MEASURING THE SOCIAL VALUE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY USING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

Chu-Ching Wang Yueh-Hua Lee

Department of Business Administration, Tamkang University, Taiwan

Yu-Min Wang

Department of Management Sciences, Tamkang University, Taiwan

ABSTRACT

To help in resolving a longstanding dispute over nuclear electricity in Taiwan, this study evaluates the validity of Vroom-Yetton’s contingency model applied to a nuclear related decision. However, previous studies have not fully discussed the problem attributes of the contingency model that influence decision quality and public acceptance, and how those result in attitude toward nuclear energy. The purpose of this study is to identify how problem attributes affect decision quality and public acceptance about nuclear decision, and to understand how individuals formulate their attitudes toward nuclear energy. Findings suggest that the contingency theory adapts well to nuclear issues. The model encourages managers to recognize the different social contexts before making a decision. Considering the contingency social context can enhance the decision quality and public acceptance.