Quantitative Stakeholder Analysis with Discrete‑Choice Methods

In recent years, scholars have introduced discrete choice experiments (DCEs) as a rigorous, quantitative approach to stakeholder analysis in extractive industries. Unlike traditional stakeholder mapping or surveys, DCEs use statistical models to measure how different project attributes—such as employment opportunities, water use, environmental impact, or profit-sharing—are valued by community members. Participants are asked to choose between hypothetical mining scenarios, each with a different set of trade-offs. This method allows researchers and project developers to estimate the relative importance of each factor, providing a data-driven foundation for project design and engagement strategies.