The Conflicted State and Agrarian Transformation in Pink Tide Venezuela

Can radical political‐economic transformation be achieved by electoral regimes that have not thoroughly reconstructed the state? Contemporary Venezuela offers an optimal venue for examining this question. The Chavista movement did not replace the previous state: instead, its leaders attempted to reform existing state entities and establish new ones in pursuit of its transformation agenda. It has also used its oil wealth to support cooperatively‐oriented economic activity, without necessarily fundamentally altering the property structure. Thus, the social change‐oriented political economy exists alongside the traditional one. Focusing on agrarian transformation, we examine ethnographically how these factors have impacted the state's capacity to attain its goal of national food sovereignty. We find that the state's ability to accomplish this objective has been compromised by lack of agency‐level capacity, inter‐agency conflict and the persistence of the previously‐extant agrarian property structure. These dynamics have influenced the state to shift from its initial objective of food sovereignty to a policy of nationalist food security.     

Fine-scale conservation planning outside of reserves: Cost-effective selection of retention patches at final harvest

Retaining forest patches at final harvest is a key conservation measure in boreal forests, but guidelines for how to increase its cost-effectiveness are lacking. In a study in boreal Sweden, we compared the cost-effectiveness of three different approaches a forest owner may use to select patches: selection based on the conservation value of patches alone, economic cost alone or both of them combined. We also compared the cost-effectiveness of six different common types of patches. Conservation value was measured as species richness of bryophytes and lichens and as structural characteristics of patches. Compared to the selection approach in which both conservation value and cost were used, cost-effectiveness was 5-14% lower when only conservation value was used, depending on how conservation value was measured. On the contrary, using only the economic cost decreased the cost-effectiveness by only 1-2%. Among the patch types, swamp forest areas and deciduous tree groups were cost-effective types to retain. However, the patch types were complementary in their species composition and all hosted unique species. We argue that, ideally, assessments of both conservation values and economic costs of retaining patches should be made prior to harvest to enable planners to make well-informed and cost-effective decisions.     

Ökonomische Folgen eines Atomausstiegs in Deutschland

Nach der Atomkatastrophe in Fukushima hat die Bundesregierung beschlossen, bis Mitte Juni die Zukunft der Atomenergie in Deutschland zu überdenken. Dabei k?nnen unterschiedlich weitgehende Szenarien betrachtet werden. Sie reichen von einer Rücknahme der im letzten Herbst beschlossenen Laufzeitverl?ngerung bis hin zum vollkommenen Ausstieg aus der Kernkraft. Die Autoren vertreten grunds?tzlich die Auffassung, dass die wirtschaftlichen Folgen eines Atomausstiegs zu bew?ltigen sind. Mit einer Steigerung der Energiepreise muss allerdings gerechnet werden — wie deutlich diese ausf?llt, und welche Referenzwerte herangezogen werden müssen, h?ngt von vielen Faktoren ab.     

Uncovering Dimensionality in the Servicescape: Towards Legibility

The type and level of service offered in the service sector is relatively homogenous, and notoriously difficult to distinguish. Company servicescapes are important differentiators and indicators of quality vis-à-vis image and competence. The paper develops an exploratory and conceptual framework that delineates the dimensions of service environments, emphasising those factors that can be successfully manipulated by management. Fieldwork examined a dynamic service environment and analysis revealed that the legibility of the setting (e.g., clear signage and spatial appearance) influenced peoples' moods generally. Analysis suggested that general layouts and legible signage help to induce positive moods, and therefore positive images of the service providers.     

When do unethical brand perceptions spill over to competitors?

We examine whether the unethical actions of marketplace brands (e.g., the Volkswagen emissions scandal) hurt the ethical perceptions of competing brands (e.g., Ford, BMW). Across two studies, we find evidence for this unethical spillover effect and show that it can negatively affect consumers’ liking and purchase intentions for a competing brand. The results show that the spillover effect (1) only occurs for similar competitors and (2) is moderated by construal level (CL). Specifically, the spillover effect is more likely to occur when consumers focus on the finer details of the unethical brand’s transgression (i.e., low CL) but not when they focus on the bigger picture of the transgression (i.e., high CL). Thus, while it is intuitively appealing to assume that brands may benefit from a competitor’s foible, this research indicates that competitors may be hurt by a similar brand’s wrongdoing.     

The mediating effects of perception and emotion: Digital signage in mall atmospherics

Digital signage (DS), public screens showing video, is an important, little-researched topic. The “direct” route in the elaboration likelihood model suggests that DS influences cognition, which then influences emotions whereas the “peripheral” route is emotion→cognition. We predict that these operate in parallel and report a survey of mall consumers (n=315). DS has a significant, positive, total effect on approach behaviors, mediated by positive affect and (arguably) perception of mall environment. Results extend the limited capacity model of mediated message processing from television to DS, which predicts the effectiveness of vivid moving visual images as atmospheric stimuli.     

USING RANDOMIZED CONTROL DESIGNS IN EVALUATING SOCIAL SECTOR PROGRAMS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Seven case studies—from Bolivia, Colombia, Indonesia,Mexico, Nicaragua, Taiwan (China), and Turkey—demonstratethe feasibility of conducting rigorous impact evaluations indeveloping countries using randomized control designs. Thisexperience, covering a wide variety of settings and social programs,offers lessons for task managers and policymakers interestedin evaluating social sector investments. The main conclusions are: first, policymakers interested inassessing the effectiveness of a project ought to consider arandomized control design because such evaluations not onlyare feasible but also yield the most robust results. Second,the acute resource constraints common in developing countriesthat often make program rationing unavoidable also present opportunitiesfor adopting randomized control designs. Policymakers and programmanagers need to be alert to the opportunities for buildingrandomized control designs into development programs right fromthe start of the project cycle because they, more than academicresearchers or evaluation experts, are in the best positionto ensure that opportunities for rigorous evaluations are exploited.      

比利时的财富

“请注册为‘D.E.Koninck＇的直升机的主人到咨询台前来好吗？”在首届富世生活比利时峰荟举办地科特赖克展览中心的现场．喇叭里传来这样紧急但礼貌的询问。原来，展览中心的停车场停满了兰博基尼，宾利等名车，但一位直升机的主人不慌不忙地将其两人位的飞机停在了车辆旁边。显然．这位主人宁可被罚也一心想要参加世界顶级奢侈品盛会，毫无疑问，他是对的。     

Bestimmungsgründe der einkommensverteilung

Summary Determinants of Income Distribution. — This article is intended to prove that the various macro-economic “theories of income distribution” appear to be systematic explanations only because the method of forming models — i. e. the grouping together of private economy elements and their relations to macroeconomic aggregates — obscures important determinants of distribution. This hypothesis is proved in two steps: first, it is shown that the two most important elements of the various distribution models — macro-economic production function on the one hand and macro-economic consumption function on the other — in the way they are usually employed, imply assumptions of constancy which lead either to logical inconsistency in the respective distribution theory or to empirical meaninglessness. Second, it is shown by means of an enlarged two-goods-two-factors Solow model that the various macro-economic distribution theories should be integrated so as to include all the various determinants of distribution. Even the enlarged Solow model cannot be regarded as the foundation of an empirically meaningful distribution theory. Reflection on how to improve this model brought out the necessity of examining the quantitative importance of each one of the various determinants of income distribution. This examination, undertaken for the German Federal Republic, has shown that the influence of demand on income distribution, during the period from 1950 to 1967, was comparatively small.

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Résumé Causes déterminantes de la distribution du revenu. — Cet article cherche à prouver que les diverses ?théories macro-économiques de la distribution de revenu? ne paraissent être des interprétations systématiques que parce que la méthode de construire les modèles — c’est à dire, de grouper ensembles les éléments d’économie privée et leur relations avec les collectifs macro-économiques — cache des facteurs importants de distribution. Cette hypothèse est prouvée en deux temps: primo, il est démontré que les deux éléments les plus importants des diverses modèles de distribution — la fonction macro-économique de production d’une part et la fonction macro-économique de consommation d’autre part — tels qu’ils sont généralment employés, comportent des suppositions de constance, qui causent soit une contradiction logique dans la théorie de distribution y relative, soit une insignifiance empirique. Secundo, il est démontré, au moyen d’un élargissement du modèle Solow à deux marchandises et deux facteurs, qu’il faut intégrer les diverses théories macro-économiques de distribution, si l’on veut tenir compte de toutes les causes déterminantes de la distribution. Même le modèle Solow élargi ne peut pas être considéré comme le fondement d’une théorie de distribution qui soit empiriquement significative. En réfléchissant aux possibilités de corriger ce modèle, il s’est montré nécessaire d’entreprendre des recherches individuelles empiriques sur l’importance quantitative des diverses causes déterminantes de la distribution du revenu. De telles recherches, entreprises pour la République Fédérale Allemande, ont montré que l’influence de la demande sur la distribution du revenu, pendant les années de 1950 à 1967, a été relativement faible.

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Resumen Los determinantes de la distribución del ingreso. — El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste en demostrar que las diferentes ?teorías macroeconómicas de la distribución del ingreso? son sistemas explicativos cerrados sólo debido a que la forma en que se desarrollan los modelos y que consiste en agregar variables microeconómicas a nivel macroeconómico, encubre importantes factures determinantes de la distributión. La demostración de esta hipótesis se hace en dos pasos: En primer lugar se muestra, que los dos componentes más importantes de los distintos modelos de distribución, las funciones macroecon?micas del consumo y de la producción, implican generalmente supuestos de constancia que dan lugar a inconsistencias lógicas o que echan a perder el valor empírico. En segundo lugar y mediante un modelo ampliado de dos bienes y dos factures, de Solow, se ense?a que las distintas teorías macroeconómicas de distribución deberán ser integradas la una con la otra si se quieren abarcar todas las determinantes de la distribución. No obstante la ampliación del modelo de Solow, este aún no se presta de base para una teoría del ingreso empíricamente sustancial. Reflexiones acerca de las posibilidades de mejora de este modelo llevan a la conclusión de que es necesario realizar estudios empíricos sobre la importancia de los distintos determinantes de la distribución. Un análisis a este respecto ha sacado a relucir que en la RFA y durante el período 1950–1967, el impacto de la demanda sobre la distribución de la renta ha sido peque?o.

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Riassunto Motivi della decisione della distribuzione dei redditi. — In questo lavoro deve essere dimostrato che le diverse macroeconomiche ?teorie della distribuzione dei redditi? solo per questo formano sistemi esplicativi chiusi perché il modo della formazione del modello, cioè la raccolta di grandezze economiche singole e relazioni con aggregati macroeconomici, cela essenziali fattori di decisione della distribuzione. La dimostrazione di questa ipotesi è fornita in due momenti. Per primo viene mostrato che ambedue le parti più importantidei diversi modelli di distribuzione, la funzione macroeconomica di consumo da una parte e la funzione macroeconomica di produzione dall’altra, nella forma in cui sono solitamente usate, implicano accettazioni di costanti che conducono o ad inconsistenze logiche della corrispondente teoria della distribuzione o ad empirica mancanza di contenuto. In secondo luogo è dimostrato in base ad un ampliato modello due merci-due fattori di Solow che le diverse teorie macroeconomiche devono essere integrate se devono essere rilevati tutti i singoli motivi v decisione della distribuzione. — Anche il modello ampliato di Solow non puo essere ancora considerato corne fondamento di una teoria della distribuzione empiricamente piena di contenuto. Riflessioni sulla possibilità di un miglioramento di questo modello fanno apparire necessario la realizzazione di ricerche empiriche singole sul significati quantitativo dei diversi motivi della decisione della distribuzione dei redditi. Una ricerca di tal genere diede come risultato che l’influenza della domanda sulla distribuzione del reddito della RFT durante il periodo 1950–1967 fu comparativamente scarso.