Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
- Cited by SciELO
- Access statistics
Related links
- Cited by Google
- Similars in SciELO
- Similars in Google
Share
Lecturas de Economía
Print version ISSN 0120-2596
Abstract
VANEGAS, Juan and BOTERO, Sergio. Energy efficiency in microenterprises in Medellín: a study of barriers valuation. Lect. Econ. [online]. 2012, n.77, pp.129-161. ISSN 0120-2596.
The diffusion and penetration of energy efficiency measures have positive impacts on both the competitiveness and the security conditions in which firms operate. However, these impacts are difficult to achieve in practice due to the presence of barriers that limit the decision-making process by economic agents. This research identifies, evaluates, and ranks a number of barriers to the efficient use of energy in the microenterprises of Medellín (Colombia). We used the Analytic Hierarchy Process method, finding that the absence of incentives, the high initial investment costs, the lack of knowledge and information by managers, the lack of availability of efficient equipment, and the technical risks are the main constraints. Some strategies to offset their impact highlight that information must respond to the specific context to be effective, economic instruments must account for pricing and financial incentives, and regulations must deal with establishing standards to improve technological parameters.
Keywords : energy efficiency; barriers to investment; microenterprises; analytic hierarchy process; decision making analysis.