Potential for the Adoption of Probabilistic Risk Assessments by End-Users and Decision-Makers

Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2008

Posted: 6 Mar 2011

See all articles by Lynn J. Frewer

Lynn J. Frewer

Wageningen University and Research (WUR)

Arnout R.H. Fischer

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) - School of Social Sciences

Paul J. van den Brink

Wageningen University and Research (WUR)

Pamela Byrne

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Theo Brock

Wageningen University and Research (WUR)

Colin Brown

University of York

Joachim Scholderer

Arhus University; University of Zurich

Keith Solomon

University of Guelph

Date Written: 2008

Abstract

In the area of risk assessment associated with ecotoxicological and plant protection products, probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) methodologies have been developed that enable quantification of variability and uncertainty. Despite the potential advantages of these new methodologies, end-user and regulatory uptake has not been, to date, extensive. A case study, utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior, was conducted in order to identify potential determinants of end-user adoption of probabilistic risk assessments associated with the ecotoxicological impact of pesticides. Seventy potential end-users, drawn from academia, government, industry, and consultancy organizations, were included in the study. The results indicated that end-user intention to adopt PRA varied across the different end-user groups. The regulatory acceptance of PRA was contingent on social acceptance across the regulatory community regarding the reliability and utility of the outputs. Training in interpretation of outputs is therefore highly relevant to regulatory acceptance. In other end-user sectors, a positive attitude toward PRA, hands on experience, and perceived capability of actually performing PRA is an important determinant of end-user intention to adopt PRA. It is concluded that training programs targeted to the specific needs of different end-user sectors should be developed if end-user adoption of PRA is to be increased.

Keywords: Probabilistic risk assessment, End-user needs, Theory of Planned Behavior, Regulatory adoption

Suggested Citation

Frewer, Lynn J. and Fischer, Arnout R.H. and van den Brink, Paul J. and Byrne, Pamela and Brock, Theo and Brown, Colin and Scholderer, Joachim and Solomon, Keith, Potential for the Adoption of Probabilistic Risk Assessments by End-Users and Decision-Makers (2008). Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1095175

Lynn J. Frewer (Contact Author)

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) ( email )

Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group
Netherlands

Arnout R.H. Fischer

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) - School of Social Sciences ( email )

De Leeuwenborch
Hollandseweg 1
6706 KN Wageningen
Netherlands
+31-317-483053 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.wewur.wur.nl/wewur/visitecard.cfm?o_nummer=43371

Paul J. Van den Brink

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) ( email )

Pamela Byrne

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Theo Brock

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) ( email )

Hollandseweg 1
Wageningen, 6706KN
Netherlands

Colin Brown

University of York ( email )

Heslington
University of York
York, YO10 5DD
United Kingdom

Joachim Scholderer

Arhus University ( email )

Department of Economics and Business Economics
Fuglesangs Allé 4
Århus V, 8210
Denmark
+45 871 65019 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://person.au.dk/js@econ.au.dk

University of Zurich ( email )

CCRS
Zähringerstrasse 24
Zurich, 8001
Switzerland
+41 44 634 40 61 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ccrs.uzh.ch

Keith Solomon

University of Guelph ( email )

Guelph, Ontario
Canada

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