@article{Berger:156224, recid = {156224}, author = {Berger, Lars and Hüttel, Silke and Hagedorn, Konrad}, title = {Individual Decisions or Institutional Dynamics? Reasons for the Intensive Use of Fertilizer in Eastern China}, address = {2013}, number = {870-2016-60708}, series = {Poster}, pages = {2}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The eutrophication of Lake Tai in the mid-east of China caused by an excessive import of nutrients from agricultural non-point-source pollution impedes social and economic development. In our research we aim to improve the understanding of the farmers’ decision-making process applying chemical fertilizers. Based on data gained in household interviews in 2011 and 2012 we follow the question: Which factors influence the individual decision on the use of fertilizers? Our approach is twofold: first, we estimate a production function to assess nitrogen overuse. Second, based on qualitative data we analyse the influence of the institutional context on individual decision-making.}, url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/156224}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.156224}, }