Measuring the economic efficiency of Italian agricultural enterprises

Early microeconomic theory established its framework under the assumption that producers’ behaviour is optimal towards input allocation and output level. Since Debreu and Farrell this basic neoclassical approach has been extended, allowing for producers’ decisions to diverge from the optimum production choice. The generally accepted reason for production units no to be efficient regards the presence of technical or allocative inefficiency components in their production function. Therefore one of the main objectives of studying production and cost frontiers is to estimate their efficiency towards input utilization and allocation. This paper aims to measure the technical efficiency of agricultural enterprises in Italy during the period 2003 – 2007 by applying a stochastic frontier analysis to panel data. The developed two-sectored model distinguishes between agricultural production function and non-agricultural production function. The variables included in the first production function are related directly to the final product and are utilized during the production process. The non-agricultural production function includes two categories of variables: the first accounts for the general characteristics of the agricultural enterprises, while the second attempts to describe the opportunities and restrictions of the institutional framework.agricultural enterprises, SFA model, stochastic frontier production models, technical efficiency

Efficiency analysis of producers’ organizations (Case of South Eastern and Central planning regions of Bulgaria)

The main aim of this paper is to compare two alternative methods for estimating frontier functions and measuring efficiency in production. The application of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) to the same data panel provides insights in estimating technical efficiency of producers’ organizations in selected regions in Bulgaria.DEA, SFA, technical efficiency, frontier production, farm efficiency, Community/Rural/Urban Development, International Development, C14, C23, C51, C61, C67, D24,

Efficiency analysis of producers’ organizations (Case of South Eastern and Central planning regions of Bulgaria)

The main aim of this paper is to compare two alternative methods for estimating frontier functions and measuring efficiency in production. The application of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) to the same data panel provides insights in estimating technical efficiency of producers’ organizations in selected regions in Bulgaria

Agro policy and strategies in Bulgarias cooperative movement

This paper is firstly aimed to propose a conceptual framework exploring institutional and economic development of cooperative movement in Bulgaria. Secondly it aims to assess the impact of reforms under way in the national economy. The main research questions assign to: • Which features of institutional framework hinder or give priority to sustainability of cooperative development? • What are responsibilities and interests of public and private sector in shaping the vision of cooperatives? • What is the importance of property rights protection to common utilization of agricultural components? The methodology section is based on: a background description of national survey data; an observation of changes in dynamics between formal and informal institutions; in-depth analysis of decision-making process adopted by cooperatives

Assessment methods of the economic efficiency of the farms

Two alternative methodological approaches for evaluation of the technical efficiency are compared: the Data Envelopment Analysis – DEA, using linear programming techniques and the Stochastic Frontier Analysis – SFA, being a parametric, econometric approach. The study is based on data on 130 agricultural producers, registered in the South Central and the SE planning regions being member of producer organizations between 2005 and 2008.

ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY AS A PRODUCTION RESOURCE

In the last few years the interest towards sustainable development issues and management of biodiversity has rapidly reached global dimensions and undergone changes with meaty character. One of the main reasons for this is the changed proportion between economic purposes and interests; the wider span of ecological priorities; and preserving breeds, which represent society interest and have potential for market demand. The goal of the present study is twofold: to utilize conceptual framework of the business related to biodiversity preserving; and to analyze the economic value and market effect of biodiversity as a production resource. A special attention is given to the balance between economic and market growth, and the system of financial stimuli for those economic subjects whose economic activity and private consumption implies the two sustainability criteria: ecology and social equity

ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY AS A PRODUCTION RESOURCE

In the last few years the interest towards sustainable development issues and management of biodiversity has rapidly reached global dimensions and undergone changes with meaty character. One of the main reasons for this is the changed proportion between economic purposes and interests; the wider span of ecological priorities; and preserving breeds, which represent society interest and have potential for market demand. The goal of the present study is twofold: to utilize conceptual framework of the business related to biodiversity preserving; and to analyze the economic value and market effect of biodiversity as a production resource. A special attention is given to the balance between economic and market growth, and the system of financial stimuli for those economic subjects whose economic activity and private consumption implies the two sustainability criteria: ecology and social equity

Agribusiness networks in Bulgaria: Design and creative problem-solving

With the increasing integration of the global economy and the complex challenges of the business environment it is becoming crucial to focus and gain a full understanding on the role of the value chains' structure and functioning. This particularly refers to the countries from the post-communist Europe and their transformation and progress achieved in marketization and democratization. The present paper is purposeful towards providing an overall framework for assessment of the different forms of network structures in the agricultural sector and to identify as well their capacity to counteract market restrictions, and to benefit form the opportunities of the agribusiness development. The methodological framework bases on the transaction costs economics and the 4C concept. The paper presents methodology at two stages, where results of expert assessment and evaluation at national and regional level led to selection of three case studies to be presented in certain sectors of agribusiness

CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS

The interest in creating a base-line for development patterns of clusters and clusters’ specific characteristics in rural areas is particularly imposed by certain problems, which manifest themselves in similar degrees and provide a generic pattern in different regions and countries, e.g. depopulation and land abandonment, unemployment level and insufficient access to basic services and infrastructure. Certain development patterns and priorities are identified in the regional development in the old EU-members, while the member states from the Eastern parts are still partially restricted by their economic situation and political instability. This puts forth the concept of the “integration maturity”, which refers to the preparedness of each country and its capability to fully exploit the benefits and the advantages of the integration form (Palánkai, 2003), and is still applicable in terms of the economic convergence level of the new-member states in comparison to the EU-15. This statement is especially relevant to the rural business and development that often remains distant and isolated from capital and sources of information and support. With the consequences of the economic crisis and the ongoing economic instability economists, business experts and social scientists have refined a broad range of techniques for making sense of regional economies and analyzing the public policy implications of their workings. Clusters are therefore often perceived not only as patterns for economic transactions and economic outcomes, but also as social systems and multidisciplinary environmental drivers for change