Quantitative Stakeholder Model: Discrete Choice Experiments (DCE)

A new academic study highlights how Discrete Choice Experiments (DCE) can be used to quantify stakeholder preferences in resource development projects. By presenting survey participants with hypothetical trade-offs—such as environmental protection vs. local job creation—DCEs generate structured data on what communities truly value. The research shows that DCEs offer a powerful tool for understanding social license dynamics, supporting more evidence-based planning and negotiation between developers and affected populations.