Location decision of polluting firms and environmental policy

The delocation of firms is often viewed as a major outcome of a stiff environmental policy. In this paper, we study the impact of a strict anti-pollution policy pursued by a government on domestic firms locational decisions and determine the main variables that interact with such a policy. Some preliminary welfare implications are also provided. Keywords: Environmental policy; Plant location; Imperfect competition. JEL classification: H7; R3; D4.

The Main Obstacles and Possibilities of the Cooperative Movement in Lithuania

Abstract The article analyses the obstacles of the cooperative movement in Lithuania and proposes new insights for the development of their activities. Analysis was based on and carried out using the Delphi survey methodological approach. The experience of a transnational Association of Producers Organisation "First International Association Fruit" was investigated as a relevant example. Suggestions for the development of Lithuanian cooperatives were worked out

The Metadistrict as the Territorial Strategy: From Set Theory and a Matrix Organization Model Hypothesis

The purpose of this proposal is to explore a new concept of 'Metadistrict' to be applied in a region of Southern Italy – Apulia ‐ in order to analyze the impact that the activation of a special network between different sector chains and several integrated projects may have for revitalizing the local economy; an important role is assigned to the network of relationships and so to the social capital. The Metadistrict model stems from the Local Action Groups and the Integrated Projects of Food Chain frameworks. It may represent a crucial driver of the rural economy through the realization of sector circuits connected to the concept of multi‐functionality in agriculture, that is Network of the Territorial Multi‐functionality. It was formalized by making use of a set of theories and of a Matrix Organization Model. The adoption of the Metadistrict perspective as the territorial strategy may play a key role to revitalize the primary sector, through the increase of economic and productive opportunities due to the implementation of a common and shared strategy and organization

Explaining Local Action Groups Heterogeneity in a South Italy Region within Measure 311 Axis III Notice of LDP

Abstract Providing programmes to modernize and to sustain both agricultural and non-agricultural activities in rural areas is the main aim deriving from EU and national policies. The Local Action Groups (LAGs) implement local development strategies processing the Measures of Local Development Programme (LDP) and managing financial funds for Firms Modernization Plans (FMP) in order to increase the farm income sources. Starting from our previous work ( Fiore et al., 2014 ), here we address the problem related to the impact of some variables on the farm income; we try to analyze in more detail the influence of these variability sources and their interactions. Our case study is Apulia Region - in Southern Italy – where 25 Local Action Groups cover entirely it. This paper provides suggestions on possible heterogeneity sources between the LAGs. After a policies and literature review on the role of the LAGs for enhancing economic and sustainable competitiveness of rural areas, we present our case study. Statistical analysis and a tree classification method are carried out

The Metadistrict as the Territorial Strategy for Revitalizing the Rural Economy

The purpose of this proposal is to explore a new concept of 'Metadistrict' to be applied in a region of Southern Italy – Apulia - in order to analyze the impact that the activation of a special network between different sector chains and several integrated projects may have for revitalizing the local economy. The Metadistrict model stems from the LAGs and the IPFs frameworks and it may represent a crucial driver of the rural economy through the realization of sector circuits connected to the concept of multi-functionality in agriculture, that is Network of the Territorial Multi-functionality (NTM). It was formalized through a simplified model based on Matrix Organization. The adoption of the Metadistrict perspective as the territorial strategy may play a key role to revitalize the primary sector through the increase of economic and productive opportunities due to the implementation of a common and shared strategy and organization

The Metadistrict as the Territorial Strategy for Revitalizing the Rural Economy

The purpose of this proposal is to explore a new concept of 'Metadistrict' to be applied in a region of Southern Italy – Apulia - in order to analyze the impact that the activation of a special network between different sector chains and several integrated projects may have for revitalizing the local economy. The Metadistrict model stems from the LAGs and the IPFs frameworks and it may represent a crucial driver of the rural economy through the realization of sector circuits connected to the concept of multi-functionality in agriculture, that is Network of the Territorial Multi-functionality (NTM). It was formalized through a simplified model based on Matrix Organization. The adoption of the Metadistrict perspective as the territorial strategy may play a key role to revitalize the primary sector through the increase of economic and productive opportunities due to the implementation of a common and shared strategy and organization

Consumers perception of traditional sustainable food: an exploratory study on pasta made from native ancient durum wheat varieties

Governments and policy play an important role in prompting the public and private interest for local and traditional food, in order to increase the variety of food choice for consumers (Guerrero et al., 2012) and to foster local economies and rural regions development (Feldmann et al., 2015). Our study may provide useful indication to food companies and producers to invest in innovative products based on traditional regional raw materials tailoring marketing actions and investments. But how consumers perceive the quality of products made from native crops varieties? Recent review on consumers perception and preferences for local and traditional food emphasizes that, unlike organic food, local ones are not perceived as expensive but consumers would be willing to pay a premium price to access them (Feldmann et al., 2015). Does this conclusion still hold in case of durum wheat pasta obtained from traditional wheat varieties? Answer to the latter question is one of the aims of the paper. Moreover in order to maintain and even increase the traditional food products’ market share they need to be improved by introducing innovations that fulfil the European consumers’ demand for better traditional food product from different perspectives, including for example health, safety, taste and convenience characteristics (Cayot, 2007). Indeed, other studies investigating how consumers perceive the meaning of terms such as ‘traditional’ and ‘Innovation’, found a noticeable incompatibility between the two concepts (Guerrero et al., 2012). However, assuming a positive feeling and attitude of consumers towards those products, the main aim of the article is to address consumers preferences towards different attributes of pasta. Conjoint analysis will be developed to assess consumer perception towards pasta made from native durum wheat varieties. On purpose more then 258 habitual consumers of pasta from Apulia region were interviewed using internet based tools

¿Cuáles son los determinantes de la demanda de seguros agrícolas en Italia?

[EN] This paper is aimed to highlight the factor which mainly affect the crop insurance demand in Italy. By using Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), we carried out a logit model to implement the econometrics analysis for this scope. The higher concentration in high size farmers of the policy, stimulate a reflection on the public role in support of risk management in agriculture, reconsidering the “social” nature of this kind of support, at least if only direct versus crop insurance.[ES] El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar los factores que influyen principalmente a la hora de suscribir una póliza de seguro sobre los cultivos en Italia. Utilizando los datos de la muestra de la Red Contable Agraria Italiana (RICA) y un modelo logit para el análisis econométrico. La elevada concentración de las pólizas, sobre todo de las grandes empresas, invita a reflexionar sobre el papel de la intervención pública en la gestión del riesgo en la agricultura y a reconsiderar el valor “social” de la misma, por lo menos en su forma actual.Capitanio, F.; Adinolfi, F.; Di Pasquale, J.; Contò, F. (2013). Which factors would affect crop insurance demand in Italy?. Economía Agraria y Recursos Naturales - Agricultural and Resource Economics. 13(1):5-25. https://doi.org/10.7201/earn.2013.01.01SWORD52513

The Metadistrict as the Territorial Strategy for Revitalizing the Rural Economy

The purpose of this proposal is to explore a new concept of 'Metadistrict' to be applied in a region of Southern Italy – Apulia - in order to analyze the impact that the activation of a special network between different sector chains and several integrated projects may have for revitalizing the local economy. The Metadistrict model stems from the LAGs and the IPFs frameworks and it may represent a crucial driver of the rural economy through the realization of sector circuits connected to the concept of multi-functionality in agriculture, that is Network of the Territorial Multi-functionality (NTM). It was formalized through a simplified model based on Matrix Organization. The adoption of the Metadistrict perspective as the territorial strategy may play a key role to revitalize the primary sector through the increase of economic and productive opportunities due to the implementation of a common and shared strategy and organization