http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/35452 Search the Channel search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/simple-search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26410 Title: Application of a Model for Evaluating the Environmental Sustainability of Cultures in Hill and Mountain Areas: The Case of Berries and Fruit Chestnuts in Northern Italy <br/> <br/>Authors: Pirazzoli, Carlo; Castellini, Alessandra <br/> <br/>Abstract: This study proposes to evaluate the environmental sustainability of certain productive processes, which may be of interest for the enhancement, and economic development of specific hill and mountain areas of northern Italy. In order to make a comprehensive appraisal of the impact of the various activities in each geographical context, we adopted a methodology based on AHP multicriteria analysis. In particular, this method was applied to the cultivation of berries and fruit chestnut, also with reference to alternative cultures already consolidated in the areas under investigation http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26411 Title: Food Market Value Analysis: Product Quality Improvement, Product Origin Protection and Timing Decisions in Apple Market <br/> <br/>Authors: Karipidis, Philippos I.; Galanopoulos, Konstantinos <br/> <br/>Abstract: In an effective quality enhancement programme of fruit production and marketing, total quality firms must include consideration of those attributes that are important to customers. In this study the hedonic model is adopted, in order to examine the effects of product quality, region of origin and time of product availability on the price structure determination in the apple market in Greece. Results suggest increased marginal shadow values (customers' interest) for physical product quality and for product origin – particularly in the case of Volos region. There is no evidence that out-of-season time is an important factor determining product prices. Further, it is also shown that it is possible to use the hedonic analysis for the estimation of shadow value for some sales quality characteristics other than the physical ones. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26412 Title: Approximation Properties and Estimation of the Translog Production Function with Panel Data <br/> <br/>Authors: Tzouvelekas, Evaggelos <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper provides a general theoretical and methodological framework for the estimation of the translog production function using panel data. The estimation is carried out using generalised least squares estimator (random-effects model) under different maintained hypotheses for the underlying production technology. Our empirical results indicate that imposing a priori restrictions such as homotheticity, homogeneity or separability on the production structure are not palatable and should rather remain a testable hypothesis within the estimation framework. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26413 Title: Public Preferences, Statutory Regulations and Bargaining in Field Margin Provision for Ecological Main Structures <br/> <br/>Authors: Nuppenau, Ernst-August <br/> <br/>Abstract: Political procedures aimed at solving conflicts are becoming popular in agri-environmental economics. They are considered as substitutes for market trans­ac­tions. Ecological lobbying groups put pressure on poli­ticians to enforce ecological main structures, while farmers oppose them. Undefined property rights pose problems and statutory regulations are discussed. The paper applies a political economy model of social bargaining to the provision of an ecological main structure. It shows how a tragedy of the commons problem may prevail. Then it outlines a social optimum of field margin provision. Finally, it provides a solution to the establishment of socially acceptable rules in a political economy framework. Also, a payment scheme is introduced. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26414 Title: A Dialectical Approach to Social Restructuring and Technical Change in Greek Agriculture <br/> <br/>Authors: Liodakis, George <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper investigates the dialectic between social restructuring and technical change within the transition to capitalism in Greek agriculture. Contrary to neo-populist interpretations, it is argued that capitalism has developed considerably, and that technical change has played a major role in the process of class differentiation and capitalist development. While the new capitalist strategy for agricultural restructuring has reinforced the process of concentration and capitalist development, with a devastating impact on small farmers, it is argued that the social conflicts involved and the recent agrarian mobilisations tend to form an alternative strategy for the semi-proletarianised 'working class', negating both neo-populism and capitalist modernisation. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26415 Title: An Empirical Evaluation of EU and National Structural Policies in Remote Rural Areas: The Case of Evrytania <br/> <br/>Authors: Psaltopoulos, Demetrios; Efstratoglou, Sofia <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper presents an empirical investigation into the effects of European Union structural policy funding in the poor, remote, rural area of Evrytania in Greece. First, the socio-economic profile of the area is presented, followed by a detailed description of structural policy intervention in the study area during 1989-93 period (first Community Support Framework). Subsequently, a regional Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) is used to portray the structural characteristics of the local economy, followed by the estimation of the economic impacts of policy expenditures during the first period of structural funding after the 1988 reforms. Results indicate that the local economy is characterised by a low level of development, lack of integration and generally traditional structures. Moreover, the economic impacts of structural policy expenditure were found to be very significant, especially in terms of employment and firm income generation, representing thus, a valuable effort for the promotion of the area's development. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26414 Title: A Dialectical Approach to Social Restructuring and Technical Change in Greek Agriculture <br/> <br/>Authors: Liodakis, George <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper investigates the dialectic between social restructuring and technical change within the transition to capitalism in Greek agriculture. Contrary to neo-populist interpretations, it is argued that capitalism has developed considerably, and that technical change has played a major role in the process of class differentiation and capitalist development. While the new capitalist strategy for agricultural restructuring has reinforced the process of concentration and capitalist development, with a devastating impact on small farmers, it is argued that the social conflicts involved and the recent agrarian mobilisations tend to form an alternative strategy for the semi-proletarianised 'working class', negating both neo-populism and capitalist modernisation. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26415 Title: An Empirical Evaluation of EU and National Structural Policies in Remote Rural Areas: The Case of Evrytania <br/> <br/>Authors: Psaltopoulos, Demetrios; Efstratoglou, Sofia <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper presents an empirical investigation into the effects of European Union structural policy funding in the poor, remote, rural area of Evrytania in Greece. First, the socio-economic profile of the area is presented, followed by a detailed description of structural policy intervention in the study area during 1989-93 period (first Community Support Framework). Subsequently, a regional Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) is used to portray the structural characteristics of the local economy, followed by the estimation of the economic impacts of policy expenditures during the first period of structural funding after the 1988 reforms. Results indicate that the local economy is characterised by a low level of development, lack of integration and generally traditional structures. Moreover, the economic impacts of structural policy expenditure were found to be very significant, especially in terms of employment and firm income generation, representing thus, a valuable effort for the promotion of the area's development. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26410 Title: Application of a Model for Evaluating the Environmental Sustainability of Cultures in Hill and Mountain Areas: The Case of Berries and Fruit Chestnuts in Northern Italy <br/> <br/>Authors: Pirazzoli, Carlo; Castellini, Alessandra <br/> <br/>Abstract: This study proposes to evaluate the environmental sustainability of certain productive processes, which may be of interest for the enhancement, and economic development of specific hill and mountain areas of northern Italy. In order to make a comprehensive appraisal of the impact of the various activities in each geographical context, we adopted a methodology based on AHP multicriteria analysis. In particular, this method was applied to the cultivation of berries and fruit chestnut, also with reference to alternative cultures already consolidated in the areas under investigation http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26411 Title: Food Market Value Analysis: Product Quality Improvement, Product Origin Protection and Timing Decisions in Apple Market <br/> <br/>Authors: Karipidis, Philippos I.; Galanopoulos, Konstantinos <br/> <br/>Abstract: In an effective quality enhancement programme of fruit production and marketing, total quality firms must include consideration of those attributes that are important to customers. In this study the hedonic model is adopted, in order to examine the effects of product quality, region of origin and time of product availability on the price structure determination in the apple market in Greece. Results suggest increased marginal shadow values (customers' interest) for physical product quality and for product origin – particularly in the case of Volos region. There is no evidence that out-of-season time is an important factor determining product prices. Further, it is also shown that it is possible to use the hedonic analysis for the estimation of shadow value for some sales quality characteristics other than the physical ones. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26412 Title: Approximation Properties and Estimation of the Translog Production Function with Panel Data <br/> <br/>Authors: Tzouvelekas, Evaggelos <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper provides a general theoretical and methodological framework for the estimation of the translog production function using panel data. The estimation is carried out using generalised least squares estimator (random-effects model) under different maintained hypotheses for the underlying production technology. Our empirical results indicate that imposing a priori restrictions such as homotheticity, homogeneity or separability on the production structure are not palatable and should rather remain a testable hypothesis within the estimation framework. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/26413 Title: Public Preferences, Statutory Regulations and Bargaining in Field Margin Provision for Ecological Main Structures <br/> <br/>Authors: Nuppenau, Ernst-August <br/> <br/>Abstract: Political procedures aimed at solving conflicts are becoming popular in agri-environmental economics. They are considered as substitutes for market trans­ac­tions. Ecological lobbying groups put pressure on poli­ticians to enforce ecological main structures, while farmers oppose them. Undefined property rights pose problems and statutory regulations are discussed. The paper applies a political economy model of social bargaining to the provision of an ecological main structure. It shows how a tragedy of the commons problem may prevail. Then it outlines a social optimum of field margin provision. Finally, it provides a solution to the establishment of socially acceptable rules in a political economy framework. Also, a payment scheme is introduced.