bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redefining the Role of the Corporate University
Authors: Prince Christopher , Beaver Graham
Published: September 2010

There is a growing recognition by senior managers in many large organizations of the strategic impact that corporate universities are having on their companies. This can be viewed as a consequence of many organizations recognizing the power of learning and knowledge as fundamental drivers of strategic change. The authors contend that this growing recognition is leading to the emergence of more sophisticated forms of corporate university, which are predicated on the principles of organizational learning and knowledge management. In order to explore this issue a model of an ideal type corporate university is developed. This model is then applied to two case illustrations of corporate universities in the UK.
Planning for Open and Distance Learning in India
Authors: Ansari M. M.
Published: September 2010

Improvement in the entrepreneurial capacity of the working population through education and training is a sine qua non for raising productivity-linked earnings and quality of life. The educational development of deprived groups and regions is therefore a matter of serious concern for policy planners, especially in countries like India which have a federal structure and a democratic polity Of the available educational methods, open and distance learning (ODL) is considered to be the cheapest and most accessible, due mainly to its innovative and flexible characteristics that allow appropriate media choices for student-centred approaches to teaching and learning. ODL extends the benefits of new knowledge and technical know-how and is thus a powerful instrument in the equalization of educational opportunities and in broadening the base of human capital formation. Against this background, the performance of ODL in India over the past four decades is reviewed. The author analyses the evidence and demonstrates the extent to which ODL has succeeded in improving access and equity in the provision of services. The factors that help or hinder in extending the reach of education among deprived groups and regions are identified, and the implications for policy planning are discussed. The implementation of the recommended policy measures would contribute to the educational development of disadvantaged groups, raise the overall competence levels and earnings of the working population, improve the quality of life, and reduce disparities. These goals are critical to ensure social harmony, political stability and sustainable development.
The Success of Advanced Learning Technologies for Instruction
Authors: Coldeway Dan O.
Published: September 2010

The development and implementation of new advanced learning technologies (ALTs) is an important achievement at all levels of education and in business and industry. However, the benefits of ALTs are often not fully realized until issues surrounding their use by instructors, students and others are recognized and taken into consideration. These are referred to as ‘human factors’ issues and they can often become a major influence in the success of technological applications. This paper identifies a range of human factors issues of importance in a variety of settings. Recent evaluative and research information describing human factors in three graduate programmes using ALTs is presented and discussed. The paper concludes with a summary discussion of these results and their impact on human interaction with technology.
Design and Evaluation of Simulations for the Development of Complex Decision-Making Skills
Authors: Hartley Roger , Varley Glen
Published: September 2010

The management of large-scale incidents, such as demonstrations that can affect public order, requires complex decision making. In association with the London Metropolitan Police a computer-based simulation (CACTUS) was designed for improving the strategic and tactical management of public order events by senior police officers. It incorporates a digitized map with active (iconized) police, crowd and hostile agents able to navigate the map and interact autonomously in ways that simulate aggression and disorder if the police resources and their instructions are not managed with some skill. Adaptive training scenarios were designed in CACTUS by the trainer/facilitators covering planning, event management and debriefing. An evaluation study collected audio and video records of the training sessions and these data gave useful insights into the decision-making processes and how the CACTUS simulation, through its design features, became a dynamic mediational tool in developing such skills.
Re-Engineering Competency-Based Education through the Use of a Multimedia CD-ROM
Authors: Wilkinson Joanne
Published: September 2010

Organizations and their clients have limited tolerance for inept performance, particularly when it is a matter of life or death. Service organizations rely on the competencies of individual staff to produce and deliver core activities. In these organizations employees engage directly with clients in complex interactions as part of the process. High-level performance is required in challenging environments – and it does not occur by chance. Competencies are learned. In situations in which the risk to individuals and the organization is high, the education and credentialling of employees in key competencies is warranted. Educators are therefore engaged to teach competencies that are relevant and enhance an organization's performance. Competency-based education underpins effective risk management in service delivery organizations, most notably perhaps in those that deliver human services. However, the cost of competency-based staff development and evaluation programmes for large groups is often high. This paper describes: (a) the scenario of a large multi-campus medical centre that requires competency-based education in basic life support for 4,500 students and staff; (b) a process that entails the re-engineering of competency-based credentialling services through the design, integration and use of a multi-media CD-ROM; and (c) outcomes of enhanced learning and cost savings coupled with reduced organizational risk.
Industrial Strength Changes in Engineering Education
Authors: Chatziioanou Alypios , Sullivan Edward
Published: September 2010

The triangle of government, industry and education is one of the cornerstones defining the technology evolution patterns of society (and more). Within that triangle, innumerable interactions with continuous feedback processes create an overall picture that is frequently too complicated to paint in a single dimension. One problem addressed from time to time is that of how closely aligned the objectives of industry and engineering education should be. The short-term benefits of having industry dictate engineering education objectives can easily be observed. Long-term issues and results are more difficult to anticipate, but should be given equal consideration. This paper examines some of the trends and needs in view of new interaction tools that have become available over the past two decades. A case study of recent changes at California Polytechnic State University – the flagship of the California State University system – exemplifies the status quo for California on this topic. Overall, the authors take a dim view of the current situation. The intention is to provide a sceptical review of ‘what can go wrong’ – a question that some engineers cannot remove from their minds. Major reflection points include the effort to fit more into a smaller (unit and time) bag; the messages that academics are receiving about success and failure; the fluctuations in student demand; and, last but not least, the overall ‘educational’ experience of the students.
Gap Funding in the USA and Canada
Authors: Price Steven C. , Sobocinski Philip Z.
Published: September 2010

Successful technology transfer of innovations arising from university research is often hindered by the lack of development funds to add value to these nascent discoveries. Within a university context, ‘gap funding’ is, for example, grant research funding that supports the demonstration of technical feasibility, prototype development, and/or assists with broadening patent claims and strengthening licensing opportunities. It is this early development stage that constitutes the bottleneck in which the transfer of promising technologies in academia can often languish or come to a halt from the lack of even a modest amount of such funding. This paper reports on measured outcomes of two such gap funding programmes at the authors' institution, presented as case studies that demonstrate the importance of this type of funding, and provides several recommendations for grants administration. In addition, results of a survey conducted on the status of gap funding programmes at other academic institutions in North America are presented. Surprisingly few such programmes exist in North America and very few have reported outcomes. The case study results support the conclusion that gap funding programmes are critical to technology development and transfer within a university setting and can provide valuable returns on the investment. These returns include enhancing patenting and licensing efforts as well as various collateral benefits such as the number of publications created; students trained; spin-offs formed; and the leveraging induced as measured by the amount of follow-on federal and industrial sponsored research dollars.
Modelling a Decision Maker's Preferences with Different Assumptions about the Preference Structure: Theory Development and Initial Applications for Tourism and Hospitality Management
Authors: Brown J. Randall , Israeli Aviad A. , Mehrez Abraham
Published: September 2010

Understanding customers' preferences and preference structure is an important aspect of managing service applications. This paper develops a heuristic approach that includes a new preference elicitation procedure and two different value function models. The elicitation procedure makes no assumptions about the form of the preference structure of the decision maker (DM), is easy to understand, and does not take much time to complete. Then, two different models based on different assumptions about the DM's preference structure are developed to fit the elicitation procedure data. The Linear-Fractional Model assumes perfect substitution (linear indifference curves where the slopes can vary) and the Decision Utility Model assumes perfect complements (right-angled indifference curves). The paper develops the methods using an example of a park management problem. The models are tested in an exploratory experiment that demonstrates how to use the methods and techniques in a multi-criteria decision problem.
Casino Gambling as a Catalyst of Economic Development: Perceptions of Residents in New Casino Jurisdictions
Authors: Nichols Mark , Giacopassi David , Stitt B. Grant
Published: September 2010

Using survey data gathered in 1999 from eight new US casino jurisdictions, this research examines citizens' perceptions of casino gambling as a tool of economic and tourism development. In particular, the paper examines whether residents perceive that casinos have revitalized their communities by rejuvenating the local economy, attracting new industries and increasing tourism, or whether the impact has been more negative, resulting in, for example, business closure and in the casinos taking more out of the community than they contribute to it. The results suggest that, on average, casinos are perceived to be a positive catalyst for economic and tourism development. However, geographical proximity to the casino, demographic characteristics, and the structure of the industry are all important determinants in the creation of these perceptions.
Exploring Competitiveness in Mediterranean Resorts
Authors: Papatheodorou Andreas
Published: September 2010

This paper examines competitiveness and efficiency issues related to destinations in the Mediterranean region. Following a detailed discussion on methodology, a hedonic analysis is performed, in which the price of holiday packages is regressed on a number of package characteristics and operator and location scaling factors. Those that are statistically significant among the latter are subsequently used in a second-step correlation framework, which aims to offer a valid interpretation of the observed price differentials among core and peripheral holiday destinations. On these grounds, a number of policy measures are finally discussed.
Report: Globalization of Economic Activity: Issues for Tourism
Authors: Fayed Hanaa , Fletcher John
Published: September 2010

Economic activity is not only becoming more internationalized, but, more significantly, it is becoming increasingly globalized. Globalization is always regarded as the product of the liberalization that has been the hallmark of economic policy throughout the world during the past decade. It has also set in motion forces working to accelerate liberalization. One of the distinguishing features of trade at the end of the twentieth century and at the start of the new millennium has been the expansion of regional trade agreements and the multilateral agreements. The internationalization of services is at the core of today's economic globalization. Tourism has become one of the most important industries in the world, and its economic impacts are vital for many countries. It has long supported the idea of services agreements and has become a major component in the globalization of international trade, particularly with respect to services. There is no doubt that the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) have assisted the growth of international trade in goods and services. However, the success of such instruments relies upon markets behaving in a Ricardian manner, incorporating the fluidity and transparency that form the substance of those markets.
International Tourism in 2001, and Tracking Trends in Travel and Tourism with Seasonal Adjustment
Authors: Bar-On Raphael Raymond
Published: September 2010

The 11 September attacks on the USA caused considerable drops in tourist arrivals in many countries, estimated as a global loss of about 11% in September–December 2001. Detailed inbound and outbound series are presented for Canada, the UK and the USA, with the conventional comparisons of changes on the corresponding month of the previous year, and estimates of the economic effects of this crisis. The advantages of using seasonally-adjusted monthly data to monitor the effects of events are presented.
Market Power and the Taxation of Domestic and International Tourism
Authors: Forsyth Peter , Dwyer Larry
Published: September 2010

Tourism services around the world are subject to general and specific taxes. There is evidence that tourism is relatively heavily taxed and that rates of taxation are increasing, although the implicit taxation of aviation is lessening. Leaving aside issues of international rent extraction, or the passing of taxes on to foreign visitors, there do not seem to be strong reasons for taxing tourism differently from other goods and services, although specific levies to correct for related unpriced services or externalities may be called for. There has been a growth in specific tourism taxes, many of which are earmarked for spending on tourism-related projects or promotion. While this may appear efficient, it can lead to the squandering of revenues through the funding of inefficient projects. This is especially the case when different jurisdictions fund promotion to attract the same group of tourists. International tourism poses specific problems that make it difficult to tax it on a comparable basis to other goods and services. However, the most serious problem arises from the market power that countries possess over their tourism services; countries can, and do, impose taxes on tourism services and pass them on to foreign tourists. The scope for doing this is substantial and it is individually rational for countries to tax tourism services. However, this constitutes a barrier to trade in tourism services, and what is rational for an individual country is inefficient for the world as a whole. Excessive taxation of international tourism will be the result, and this taxation will be very difficult to negotiate away. Since this market power is unevenly distributed across countries, and there is some gain from tourism taxation, even after the taxation of their own travellers is taken into account, it would not be feasible to obtain agreement to reduce or eliminate such taxation if negotiations are confined to tourism and aviation issues. Agreement is more likely if there are broader negotiations, but even these may well not be enough. In the absence of side payments to bribe countries not to use their market power, the globally efficient solution of low tourism taxes is unlikely to come about. Ultimately, tourism growth is likely to suffer relative to other sectors in the global economy.
Globalization of Air Transport: The Challenges of the GATS
Authors: Fayed Hanaa , Westlake John
Published: September 2010

The impacts of globalization on national and international policy making processes are illustrated by an examination of the effects on air transport industries. Trends towards the liberalization of air transport activities have been noted in many countries, mainly, to date, those of developed or rapidly developing status. Specific demand and supply conditions affect the air transport industries, and a particular regulatory framework has grown up since the 1940s. The study examines trends towards the privatization of airline companies in the context of (a) the development of so-called global ‘alliances’ or ‘partnerships’ and (b) liberalization at regional level and within trade groups such as the European Union. The new challenges of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) are considered, especially in terms of how developing countries can develop appropriate policies in response to the forces of globalization, increasing liberalization and competition.
WTO Tourism Market Trends, Edition 2002 and the International Year of Ecotourism 2002
Authors: Kester John G.C.
Published: September 2010

WTO's Tourism Market Trends, Edition 2002 series of regional reports offers a comprehensive and timely analysis of tourism trends in the world and the various regions, sub-regions and countries. The six volumes of the series contain a consistent set of 2001 results including a detailed examination of the effects on international tourism of the 11 September attacks and the economic downturn experienced in 2001. Furthermore, this year's series also pays special attention to the International Year of Ecotourism celebrated in 2002. This edition of ‘Databank’ gives an overview of the main results for the previous year.
Entrepreneurship and Learning: The Double Act in the Triple Helix
Authors: Matlay Harry , Mitra Jay
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the three concepts of learning, knowledge and innovation in the context of the triple relationship of government, industry and higher education, with particular reference to the UK. The authors argue that a consideration of the three concepts enables a proper understanding of entrepreneurship and its role in sustaining competitiveness for the wider economy and value in society. They conclude that entrepreneurship not only provides the spur for economic development but also shows the route forward to managing personal and organizational development in the new economy. It is through entrepreneurship, the authors suggest, that the fundamental requirements of learning, knowledge management and innovation can be effectively addressed.
Intra-Firm and Inter-Firm Learning in the Context of Start-Up Companies
Authors: Mäkinen Helena
Published: September 2010

Organizational learning has come to be seen as a critical feature of a firm's success. The concept captures the sense of a firm being involved in a process of continuous adaptation to a changing environment and drawing on organizational knowledge and competencies that can be brought to bear on any particular circumstance. Successful firms are good ‘learners’. Acquisition of new knowledge and competencies is especially important in high-technology companies. This paper asks what have been the main firm-specific knowledge and competencies of pharmaceutical start-up companies, and considers how the start-up companies have enlarged their knowledge and competencies through intra-firm and interfirm learning in a national business environment. The empirical issues are addressed in the context of four small innovative drug discovery companies in the Turku area of Finland. These are highly focused, specialized R&D companies that have been established as spin-off companies from larger firms or universities. They also saw the founding of a new cooperative pharmaceutical network as an essential response to the apparent resource gap.
Gender-Based Differences in Entrepreneurial Behaviour
Authors: Galloway Laura , Brown Wendy , Arenius Pia
Published: September 2010

In most countries the rate of female entrepreneurship is around half of that for males. In an era when the vast majority of the modern world has legislative and practical gender equality in terms of economic opportunity, a common question for studies of entrepreneurship is why female rates consistently lag behind those of males. Using results obtained in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2000, this paper addresses that question by analysing rates of entrepreneurship amongst males and females in two European countries of similar size: Finland and Scotland. Differences and similarities in types and characteristics of female entrepreneurs and female-owned businesses in the two countries are also investigated, as are culture, attitudes to entrepreneurship and public support systems (including education). This comparative study suggests that female entrepreneurship often comprises unique circumstances and characteristics, such as differences (from males) in motivations for startup and for business growth, and limited variation in industry sectors entered. The study also shows that female business owners tend to maintain traditional domestic roles alongside their professional ones. While further research is necessary, it is clear that if rates of female entrepreneurship are to increase, as is identified as a priority in both Finland and Scotland (Ministry of Trade and Industry, Finland, 2000; Scottish Enterprise, 2001), greater account should be taken of the different profile female entrepreneurs can have from males, as well as specific socio-cultural and institutionalized constraints to female enterprise.
Opportunities and Challenges for Omani Women Entrepreneurs
Authors: Al-Riyami Rahma , Warren Lorraine , McElwee Gerard
Published: September 2010

This study presents a preliminary report of an exploratory, qualitative investigation of the role of Omani women entrepreneurs in Muscat. It establishes the factors that motivate women to become entrepreneurs. Opportunities for the growth and expansion of women's entrepreneurship in Oman, as well as barriers that women encounter, are discussed. Suggestions are offered as to how women's entrepreneurship in Oman might be encouraged, along with questions for future research.
Theoretical and Methodological Challenges Bridging Firm Strategies and Contextual Networking
Authors: Johannisson Bengt , Ramirez-Pasillas Marcela , Karlsson Gösta
Published: September 2010

There is an increasing concern for, on the one hand, networked business strategies and, on the other, the competitiveness of localized small-firm clusters. This paper first reviews four different strategy frameworks — the resource-based organization, the industrial organization, the virtual organization and the industrial district — from a network perspective. Eleven generic dimensions of such strategic frameworks are generated and operationalized. Then graph analysis is used to map a small business community in which furniture manufacturing and retail make up the core industry sectors. Three centrally positioned firms in the local production networks are identified and interviewed face-to-face. The owner-managers were asked to map their enactment of business strategy according to the operationalized frameworks. The findings demonstrate that no single strategic framework can make the firms' strategic conduct intelligible. The use of advanced information technology ensures that all three firms align to features associated with virtual organizing. The balanced use of strategies is assumed to add to the competitiveness of firms and local business systems. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research and advice for practitioners.
The Changing Role of Ethnic Entrepreneurs in Australia
Authors: Chavan Meena , Agrawal Rakesh
Published: September 2010

This research looks at the changing role of ethnic small business in Australia by studying three generations over a period of time. The first generation was found to be positively associated with ‘push’ motivations, and the second and third generations to be positively associated with ‘pull’ motivations. All three generations of ethnic entrepreneurs were positively associated with the use of ‘productive diversity principles’ (use of language, ethnic skills, resources and networks for economic benefit) and this study reveals that 65% of the respondents had made use of productive diversity principles for entering into and succeeding in small business. The paper demonstrates a significant motivating factor in the form of productive diversity principles.
Goal-Setting and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy
Authors: Erikson Truls
Published: September 2010

In order to become novice, portfolio or serial entrepreneurs, individuals must first become nascent entrepreneurs. Hence, the focus of this article is on how potential entrepreneurs are transformed into nascent entrepreneurs. This study supports the tenet that goal-setting is vital in nurturing entrepreneurial motivation among prospective entrepreneurs. As goal-setting is closely linked to beliefs about personal capabilities, business schools should influence individuals' self-belief, which is a precondition for achieving congruent entrepreneurial goals.
The Internationalization of New Ventures
Authors: Ripollés María , Menguzzato Martina , Iborra María
Published: September 2010

International new ventures (INV) are firms that trade out of their national borders from an early stage. The traditional internationalization stage models have not considered this issue. In this context, the existence of INV represents an important open research topic and merits attention. The internationalization of these ventures is a complex phenomenon and many perspectives are needed to understand it. The purpose of the research discussed here, however, is to present an entrepreneurial perspective to understand this process. From this perspective the authors analyse how these ventures can obtain the necessary tangible and intangible resources to face the internationalization process. They demonstrate the role of entrepreneurial networks in the internationalization of these types of ventures. Empirical research enables the authors to offer a more complete definition of international new ventures and to describe the characteristics of their entrepreneurial networks and the importance of those networks in the creation of such firms.
Companies as Incubators
Authors: Tübke Alexander , Empson Tom
Published: September 2010

Companies as incubators try to build success by systematically creating and nurturing new firms. However, there are many elements to a business incubation policy, and the term itself is not well defined. This article first presents a framework of factors, which are then examined in a European-wide survey. The case of The Generics Group illustrates how a company can implement a comprehensive incubation policy. The results show that business incubation within companies is not very common. Most company incubation policies are half-hearted and/or inadequately integrated, although the case study reveals the potential success of business incubation for certain types of parent companies.
A Network of Incubators
Authors: Scott Terri
Published: September 2010

The new global economy is a reality. Regional growth and prosperity depend upon our ability to participate in that economy. Today, small high-growth enterprises, fed by intellectual capital, determine which regions thrive and which merely survive. This paper looks at the creation of a network of incubators developed in Northern Ireland since 1998. The rationale for developing sector-specific business incubators focusing on the research strengths of different campuses of the University of Ulster is explained. The role of the knowledge base in the creation and development of high technology companies and the critical factors to be taken into account for future success are discussed.
Incubators in Israel
Authors: Yerushalmi Shmuel
Published: September 2010

This paper presents an overview of the National Technological Incubators Program in Israel and the national technological and economic environment that led to its creation. In essence, a great business opportunity became apparent at the beginning of the 1990s, when a wave of immigration from the countries of the former Soviet Union brought with it a new inflow of technological skills. By way of a case study, the paper discusses the experiences of the Incubator for Technological Entrepreneurship Kiryat Weizmann (ITEK). ITEK, one of the first incubators to be established in Israel, has accumulated significant experience during its 10 years of activity in promoting, running and nurturing zero-stage technological start-ups. Its structure and activities are discussed in detail.
Studies on Yam Domestication and Farmers' Practices in Benin and Nigeria
Authors: Vernier P. , Orkwor G.C. , Dossou A.R.
Published: September 2010

This paper combines the results of surveys carried out between 1995 and 2001 in Benin and Nigeria on farmers' practices in connection with the domestication of yams (Dioscorea rotundata), which is still an active process in West Africa. In Benin more than 500 yam producers belonging to four major yam-producing ethnic groups (Bariba, Mahi-Fon, Nago and Yom) and nearly 300 farmers in six different states of Nigeria were interviewed. The knowledge of wild yams is still alive even among farmers who have never domesticated yam. In the two countries the techniques described are very similar and the domesticated wild yams belong either to D. abyssinica in the northern part of the studied area (drier savanna zone) or to D. praehensilis in the southern part (humid savanna). The percentage of farmers who are domesticating or have recently domesticated yams varies from 3–14%. The domestication process mainly leads to early maturing cultivars, which are produced in double-harvest systems. The practice of domestication is decreasing, especially in the regions where commercial yam production is well developed.
Environmental Impacts of Cocoa and Rubber Cultivation in Nigeria
Authors: Okuneye P.A. , Aromolaran A.B. , Adetunji M.T. , Arowolo T.A. , Adebayo K. , Ayinde I.A.
Published: September 2010

The authors' study examined the environmental impacts of cocoa and rubber cultivation on soil and water in six Nigerian states where their production is intensive. Primary data were collected by the administration of questionnaires to 180 farmers selected through a multistage random sampling process. These data were subjected to gross margin and cost–benefit analyses. Soil and water samples collected from the study locations were also subjected to chemical assays. The study found that cocoa cultivation remained an attractive economic venture at the current lending rate of 35%, but that rubber cultivation did not. It also found that nutrients and metal pollution levels were very low on cocoa and rubber farms. However, it was concluded that this result was obtained as a consequence of farmers' low levels of use of agrochemicals. A warning was issued to the effect that attempts to make agrochemicals more available and accessible to farmers in future might portend negative environmental impacts that must be prepared for.
Ranking Potential Evapotranspiration Models in the Prediction of Maize Water Requirements in the PortHarcourt Area of Nigeria
Authors: Ayotamuno M.J.
Published: September 2010

It has been observed that many of the empirical models used to estimate evapotranspiration, although simple, are not sufficiently sensitive in those areas where the temperature is relatively constant but other meteorological factors that promote evapotranspiration vary (Michael, 1978; Hashemi and Haliban, 1979). It is therefore important to verify, or even recalibrate these models when they are used within a new geographical region or climatic area (eg PortHarcourt, Nigeria) if account is to be taken of relational changes between meteorological factors such as net radiation, air temperature, elevation, advection and relative humidity.
Agricultural Intensification and Sustainability
Authors: Evans L.T.
Published: September 2010

Agricultural revolutions in the past have been characterized by synergistic interactions between several innovations, which have yet to emerge with biotechnology. Although the intensification of agriculture has created new problems of sustainability, it has ameliorated others. The developing countries, with four-fifths of the present world population to support on only half of the arable land, currently have about 800 million chronically undernourished people, yet must also provide for nearly all further population growth. Nevertheless, financial support for the required agricultural research in the less developed countries (LDCs), although less than 3% as much as the annual OECD expenditure on support for its own agriculture, is currently being reduced. Only with a substantial boost to aid for the funding of public sector agricultural research in and for the developing countries will they be able both to eliminate chronic malnourishment and feed the additional two or more billion people.
Herbicide-Tolerant Crops – Good or Bad for Europe?
Authors: Lutman Peter J.W. , Berry Kate
Published: September 2010

Genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops are being grown in many parts of the world. The EU will soon make a decision on their commercialization in Europe. It is not easy for legislators to reach conclusions as to the risks and benefits. This paper looks at the information emerging from countries where these GMHT crops are already commercialized, and identifies the benefits and problems. It then looks at issues especially relevant to the UK and not fully covered by the field experiences elsewhere, and where specific European research projects have endeavoured to find answers. It seeks to identify the benefits and the real problems for the UK that need to be resolved prior to commercialization.
Post-Harvest Innovation Systems in South Asia
Authors: Hall Andy , Sulaiman V. Rasheed , Yoganand B. , Clark Norman
Published: September 2010

Post-harvest R&D could make a valuable contribution to pro-poor rural development. Evidence suggests, however, that technological innovations need to be supplemented by institutional innovations that encourage broader participation from researchers, entrepreneurs and users of the technology. Furthermore, greater attention will need to be given to the wider institutional context in which innovation takes place. This paper presents the concept of a post-harvest innovation system as a way of exploring these issues and explains the capacity-development view of research that this perspective brings. Examples of post-harvest innovation systems are presented to illustrate the critical importance of partnerships and the influence of the institutional context on the outcome of research. Ways of implementing this in research programmes are then discussed.
Bt Cotton, Pesticides, Labour and Health
Authors: Bennett Richard , Buthelezi T. Joseph , Ismael Yousouf , Morse Stephen
Published: September 2010

This paper describes some of the results of a detailed farm-level survey of 32 small-scale cotton farmers in the Makhathini Flats region of South Africa. The aim was to assess and measure some of the impacts (especially in terms of savings in pesticide and labour as well as benefits to human health) attributable to the use of insect-tolerant Bt cotton. The study reveals a direct cost benefit for Bt growers of SAR416 ($51) per hectare per season due to a reduction in the number of insecticide applications. Cost savings emerged in the form of lower requirements for pesticide, but also important were reduced requirements for water and labour. The reduction -in the number of sprays was particularly beneficial to women who do some spraying and children who collect water and assist in spraying. The increasing adoption rate of Bt cotton appears to have a health benefit measured in terms of reported rates of accidental insecticide poisoning. These appear to be declining as the uptake of Bt cotton increases. However, the understanding of refugia and their management by local farmers are deficient and need improving. Finally, Bt cotton growers emerge as more resilient in absorbing price fluctuations.
Organic Agriculture in China
Authors: Biao Xie , Xiaorong Wang
Published: September 2010

Organic agriculture, a new model for farming development, has set itself the goals of minimization of environmental pollution and sustainability of farming systems. In recent years, organic agriculture has developed rapidly and spread around the world. The objective of this paper is to give an overview of organic agriculture in China with regard to how it is organized, the production base and marketing, technical aspects, standards and regulations, international cooperation, publicity and training. The authors also examine the restrictions on organic farming development and the basis for organic farming expansion. Recommendations for stimulating the success of organic farming are put forward.
Integrated Nutrient Management Research with Sweet Potato in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Hartemink Alfred E.
Published: September 2010

This paper summarizes a series of field experiments that investigated the effects of organic and inorganic nutrients on sweet potato tuber yield in the humid lowlands of Papua New Guinea. In the first experiment, plots were planted with Piper aduncum, Gliricidia sepium and Imperata cylindrica, which were slashed after one year, whereafter sweet potato was planted. Sweet potato yield was lowest after Gliricidia fallow, but no yield differences were found after piper and imperata fallow. In the second season, there was no significant difference in sweet potato yields. The second experiment consisted of a factorial fertilizer trial with four levels of N (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha–1) and two levels of K (0, 50 kg ha–1). Nitrogen fertilizers increased yield in the first season, but depressed tuber yields in the second and third seasons. Potassium fertilizer had no effect on marketable tuber yield. The third experiment consisted of a comparison between N from inorganic fertilizer and poultry litter at four rates (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha–1). No difference was found between the inorganic fertilizer and poultry litter, and the highest yields were found at 100 kg N ha–1. In the second season no significant response was observed. Although yield variation was considerable, this series of experiments has shown that sweet potato yield can be significantly increased by inorganic or organic N applications. Sweet potato yields after fallows were less variable than after inorganic nutrient inputs. Inputs of inorganic fertilizer or poultry litter may strongly increase or decrease tuber yields.
Classification of Cattle and Small Ruminant Production Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Otte Joachim , Chilonda Pius
Published: September 2010

This paper presents a classification of cattle and small ruminant production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A review of literature has shown that there can be as many classifications of livestock systems as there are criteria to classify them, hence the need for a systematic classification to aid the analysis of livestock development in SSA. Agroecological zones principally determine cattle and small ruminant production systems in SSA. A classification of cattle and small ruminant systems is presented based on the length of growing period, rainfall, cropping and mean temperature during the growing period. The main traditional ruminant production systems are grassland-based (pastoral) systems, occurring mainly in areas with less than 90 days of plant-growing period, and mixed production systems occurring in areas with more than 90 days of plant growing. Mixed systems can be further differentiated on the basis of temperature during the growing period, into lowland mixed systems (semi-arid mixed, subhumid mixed and humid mixed) and highland mixed systems (highland mixed and smallholder dairy system, which is a non-traditional system). The non-traditional ruminant production systems are ranching and smallholder dairy systems. The authors conclude that, although a further categorization of livestock systems at individual country level may be produced, the classification presented here could be a basis for the analysis of livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in livestock development analyses in which the individual livestock system is the unit of analysis.
Agriculture in the Oasis of the Manga Grasslands of Semi-Arid North-East Nigeria
Authors: Alhassan A.B. , Carter R.C. , Audu I.
Published: September 2010

Peasant farmers in the Manga Grasslands of semi-arid north-east Nigeria depend largely on agriculture for their livelihood. However, recurrent drought since the early 1970s has disrupted the traditional farming systems of the region, and hence the agriculture-based rural economy of the Grasslands. There is evidence that farmers in the Grasslands are obliged to intensify crop production in areas with ‘good’ soils and ‘adequate’ water supply, that is, the oases. The rich organic soils and the shallow, semi-confined water table beneath the oases are precious natural resources for intensive agriculture. These do not come without a price, however, as the rich, organic soils have the potential to be contaminated by acid sulphate and salt. It is expected that future soil creation, particularly under dry climatic conditions, will lead to the formation of true acid sulphate soils, and consequently, the twin processes of soil acidification and salinization will present real management problems for sustainable agriculture. It is concluded however, that under the prevailing soil, hydrological and climatic conditions of the oasis, sustainable agricultural production remains elusive.
Networks: A Route to Improving Performance in Manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Coleman John
Published: September 2010

Perceived as important contributors to economic growth, network and cluster groups are currently receiving much attention. The same may be said of SM Es. But practical and theoretical perspectives indicate that SMEs, and particularly the owner-managers, place little value on networks and have only limited networking resources. Consequently, they do not access networks that could help their development and growth. This paper presents some of the current theoretical concepts and practitioner findings on networks. The implications are that, to be effective, networks need to be thoughtfully managed by a neutral third party, and that clear distinctions need to be drawn between learning networks, commercial alliances and social networks, but that all three types yield considerable competitive advantage to those businesses willing to engage. Empirical evidence suggests that with careful, yet intensive network management measurable organizational innovation and development are attainable by those SMEs willing to participate in network groups.
Success and Failure in Helping SMEs
Authors: Stewardson Dave , Coleman Shirley
Published: September 2010

This paper describes the outcomes of work conducted to help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) since 1999 by a unit attached to a university in the North East of England. It describes the pattern of help offered, the uptake rates, levels of assistance and the types of outcome measures achieved. Certain regions of Europe have been given special status as areas that are in need of varying degrees of funded assistance. The North East of England is one such area and has attracted several hundreds of millions of pounds in European-sponsored State Aid as a result. The paper describes briefly how some of this money has been used to help SMEs design products more quickly, reduce waste and re-work, and introduce continuous improvement to key business processes. It then details the numbers and types of companies concerned, how many companies dropped out of the project early, the patterns of work and the measured outcomes. The authors examine the uptake rates, and discuss possible reasons why some SMEs do not make full use of the facilities on offer. Anecdotal evidence of SME owner motivations and decision criteria is also presented. Reasons for the overall success of the unit's efforts are suggested, as are ways to improve the potential for SME engagement throughout the HE sector.
Needs of Industrial Companies as the Point of Departure in Continuing Education
Authors: Kauranen Ilkka , Lintuniemi Matti
Published: September 2010

Conventionally, continuing education has been planned by taking the needs of the students as the point of departure. A new continuing education concept has been developed in which the point of departure for programme planning is the needs of industrial companies. The hypothesis is that, if the continuing education programme is designed to help the companies, the needs of the other interest groups will be better fulfilled at the same time. This paper outlines the new concept, describes its application in a pilot programme, and assesses the outcomes of that programme. The feasibility of the new concept is assessed from the perspectives of the various interest groups, both shortly after the programme and in a longitudinal study The prime target of meeting the needs of the companies was achieved, and the needs of other interest groups were also fulfilled – to some extent even more effectively than through more conventional approaches.
Design and Role of University-Based Science and Technology Parks in China
Authors: Jin Chen , Lingyan Dai
Published: September 2010

Increasing attention has been paid to the development of the university-based science and technology park (USTP) in China since science and technology research has become a key factor in international competitiveness. In China, the essential role for the USTP is as a special kind of high-technology industry incubator, attached to a research university This differentiates it from other Chinese science and technology parks. The paper sets out and discusses the strategic goals of the USTPs and their functions, as well as the management structure and operating systems which can best attain their goals of developing an innovative culture and promoting regional and national economic development. The authors also address the necessity for change in China's higher education system if the parks are to operate effectively and outline relevant issues for government policy.