Date of Award
2008
Publisher
North Dakota State University
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Awarded
Master of Science (MS)
Program
Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Department
Agribusiness and Applied Economics
College
Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources
Faculty Advisor
Wilson, William W.
Description
This study develops a real options model of agbiotechnology and is applied to three genetically modified (GM) traits. Each trait is evaluated as growth options where technical or marketing milestones must be completed before management can exercise the option to invest further in trait development. The real options values are evaluated by employing a binomial tree which is simulated using distributions for random elements within stages of the growth option. Mean option values were negative for the discovery stage for fusarium-resistant wheat and for all but the regulatory submission stage for Roundup Ready wheat. The length of the regulatory submission stage had the greatest negative impact on the value of the option while the ability of the firm to maximize technology-use-fees had the greatest positive impact. Additionally, traits adapted to crops with larger potential market size are more likely to be in the money than traits developed for smaller market segments.
Recommended Citation
Flagg, Ian Marshall, "The Valuation of Agricultural Biotechnology: The Real Options Approach" (2008). Agribusiness and Applied Economics. 137.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/agribusiness-applied-econ/137
Rights
NDSU policy 190.6.2
Rights Link
https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf
Handle Identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/10365/29761