scholarly journals Factors affecting outcomes of EU-supported investments in innovation among SMEs in the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region, Poland

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paweł Mikołajczak ◽  
Jacek Pawlak
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Specific Investment ◽  
The One

Purpose The European Union offers support mechanisms to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to innovate and grow. Given the substantial contribution of SMEs to national economies, the present paper explores what factors tend to be associated with the success of EU-supported innovation by SMEs in Poland during its early post-accession period. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model relating the type of innovation, investment purpose, funding type and financial readiness, location and collaboration possibilities, company size and sector of operation to changes in the capital base, employment, unit price and revenue is proposed. This model is operationalised and estimated as a structural equations model and estimated using a sample of 110 SMEs surveyed in 2008 in the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region in Poland. Findings Two approaches to the successful use of innovation support have been observed among the studied companies. The first approach implements market innovations to establish a presence in foreign markets and to move the product or service up the value chain. The second approach uses the funding to de-risk workforce expansion and increase production capacity. Originality/value The paper provides the first systematic disaggregate level analysis of an early post-accession context where impacts of EU support for SME innovation are decomposed into effects of specific investment conditions and innovation type on changes in capital base, employment, unit price and ultimately revenue. The insights provided here are valuable for managers developing business and innovation strategies on the one hand, but also for policymakers responsible for creating an entrepreneurship friendly environment in emerging economies.

Key risk factors affecting renewable energy independent power producer (IPP) set-up projects in developing countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1340-1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Nii Addy ◽  
Stephen Akunyumu ◽  
Barbara Simons
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
The Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Set Up ◽  
High Level ◽  
Survey Approach

Purpose Sustained access to efficient electricity plays an essential role in improving living conditions of people and contributes to the economic development of the nation as a whole. Volta River Authority (VRA) mainly manages the generation plants (hydropower sources and thermal plants) alongside independent power producers (IPPs). Power generation in the country has been influenced by myriads of factors. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the key risk factors affecting renewable energy of IPPs set-up project in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative approach was adopted for the study. Empirical investigation was carried out using the survey approach. The likelihood of occurrence of the risk and the degree of impact of same motivated the use of risk significance index to analyze the data and make deductions from the results. Findings From the study, three key risk factors have high level of severity, which include long and complex procedures for authorization of project activities, stability of the policy environment and ease of obtaining rights to land. These risks could be found in the business/strategic risks and policy/regulatory risks categories, respectively. A total of 25 key risk factors had moderate level of severity and 12 key risk factors have low level of severity on renewable energy IPP set up projects. Practical implications Top-ranked risk factors require maximum attention. The identified risks should be alleviated with strategies to reduce levels of severity by targeting either the likelihood of occurrence or the level of impact. This will serve as a catalyze to promoting renewable energy IPP set-up projects in Ghana. Originality/value Key contribution of the paper to the body of knowledge is demonstrated by the empirical evidence of the risks IPPs are likely to encounter in setting up renewable energy plants in Ghana. The distinctive attribute of this study is further demonstrated by the fact that it focused on the set-up stage, which is a critical stage in the renewable energy provision value chain.

Evaluating the effect of subsidies for rural development on agri-food and forestry firms

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (80) ◽  
pp. 150-167
Author(s):  
José A. Pérez-Méndez ◽  
María Pérez-Urdiales ◽  
David Roibas
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Technical Progress ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Forestry Industry ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the impact of the subsidies established by Measure 123 of the Rural Development Policy on the productivity of a sample of agri-food and forestry companies in the region of Asturias over the period 2006-2009. Design/methodology/approach The authors estimate a stochastic frontier function which allows subsidies to be considered as affecting both the level of technical efficiency and technical progress. Findings The results show that while subsidies have a positive effect on the technical progress of companies in the agri-food industry, for the forestry industry, the effect materializes as an improvement in technical efficiency. Additionally, other factors affecting either, technical progress and technical efficiency were identified. Originality/value This study adopts a model that allows the separate identification of the effect of subsidies on the level of efficiency, on the one hand, and on the technical progress, on the other.

Regional framework conditions for future careers related to transport and mobility

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra David ◽  
Judith Terstriep
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Electric Mobility ◽  
Service Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Framework Conditions ◽  
The One

Purpose – In the search for appropriate solutions to cope with ever increasing road traffic, cities and urban agglomerations across Europe are placing great emphasis on new transport and mobility solutions, and electric mobility in particular. Being located at the intersection of the three constituent sectors automotive, information and communication technologies and green energy, electric mobility is perceived as future-oriented sector. Innovation in the sector not only requires the collaboration and exchange of knowledge, but also an increase in skilled workforces and distinct job qualifications. These demands emerge, on the one hand, through the electrification of cars, which results in structural changes in the entire value chain. On the other hand, growing customer and service orientation further accelerate such developments. So far, the knowledge about the concrete demands for engineers as knowledge carriers and innovation driver is rather scarce. To shed some light on this issue, the purpose of this paper is to discuss companies’ altered demand for engineers in electric mobility and the role of networks (e.g. clusters). Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses two regions characterised as traditional automotive regions (Stuttgart in Germany and Alsace/Franche-Comté in France) and the shift in demands of the companies in these regions using the engineering workforce as an example. Electric mobility related companies were surveyed and asked about their current need of engineers. In addition, the survey investigated the companies’ ways of recruiting engineers, their spatial scope of search for employees and the skills and thematic courses needed to solve the lack of qualifications. The survey results are discussed against a background of regional framework settings and influencing factors of both the regions analysed. Findings – This paper finds that there is a shift in qualification demands of engineers involved in the sector of transport and mobility. Initiated by the processes along the entire value chain, new skills are required by companies. The current engineers are asked to mix their technical know-how with service orientation and knowledge of new markets. Originality/value – The world is becoming increasingly mobile. Within the last decades, the number of daily commuters has expanded producing high capacities of road traffic. This has brought several challenges for cities and regions. To face them new transport and mobility concepts are of key importance for cities and regions. Along these lines, well-skilled human capital in the form of engineers is needed to expand the concepts with their skills and knowledge.

scholarly journals Perils of road freight market deregulation: cabotage in the European Union

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-355
Author(s):  
Henrik S. Sternberg ◽  
Erik Hofmann ◽  
Robert E. Overstreet
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Modal Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Labour Unions ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Freight Market

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of the ongoing freight market deregulation in the European Union (EU). Specifically, this case study focuses on cabotage penetration rates in Germany, the largest logistics market in Europe. In light of the upcoming trade barriers, we intend to move this topic forward by emphasising its interdisciplinary nature.Design/methodology/approachBased on the analysis of Eurostat data, expert interviews and a review of related literature, we elaborate and discuss four propositions related to the factors affecting cabotage penetration, future cabotage levels and the effects on modal split and empty runs.FindingsWe found that cabotage in Germany plays a more important role than officially reported and has increased drastically since 2008. Given our analysis, increased cabotage penetration seems to thwart efforts within the EU to promote a modal shift from road to rail and increased national empty runs are the future outcome of current regulations. In Germany, the cabotage share is likely to reach 16% in the next five years.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper highlights the need for incorporating a more contextual understanding in freight carrier selection theory development in general as well as country-specific investigations in particular.Practical implicationsLogistics managers and policymakers looking at future strategies are advised to take the ongoing deregulation trend into consideration. European freight movement using cabotage operators may represent significant cost savings; however, these cost savings come at an environmental and social sustainability price as the modal shift to rail and fill rates suffer.Originality/valueThis paper represents an empirical and unbiased point of view, in contrast to the reports of the European Commission (pro-deregulation) or the reports of the haulage associations and labour unions (anti-deregulation).

Forestry insurance preference among tree growers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana: a tobit and multi-nomial regression approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Oppong Mensah ◽  
Jacqueline Joyce Twintoh ◽  
Ernest Christlieb Amrago ◽  
Anthony Donkor ◽  
Samuel Afotey Anang
Keyword(s):  
Developed Countries ◽  
Tobit Model ◽  
Forest Plantation ◽  
Agricultural Insurance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ashanti Region ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
The One ◽  
Previous Occurrence

PurposeThe study analyses the preference for forestry insurance amongst tree growers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Specifically, the authors examine the factors influencing the amount of forestry insurance and the choice for forestry insurance types.Design/methodology/approachA total of one hundred and seventy (170) tree growers were sampled for the study. The tobit model, multi-nomial regression and Kendall's tau were employed to analyse the factors affecting the amount for forestry insurance, the choice for forestry insurance types and the perils to forest quality, respectively.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that the incidence of bush fire and theft were the key perils that affect forest quality. In total, 52.94% of respondents preferred forest plantation fire insurance as named-peril insurance whereas 70.59% preferred a combination of forest plantation fire, windstorm and consequential loss insurance as multi-peril insurance. The majority (89.4%) of the respondents were willing to pay an amount between Ghc 10.00–49.00 (US$ 2–8) per stand. On the one hand, results of the tobit model reveal age, income, experience in forest management, land ownership and the previous occurrence of fire as the factors affecting the amount for forestry insurance. On the other hand, the multi-nomial results indicate the previous occurrence of fire, gender, forest size, income and risk aversion significantly influenced the choice for forestry insurance types, namely named peril and multi-peril.Originality/valueSeveral studies exist for forestry insurance in the developed countries. However, in West Africa specifically, Ghana, studies on forestry insurance appear to be non-existent. Above and beyond, this study, therefore, adds to the paucity of research on forestry insurance in Ghana and serves as a framework for agricultural insurance institutions such as the Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool (GAIP) and World cover and other agricultural insurance institutions globally.

Performance contracting

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads Bøge Kristiansen
Keyword(s):  
Central Government ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Contracting ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Management By Objectives ◽  
Performance Contracts ◽  
The One ◽  
Analysis Of Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how variation in the content of the performance contracts (number and types of targets) across agencies can be understood. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is conducted as a cross-sectional quantitative study carried out through an analysis of performance contracts between parent ministries and their agencies in Danish Central Government. Findings The study finds that the size of agencies, measurability of tasks and ministerial affiliation are significantly related to the number of targets in the contracts, whereas ministerial affiliation and the internal organization of agencies are significantly related to certain types of targets in contracts. Practical implications The findings indicate, on the one hand, that it may be difficult to obtain the same kind of performance contracting across agencies characterized by different features. Thus, it may be difficult to put up universal standards for performance contracting for a broad range of agencies, and expect that they will all be able to meet them. On the other hand, the findings also indicate that the effort and knowledge actors put into the implementation of performance contracting matters. Therefore, some agencies may be able to get closer towards the recommendations for management by objectives and results. Originality/value The paper contributes to the existing literature, as it tests and shows the importance of other and further contextual factors affecting the formulation of targets in performance contracts than previous studies.

scholarly journals Determinants of Vietnam's rice and coffee exports: using stochastic frontier gravity model

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dao Dinh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Model ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Major Market ◽  
Trading Partners ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe paper aims to estimate the factors affecting Vietnam's export in rice and coffee, the two most important agricultural products, especially in exploring the role of “behind-the-border” constraints.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies the stochastic frontier gravity model, which models the aggregate effect of “behind-the-border” factors for Vietnam's export in rice and coffee.FindingsThe paper finds that the impact of “behind-the-border” constraints is statistically significant, suggesting that Vietnam's exports in rice and coffee may be prevented from reaching their export potential by such factors. Moreover, technical efficiency and potential export suggest that Vietnam has a lot of potential to increase its exports in rice and coffee with its major trading partners. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations group continues to be the major market of Vietnamese rice and coffee. Vietnam can also take advantage of the opportunity to export these commodities to the European Union (EU) (not including the UK), and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, especially in coffee to the EU.Research limitations/implicationsThe study cannot identify specific “behind-the-border” factors due to the limitation of data availability.Originality/valueMany existing studies suggest that export in agricultural products of Vietnam, especially in rice, is significantly affected by natural factors and “explicit beyond-the-border” constraints. They ignore the impact of “behind-the-border” constraints in Vietnam and its trading partners. My study proved the significant impact of such constraints. Therefore, Vietnam needs more policies to remove the “behind-the-border” constraints to promote export in rice and coffee.

The knowledge of Italian wines on export markets

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigino Barisan ◽  
Vasco Boatto ◽  
Luca Rossetto ◽  
Luigi Salmaso
Keyword(s):  
Export Market ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Export Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Nonparametric Combination ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Wine Market ◽  
Promotional Strategies

Purpose – The European Union (EU) has strongly rearranged the management of EU wine policy by introducing actions for promoting wine in third countries. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate factors affecting the knowledge of Italian wines in foreign consumers, i.e., to what extend wine promotion actions can improve the consumer’s awareness or the reputation of Italian wines. As a consequence, these activities may increase the wine consumption as well as wine exports in emerging markets. Design/methodology/approach – Data have been collected through survey questionnaires where information about wine tasting, sensory satisfaction and preferences about Italian wines have been collected. The sample survey collects preferences of wine market operators in both EU and third countries. The survey, carried out from 2009 to 2011, includes 3,579 interviews classified according to four promotion actions: press conference, wine tasting, tasting course, knowledge of Italian wines. Data have been analyzed through a nonparametric combination (NPC) of dependent permutation tests to evaluate differences between and within country groups and to assess the consumer perception about Italian wines through the Keller’s model. Findings – So far, Italian wine promotion activities, supported by EU wine policy, are fragmented among in many small and sometimes low effective actions. Research results may be helpful in designing more effective promotional strategies on third countries. In particular, promotional activities which should be focussed on consumer’s appreciation of Italian wines as a brand instead of promoting specific wines or wineries. Research limitations/implications – The NPC method is a nonparametric tool which does not measure the structure of consumer’s preferences, i.e, it does give any measure of relationships among consumer’s utility and factors affecting it as it happens when a modeling approach is applied. Practical implications – Targeted promotion and information actions strongly focussed internal and external wine attributes can increase the level of knowledge in foreign consumers. It can make more efficient the marketing activity oriented to the export market. Originality/value – The NPC method offers an innovative, flexible and well-tested approach for the analysis of multivariate hypothesis when we are dealing with complex problems in wine market.

Farmer knowledge and willingness to pay for soil testing in Haiti

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1109-1121
Author(s):  
Senakpon Kokoye ◽  
Joseph Molnar ◽  
Curtis Jolly ◽  
Dennis Shannon ◽  
Gobena Huluka
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
International Development ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Choice Model ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Soil Testing ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Fertilizer Use

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of soil testing benefits and fertilizers use in Northern Haiti. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 452 farmers within 17 localities in Northern Haiti. The findings reveal that farmers currently have little or no knowledge of soil testing benefits and but know better about fertilizer use. The soil testing benefits and knowledge on fertilizers use were collected using Likert scale. Analyses were done using structural equations model and choice model. Findings Factors such as farm size, participation in project, rice, banana and cocoa growers, affect farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of soil testing benefits. Factors affecting willingness to pay include group membership, type of crops grown, whether farmer’ land is on the slope, his farm size and whether he participates in the US Agency for International Development (USAID) project. Knowledge on fertilizer use is influenced by rice and banana growers, fertilizer use, participation in soil testing program and AVANSE/USAID. The effects of both latent variables are found to be positive but non-significant. Practical implications As policy implication; farmers need training module to be better informed on soil testing benefits. Originality/value Soil testing is a novel agricultural input that is being popularized in developing countries. For sustainability of the laboratory to be installed, this study is needed to fill the gap in research on farmers’ behaviors toward and demand of soil testing in Northern Haiti.

Dancing with the stars: what do foreign firms get from high-status local partners?

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1294-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yu ◽  
Revti Raman Sharma
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Foreign Firms ◽  
High Status ◽  
Local Exchange ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Investment ◽  
The Status ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of high-status local exchange partners on foreign firms. Design/methodology/approach – Bridging status research and international business literature, the study develops a framework that describes three prominent effects of high-status partners on foreign firms, and further links these effects to firms’ relationship outcomes. The proposed conceptual model is examined using partial least squares structural equations modeling on a sample of 96 foreign firms operating in China. Findings – The study provides evidence that high-status local exchange partners tend to seek higher relationship-specific investment from foreign firms, and in the meantime, provide firms with greater opportunities for local learning and networking; subsequently, foreign firms are more likely to achieve satisfactory outcomes in the relationships. Practical implications – These findings suggest that affiliation with high-status local actors can be a key approach to overcome the liability of foreignness in a host country. Firms therefore, should treat them carefully as an important category of exchange partner portfolios. These are particularly relevant to foreign firms competing in China, a society characterized by strong hierarchies. Originality/value – The study serves as a preliminary attempt to introduce status concept to the field of international business. It promotes status as a key criterion for local partner selection, and offers the status research a contextual insight in the dilemma of choosing high- vs low-status partner candidates.

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