Efficiency and Sustainability of the Hydropower Industry in Colombia: A Data Envelopment Analysis of Stakeholders' Perceptions
Abstract
Numerous sustainability studies often overlook the social dimension. This neglect arises from two main reasons: the scarcity of reliable social indicators and the qualitative nature of most of the available ones. This study offers a different perspective to address this gap by using data envelopment analysis (DEA), a method that can handle both quantitative and qualitative data. Unlike traditional DEA that aim to maximize output with minimal input, our approach aims to maximize positive perceptions of impacts (outputs) and the effectiveness of impact management strategies (inputs). We rely on data collected by our team, using Likert-scale surveys from 694 participants in two Colombian Andes river basins, representing the hydropower industry, policymakers, and local communities. DEA makes our analysis more objective, less influenced by biases of decision makers. Findings provide insights into the factors driving efficient sustainability perceptions and lay the groundwork for designing specific policies to improve sustainability while balancing social, economic, and environmental concerns, achieving a comprehensive approach to sustainability in Colombian hydropower. © 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
Collections
- Indexados Scopus [2099]
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Gender Social Bonds in the Latin American Market
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)Ingeniería FinancieraFacultad de Ingenierías, 2023)Although issuances of sustainable debt are growing worldwide, there is a lack of studies that allow a better understanding the social bond issuances, particularly those with a gender focus, which are directly related to ... -
Sustainability and Governance Regimes in Hydropower Territories: Multiple-Case Study in Colombia
(American Society of Civil engineers (ASCE)Ingeniería en EnergíaAdministración de EmpresasFacultad de IngenieríasFacultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, 2023)Intense disputes between companies and the local population have led to new governance regimes, raising concerns about the hydropower business's sustainability, social instability, and violence in emerging economies. New ... -
Evaluating the socio-economic drivers of household adoption of biodigester systems for domestic energy in rural Colombia
(Ingeniería en EnergíaFacultad de Ingenierías, 2025)This study examines the socio-economic factors influencing rural households in Colombia to adopt biogas technologies, emphasizing their role in promoting sustainable development and environmental commitment. The research ...