bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the Unit Root Hypothesis When the Alternative is a Trend Break Stationary Process: An Application to Tourist Arrivals in Fiji
Authors: Narayan Paresh Kumar
Published: September 2010

The unit root hypothesis owes much to the work of Dickey and Fuller and has gained momentum since the seminal contribution of Perron (1989), who introduced the idea of structural breaks in unit root tests. In a recent study Sen (2003), extending the work of Zivot and Andrews (1992), recommends the F-test statistic for a unit root in the presence of a structural change in the economy. The central aim of this paper is to apply the Sen test to tourist arrivals to Fiji. The idea behind this exercise is to identify the year of the structural break and, more importantly, to examine whether the break has had a permanent or temporary effect on tourist arrivals in Fiji. Among our key results, we find that visitor arrivals in Fiji from Australia, New Zealand and the USA are stationary, implying that shocks have a temporary effect.
Farmers' Participation Decisions regarding Agro-Tourism Activities in Norway
Authors: Loureiro Maria L. , Jervell Anne Moxnes
Published: September 2010

This paper assesses the roles played in the adoption of agro-tourism activities in Norway by socio-demographic factors, the financial situation of the farm household, and the productive orientation and physical location of the farm. Rural tourism activities in Norway fall into two broad categories: (a) licensing of fishing and hunting rights and (b) letting of rooms on the farm, huts and cabins, and the provision or direct selling of food to travellers. The results of the analysis indicate that factors such as the size and the location (rural or semi-rural) of the farm play a statistically significant and more important role in the decision to license fishing and hunting rights than in the development of other agro-tourism activities on the farm. On the other hand, socio-demographic factors, such as the presence of a female partner in the household and the age of the main farm operator, play a statistically significant role in the adoption of on-farm agro-tourism activities.
A Tourism Satellite Account for the Netherlands: Approach and Results
Authors: Heerschap Nicolaes , de Boer Bart , Hoekstra Rutger , van Loon Arjan , Tromp Leon
Published: September 2010

During 2002–03 Statistics Netherlands (CBS) conducted the pilot project ‘Tourism Satellite Accounts for the Netherlands’. This article describes the main results of this project. A Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) provides a systematic and consistent description of the economic effects of tourism based on an internationally recommended method in accordance with the system of National Accounts (UN et al, 1993). Roughly, tourism accounted for 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Netherlands in 1999. In total, visitors spent about ₠21 billion in the Netherlands that year, which generated some 330,000 jobs, almost 4% of the total number of jobs in the country.
Vegetable Soy Bean (Glycine Max (L.) Merrill) from Production to Processing
Authors: Wang Zi Qiang , Senga Emery Fabrice Bimbou , Wang Dan Ying
Published: September 2010

For centuries soy bean has been an appreciated legume in most Asian countries. There are two types of cropped soy bean, the vegetable type and the grain type. The difference between them is defined by the time of harvest. Vegetable soy bean is harvested between R6 and R7 growth stages, when the pod is still green and full at about 80% of the total weight. It is a nutritious plant with an appreciable content of protein, minerals and vitamins. Although it is best known in East Asia, vegetable soy bean is being increasingly incorporated in diets in North American countries and there is growing interest in some African countries. Many breeding programmes are being conducted to develop plants that mature early and produce larger and greener pods with good appearance and taste. Cooking usually consists of plunging the fresh pods into boiling salted/seasoned water and simmering them until tender. Different forcing and processing methods are employed to maintain production and availability throughout the year. Vegetable soy bean is transported either attached to or detached from the plant. The price of imported fresh vegetable soy bean has usually been low because the crop suffers in transport and there are few facilities for proper storage.
Non-Certified Organic Agriculture: An Opportunity for Resource-Poor Farmers?
Authors: Cáceres Daniel
Published: September 2010

Drawing upon a case study from Argentina, this paper focuses on social actors who cannot be formally included within the organic movement: non-certified organic farmers. Even when they grow, consume and sell organic products, they are unable to become certified organic farmers, mainly for economic reasons. This paper analyses the main features of this group and the socioeconomic significance and impact of their farming strategy on the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers.
Transaction Costs and the Marketable Surplus of Milk in Smallholder Farming Systems of the Gambia
Authors: Somda Jacques , Tollens Eric , Kamuanga Mulumba
Published: September 2010

The neoclassical economic paradigm views market linkages as efficient mechanisms for trading. However, the validity of this position is questionable, as markets frequently do not possess the structural conditions necessary for perfect competition. In subsistence-farming systems, factors that prevent greater participation of smallholders in markets can be found from the production level to the access to markets themselves. This study investigates the transaction-cost factors operating in smallholder dairy farms in The Gambia. The results indicate that access to market at the farm gate, the number of local cows and the distance to the nearest city increase the likelihood of market participation by producers and the marketing of surpluses of dairy products. Increases in home consumption lead to decreases in sales and of farmers' participation in milk marketing. To achieve pro-poor rural growth, it is therefore essential to address explicitly the low productivity of dairy cattle, low capital endowments and market accessibility for smallholder farmers.
An Old Pest, a New Solution
Authors: Cork Alan , Iles Malcolm J. , Kamal Nazira Q. , Choudhury J.C. Saha , Rahman M. Mahbub , Islam Moinul
Published: September 2010

Bangladesh is essentially self-sufficient in rice as a result of the successful adoption of new high-yielding varieties and irrigated summer production over traditional deep-water cultivation practices. The sustainability of the cropping system depends on farmers adopting integrated pest management (IPM) practices in preference to relying solely on insecticides for pest and disease control. Yet insecticide consumption in rice is increasing, in common with other crop-production systems in Bangladesh. It is probably only the poor economic returns from rice cultivation that prevent more widespread use of pesticides. Enlightened agrochemical companies such as Syngenta Bangladesh Limited have recognized that insecticide use in rice should be discouraged, and promote IPM options through their farmer field school (FFS) programme. This paper describes the results of a collaborative project to assist Syngenta to develop and incorporate mass trapping with sex pheromones into their FFS programme as an environmentally benign method of controlling the predominant insect pests of rice, stem borers.
Impact of EU Organic-Certification Regulation on Organic Exports from China
Authors: Biao Xie , Tingyou Li , Keqiang Zhao , Yunguan Xi
Published: September 2010

Empirical studies have underlined the importance of technical trade barriers in the agricultural sector. For organic products, national differences in standards, certification and accreditation systems could act as a major non-tariff barrier for export-oriented countries, particularly developing countries, which could eventually fail to benefit from the increasing market opportunities for organic products in developed countries. This paper presents the results of a study on the impact of EU organic-certification legislation on organic exports from China, where the lack of an equivalent system forces Chinese organic exports to enter the international market through multi-certification or special import permits. This results in an increase in certification and transaction costs, as products accepted in one country may not be accepted in another. The paper also reports on the recent legislative developments to establish a national certification and accreditation system for organic products in China.
Agricultural Sustainability in the Food Bowl of the North China Plain
Authors: Zhen Lin , Thapa Gopal B. , Xie Gaodi
Published: September 2010

The North China Plain (NCP) is the food bowl of the country. To feed the growing population, farmers in the area have been using the land very intensively with high inputs to increase food production. The sustainability of such farming practices has attracted the attention of scholars, planners and decision makers. This study analyses the economic and environmental sustainability of the major cropping systems in the NCP, based on selected site-specific indicators. The information necessary for this study was obtained in 2001 through a survey of 270 farm households from four villages in Ningjin county, soil sample analysis, chemical tests for nitrate concentration in groundwater and crop plants, field observations and discussions with key informants, as well as official reports and publications. The findings of the analysis revealed that all cropping systems in the study area were economically sustainable. However, such achievements have been made at a cost to the environment, degradation of natural resources and risk to human health. If these costs are taken into consideration, all cropping systems in the study area cannot be considered sustainable. The study stresses that farming practices that are economically sustainable should not be promoted at the cost of degrading production resources. There is a need for a policy shift from the promotion of agricultural production to sustainable agricultural production. Several policy measures have been outlined for the promotion of sustainable cropping systems in the NCP.
Testing Alternative Dynamic Systems for Modelling Tourism Demand
Authors: De Mello Maria M. , Fortuna Natércia
Published: September 2010

This paper presents an empirical study of tourism demand dynamics and identifies areas in which the scrutiny of relationships between theoretical and empirical considerations is likely to produce new insights. A flexible general form of a Dynamic Almost Ideal Demand System (DAIDS) is derived to analyse UK tourism demand for the neighbouring destinations of Portugal, Spain and France during 1969–97. Nested within the general dynamic structure are Deaton and Muellbauer's static AIDS model itself, the partial adjustment model and the auto-regressive distributed lag model, which are tested against the general dynamic alternative. The empirical results obtained show that DAIDS is a data-coherent and theoretically consistent model, providing evidence of the robustness of this methodology for tourism demand analysis in a temporal context. Moreover, the dynamic model offers statistically strong evidence of the inadequacy of the orthodox static AIDS and other restricted models for the consistent reconciliation of data and theory within their formulations. Estimates for tourism price and expenditure elasticities are obtained, permitting a comparative analysis of the relative magnitudes and statistical relevance of the long-run and short-run sensitivity of UK tourism demand to changes in its determinants.
Analysing Determinants of Visitor Spending for the Rural Tourist Market in North Portugal
Authors: Kastenholz Elisabeth
Published: September 2010

This paper investigates if and to what extent socio-demographics and travel-related variables determine the individual daily and individual overall expenditure levels of tourists staying in rural areas of North Portugal. This analysis may help to increase understanding of the role that particular tourist segments and travel contexts play in enhancing the economic development of such areas. The results point to the relevance of variables such as age, domestic versus international markets, duration of stay and diverse benefits sought. The implications for destination marketing are discussed, as are further sustainability goals for tourism development in rural areas.
Quality Externalities among Hotel Establishments: What is the Impact of Tour Operators?
Authors: Calveras Aleix , Vera-Hernández Marcos
Published: September 2010

This paper is about quality decisions in a vertical structure, in which competitive producers sell to ‘powerful retailers’. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the role played by the tour operator (TO) in quality investments when distributing the capacity of a given tourism destination. The authors emphasize the presence of quality externalities among hotel establishments, and find that TO distribution can sometimes provide a solution to the ‘tragedy of the commons’ in quality provision. Thus they assess the implications of vertical relationships for quality in the hotel industry and derive appropriate policy recommendations.
Translating University—Industry Relations
Authors: Graça Manuel
Published: September 2010

INESC was created in 1980 in Portugal to link universities with industry. Starting within a university as the initiative of three young academics, the organization soon became a pivotal player in the modernization of the country through the development of applied research in science and technology to enhance the competitiveness of Portuguese firms. This paper analyses the processes behind the emergence and development of INESC, and examines how it has impacted on the Portuguese educational and economic sectors in its first two decades of activity. Drawing on the actor-network translation framework, the paper shows how universities and firms became involved as associates in the enterprise, examines the role played by the government, and assesses how these partners and their respective interests shaped the development of university–industry links.
Developing a Model for a ‘Ladder of Incubation’ Linked to Higher and Further Education Institutions in Wales
Authors: Voisey Pam , Gornall Lynne , Jones Paul , Thomas Brychan
Published: September 2010

Business incubators play a critical role in economic regeneration through the development and support of new and sustainable enterprises. Many UK incubator projects are funded by the European Commission through the higher education sector. This study compares and contrasts six business incubation case studies and identifies significant criteria for successful operation and ongoing sustainability. A conceptual framework for a ‘ladder’ of business incubation, supporting new businesses through start-up and growth, is proposed as a guide to good practice. The findings clearly identify the need for key partnerships with public-sector and private-sector stakeholders to ensure incubator longevity.
The Bayh—Dole Act at Twenty-Five Years
Authors: Remington Michael J.
Published: September 2010

This article catalogues and discusses challenges to the Bayh–Dole Act from a perspective broader than the legal, industrial or academic. Because the act is a Congressional enactment placed in the federal patent law and the author served for many years as Chief Counsel of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and worked on the 1984 amendments to the Bayh–Dole Act, the perspective here is a political one. The author asks for a celebration of the act's twenty-fifth anniversary, and issues a call to action for those engaged in technology transfer to defend it.
Measuring Engagement between Industry and Higher Education in the Built Environment Sector
Authors: Allen Stephen , Williams Aled
Published: September 2010

Recent education policy in the UK has encouraged universities and industry to work in partnership as a means of improving the quality of student learning and preparing graduates to enter the workplace. Indeed, both the Lambert Review of Business–University Collaboration (Lambert, 2003) and the White Paper on The Future of Higher Education (DfES, 2003) highlight the need for collaboration and closer working relationships. This paper reports on the results of a research effort to assess the extent of university–industry collaboration in the UK's built environment sector and to measure the impact of such activity. The ‘Accelerating Change in Built Environment Education’ (ACBEE) initiative sought to identify the nature of engagement activities in the built environment and to formulate, evaluate and develop guidelines for best practice. Forty case studies of engagement were collected from the built environment sector using a standard template, and many sustained engagement activities and established collaborations were identified. The paper explains how these case studies were categorized and evaluated to develop an understanding of the nature of the different types of engagement. A framework was subsequently developed for the classification of the case studies. Finally, the paper considers how the quality of such engagement can be measured and proposes appropriate key performance indicators.
Adopting Technological and Structural Changes to Horticultural Production in Spanish Mediterranean Regions
Authors: Fernández-Zamudio Mª A. , De Miguel Mª D. , Caballero P.
Published: September 2010

The decision-making process of farmers in the Spanish Mediterranean regions was analysed using the function of Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT). The economic, agronomic and social repercussions resulting from adopting a series of technological and structural improvements were evaluated on farms with citricultural and outdoor horticultural production. The introduction of such measures is necessary to improve competitiveness and favour the sustainability of these farms. The outstanding consequences of these innovations were a more efficient use of irrigation water and an increase in the area of vegetable cultivation when mechanized, which counteracted the overwhelming trend in the area towards citriculture.
Sustainable Community-Based Organizations for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock in Developing Countries
Authors: Kahi A.K. , Rewe T.O. , Kosgey I.S.
Published: September 2010

Livestock industries in developing countries face numerous constraints that have often hampered the establishment and sustainability of national genetic-improvement programmes. One major inadequacy in a number of programmes previously developed was that livestock owners were not taken into account in decision making and ownership of improvement initiatives. No matter how much effort is put into financial and technological support, the eventual survival of improvement programmes depends on whether the farmers understood and agreed with the objective of the projects. Otherwise, programmes tend to fade away as soon as the development agencies leave. Community ownership of genetic-improvement programmes has been suggested as a potentially sustainable alternative. In this paper, the establishment and sustainability of community-based organizations for the genetic improvement of livestock (CBOGIL) are discussed with reference to some successful community-based genetic-improvement initiatives in different livestock species.
Policy Changes and Bank Finance Availability for Small Enterprises in Tanzania
Authors: Satta Tadeo Andrew
Published: September 2010

This paper examines whether financial-sector policy changes introduced in Tanzania during the last decade have improved bank finance availability to small enterprises. Study findings reveal that, despite these changes, the level of bank finance to small enterprises is still insignificant. Results likewise indicate that, apart from bringing about limited competition in the provision of financial services, these changes have resulted in the concentration of most financial institutions in urban areas and in only a few regions/provinces. This also negatively affects bank finance availability to small enterprises. These findings have several policy implications for the growth of small enterprises in the country. Key among them is the need for a new approach to policy that will improve bank finance availability to small enterprises.
Institutional Entrepreneurship
Authors: Dew Nicholas
Published: September 2010

Economists have long argued that the prevailing institutional structures of the economic system produce a particular spectrum of entrepreneurial activity. However, these institutions themselves change over time, sometimes as the result of entrepreneurial behaviour. This paper investigates the idea of institutional entrepreneurship from a Coasian perspective. This perspective puts transaction-cost-reducing institutions at the centre of the analysis, and examines the role of institutional entrepreneurs in constructing and transforming these economically valuable artefacts. The paper presents a case study of an institutional entrepreneur and concludes that, from a Coasian perspective, institutional entrepreneurship is one type of entrepreneurial behaviour that seems worthy of further research.
Impacts of a Flat World on Engineering Education
Authors: Chatziioanou Alypios
Published: September 2010

This paper discusses the changes to engineering education introduced through the accelerated engineering-related industrial growth in Asian and other developing countries. While the demand for engineering services is increasing, these nations educate a large number of engineers themselves and many are providing lower-cost alternatives for engineering services in industrialized nations. This phenomenon is already influencing some specialities more than others. Major changes are in evidence in the fields of computer science and software engineering, which in many cases are not location-dependent and for which product development can be done via the Web. Other disciplines are expected to follow as the world becomes, as Friedman (2005) puts it, more ‘flat’. The paper discusses the implications for engineering education as a whole and examines the strategic moves that institutions in the industrialized nations may be required to make. In this context, the author presents a critical view of education being totally dependent on industry and economic demands. As in a previous paper (Chatziianou and Sullivan, 2001), and in view of recent reactions of the educational community to the Bologna Declaration, he also examines the debate on the more general societal role and responsibility of education in a ‘flat world’. The portability of information and services and the need for consistent standards add new challenges and opportunities for these ‘additional’ educational tasks.
A Role for Theatre in the Education, Training and Thinking Processes of Managers
Authors: Nicolaidis Christos , Liotas Naum
Published: September 2010

This paper addresses the need for managers to possess hard-to-obtain skills in today's complex business environment. To achieve this, they need to expand their borders of knowledge beyond the barriers that logic imposes. This has to be reflected in managers' education, training and thinking processes. The first part of the paper examines how theatre techniques can contribute to the education of management students by exercising decision making, leadership, ethics and empathy. The second part focuses on the theatrical elements and techniques that can be used to train managers in organizations. In such cases the main training topics are innovation, active listening and spontaneity. Finally, the third part of the paper looks at the influence that theatre can have on managers' thinking processes. In this respect, it argues that the interpretation of the business environment as a dramatic scene is valid and accurate. This interpretation can help managers make wiser and better choices, especially when other people and impression management tactics are involved. In conclusion, the authors stress that theatre has been unjustifiably overlooked as a very effective medium for the development of managers' skills.
Sustainable Development in Engineering Education
Authors: Taoussanidis Nikolaos N. , Antoniadou Myrofora A.
Published: September 2010

The principles and practice of environmentally and socially sustainable engineering are in line with growing community expectations and the strengthening voice of civil society in engineering interventions. Pressures towards internationalization and globalization are reflected in new course accreditation criteria and higher education structures. Over the next few years, one expression of these pressures, the Bologna Declaration, will pose major challenges to engineering and other faculties of European universities.
Outlook for Turkey's Hazelnut Sector
Authors: Yavuz Fahri , Ercisli Sezai
Published: September 2010

Turkey dominates world hazelnut production and is the centre of origin of the hazelnut. Hazelnuts make a significant contribution to Turkey's exports, as well as being a source of income for a large number of family farms in the Black Sea region. In recent years, the Turkish hazelnut market has encountered production surpluses that cannot be reduced by domestic consumption or foreign trade. Possible solutions to this problem include restricting hazelnut planted areas in lowlands, reducing price support, abolishing export levies and increasing domestic and foreign demand by price and product differentiation, and seeking new markets abroad.
Health Costs and Externalities of Pesticide Use in the Sahel
Authors: Houndekon Victorin A. , De Groote Hugo , Lomer Chris
Published: September 2010

Indirect costs of using pesticides in southern Niger were estimated and found to be significant. Using farmers' recall in a logit model, the effect of length of pesticide use on respiratory tract problems was demonstrated, as well as the effect of being a member of a village brigade treating pests on dermatological disorders. Health costs, defined as medical expenses plus the value of time lost, were found to increase by $0.46 per farmer for each year of pesticide use, or an average accumulated discounted health cost of US$1.70 per ha treated. Livestock losses due to intoxication were estimated at 0.5% per year for small ruminants and 0.2% for cattle, valued at US$0.33 per treated hectare. Costs of destroying obsolete pesticides were estimated at $0.06 per ha treated.
Three Approaches for the Integrated Assessment of Urban Household Livestock Production Systems
Authors: Thys Eric , Schiere Hans , Van Huylenbroeck Guido , Mfoukou-Ntsakala André , Oueadraogo Mamadou , Geerts Stanny
Published: September 2010

Urban household livestock production (UHLP) as a livelihood strategy is discussed with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper is based on a literature study and two large-scale surveys (cities of Brazzaville and Ouagadougou). The results are discussed in relation to three theoretical concepts, that is, the Sustainable Urban Livelihood model, economic integration theory and non-linear system thinking. The first considers various assets, livelihood outcomes and constraints of UHLP rather than focusing on one aspect only. The second highlights three modes of economic integration, namely market exchange, redistribution and reciprocity. The third introduces notions of non-linearity to help explain how systems vary and repeat themselves at different scales. The paper shows the complexity of urban and peri-urban livestock production, which comprises a wide variety of animal species and production systems. UHLP has many interfaces and has to be considered within a broader urban–rural continuum. The paper concludes that the dynamics of urban livestock cannot be understood by looking at parts only. A narrow focus on the food value of urban livestock misses issues such as income and disease; looking only at public hygiene overlooks the essential role of urban livestock in making and keeping local communities ‘healthy’.
Climate Studies and Insect Pests
Authors: Sehgal Mukesh , Das S. , Chander S. , Gupta N.C. , Kalra N.
Published: September 2010

Insect pest populations are affected by both biotic (eg predators, parasitoids, pathogens and interspecific or intraspecific competition) and abiotic (eg temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed and sunshine hours) factors. Agronomic management practices are also of considerable importance. Likely impacts of any change in climate on populations of pests are manifold. They range from expansion in the geographical range of pests, increased risk of invasion, changes in overwintering patterns, natural enemy-pest interactions, changes in population growth rates, change in crop-pest synchrony, pest control factors and finally changes in pest complexes on spatial and temporal bases. Results obtained through current modelling approaches do not account for all the factors operating. Moreover, it may not be possible to replicate the methodology of other countries in the Indian context, given the wide-ranging socioeconomic conditions and different agro-ecology, and a different approach is needed to tackle the problem. Consolidation of all existing studies done in various parts of the country may act as a foundation, which can be supplemented by incorporation of the vast resources of data from various government agencies.
Cottage Sugar Industries as Alternatives for Meeting Nigeria's Domestic Sugar Demands
Authors: Wada A.C. , Gbabo A. , Ndarubu A.A.
Published: September 2010

The sugar industry in Nigeria has failed to meet the domestic sugar consumption demands of the country. The combined production figure of the two major sugar companies at Bacita and Numan stands at less than 1% of the requirement. Inconsistent government policies, uncontrolled sugar imports and the capital-intensive nature of large-scale sugar production could all account for this inadequate production level. The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) has developed a 10 tonnes of cane per day (tcd) mini brown sugar plant suitable for cottage level sugar production to complement the large-scale plants' efforts. Outgrower schemes currently operated by the Nigerian Sugar Company, Bacita and the Savannah Sugar Company, Numan are potential sources of the raw materials needed by these cottage industries when established in all the sugar cane-growing communities of Nigeria. Newly opened up farm areas of up to 100,000 ha will also provide canes for the plants. This paper presents some of the problems militating against profitable sugar production by large-scale sugar plants in Nigeria. It also highlights areas of cooperation and support by policy makers and other stakeholders in the sugar industry for increased domestic sugar production. This will facilitate the attainment of domestic sugar self-sufficiency, rural industrialization, social and food security.
Estimating the Recreational Value of Mountain Biking Sites in Scotland Using Count Data Models
Authors: Moran Dominic , Tresidder Esmond , McVittie Alistair
Published: September 2010

Mountain biking is a relatively recent forest recreational activity and this paper estimates the use value associated with purpose-built centres in southern Scotland. An on-site survey is used to generate visitor frequency that can be related to travel costs and participants' socio-economic characteristics. Count data regressions provide maximum likelihood estimates of model coefficients used to estimate expected per-trip economic surplus. The estimated consumer surplus for the Glentress biking range is £80 per visit. An aggregate value of £9.6 million is obtained, with an estimated 120,000 visits annually. While appreciable relative to the site investment outlay, data limitations lead the authors to caution against extrapolating this value over a range of substitute sites planned by the UK's Forestry Commission.
Can Seasonal Unit Root Testing Improve the Forecasting Accuracy of Tourist Arrivals?
Authors: Alleyne Dillon
Published: September 2010

Tourism has emerged as one of the main industries in many Caribbean countries. Jamaica is no exception: tourist receipts are its largest source of foreign exchange earnings. Because of the importance of the tourism sector to the Jamaican economy, accurate forecasts of tourist arrivals are critical. This paper argues that forecasting accuracy can be improved by the use of seasonal unit root testing. Using six tourist arrival series, from 1968:1 to 2001:3, it was found that unit root testing, applying the HEGY procedure, did help to improve the forecasts at all horizons. The exceptions were those series that exhibited considerable volatility; in these cases the seasonal unit root test did not prove superior at the short horizon. These results, however, may not be robust with respect to data at other frequencies.
Research Report: Searching for Complementarities between Agriculture and Tourism — The Demarcated Wine-Producing Regions of Northern Portugal
Authors: Marques Helena
Published: September 2010

This paper discusses the role of agritourism in deprived rural areas as an instrument of regional development that builds on local cultural and natural advantages. This is illustrated with preliminary data collected from interviews carried out at agritourism enterprises from the demarcated wine-producing regions of the north of Portugal. The evidence gathered shows that tourism may have a role in marketing unique local products, preserving architectural heritage and developing physical and human capital in which rural regions are lacking. Moreover, the LEADER capital provided by the European Union was a crucial factor in the interviewees' initial investment decisions.
Research Note: Measuring Cultural Values — The Case of Residents' Attitudes to the Saltaire Festival
Authors: Wood Emma , Thomas Rhodri
Published: September 2010

This research note discusses the findings and methodological issues arising from a cultural values survey of residents, particularly in relation to civic pride. In addition to offering insights to the particular case – the Saltaire Festival in the north of England – it provides an approach that might be used elsewhere.
SMEs' Access to Debt Finance
Authors: Abor Joshua , Biekpe Nicholas
Published: September 2010

This study compares the use of external debt finance by male-and female-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana to determine whether female-owned firms are less likely to use debt as a source of financing their operations. The results indicate that the capital structure of SMEs is influenced by the legal form, location, size, age and profitability of the firm and the educational background and gender of the entrepreneur. They also suggest that female-owned SMEs are significantly less likely to employ debt finance. The findings seem to support the notion that there is adverse discrimination in the lending process, placing women at a disadvantage. Females may not be able to penetrate informal networks as well as males, which clearly could affect their ability to gain access to useful information and sources of capital. Also, female-owned firms tend to be small sole-proprietorship businesses; thus, they may lack the necessary collateral to qualify them for debt finance. There is generally high conformity in the results of this study with similar studies in other parts of the world. Recommendations are given to help promote female-owned SMEs in Ghana.
How the West was One
Authors: Walker Peter A.
Published: September 2010

As in many industrialized countries, non-industrial-scale agriculture in the western USA faces severe economic challenges. Many farmers and ranchers experience great difficulty earning a living from the land. Huge areas of western American landscapes have been converted from agriculture to commercial and residential use (the much-dreaded phenomenon of ‘sprawl’) as farmers and ranchers have been forced by economic realities to sell their land for development. With an increasingly conservative political orientation and fiscal constraints, effective programmes by the federal government to help non-industrial-scale farmers and ranchers to survive have largely disappeared in recent decades. During this same period, however, environmental organizations and large numbers of relatively wealthy new ‘ex-urban’ residents in rural areas have recognized that helping farmers and ranchers to survive is crucial for protecting open spaces and rural and environmental qualities. As a result, there have emerged a large number of highly innovative and effective partnerships between environmental organizations and farmers and ranchers. Today, these locally based, grassroots collaborations may represent the best hope for the survival of farmers, ranchers and the unique open landscapes and environmental qualities of the American West.
From Business Development to Quality of Life
Authors: Beetz Stephan , Neu Claudia
Published: September 2010

Despite billions of euros of economic and infrastructural support, East Germany has experienced neither economic recovery in the form of the ‘flourishing landscapes' promised by Helmut Kohl in 1989, nor a boom in innovation. Instead, the region is undergoing processes of accelerating demographic change: declining birth rates, selective migration – mainly of young women between 15 and 25 – and as a result, an ageing population. The results include peripheralization of rural regions and marginalization of social groups. It is time to think about alternatives to classic forms of economic and infrastructural support, and to seek and foster potential for innovation beyond the traditional forms of market-oriented product innovation. Examples include process innovations in the public sector, services such as e-government, and new concepts of geriatric care and education that can, in turn, help to maintain the quality of life in peripheral rural areas. Following introductory comments, the authors examine the overall concept of innovation to identify the key issues at stake for rural innovations. Then, after describing the specific situation in rural north-east Germany, they discuss several innovations that can increase the quality of life in such areas.
Perspectives of Bioenergy for Agriculture and Rural Areas
Authors: Plieninger Tobias , Bens Oliver , Hüttl Reinhard F.
Published: September 2010

The production of biomass for renewable energy supply has found wide acceptance among farmers in Germany. This paper examines the potential benefits of bioenergy for agricultural operations. Reasons for the successful implementation of biomass production in agriculture involve economic factors, the forms of public incentive tools, a compatibility with farmers' cultural patterns, and psychological aspects. In Germany, there are signs of considerable positive effects on the creation of employment and investment in rural areas. Still, the authors argue for a differentiated view of small- and large-scale bioenergy plants, and hypothesize that the former lead to a more comprehensive creation of added value in agriculture and rural areas than the latter. Competition for land and biomass is increasing, both between the bioenergy industry and other land users and within the bioenergy industry itself, especially between centralized and decentralized plants and between biogas and liquid biofuel uses. Due to the emergence of bioenergy, increasing linkages of agriculture with other economic and policy fields can be observed, especially with the energy industry and policy, with forestry, and with biodiversity and landscape conservation.
The Diversity Project as a Joint Venture
Authors: Siegel David J.
Published: September 2010

This study examines the role of corporate influence in shaping an American business school's commitment to racial and ethnic diversity. Themes emerging from an intensive case study include: (a) the centrality of corporate interest and support; (b) co-investment in ‘pipeline development’ strategies that encourage more minorities to pursue business education; (c) the role of external mandate in stimulating activity and accountability; (d) the recognition of diversity as a source of competitive advantage; and (e) evidence of partners mutually challenging each other to move the needle of progress on the diversity front. Overall, the study's findings lend support to the notion that the particular shape and scope of diversity-related activity in higher education is significantly conditioned by external desire, expectation, and involvement.
Entrepreneurship at Universities
Authors: Heesen Bernd
Published: September 2010

German higher education institutions offer insufficient programmes in continuing academic education. Less than 1% of all degrees awarded by HEIs in Germany in 2001 were Master's degrees. Despite the fact that the German economy is among the largest in the world, measured by percentage of GDP the country is investing 35% less in tertiary-level education than the average OECD country. The Bund-Länder Commission for Educational Planning and Research Promotion concluded that German universities were not fulfilling their task of offering continuing education and recommended reforms including (a) the development of continuing academic education incorporating the use of virtual programmes, (b) the use of new media and (c) refined concepts for teaching methods to impart media skills. This article describes the steps taken to introduce the first programme in continuing academic education leveraging e-learning at the University of Applied Sciences in Furtwangen, and concludes with policy recommendations for the further improvement of the German higher education system.
Human Resource Blueprints in Irish High-Tech Start-up Firms
Authors: Keating Mary A. , Olivares Mariabrisa
Published: September 2010

Focusing on Irish high-tech start-ups, this paper reports on the results of an empirical study of organization building by entrepreneurial firms, specifically in relation to human resource practices. The research findings are benchmarked with findings from SPEC, the Stanford Project of Emerging Companies (Baron and Hannan, 2002). Human resources management and entrepreneurial research have rarely been combined in the literature and there is no distinct body of work in the area of human resource management in entrepreneurial firms.
Entrepreneurship Intention among French Grande ÉCole and University Students
Authors: Klapper Rita , Léger-Jarniou Catherine
Published: September 2010

Arguably, entrepreneurship is still a recent phenomenon in French society, and its higher education establishments are still experimenting with ways to teach entrepreneurship and enterprise creation. This paper presents a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the entrepreneurial intention of French higher education students at three different establishments (a management Grande École, an engineering Grande École and a university) using the Shapero intention model. The study found that most of the students wanted to work in large organizations and were not intending to create a new company or work in a family business. There were significant differences, however, between management and engineering students in terms of their entrepreneurial environment, which may affect their attitudes to new business creation. The authors conclude that, while enforced learning through entrepreneurial courses and seminars may initially be off-putting, such initiatives may have longer-term beneficial impacts on entrepreneurial intention.
Consequences of Structural Changes within Facilitated Innovative Networks
Authors: Purchase Sharon , Olaru Doina , Vaaland Terje I.
Published: September 2010

Changes to industrial business network structures have been examined via discrete simulation to investigate how network positions change. In dynamic networks, active actors/forces continuously modify the status of the network, and changes touch all actors in the network. Such changes highlight the role of network effects and how they flow throughout the network. In this research, network position is assessed through closeness centrality and information flow through distance and network density. Simulation is used to examine the changes in network position triggered by alteration of dyadic relationships. Results indicate that network actors need to consider both position and density when determining whether they are ‘better off’ under different scenarios. This research builds on the network dynamics research topic and provides a flexible approach for investigating quantitatively potential changes in industrial networks.
Consequences of Growth
Authors: Valliere Dave
Published: September 2010

This study reanalyses data collected over a 10-year period concerning the attitudes towards growth of managers of small businesses, and the beliefs underlying these attitudes. Previous studies have assumed that financial and non-financial dimensions were of primary importance. Using data from earlier research, this paper develops a structural model to demonstrate that growth attitudes are better conceptualized as being driven by beliefs about the nature of the costs, rewards and risks of growth. Of these, the impact of growth on rewards and risks to the firm was found to be most important.
Starting up in Business
Authors: Greenbank Paul
Published: September 2010

This paper is based on interviews with 58 micro-business owner-managers. It examines the factors influencing their decision to start up in business and classifies them as either ‘dissatisfiers’ or ‘motivators’. The research found that uncertainty in the decision-making process arises because the motivation to become self-employed is often based on beliefs rather than actual experience. This is important because uncertainty increases the perceived level of risk attached to self-employment as a career option. If self-employment is to be promoted, policy makers need to encourage more rational decision making and to provide programmes that actually involve the experience of running a small business.
E-Commerce Development in Developing Countries
Authors: Duncombe Richard , Molla Alemayehu
Published: September 2010

Using case study evidence collected from Uganda in 2004 and the theoretical lens of change-agent theory, a framework is presented that explains how intermediaries can fulfil an effective role in assisting SMEs to benefit from e-commerce. Findings point towards the influence of multiple change-agents performing distinct roles. Primary change-agents have been identified as playing a lead role in catalysing and intermediating e-commerce, through facilitating market access due to favourable commodity chain positioning, and through solution provision that is tailored to specific SME needs. Secondary change-agents, on the other hand, provide complementary inputs such as technology, training and financial resources. It follows that competency to intervene is defined according to the differing roles that change-agents perform, and that intervention strategies for capacity building should be based upon the requirements of different categories of change-agent. This paper makes a contribution to the theory of e-commerce adoption, as well as providing an assessment framework to assist practitioners in formulating intervention strategies and helping agencies in developing countries.
Training Science and Mathematics Professionals for an Innovation Economy
Authors: Tobias Sheila , Sims Leslie B.
Published: September 2010

The Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree is a creative addition to US graduate education, expressly to support innovation and workforce development in a globally competitive economy. Initiated in the 1990s with funding from two US private foundations, there is still a question as to whether universities will sustain it beyond the start-up phase. The degree is designed to prepare graduates for professional employment in which a combination of technical and management functions come together. PSM programmes combine solid advanced science/mathematics, a working knowledge of business principles, experience working in interdisciplinary groups and high-level communication and technical skills, capped by internships in business, government and industry.