Skills Obsolescence: Causes and Cures

Until now there has been surprisingly little research on the causes of and the remedies for skills obsolescence. This study tries to fill that gap to some extent by analysing the relation between risk factors and skills obsolescence. Moreover, the role remedies play to counter skills obsolescence is analysed. Four empirical analyses that relate skills obsolescence to risk factors and remedies are presented. We find that most risk factors identified in the literature can be validated empirically. The remedies for skills obsolescence are not effective in all situations: the results show that there is considerable variation in the effectiveness of the remedies across different types of skills obsolescence. Although current available data does not allow a comprehensive analysis, which also takes account of relations between the various types of skills obsolescence, the results obtained are plausible and offer a starting point for further research.education, training and the labour market;

Market potential of folate biofortified rice in China

Within the scope of biofortification as a tool to improve human nutrition, folate biofortified rice (FBR) was recently developed to reduce folate deficiency and its adverse health outcomes, among which neural-tube defects. In spite of its consumer benefits, the use of biotechnology in such food products remains controversial. This thesis evaluates ex-ante the market potential of FBR in China and Shanxi Province, a poor, rural and high-risk region. Three lines of inquiry were investigated. At micro-level, FBR acceptance was examined through a consumer survey in Shanxi (N=944), while experimental auctions were organized to elicit women’s willingness-to-pay for FBR (N=252). At macro-level, the potential health impacts and cost-effectiveness of FBR were assessed by applying the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) framework. Both consumer studies demonstrate the market potential of GM crops with consumer benefits in high-risk regions. Shanxi consumers are generally accepting FBR (62.2 %) and are even prepared to pay 33.7 % more than for regular rice. The health impact study further supports FBR as a valuable micronutrient intervention in China. Through its implementation, FBR could save between 62 863 and 188 508 DALYs per year. Moreover, it could be a highly cost-effective health intervention, with an estimated cost between US$21.4 and US$ 64.2 per DALY saved. This PhD thesis provides an important basis for stakeholders in the fields of GM (biofortified) food research, development and commercialization, health prevention and intervention planning, such as the reduction of birth defects