Agricultural factor use and substitution in the south-eastern United States

A study of the agricultural factor markets that support the farm economy of the southeastern United States aids the understanding of how farmers change the mix of factors as product and factor prices change. Factor demand elasticities were estimated for capital, land, labour, chemicals, energy and other intermediate inputs. On average; labour accounted for USD 0.410 of every USD 1 spent on agricultural inputs followed by other intermediate inputs, which accounted for USD 0.255. The demands for farm labour and other intermediate inputs were inelastic. The demand for farm chemicals was elastic, which indicates a lack of pricing power by companies that sell them. A substantial reduction in the use of farm chemicals could be achievable by increasing their price. Most of the factors are substitutes with the exceptions of capital and energy, and land and chemicals; which were found to be complements

The Business of Hemp in North Carolina: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Industrial hemp continues to receive a lot of attention in the United States of America with a projected annual revenue growth rate of 18.4 percent by 2022. The momentum industrial hemp has gathered in the past few years has made it the ‘new lucrative crop’ for people to grow. However, many farmers have jumped into hemp farming without first obtaining a realistic economic analysis of hemp farming. In this paper, we seek to review and explore the economic opportunities and challenges of hemp production as a useful guide for reducing risks and maintaining profitability for farmers in North Carolina. Our reviews suggest that there are huge knowledge gaps between the \u27promised\u27 benefits (financial incentives) of hemp and what it will take for farmers to reap the financial benefits thereof. Therefore, more scientific research on sources of production inputs, basic agronomic practices, post-harvest processing, supply chain management, policies, and legal framework to guide production and marketing is needed to collect data specific to the hemp industry in North Carolina. Farmers in North Carolina have higher risks of failing and losing their investment and farms due to attempts to grow a new crop (hemp). Only significant effort to address the above missing gap in knowledge can guarantee access to the economic potential as well as plan and implement mitigation measures to the threats facing this emerging industry

Explaining the Saving Behavior of Households’ in Ethiopia, Africa

Savings have been shown to have a positive impact on economic growth at the macroeconomic level. But, the micro-level analysis of households’ savings behavior is limited, especially in Sub-Saharan African economies. This study contributes to the understanding of the savings behavior of households in Africa, by modeling the savings behavior of households’ in Ethiopia with the two-part model. The results of the study reveal that number of extension contacts and access to market information have significant positive effects on the likelihood that a household would save. Moreover, land holdings (bad production season last year) have significant positive (adverse) impact on the expected amount of money a household would save. Based on the results of this study, policies are recommended to increase savings in Ethiopia

Factors Influencing Growth of Dairy Product Manufacturing in the United States

dairy product manufacturing, growth, United States, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics,

THREE ESSAYS ON SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN A CULTURAL CONTEXT

This dissertation focuses on the role of cultural norms on risky sexual behavior. The study considered the effect of cultural norms on the decision to engage in sex, use condoms as well as multiple sexual partnerships. The first chapter, entails a theoretical model showing that cultural norms influence decision to engage in a sexual behavior. Significant finding from the study is that, societies where risky behavior is prevalent and acceptable, a person is more likely to engage in risky sex and vice versa. Additionally, individuals are more likely to take higher risk when the cost of the risk is low and less risk when the cost is high. The focus of the second chapter was to analyze the effect of norms on adolescent drinking and smoking on engagement in sex using data on high school students in Ghana. Significant finding from the study showed a causal relationship of drinking and smoking on engagement in sex. However the relationship between drinking and smoking on use of condoms and multiple sexual partnerships is more complex. Other factors such as knowledge increased probability of engagement in sex, however this also increased the use of condoms during sex. The third chapter considered choice of condoms as contraceptive by female adolescents in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Significant finding from this study was that, though females were likely to use contraceptives during sex, their probability of using condoms was dependent on their perception on an infected person and if condoms were used during first sexual intercourse. The study also indicated that adolescents were likely to protect against pregnancy in situations where they could not control use of condoms. Furthermore the study indicates that controlling for selection on contraceptive use and condoms was necessary to obtain unbiased estimates. Other factors such as age, years of education and urban residence also influenced engagement in sex, use of contraceptives and choice of condoms as contraceptive during sex

Evaluating Economic Performance of Food Manufacturing Industries: An Analysis of the U.S. Pacific Northwest States

This study develops a simple methodology of the analysis of the effectiveness of economic performance of food manufacturing industries and applies this methodology to analyze the effectiveness of economic performance of food manufacturing industries in the U.S. Pacific Northwest States (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington). The methodology is based on five ratios constructed using U.S. Economic Census data on value added, value of shipments, number of production workers, cost of materials, and capital expenditures. A regression model is estimated to test whether the overall effectiveness of economic performance measured as the share of value added in value of shipments is a function of the effectiveness of the use of individual groups of resources (i.e. production workers, capital, and materials). The major implication of the results of econometric analysis for business decision-making is that affecting the level of the effectiveness of the use of individual groups of resources makes it possible to affect the level of the overall effectiveness of production and marketing activities

Evaluating Economic Performance of Food Manufacturing Industries: An Analysis of the U.S. Pacific Northwest States

This study develops a simple methodology of the analysis of the effectiveness of economic performance of food manufacturing industries and applies this methodology to analyze the effectiveness of economic performance of food manufacturing industries in the U.S. Pacific Northwest States (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington). The methodology is based on five ratios constructed using U.S. Economic Census data on value added, value of shipments, number of production workers, cost of materials, and capital expenditures. A regression model is estimated to test whether the overall effectiveness of economic performance measured as the share of value added in value of shipments is a function of the effectiveness of the use of individual groups of resources (i.e. production workers, capital, and materials). The major implication of the results of econometric analysis for business decision-making is that affecting the level of the effectiveness of the use of individual groups of resources makes it possible to affect the level of the overall effectiveness of production and marketing activities.Agriculture, Statistics, Agribusiness,

Qualitative Analysis of Industrial Hemp Production, Markets, and Sustainability in North Carolina, United States

The North Carolina hemp industry has fallen short of its projected success despite its potential economic benefits and opportunities for farmers. The floral hemp sector specifically has been struggling due to excessive production and decreasing prices. The objective of the research was to examine the experiences and obstacles faced by early adopters and stakeholders of the hemp industry in NC. Through structured focus group discussions and interviews, data were collected and analyzed to gain insight into the industry’s direction. The results revealed that many floral hemp farmers have abandoned the crop because of financial setbacks, leading to a reduced interest in cultivation compared to five years prior. The floral hemp industry’s rapid growth and decline have tempered farmers’ expectations of the crop’s potential. The findings will provide a foundation for further research into NC’s hemp production and economy, enabling the provision of necessary information and extension services for profitable hemp farming in the state

Factors Explaining Growth of Small and Medium-Large Food­ Manufacturing Businesses in the United States

This study analyzes factors influencing growth of small and medium-large food-manufacturing establishments in the United States. The results provide evidence suggesting that small food manufacturing establishments tend to grow in areas with a relatively low per-capita income and in areas where the number of small establishments is large relative to the number of medium-large establishments. Incontrast, the number of medium-large establishments tends to increase in areas with a relatively high per-capita income and in areas where the number of small establishments is small relative to the number of medium-large establishments

A conceptual model of subcontractor development practices for LEED projects

Purpose – This paper presents a conceptual model of effective subcontractor development practices to guide general contractors’ development of a network of high-performing subcontractors (SCs) for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects. Methodology - Drawing from supplier development theories and practices in the manufacturing sector, a mixed interpretivist and empirical methodology is adopted to examine the body of knowledge within literature for conceptual model development. A self-reporting survey questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale is used to assess 30 construction professionals’ perceptions of the effectiveness of 37 SC development practices classified into five categories. Descriptive statistics, weighted means, and t-tests are used for data analysis. Findings – SC pre-qualification, commitment, incentives, evaluation and feedback practices can be effective in generating high-performing SCs. Practices that require more direct involvement and linkages between GC and SC are perceived to be less effective. Research Implications - Theoretical contributions include a framework to foster future research to advance knowledge and understanding to enhance the adoption and implementation of SC development practices in the construction sector. Practical Implications – Implementation of ranked SC development practices can equip GCs with a network of high-performing SCs for improved competitive advantage and revenues. Originality/value – The proposed conceptual model expands discussions on the modification of supplier development theories and practices currently utilized in the manufacturing sector towards their application in the construction sector. This research differs from previous research, which focused primarily on the manufacturing sector