Eliciting and valuing market preferences with traditional food crops: the case of chickpea in India

During the past decade the Indian chickpea industry underwent a dramatic structural shift following the implementation of market-oriented policies by the Government of India. This paper examines consumer attitudes to quality characteristics of chickpea in India. A linear hedonic price model is estimated using auction price and quality data of chickpea samples obtained from major markets in India. Empirical results indicate that specific physical quality characteristics and purity standards are important factors influencing the price of chickpea in India. Thus, there may be an incentive for domestic producers and sellers of chickpea � and exporting countries � to improve the quality of their product, if improvements in specific physical characteristics and purity can be obtained cost effectively. As trade prospects grow for regionally important food crops like chickpea and other pulses, it is essential that food managers, commodity exporters, and crop breeders have access to critical market information in order to assess the relative economic importance of preferred quality traits and plan their strategies accordingl

Plot by plot: plotting urbanism as an ordinary process of urbanization

With this paper, we analyse an ordinary urban process, which has received little attention so far and propose a new concept to take account of it: plotting urbanism. It is usually subsumed under terms like “urban informality” or “incremental urbanism” and not studied as a distinct process. In comparing Lagos, Istanbul and Shenzhen we captured four defining features of plotting urbanism: first, it unfolds in a piecemeal fashion with limited comprehensive planning. Second, it emerges from conflicts between multiple overlapping modes of territorial regulation, land tenure and property rights, which result in specific territorial compromises. Third, plotting is based on commodification of housing and land, which might accentuate socio-economic differentiations between property-owners, who often live in the same area, and their tenants. The term “plotting” highlights the key role of the plot in the process. It also alludes to strategic acts of collaboration for individual and collaborative benefit

Integrating Hidden Unemployment in the Measurement of Unemployment in Selected OECD Countries

This paper utilises OECD bi-annual data from the Economic Outlook database to estimate the extent of hidden unemployment in selected OECD countries. The labour force variations attributable to an economy operating at below full employment level are computed by using a regression modelling framework to generate estimates of the cyclical variations in labour force participation rates. The results show that hidden unemployment is a major problem in the countries studied, and adds to the waste of labour resources that accompany persistent output gaps in OECD countries.Hidden unemployment, unemployment, OECD.

Decentralisation and local government reforms in Africa: challenges, opportunities and the way forward

Strengthening local governments has emerged as a focus of decentralisation in developing countries. In Africa, a few attempts have been made to conceptualise decentralisation and/or to compare decentralisation and local policies across a group of countries. The paper builds on existing literature in examining characteristics of actors involved in decentralisation, democratisation processes, fiscal and resources autonomy and its implications on local government reforms in selected countries in Africa. There are commonalities and differences in local government reforms; however, the challenges to autonomous local government in Africa are linked to central governments’ inability to decentralise power and fiscal autonomy in the name of national unity and stability. The paper concludes that there are obvious shortcomings in the implementation of local government reforms in Africa. Nonetheless, mistakes and setbacks should be used as learning opportunities to strengthen reform, rather than as excuses for adopting a closed system of government that is not autonomous, inclusive, transparent and accountable.Keywords: Decentralisation, local government reform, inclusion, fiscal autonomy, Afric

Attracting international hotels: Locational factors that matter most

With the increased international competition facing hotel chains, it is essential that the next destination they enter is the most attractive option possible. The host destinations too have a keen interest in strategically positioning themselves in order to attract international hotels since their presence has several positive effects. Using, for the first time, actual on-location data we investigate the factors that matter most for international hotels when selecting host destinations. Specifically, we identify 23 factors that make a destination an attractive (or unattractive) location for international hotels. We then rank these. The results show that welcomeness, infrastructure, and crime rate are the three most important factors that influence the location of international hotels in host destinations

Impact of liberalization policies on the building construction industry in Nigeria

Partial final repor

Global price trends of ICRISAT mandate crops

This policy brief provides an overview of the historic trends in the global prices particularly of the ICRISAT mandate cereals (sorghum and millet) and legumes (chickpeas, pigeonpeas and groundnut); an understanding of factors driving them; extent of recent price increase for these crops; impacts and policy implications of price rise in general and for these crops in particular

Long-term unemployment and labour force participation: a decomposition of unemployment to test for the discouragement and added worker hypotheses

We sharpen tests for 'discouragement' and 'added worker' effects by splitting the explanatory variable - the unemployment rate - into a short-term component and a long-term component. While short-term unemployment (STU) might not result in additional workers on a large scale, long-term unemployment (LTU) reduces household income more, increasing the need for additional income. On the other hand, it may discourage older workers for psychological and sociological reasons. Applying our model to the German labour market, these hypotheses could be confirmed. Even for men, about whom only a few empirical studies on this issue are available, distinguishing between STU and LTU reveals added worker as well as discouragement effects