Cost benefit analysis of public access venues in Chile
Given the proliferation of public access venues, such as cybercafes, telecentres, and public libraries, in developing countries, it is important to understand what value and perceived costs users associate with using and having access to these venues. By employing benefit cost analysis (BCA) methodologies, this in-depth study will explore the costs and benefits of providing and using public access information and communication technologies (ICT).
Led by Tyler Davis of the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Management, this in-depth study intends to answer the following research questions:
- What are the benefits and costs of three different types of public access to ICT in Chile, and how are those benefits and costs distributed across demographic and geographic characteristics?
- What is the stated willingness to pay for public access to ICT?
- How does stated willingness to pay differ across venues?
- How does stated willingness to pay differ across demographic and geographic characteristics?
This study will employ two main research methodologies, a contingent valuation survey of the general population in Chile and analysis of travel cost data from a survey of public access venue users. Findings of this study may help government officials, donor agencies, and public access venues further understand the costs and benefits of providing and using public access venues, as well as contribute research protocols and analysis methods to the field.
