Cost-Benefit Analysis

Financial and Economic Appraisal Using Spreadsheets

Harry F. Campbell, Richard P.C. Brown

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781032320779
• eBook ISBN: 9781000773798
• Edition: 3
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Economic Theory
• Index: Business

Now in its third edition, Cost-Benefit Analysis has been updated, offering readers the perfect introduction to project, programme and policy appraisal using basic tools of financial and economic analysis.

The key economic questions of any social cost-benefit analysis are: do the benefits of the project or policy exceed the costs, no matter how widely costs and benefits are spread, and irrespective of whether or not project impacts, such as environmental effects, are reflected in market prices? And which group or groups of individuals receive the benefits and which bear the costs? This book addresses these questions with an emphasis on putting the theory presented in the book into practice.

This third edition has several attractive features:

• Readers are encouraged to develop their own skills by applying the tools and techniques of cost-benefit analysis to case studies and examples, including an analysis of a project which is developed throughout the book.
• The book emphasizes the use of spreadsheets which are invaluable in providing a framework for the cost-benefit analysis.
• A dedicated chapter provides guidance for writing up a report which summarises the analysis which has been undertaken.
• New pedagogical features, including Technical Notes and Examples, have been added as an aid to readers throughout the text.
• An appendix provides 14 additional case studies which can be developed in class or as assignment projects.
• Additional material for instructors and students is provided through Support Material maintained by Routledge.

This updated edition is an ideal text for a course on cost-benefit analysis where the emphasis is on practical application of principles and equipping students to conduct appraisals. It is also a useful handbook for professionals looking for a logical framework in which to undertake their cost-benefit analysis work.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of examples
• List of technical notes
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Note to the instructor
• 1 Introduction to cost-benefit analysis
• 2 Project appraisal: Principles
• 3 Project appraisal: Decision-rules
• 4 Private cost-benefit analysis: Financial appraisal
• 5 Cost-benefit analysis and economic efficiency
• 6 The distribution of project net benefits
• 7 Consumer and producer surplus in cost-benefit analysis
• 8 Non-market valuation
• 9 Uncertainty, information and risk
• 10 Valuing traded and non-traded goods in cost-benefit analysis
• 11 Appraisal of the distribution of project benefits and costs
• 12 Economic impact analysis
• 13 Writing the cost-benefit analysis report
• Appendix 1: Case study assignments
• Appendix 2: Discount and annuity factors
• Glossary
• Index