Does scale matter? Cost-effectiviness of agricultural nutrient abatement when target level varies

Agriculture is facing stringent requirements for nutrient loss reductions. These reductions should be done cost-effectively. For instance, the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) emphasizes cost-effectiveness in reaching good water status in European river basins by 2015. River Basin Management Plans specify the eventual reduction targets, which will differ between the basins. These differences have implications on cost-effectiveness assessments: changing the level of total abatement changes the relative shares of measures in the cost-effective allocation. In this paper we develop a model which determines the cost-effective allocation of three alternative measures to reduce phosphorus loss from fields. The model allows for comparisons with cost and reductions of all possible allocations. We show that, even for homogenous regions, the cost-effective allocation of measures is strongly dependent on the target level, and that using the allocation from one reduction level as a guideline for other levels violates cost-effectiveness seriously. On the grounds of these results we give recommendations for cost-effectiveness assessments in the context of the WFD

Does Scale Matter? Cost Effectiveness of Agricultural Nutrient Abatement When Target Level Varies

Agricultural production is facing high requirements on nutrient runoff reduction. Furthermore, the reductions should by done efficiently. For instance, the European Water Framework Directive calls for cost-effectiveness from schemes of measures to fulfill the target of good water quality in European river basins. In this paper we analyse the implications of target level variation on efficiency properties of agricultural phosphorus abatement. We analyse the robustness of cost-effectiveness as the scheme of measures is adopted from another, identical river basin with different target level on total phosphorus abatement. We find that even between homogeneous regions the cost-effective scheme of measures is unique for all target levels of reduction, and that the costs of adoting cost-effective allocations out of scale are high.cost-effectiveness, phosphorus abatement, buffer strips, wetlands, fertilizer use, water framework directive, Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q18, Q25,

Dynamically optimal phosphorus management and agricultural water protection

This paper puts forward a model of the role of phosphorus in crop production, soil phosphorus dynamics and phosphorus loading that integrates the salient economic and ecological features of agricultural phosphorus management. The model accounts for the links between phosphorus fertilization, crop yield, accumulation of soil phosphorus reserves, and phosphorus loading. It can be used to guide precision phosphorus management and erosion control as means to mitigate agricultural loading. Using a parameterization for cereal production in southern Finland, the model is solved numerically to analyze the intertemporally optimal combination of fertilization and erosion and the associated soil phosphorus development. The optimal fertilizer application rate changes markedly over time in response to changes in the soil phosphorus level. When, for instance, soil phosphorus is initially above the socially optimal steady state level, annually matching phosphorus application to the prevailing soil phosphorus stock produces significantly higher social welfare than using a fixed fertilizer application rate. Erosion control was found to increase welfare only on land that is highly susceptible to erosion

Dynamically Optimal Phosphorus Management and Agricultural Water Protection

This paper puts forward a model of the role of phosphorus in crop production, soil phosphorus dynamics and phosphorus loading that integrates the salient economic and ecological features of agricultural phosphorus management. The model accounts for the links between phosphorus fertilization, crop yield, accumulation of soil phosphorus reserves, and phosphorus loading. It can be used to guide precision phosphorus management and erosion control as means to mitigate agricultural loading. Using a parameterization for cereal production in southern Finland, the model is solved numerically to analyze the intertemporally optimal combination of fertilization and erosion control and the associated soil phosphorus development. The optimal fertilizer application rate changes markedly over time in response to changes in the soil phosphorus level. When, for instance, soil phosphorus is initially above the socially optimal steady state level, annually matching phosphorus application to the prevailing soil phosphorus stock produces significantly higher social welfare than using a fixed fertilizer application rate. Erosion control was found to increase welfare only on land that is highly susceptible to erosion.precision nutrient management, agricultural phosphorus loading, cereal production, soil phosphorus reserves, agricultural water pollution, dynamic programming, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Cooperation and learning in an evolutionary context

Only abstract. Paper copies of master’s theses are listed in the Helka database (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Electronic copies of master’s theses are either available as open access or only on thesis terminals in the Helsinki University Library.Vain tiivistelmä. Sidottujen gradujen saatavuuden voit tarkistaa Helka-tietokannasta (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Digitaaliset gradut voivat olla luettavissa avoimesti verkossa tai rajoitetusti kirjaston opinnäytekioskeilla.Endast sammandrag. Inbundna avhandlingar kan sökas i Helka-databasen (http://www.helsinki.fi/helka). Elektroniska kopior av avhandlingar finns antingen öppet på nätet eller endast tillgängliga i bibliotekets avhandlingsterminaler.This thesis studies the evolution of conditional cooperation in a population where social norms are present. The model of Spichtig and Traxler (2007) is based in a public good setting where the members can choose to cooperate, contribute to the public good and adhere to the social norm or free-ride, not contribute towards the public good and thus break the social norm. Norm breaking sanctions imposed on any individual who chooses to behave in the latter manner. The exact degree of these norm sanctions on an individual's utility is determined by her individual norm sensitivity level, due to which some agents with a high norm sensitivity experience a higher utility loss from the norm sanctions in comparison with agents a lower degree of norm sensitivity. The model predicts for the population to evolve towards two equilibrium states which are characterised by a differing fraction of free-riders of the entire population. Two distinct models on learning are used to analyse further the learning mechanisms that might take place in such a population on an individual level. The model of Ellison and Fudenberg (1993) and the model of Banerjee and Fudenberg (2004) are similar in that they study a learning process of an individual in terms of new technology adoption. The former concentrates on horizontal learning which takes place within one generation and is based on mere observational clues whereas the latter analyses vertical learning taking place between generations and is based on more comlex word-of-mouth clues that are exchanged between members in the population and new entrants. Both of these models thereby us external clues as the means of learning of agents but differ in terms of what kind of learning is studied, intra-generational or inter-generational. The circumstances in and assumptions under which learning takes place in these two models are found to fit the model of the evolution of cooperation rather well and they could predict the learning mechanisms of this model in an individual level rather well

Towards Dynamic Exploration and Exploitation – Reviewing Ambidexterity in the Digital Era

The proliferation of digital technologies is providing organisations with new business opportunities as well as challenging them to transform their existing business models. Accordingly, IS scholars are increasingly striving to understand how incumbents are able to leverage digital technologies, while also maintaining efficiency and reliability of existing operations. A prominent concept that IS scholars have drawn upon to examine these opposing activities is ambidexterity. As yet, we however lack a synthesised view of ambidexterity approaches and outcomes in the digital era. We conduct a systematic literature review to examine what ambidexterity approaches exist for incumbents and what is known about the outcomes of ambidexterity in the digital era. We synthesise three ambidexterity approaches recently put forward by IS scholars and conclude that ambidexterity outcomes remain somewhat obscure. Finally, we suggest four avenues for future IS research on ambidexterity

Animal waste regulation and transboundary water quality

Control of animal waste has been a major policy challenge. We identify the properties of efficient regulation and suggest that effective policies to control animal waste will enhance utilization of manure in local production and may change land allocation among crops. We also show that policies that aim to control local environmental problems, ignoring spillover among regions, may be significantly suboptimal and need to be replaced by policies with a global perspective.vo

Synnytyspelon syitä raskaana olevan naisen kokemana sekä synnytyspelosta kärsivän naisen hoitomenetelmiä : kirjallisuuskatsaus

Tämän opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena on kuvailla ja tuoda esille kirjallisuuskatsauksen avulla mitkä tekijät aiheuttavat naisilla synnytyspelkoa ja miten synnytyspelosta kärsiviä naisia hoidetaan. Työssä käsitellään ensi- ja monisynnyttäjiä. Synnytyspelkoa on tutkittu enimmäkseen Pohjoismaissa. Tämän opinnäytetyön tavoitteena on koota jo tutkittua tietoa mahdollisimman kattavasti. Tutkimusaineisto on kerätty Cochranesta, CINAHL:ista, MetCat:ista, Lindasta ja MEDIC:istä. Aineisto koostuu yhdeksästä englanninkielisistä tutkimuksista sekä kymmenestä suomenkielisistä tutkimuksista. Analyysimenetelmänä on käytetty induktiivista sisällönanalyysiä. Kirjallisuuskatsauksen tulokset osoittavat, että naisten synnytyspelko on yleinen ilmiö, jonka taustalla vaikuttavat kivun pelko, aiemmat kokemukset, naisen persoonallisuus, elämäntilanne, parisuhde sekä lapsen terveyteen liittyvät pelot. Naiset pelkäävät myös huonoa kohtelua hoitohenkilökunnalta. Synnytyspelko on tunnistettava mahdollisimman aikaisessa vaiheessa. Synnytyspelosta kärsivää naista voidaan hoitaa esimerkiksi terapialla, erilaisilla rentoutumisharjoitteilla sekä suunnittelemalla synnytystä. Hoitohenkilökunnan ominaisuuksilla ja vuorovaikutustaidoilla on suuri merkitys synnytyspelosta kärsivän naisen hoidossa. Empaattinen ja ymmärtäväinen käytös lisää naisen turvallisuuden tunnetta. Työn tavoite on herättää keskustelua hoitotyön ammattilaisten keskuudessa sekä lisätä tietoisuutta synnytyspelon syistä ja synnytyspelosta kärsivän naisen hoitomenetelmistä.Causes for fear of childbirth as experienced by mothers and some treatments for the fear of childbirth : a literature review. The purpose of this study was to find out factors that caused the fear of childbirth and how the condition could be treated. This study dealt with primiparas and multiparas. The fear of childbirth has mostly been studied in Scandinavia. The aim was to collect information as widely as possible. This final project was a literature review. The material was analysed with the methods of content analysis. The data was collected from the following databases: Cochrane, CINAHL, MetCat, Linda and Medic. The material consisted of 19 studies: nine studies in English and ten studies in Finnish. Our study showed that the fear of childbirth is a common phenomenon. Fear of pain, earlier experiences in pregnancy or childbirth, personality of the mother, relationship with the partner and fears concerning baby’s health are the most common reasons for the fear of childbirth. Women are also afraid of being treated badly by health care staff. The fear of childbirth should be recognized as early as possible and it should be treated, for example, with therapy, and various types of relaxing methods, and by making a birthplan. The qualities and communication skills of health care staff have a big significance in treating the fear of childbirth. Empathetic and understanding behavior created a sense of security among women. We hope our project will increase discussion among health care staff and increase awareness of the reasons for and treatment of the fear of childbirth

Malawissa vaihdossa olleiden hoitotyön ammattikorkeakouluopiskelijoiden kokemuksia ja kehittämishaasteita harjoittelun ohjauksesta

Tarkoituksena oli selvittää Malawissa vaihdossa olleiden hoitotyön ammattikorkeakouluopiskelijoiden kokemuksia harjoittelun ohjauksesta. Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli kuvata harjoittelun ohjauksen nykytilaa Malawissa ja tuoda esille vaihdossa olleiden opiskelijoiden ehdotuksia harjoittelun ohjauksen laadun kehittämisen pohjaksi. Opinnäytetyö on osa DeCliTu–projektia (Developing clinical tutoring in Malawi and Zambia for the international students 2007 - 2010), joka on osa MaZaFi -projektia (Malawi Zambia Finland -opiskelijavaihtoprojekti). MaZaFi on Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulun koordinoima ammattikorkeakouluopiskelijoiden ja -opettajien kansainvälistä vaihtoa tukeva projekti vuosille 2007 – 2009. Tämän projektin tarkoituksena on kehittää sosiaali-ja terveysalan korkeakouluasteen yhteistyötä Suomen, Malawin ja Sambian välillä sekä kehittää vaihto-opiskelijoiden harjoittelun ohjausta. Opinnäytetyö toteutettiin laadullisena tutkimuksena ja aineiston keruussa käytettiin teemahaastattelua. Opinnäytetyötä varten haastateltiin kuutta (n=6) Malawissa vuosina 2004-2008 vaihdossa ollutta hoitotyön ammattikorkeakouluopiskelijaa. Saadut tulokset analysoitiin aineistolähtöisellä sisällönanalyysilla. Tietoperustaan käytettiin 12 suomalaista ja kansainvälistä tutkimusta. Haastatteluaineistosta muodostui kuusi alaluokkaa: ohjauskulttuuri Malawissa, odotukset ohjauksesta, ohjausta estävät tekijät, ohjausta edistävät tekijät, selviytyminen harjoittelussa ja kehittämishaasteet. Tulosten mukaan vaihto-opiskelijat eivät saaneet riittävästi ohjausta ja heidän tuli toimia itsenäisesti. Haastateltavat mainitsivat ohjausta estäviksi tekijöiksi muun muassa kulttuurin ja organisaation erilaisuuden Malawissa, resurssien ja yhteistyön puutteen sekä harjoittelun arvioinnin ja tuen puutteen. Haastateltavat kertoivat ohjausta edistäviksi tekijöiksi harjoittelupaikan toimintatapaan ja ohjaajaan liittyviä asioita, kuten henkilökunnan ystävällisyyden. Selviytymistä harjoittelussa edisti ympäristön ja olosuhteiden hyväksyminen Malawissa. Kehittämishaasteiksi haastateltavat nimesivät harjoittelupaikkojen toimintatapojen muuttamisen, yhteistyön lisäämisen muun muassa malawilaisen koulun ja harjoittelupaikkojen välillä, ohjausvastuun jakamisen ja ohjauksen lisäämisen harjoittelupaikoissa. Johtopäätöksinä todetaan, että harjoittelun ohjausta harjoittelupaikoissa Malawissa tulee lisätä. Ohjaustapoja ja ohjausmenetelmiä tulee kehittää vaihto-opiskelijoille sopivammiksi sekä lisätä järjestelmällisyyttä ohjaustoimintaan esimerkiksi nimeämällä ohjauksen vastuuhenkilö. Tutkittua tietoa vaihto-opiskelijoiden kokemuksista harjoittelun ohjauksesta ei ole juurikaan saatavilla, joten lisätutkimukselle on tarve kansainvälistyvässä maailmassa.The objective of this study was to describe the Finnish nursing and health care students who were in international exchange in Malawi, Africa, during 2004-2008 experienced mentoring during the clinical practise and what kind of development challenges in mentoring they pointed out. Our final project was part of The DeCliTu Project (Developing Clinical Tutoring in Malawi and Zambia for the International Students 2007-2010) which is part of The MaZaFi Project (Malawi Zambia Finland student Exchange Project) The method in this qualitative final project was theme interview. Six nursing and health care exchange students were interviewed. The material was analysed using the method of content analysis. The theoretical part of this final project was based on 12 researches. The results showed that students did not get enough mentoring in Malawi. Differences in culture and organisation, a lack of resources, collaboration and feedback in clinical practise were the obstructing factors for mentoring. The facilitating factors for mentoring were,among other things, friendly nurses. A conclusion of this final project is that mentoring in Malawi should be increased and developed. Any database of this topic was not available. In this global world, there is a need for this kind of researches