LANDOWNERS PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE CULTIVATION OF ENERGY CROPS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE REGION OF EVROS GREECE

Energy crops offer substantial benefits to the energy-environmental sector alongwith incentives for growth in the agricultural sector and regional economies. Their contribution to the regional rural economy has been strengthened by the reduction of stocks of conventional crops, the environmental pollution, and the need to strengthen energy independence of countries that require the use of renewable energy sources (RES). The present paper examines the positions and opinions landowners in the prefecture of Evros towards their will to adopt energy crops. Primary data were collected through a survey (structured questionnaire) to 400 owners of farms at the prefecture of Evros. The results indicate that the majority of respondents agreed to adopt an energy crop with important factors in this judgment the low production costs and greater profitability

Analysing managerial perceptions towards performance determinants in the fishery sector

This paper attempts to empirically investigate potentially significant differences in perceptions regarding firm performance in the fishery sector. The primary data were gathered from several fisheries through a survey. A combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, cluster analysis and discriminant analysis was employed to identify potentially distinct groups among the fisheries. The results reveal three distinct groups: low performers. medium performers and high performers. The results also demonstrate that there are statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of quality and market performance, limitations in the product's normal supply, restrictions applied by the Common Fisheries Policy (C.F.P.) measures, and potential strategies in research and development. This analysis of firm performance determinants reveals that a new marketing strategy is needed to improve the performance of the fishery sector as a whole. Such a strategy could be based on the implementation of quality management and policies that establish a balance between fishing effort and fisheries' resource management. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Local Products Dynamics and the Determinants of Purchasing Behaviour

In recent years the redistribution of economic activities due to the volatile economic and business environment has led to the return of part of the urban population back to the countryside. This resulted in a renewed interest by consumers in authentic local products and services related to tradition, heritage and culture. The rise of local products characterized by some peculiarity in their ingredients can be an essential advantage in developing the agricultural economy, as there will be an improvement in farmers' income, whilst attracting visitors if combined with actions to highlight a place's natural and cultural elements. The present study investigates local products' dynamics in urban markets and explores the socio-demographic characteristics shaping consumer attitudes towards local products. Primary data, collected through a quantitative survey to a sample of 503 consumers, were assessed through exploratory factor analysis, Multiple Regression Analysis and Cluster Analysis. The results indicate that the consumer's education, the products' marketplace, the product labelling and the consumer information about these products define their purchasing behaviour. The study's findings may help formulate policy proposals to increase the demand and consumption of local products, thus creating a greater penetration of local products in the market. © 2021 Karelakis Christos et al., published by Sciendo

Positive effects of the Greek economic crisis on livestock farmer behaviour

The repercussions of the economic crisis have been severe upon the foundations of the Greek economy and society, and the margins for future development are more than ever strict and urgent. Within an economically turbulent period, agriculture's role is reexamined and is called to play an enhanced role, particularly the livestock sector that comprises a key growth element for the economy, bearing in mind the number of people and industries employed in the production and processing of dairy products. The present study is a classification approach regarding small ruminant farmers (sheep and goat), examining their reaction strategies against the economic crisis and its economic consequences to their farming systems. Primary quantitative data were collected through administrative (structured questionnaire) personal interviews from 110 small ruminant farmers, in the remote region of Anatoliki Macedonia and Thraki. A combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, cluster and discriminant analysis was employed to identify potentially distinct groups among the farmers. Results accrued reveal three clusters of farmers: the active entrepreneurs (47.2 % of the sample) who adopted more dynamic and cost-effective management practices, the complacent farmers (38.1 % of the sample) who followed a passive path of management decisions and the non-active farmers (14.7 % of the sample) who incorporate a static behaviour in the struggle against the economic crisis. The study is a first attempt to measure response to an ongoing economic crisis that has changed normal behaviour and expectations, and increased risk and uncertainty. In this sense, it demonstrates (with the use of the appropriate methodologies) the adaptation practices implemented by farmers from a significant economic sector (small ruminants), in a remote and less favourite Greek region, in order to persist and effectually respond to the current economic downturn

Financial Analysis of Major Retail Chains within a Turbulent Economic Environment

The Greek economic activity has been declined dramatically in recent years as many sectors of the economy that cannot cope with the new state brought about by the economic crisis. An economic crisis can be described as the phenomenon when an economy is characterized by a continuous and noticeable decline in its economic activity. As an economic activity, we are referring to all the macroeconomic dimensions of the economy, such as employment, the national product, prices, investments, etc. The downturn in the supermarket sector, which is attributed to the country's financial situation, has led to a decline in the household disposable income. The present study was carried out at the time of the economic crisis, concerning a productive sector of the Greek economy, where millions of euros are exchanged hands. The objective of the study was to explore the impacts of the economic crisis on the sector by using a series of financial indicators. The results point to significant effects on the efficiency and earnings of the major actors of the sector. © 2020 Zisoudis Nikolaos et al., published by Sciendo 2020

Strengthening the sustainability of European food chains through quality and procurement policies

Background: The nexus of agri-food and sustainability in economic development has recently attracted the interest of policymakers, as global challenges like climate change and food security are revisited and reassessed. The critical role of food production in economic development has been emphasized through targeted agricultural quality policies. Many developed countries worldwide, including EU member states, have introduced food quality policies that could support sustainability. Scope and approach: This paper combines knowledge obtained by several groups in a broad EU study and the reflections on policy-related results by EU-stakeholders, streamlined by a Delphi analysis. Current work presents research-based policy recommendations and statements on various quality schemes, introductory inferred from expert opinions throughout Europe, gauged through a modified policy Delphi framework. Key findings and conclusions: A roadmap of policy and practical proposals have been identified for all key stakeholders involved in these initiatives, implying the need to reshape the supply chain dynamics to continuously improve producers, processors, retailers, and consumers within the EU and definitively worldwide. Furthermore, implementing a holistic approach considering environmental and socio-economic features can improve the effectiveness of EU food quality policies