End of the line: Railroads in Chile

Between 1860 and 1950, railroads in Chile were synonym of modernization, integration, and economic development. By the 1970s railroads were bankrupt and socially discredited, surviving out of government subsidies. By 2000, passenger services had disappeared but private sector freight operations were revitalized after swift reforms. We review the Chilean reforms and experience, focusing on regulation, public sector involvement and political interference, market entry, vertical integration, and externalities. Perhaps uniquely, two different forms of private sector participation in freight operations emerge after reforms: a vertically integrated, privatized railroad and a state-owned, open-access, concession system.Railways, divestiture, regulation, industrial organization

An Empirical Study of Corruption in Ports

We generate an original dataset on bribe payments at two competing ports in Southern Africa that allows us to take an unusually close look at the relationship between bureaucratic organization, bribe-setting behavior and the costs corruption imposes on users of public services. We find that the way bureaucracies are organized can generate different opportunities for bureaucrats to engage in "collusive" or "coercive" types of corruption. We then observe how firms adjust their shipping and sourcing strategies in response to different types of corruption. "Collusive" corruption is cost-reducing for firms, increasing usage of the corrupt port, while "coercive" corruption is cost-increasing, reducing demand for port services. Our findings therefore suggest that firms respond to the opportunities and challenges created by different types of corruption, organizing production in a way that increases or decreases demand for the public service.Corruption; Transport; Trade Costs; Firm Behavior

Lessons for Cooperatives in Transition: The Case of Western Canada’s United Grain Growers and Agricore United

This paper explores the takeover of Agricore United (AU) by Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, now known as Viterra. AU’s predecessor, United Grain Growers, was a “pure†cooperative that had issued limited voting shares, but was legally defined as consisting of members and shareholders. The paper argues that members should have been consulted about the transaction. The paper draws six lessons that formerly “pure†cooperatives like AU, should observe to prevent being absorbed by a publicly held firm. It argues that hybrid organizations like AU can successfully resist a takeover bid if properly prepared.Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries,

The data chase : what's out there on trade costs and nontariff barriers ?

Trade costs and nontariff barriers are at the forefront of discussions on competitiveness and expanding trade opportunities for developing countries. This paper provides a summary overview of data and indicators relevant to these issues and has been informed by work underway at the World Bank on trade facilitation over the past several years to catalogue data sets and indicators. Although there has been progress in expanding data sets and developing policy-relevant indicators on trade costs and barriers, much more is needed. In order to assess progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals, evaluating the impact of development projects, and whether meeting Aid for Trade goals will be met, for example, a dedicated and expansive new effort to collect and assess data is needed. This paper attempts to highlight gaps in data on trade costs and provides insight into the type of new data that might be developed in the future.Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Economic Theory&Research,Trade Law,Free Trade,Trade Policy

Cargo dwell time in Durban : lessons for Sub-Saharan African ports

Based on quantitative and qualitative data, this paper attempts to identify the main reasons why cargo dwell time in Durban port has dramatically reduced in the past decade to a current average of 3-4 days. A major customs reform; changes in port storage tariffs coupled with strict enforcement; massive investments in infrastructure and equipment; and changing customer behavior through contractualization between the port operator and shipping lines or between customs, importers, and brokers have all played a major role. The main lesson for Sub-Saharan Africa that can be drawn from Durban is that cargo dwell time is mainly a function of the characteristics of the private sector, but it is the onus of public sector players, such as customs and the port authority, to put pressure on the private sector to make more efficient use of the port and reduce cargo dwell time.Transport Economics Policy&Planning,Transport and Trade Logistics,Common Carriers Industry,Ports&Waterways,Airports and Air Services

Integration of dairy farms in supply chain in bulgaria

This paper presents a new business model for an effective market inclusion of numerous small-scale dairy farms developed by a private entrepreneur. Firstly, it gives insight on development and challenges of Bulgarian dairy sector. Next, it describes the innovation, identifies drivers and changes of inclusion, and assesses its efficiency and sustainability. Finally, it evaluates the possibilities for up-scaling of the model, and suggests business and policies recommendations. Major features of the model include: developing a competitive dairy processing enterprise for locally produced milk; installing milk collecting, cooling, and controlling facilities in the neighborhood and within farms; modernizing milk supply and processing quality according to the top industry standards; building an effective system for governing relations (coordination, stimulation, control, conflict resolution) with individual farmers; developing a company mark and reputation for high quality products; introducing a great variety of specific, original and locally produced products into regional, national, and international markets. Critical factors for evolution of the model have been identified as: private entrepreneurship, experience and skills, technological discipline, available resources, introduction of innovations, effective governance (control, incentives, adjustment) of vertical relations, building a good reputation, development of markets and formal regulations. Integration of farmers has been associated with needs of progressive changes in breed of animals, technology of production, and labor organization, and led to higher income, quality of production, stability of sells and prices, care for animals and environment, and possibility for modernization and adaptation to formal requirements.chain governance, vertical integration, business innovation, farmers inclusion, dairy farming, Bulgaria

Pilot project for the establishment of the trade and business regional information Centre for Latin América and the Carib

As President of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce I am pleased to present to the President of the 77 Group the report of the activities developed concerning the pi/ot project. Project that will become one of the basic factors of development of the business sector and the main making decisions tool for the winning of markets and internationalization of the companies

Critical Information for Vietnamese Economy Aiming at a Strategic Breakthrough as Approaching the Industry 4.0

Chances, and challenges always are created in the fourth industrial revolution that has never faced in the past. Changing and renewing are necessary unless enterprises will come out of “playground” of the fourth industrial revolution. Currently, the navigational field, which has not been outside the “playground”, has suffered from numerous challenges. Although the possible advantages of marine industry only include the seaport system and government support, the challenges and barriers are the majority. Labor, database management, digital technologies, infrastructures, investment, and customer’s attractions are the existent trials of the maritime field. Improvement and renewing the educational program are compulsory. Furthermore, managing the database effectively is not easy. In Vietnam, the lack of synchronous infrastructures is also the enormous challenges of all industries in general and navigational field in particular. Moreover, the investment and customer attractions play the primary role to exist in the revolution. Some of the aspects of the maritime major in the fourth industrial revolution will be mentioned in the article. Also, supporting from Vietnam government as well as current challenges are thoroughly presented and analyzed to find the solutions for approaching the Industry 4.0. Among emerging challenges, the investment attraction, infrastructures, labor, database management, modern digital technology, and customer attraction may be considered as critical information for Vietnamese economy. Importantly, the challenges are analyzed to reveal that if these challenges can be transformed into the motivations, gaining achievements in 4.0 industrial revolution is not difficulty