Benchmarking Sustainable Development: A Synthetic Meta-index Approach

Laurens Cherchye () and & Timo Kuosmanen
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& Timo Kuosmanen: Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Timo Kuosmanen ()

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Abstract: The need for monitoring countries’ overall performance in Sustainable Development (SD) is widely recognized, but the methods for aggregating vast amounts of empirical data remain rather crude. This paper examines the so-called ‘benefit-of-the-doubt’ weighting method as a tool for identifying benchmarks without imposing strong normative judgement about SD priorities. The weighting method involves linear optimization techniques, and allows countries to emphasize and prioritize those SD aspects for which they perform relatively well. Using this method, we construct a meta-index of SD (MISD), which combines 14 existing aggregate SD indices (developed by well-established organizations and/or expert teams) into a single synthesizing overall SD index. Within a sample of 154 countries, our index identifies 6 benchmark countries (3 high-income countries and 3 upper-middle-income countries), but also a number of seriously under-performing countries. We view this approach as a first step towards more systematic international comparisons, aimed at facilitating diffusion of the best practices and policies from the benchmark countries to the less developed world.

Keywords: Sustainable Development; Integrated Assessment; Benchmarking; benefit of the doubt weighting; Data Envelopment Analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O57 C43 C61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev and nep-mic
Date: 2002-10-08, Revised 2002-12-04
Note: Type of Document -
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Working Paper: Benchmarking Sustainable Development: A Synthetic Meta-index Approach (2004)
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wpa:wuwpot:0210001

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