation of forests, PAs, and biodiversity, is critically reviewed. A participatory approach to decision-making, which may also include CBA, is then proposed. The resulting ecological economic framework may be thus summarised: (a) ecosystem use patterns should be chosen on the basis of their sustainability, distributional, and efficiency aspects; (b) systems of PAs should be established in order to achieve minimal intergenerational equity; (c) intragenerational equity requires the correction of the asymmetrical distribution of the costs and benefits arising from the establishment of PAs; (d) the institutional features relevant to the environmental-economic issues being analysed should be considered; and (e) the decision-making process should be participatory and action oriented. The framework is applied to two case studies in Vanuatu. These applications detail (a) stakeholders??? views and trade-offs faced in relation to forest management (b) modes of participatory research and decision-making, (c) forms of compensation that may be adopted in correcting asymmetrical distributions of the costs and benefits of PAs, and (d) institutional influences on ecosystems use and implications for conservation projects. The institutional arrangements developed for the establishment of the PAs are presented. The application of this ecological economic framework has resulted in the formal establishment of one PA and the identification and assessment of five other PAs.

台灣為海島型國家，因自有能源貧乏，99%以上的能源仰賴國外進口。為確保能源供給之穩定與安全，除發展再生能源之外，提高能源終端使用效率為重要之解決手段。熱泵系統因其獨特之節能減碳效果，在歐美先進國家備受重視，極力推廣。基此，考量台灣氣候類型及居住型態，評估熱泵熱水系統的適用性及成本效益分析，爰為本研究之動機與目的。 為了彰顯應用熱泵系統在不同地區氣候條件與能源價格之差異，本研究將台灣劃分為12個地區，並且以電能、LPG桶裝瓦斯、NG管線瓦斯三種現有之住宅用熱水系統作為可供替代之選項，利用迴避成本(Avoided Cost)推估台灣各地區住宅部門改採熱泵熱水系統之成本效益。此外，參考歐美先進國家熱泵系統補助政策，以及台灣現有「太陽能熱水系統推廣獎勵措施」之政府政策補助方案，設定各相關參數，俾模擬政府補貼方案情境下之成本效益分析。 分析結果以淨現值(Net Present Value)、益本比(Benefit-Cost Ratio)及折現回收期(Discounted Payback Period )呈現，結論可從兩個觀點之檢定加以評估。其一、以「參與者檢定」評估是否有足夠的經濟誘因，促使住宅用戶裝設熱泵熱水系統。其二、以「總資源成本檢定」，評估推廣熱泵系統對於整體社會是否具有淨效益。 本研究中全台12個地區，若以熱泵系統取代電能熱水系統、LPG瓦斯熱水系統、NG瓦斯熱水系統三種既有設備，交叉比對之33個替代方案，由「參與者檢定」之結果顯示，所有替代方案之益本比均大於1.1；折現回收期最長達11.3年，最短僅3.2年。若模擬政府補助18,000名用戶採用熱泵系統，則「總資源成本檢定」之結果中，所有替代方案之益本比介乎1至1.73之間；折現回收期最長達14.9年，最短僅5.4年；住宅部門以熱泵替代現有電能、LPG瓦斯、NG瓦斯熱水系統至少可降低碳排放量每年2,707公噸。三種替代類別中以電能熱水系統替代方案益本比最高(介乎1.55至1.73)；LPG瓦斯替代方案之益本比居次(介乎1.19至1.28)；NG瓦斯替代方案益本比最低(介乎1.0至1.06)。全台12個地區考量環境溫度差異之影響以南投分區改採熱泵系統的益本比最高(電能替代1.73、LPG瓦斯替代1.28、NG瓦斯替代1.06)，屏東分區的益本比為最低(電能替代1.55、LPG瓦斯替代1.19、NG瓦斯替代1.0)。 若考量熱泵系統市場滲透率，以熱泵取代NG瓦斯熱水系統之市佔率達5%、20%、50%時，台灣整體社會的淨現值分別為251百萬元、1,006百萬元與2,514百萬元，且每年可減少碳排放量27,169公噸、108,675公噸以及271,687公噸。 / As an island country, 99% energy supply in Taiwan depends on importation due to the very limited endogenous energy. In order to maintain both energy security and stability, improving energy efficiency of consumer end-use is an important government policy. Heat pump systems have been widely applied and strongly promoted in Europe and United State for its uniquely energy saving and CO2 reducing capability. Therefore, the motivation of this study is to access the regional applicability of heat pump water heating system for Taiwan’s climate and residential building types by cost-benefit analysis method. To demonstrate the regional difference of climatic conditions and energy prices heat pump application, Taiwan is divided in twelve regions with three kinds of alternative residential water heating systems (i.e. electric heating, LPG tank heating, and NG pipe heating). Under these conditions, we utilize the avoided cost method to access itemized costs and benefits of heat pump water heating systems in various regional families in Taiwan. In addition, referring to heat pump incentive scheme in advanced European countries and North America while considering solar water heating systems incentive policy in Taiwan, we also simulate variation of parameters (such as cash rebate subside, total residential heat pump user numbers )of heat pump system subsidy program. The outcome of cost-benefit analysis is presented in a form as net present value (NPV), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and discounted payback period (DP). The results could be analyzed by test from two different perspectives including Participant Test (PCT) from participant perspective and Total Resource Cost Test (TRC) from overall sociality perspective. All of the 33 alternative programs constituted by 12 regions with electric , LPG and NG systems, for PCT, BCR, all 33 alternative programs are greater than 1.1; DP are between 3.2 to 11.3 years. For TRC, BCR, all 33 alternative programs are greater than 1 but less than 1.73; DP are between 5.4 to 14.9 years. Residential building adopting heat pump could reduce 2,707 tons carbon emissions annually. For the three types of alternative system, BCR of electric heating alternative program is the largest and NG alternative program being the least. For all of the 12 regions, BCR of Nantou region is the largest for adopting heat pump while BCR of Pingtung region is the smallest. NPV of overall Taiwan with market penetration reaching 5%, 20% and 50% substitution rate from heat pump system to NG water heating system are 251 million NT$, 1,006 million NT$, and 2,514 million NT$ respectively. Carbon emissions reduce 27,169 tons, 108,675 tons and 271,687 tons annually.

<p>This thesis addresses the issue of weighted cost-benefit analysis (WCBA). WCBA is a welfare evaluation model where income distribution effects are valued by distributional weighting. The method was developed already in the 1970s. The interest in and applications of this method have increased in the past decade, e.g. when evaluating of global environmental problems. There are, however, still unsolved problems regarding the application of this method. One such issue is the choice of the approach to the means of estimating of the distributional weights. The literature on WCBA suggests a couple of approaches, but gives no clues as to which one is the most appropriate one to use, either from a theoretical or from an empirical point of view. Accordingly, the choice of distributional weights may be an arbitrary one. In the first paper in this thesis, the consequences of the choice of distributional weights on project decisions have been studied. Different sets of distributional weights have been compared across a variety of strategically chosen income distribution effects. The distributional weights examined are those that correspond to the WCBA approaches commonly suggested in literature on the topic. The results indicate that the choice of distributional weights is of importance for the rank of projects only when the income distribution effects concern target populations with low incomes. The results also show that not only the mean income but also the span of incomes, of the target population of the income distribution effect, affects the result of the distributional weighting when applying very progressive non-linear distributional weights. This may cause the distributional weighting to indicate an income distribution effect even though the project effect is evenly distributed across the population.</p><p>One rational for distributional weighting, commonly referred to when applying WCBA, is that marginal utility of income is decreasing with income. In the second paper, this hypothesis is tested. My study contributes to this literature by employing stated preference data on compensated variation (CV) in a model flexible as to the functional form of the marginal utility. The results indicate that the marginal utility of income decreases linearly with income.</p><p>Under certain conditions, a decreasing marginal utility of income corresponds to risk aversion. Thus the hypothesis that marginal utility of income is decreasing with income can be tested by analyses of individuals’ behaviour in gambling situations. The third paper examines of the role of risk aversion, defined by the von Neumann-Morgenstern expected utility function, for people’s concern about the problem of ‘sick’ buildings. The analysis is based on data on the willingness to pay (WTP) for having the indoor air quality (IAQ) at home examined and diagnosed by experts and the WTP for acquiring an IAQ at home that is guaranteed to be good. The results indicate that some of the households are willing to pay for an elimination of the uncertainty of the IAQ at home, even though they are not willing to pay for an elimination of the risks for building related ill health. The probability to pay, for an elimination of the uncertainty of the indoor air quality at home, only because of risk aversion is estimated to 0.3-0.4. Risk aversion seems to be a more common motive, for the decision to pay for a diagnosis of the IAQ at home, among young people.</p><p>Another rationale for distributional weighting, commonly referred to, is the existence of unselfish motives for economic behaviour, such as social inequality aversion or altruism. In the fourth paper the hypothesis that people have altruistic preferences, i.e. that they care about other people’s well being, is tested. The WTP for a public project, that ensures good indoor air quality in all buildings, have been measured in three different ways for three randomly drawn sub-samples, capturing different motives for economic behaviour (pure altruism, paternalism and selfishness). The significance of different questions, and different motives, is analysed using an independent samples test of the mean WTPs of the sub-samples, a chi-square test of the association between the WTP and the sample group membership and an econometric analysis of the decision to pay to the public project. No evidence for altruism, either pure altruism or paternalism, is found in this study.</p>

The general aim of this thesis is to describe and analyse the role of primary care in health care systems in terms of health, health care utilisation and costs, and to study the feasibility of retrieval of data from computerised medical records to monitor medical quality. The thesis includes five studies, a systematic literature review, a register study of utilisation of hospital and primary care, a study based on data from computerised medical records of individual patients cost for primary care, and two studies of management of respiratory infections in primary care based on data from computerised medical records of twelve health centres. The general findings of the literature review were that an expansion of the primary care component of the health care system would most likely result in better health, lower hospital care consumption and lower expenses for care. The personal physician and continuity of care were core elements to achieve this, and the significance of the way primary care is organised and funded was evident. In the register study fifty health centres were compared. Age and rates of outpatient hospital visits were the most important factors explaining the variation of rates of hospitalisations between the health centres’ areas. Hospital district also influenced hospitalisation rates in the different health centres’ areas, indicating that the health care structure in the district per se was an important factor. The rates of visits to general practitioners correlated negatively with rates of hospitalisations. The study of costs in primary care showed that the variation in the costs of the individual patients was substantial, also within age groups and within the diagnosis-related Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG). Age and gender explained a smaller part of the variation in costs per patient in primary care. Adding the ACG weight had a major influence on improving the ability to explain the variation in costs at patient level. The ACG system might be of value in the calculation of weighted capitation in Swedish primary care, but appears to be sensitive to the thoroughness with which physicians register diagnoses. The retrieval of data from computerised medical records comprised a total number of 19 965 encounters for respiratory tract infections i.e. 199 per 1000 inhabitants during the year 2001. Most frequent diagnoses were common cold, acute tonsillitis, and acute bronchitis. The number of antibioticprescriptions was 7 961, accounting for 47% of the episodes. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were phenoxymethylpenicillin (61%), tetracyclines (18%) and macrolides (8%). A rapid test was performed in 43% of the encounters: for C-reactive protein (CRP) in 31%; for Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (StrepA) in 22%; and both tests were performed in 10% of the encounters. The findings in the study indicate that StrepA and CRP tests were used too frequently and often with minor contributions to patient management. The frequencies of tests and of antibiotic prescriptions varied greatly between health centres in a way that hardly could be explained by differences in morbidity. Computerised medical records provided a source of clinical information, which might be a feasible and pragmatic method for studying daily practice, and for follow-up of adherence to guidelines in general practice.

The aims of this thesis were to evaluate caries-preventive measures from a societal perspective, to demonstrate the use of resources in preventive dentistry, to develop and discuss techniques suitable for evaluating dental care costs and outcomes, and to test costs and consequences within a health economic decision model adapted to preventive dental care. The thesis is based on three separate studies with three separate cohorts. In the first study, performed at a single dental clinic, analysis was made of data on dental caries progression over four years in 92 adolescents, along with the use of resources for preventive treatment. In the second study, data from the intervention study “Evaluation of caries-preventive measures” (performed between 1995 and 1999 at 26 dental health clinics throughout Sweden) were used for economic evaluation. Three different approaches to calculating unit cost were discussed, each of which reflect the differences in treatment costs as influenced by the practitioner’s level of skill and competence (salary) and by methods of handling overhead cost allocation. These methods seem useful for evaluating costs in cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The CEA showed an incremental cost-effectiveness over four years of SEK 2 043* per averted decayed (D) enamel (e) and dentine caries, missing (M) and filled (F) surface (S) (DeMFS). In the third study, 82 19-year-old individuals agreed to participate in a pilot exploratory case-control study. Individuals with high caries experience formed the test group while the control group consisted of individuals with no caries experience. To explore whether any differences existed between these two groups in perceived oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL), two OHRQOL measures were used. Additionally, the willingness of these individuals to pay (WTP) for a preventive strategy was elicited using the contingent valuation method (CVM) within a cost-benefit approach. Using these WTP values, the cost-benefit analyses showed positive net social benefit (NSB) values for both study groups, meaning that the benefits of prevention exceeded the costs. A new outcome measure, Value of Statistical Oral Health (VOSOH), was also presented. Consideration was also made, within the economic framework fundamental to this thesis, of the trend away from a strictly bio-medical paradigm towards a biopsychosocial perspective. The health economic decision model encompasses a number of different techniques for comparing costs with consequences, each with its own advantages and disadvantages and each with its own field of application. These techniques should be seen as complementary rather than competing. Preventive dentistry plays a central role in Swedish dental health care, and it is important that resources are used properly. Accurate evaluation methods are necessary in order to improve the basis for public decision-making; the methods proposed in this thesis seem to be of potential use in this endeavour. *SEK8.54 = US$1 (December 1999).

The purported costs of provincial autonomy in Canadian securities regulation have been well documented. Proposals for centralizing the securities regulatory regime, whether under a national regulator or through restricting the scope of provincial divergence from national standards, have consistently cited the costliness of the current regime. However, policymakers' cognitive biases lead them from time to time to overemphasize the need for decisive and swift action, which in turn causes them to abandon sound decision-making processes. Provincial autonomy ensures that policymaking with national reach is process-oriented and is more likely to be guided by facts and rational projections. Supporters of centralization discount or ignore these features of decentralization and are too sanguine about the ability of centralized regulators to adhere to process. Any further proposals for reform should properly account for these effects.

The purported costs of provincial autonomy in Canadian securities regulation have been well documented. Proposals for centralizing the securities regulatory regime, whether under a national regulator or through restricting the scope of provincial divergence from national standards, have consistently cited the costliness of the current regime. However, policymakers' cognitive biases lead them from time to time to overemphasize the need for decisive and swift action, which in turn causes them to abandon sound decision-making processes. Provincial autonomy ensures that policymaking with national reach is process-oriented and is more likely to be guided by facts and rational projections. Supporters of centralization discount or ignore these features of decentralization and are too sanguine about the ability of centralized regulators to adhere to process. Any further proposals for reform should properly account for these effects.