Parametric and Non-Parametric Analysis of the Role of Economic Factors on Obesity Prevalence in Spain

Health Economics and Policy,

Transitional effects of a pension system change in spain

This paper studies the output effects, transition costs and the change in pension benefits derived from the substitution of the current unfunded pension system by a fully funded pension system financed through mandatory savings. These effects are estimated by using reduced versions of the neoclassical and endogenous growth frameworks. Because of the greater capital accumulation during the transition phase, final output increases by 23,6% (neoclassical framework); and a 24,5-31,5% (endogenous growth framework). The initial revenue loss for the government would represent a 4,8% of the GDP, raising very slowly during the transition period. Given the new growth rates, rates of return of physical capital, and financial intermediation costs, we have that the capitalization pension benefits obtained by all 30-contribution-year worker would be more than twice than those that guarantee the financial sustainability of the public pension system.capitalization pensions, capital and output effects, transition costs

Ethnic identity and dietary habits among Hispanic immigrants in Spain

Immigration has become a new phenomenon in Spanish society during the last years. In 2007, immigrants represented around 10% of total population, with 35% coming from Latin-American countries. When immigrants arrive, they bring their own values and cultural symbols, which, essentially, are different from those of the indigenous population. As time goes through, two alternative processes are observed: 1) a gradual switch towards the Host Society values; or 2) a maintenance of their ethnical identity. Focussing in the Latin-American immigrants in Barcelona, the objective of this paper is twofold: 1) to measure their degree of ethnical identity; and 2) to analyse the relationship between food habits and their ethnical identity. Food habits refer here to the consumption of traditional meals from their country of origin. Face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of Latin American immigrants in the Metropolitan area of Barcelona are undertaken. First, socioeconomics characteristics of the sample are described. Second, the MEIM scale is used to measure their ethnical identity, which combines aspects from the social identity and personal development theories. Finally, a Multinomial Logit Model is estimated to identify the relationship between food habits and ethnical identity. Results indicate that the higher the level of ethnic identity and feeling of belonging, the greater the persistence of dietary habits from the country of origin.Ethnic identity, Food habits, Latin American immigrants, Spain., Agricultural and Food Policy,

Reinvention and the Principal-Agent Model

Existe una interesante polémica en el sector público, derivada de las tensiones existentes entre desempeño y flexibilidad administrativa por un lado, y rendición de cuentas y control, por el otro. El propósito de este artículo es discutir la utilidad del modelo agente principal para un mejor entendimiento de las tensiones entre desempeño y rendición de cuentas, así como analizar las similitudes y contradicciones de esta perspectiva teórica en comparación con el movimiento de "reinvención del gobierno" de la década de los noventa en Estados Unidos.Existe una interesante polémica en el sector público, derivada de las tensiones existentes entre desempeño y flexibilidad administrativa por un lado, y rendición de cuentas y control, por el otro. El propósito de este artículo es discutir la utilidad del modelo agente principal para un mejor entendimiento de las tensiones entre desempeño y rendición de cuentas, así como analizar las similitudes y contradicciones de esta perspectiva teórica en comparación con el movimiento de "reinvención del gobierno" de la década de los noventa en Estados Unidos

Toward a Public Administration: Minnowbrook III. A Reflection and Proposal

Se exploran algunas de las ideas más importantes que, respecto a la definición del campo de estudio de la administración pública, fueron desarrolladas en las reuniones de Minnowbrook y se proponen algunos temas que debieran ser considerados para un siguiente congreso.There has long been a polemical discussion within the field of Public Administration regarding that field’s theoretical basis. This discussion especially emphasizes the field’s seeming absence of subject. Academics have long sought to explain and define that the field of Public Administration is and what it should be. Two of the biggest efforts to do so are represented by the first two Minnowbrook meetings. This brief paper explores some of the important ideas about the field of Public Administration that were developed in the course of these meetings, and proposes some topics to be covered in the Minnowbrook III conference

Consequences of BSE on Consumers' Attitudes, Perceptions and Willingness to Pay for Certified Beef in Spain

The BSE crisis has increased consumers' concerns on beef safety. Product quality systems and controls have been reinforced. Traceability certification and quality labels have been developed to communicate consumers the safety characteristics of the labelled beef and recover consumption. As a consequence, production costs have increased, which have been ultimately transmitted to consumer prices. The objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual model able to analyse main factors influencing consumers' willingness-to-pay for certified beef. A three-equation recursive model is jointly estimated. Results indicate that income, level of beef consumption, the average price consumers paid for beef and beef safety perception are main determinants of Spanish consumers' willingness- to-pay for certified beef.Certified beef, willingness-to-pay, attitudes, food safety, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

The EU demand for imports of virgin olive oil

This paper has analysed the import demand for virgin olive oil in the EU and more precisely in the Italian market, as it concentrates more than 80% of EU imports, aiming to determine the relative position of Mediterranean EU and non-EU countries exports and their degree of substitutability or complementarity. The methodology used is based on the specification of a Threshold Almost Ideal Demand System in which special attention has been paid to the stochastic properties of the series involved. In an empirical context, the paper has aimed to provide a set of import demand elasticities that can be useful in trade models. Results point to Spain as the leader in the Italian virgin olive oil market. It is expected that this position will be maintained in the future. Greece has improved its relative position after its accession into the EU. However, imports coming from Greece are highly dependent on the situation in Spain. Tunisia has good potential for future exports development as a consequence of new perspectives of trade liberalisation taking into account its relative position in the Italian market, in spite that its exports are currently constrained due to existing quotas.Olive oil, Italy, elasticities, imports, TAIDS, Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade,