The Aggregation Problem: Implications for Ecological and Biophysical Economics

Artikel

This article discusses the aggregation problem and its implications for ecological economics. The aggregation problem consists of a simple dilemma: when adding heterogeneous phenomena together, the observer must choose the unit of analysis. The dilemma is that this choice affects the resulting measurement. This means that aggregate measurements are dependent on one's goals, and on the underlying theory. Using simple examples, this article shows how the aggregation problem complicates tasks such as calculating indexes of aggregate quantity, and how it undermines attempts to find a singular metric for complex issues such as sustainability. [Data and analysis for this paper are available at the Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/3smra/]

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal: BioPhysical Economics and Resource Quality ; ISSN: 2366-0120 ; Volume: 4 ; Year: 2019 ; Issue: 1 ; Pages: 1-15 ; Basel: Springer Nature

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Capitalist Systems: Political Economy ; Other Economic Systems: Political Economy; Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies ; Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts ; Index Numbers and Aggregation; Leading indicators ; Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth ; Sustainable Development
• Subject: aggregation ; capital stock ; GDP ; natural capital ; sustainability indices

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Fix, Blair
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Springer Nature ; ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics
• (where): Basel
• (when): 2019

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/190951
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET