Incentives and disincentives for diversified agroforestry systems from different actors’ perspectives in Bolivia

Even though diversified agroforestry systems can provide sustainable livelihoods and a resilient production of different goods, adoption remains limited in Bolivia. We examine major obstacles to agroforestry adoption and possible incentives proposed by farmers and civil-society organizations, and relate them to governance and international mechanisms that might play a role in agroforestry adoption. Market access for produce from diversified agroforestry remains difficult, as does its processing and transport. Moreover, farmers have difficulties in achieving the quantities and homogenous quality demanded by markets in the major cities. But most importantly, farmers and civil-society organizations saw little government support, although ‘ecological production in harmony with Mother Earth’ is prescribed by law and the constitution. Agroforestry farmers needed support most urgently in the initial phase, when investment costs are high and returns low. They suggested affordable credits, subsidies for diversified farming systems, and insurance against fire. We identified important albeit small steps towards developing markets for agroforestry products, but government support – mostly in the form of diesel subsidies, materials, and infrastructure – mainly benefitted large-scale monocultures and cattle ranching. In response to this, interviewees opted for strengthening farmers’ organizations, for demanding support with the help of civil-society organizations, and for disseminating best practices.     

绥中地籍登记信息平台构建

地籍登记信息平台的建立能够支持地籍登记工作实现信息实时更新和共享。系统基于C/S架构进行开发,以绥中县为例,建立农村宅基地数据库,集成多源地理空间数据,为用户提供宅基地信息的基本浏览和查询,实现数据的信息化管理,提高土地管理部门的工作效率和服务质量,对当前登记信息平台的建立进行了有益的探索。     

科技政策对国家高新区创新驱动发展的影响路径——一个定性比较分析

基于中国内地30个省（市、自治区）政策文本，运用定性比较分析方法（QCA）进行国家级高新区科技政策研究，对不同政策类型的综合影响路径进行分析。研究发现，存在4种条件变量的组合影响路径：资源投入型路径、资源协作型路径、内敛规制型路径和外向规制型路径。人力资源政策和财政优惠政策在组合路径中具有导向作用，创新平台政策和组织制度政策是影响高新区创新驱动力的内部保障性条件，外部投入型政策与内部规制型政策具有政策互补性，对制度性政策的倾斜往往会产生更显著的驱动效应。     

不同经济发展水平下创新要素对产业创新绩效的影响及政策启示

基于不同经济发展水平研究视角，选取新一代信息技术产业为研究对象，采用改进的Griliches-Jaffe知识生产函数模型，运用面板数据回归分析方法，利用《中国高技术产业统计年鉴》（2007-2017年）中电子及通信设备制造业统计数据进行实证研究，探究创新要素投入与创新绩效的关系。结果发现：对于新一代信息技术产业，在不同经济发展水平地区投入相同创新要素对创新绩效的影响存在一定差异，尤其体现在技术投入要素作用效果上。这就意味着，对经济发展水平不同地区使用相同的创新要素推动产业创新发展是低效的；不同发展水平地区有针对性地分配创新要素，对于实现创新要素最大效率、推动战略性新兴产业布局与发展尤其关键。最后，提出相应政策启示及建议。     

What drives technology transitions? An integration of different approaches within transition studies

This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of transition drivers by reviewing four major strands of inquiry in transition studies: Multi Level Perspective (MLP); Strategic Niche Management (SNM); Transition Management (TM); Technological Innovation Systems (TIS). To the best of our knowledge, none of these contributions have so far provided a clear-cut classification of main drivers of transitions, as evidenced by the difficulty of practitioners in reaching goals as entrepreneurs, or policy makers in supporting economic growth. We believe that these theoretical streams share views relating the origin and drivers of transitions and that the analysis of the multi-level developments and systemic sub-processes by using the Integrative Propositional Analysis (IPA) allows for a more comprehensive identification of transition drivers. By mapping causal relationships within each perspective and by developing an integrative framework that takes in due account of overlaps between theories, we derived a new conceptual structure for the identification of transitions’ drivers.     

On tap: Foodservice operators’ perceptions of a wine innovation

An online survey explored foodservice operators’ (N = 57) perceptions of wine-on-tap, a recent trend in the United States. Adopters (39.1%) considered themselves more innovative, willing to take risks, and influential on others’ opinions than nonadopters (60.9%). Foodservice operators who currently offer wine-on-tap utilized interpersonal information sources (e.g., distributors) more frequently than nonadopters. Additionally, adopters perceived wine-on-tap’s characteristics more positively than nonadopters, indicating wine-on-tap was significantly easier to use than bottled wine. Among other implications, networking stood out as an important driver of innovative behavior in the foodservice industry.     

Does IFRS Adoption Increase the Accuracy of Chinese Analysts’ Forecasts?

This article investigates the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on the accuracy of Chinese analysts’ earnings forecasts. We find that after IFRS adoption, the accuracy of Chinese analysts’ forecasts decreases rather than increasing as they do in developed countries documented by the extant literature. Further investigation finds that this decrease is associated with a fair value measurement of financial assets held for trading. Our finding provides empirical evidence supporting the argument that the effectiveness of IFRS adoption could be negative in a developing country depending on its setting and fair value measurement brought about by IFRS could contribute to the negative effect in this setting.     

Achievements and gaps in tef productivity improvement practices in the marginal areas of Northern Ethiopia: implications for future research directions

Tef is the most important crop in Ethiopia and is well-adapted to growing environments, but grain yields are low. The government is therefore promoting the adoption of improved varieties, inorganic fertilizers and new planting techniques. This study gathered information on the use of new agronomic practices and barriers to their adoption through a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 60 farmers or respondents from each of 4 districts of Tigray region in northern Ethiopia viz Laelay-Maichew, Medebay-Zana, Ahferom and Alamata. Data were coded and analysed using SPSS software. Except for animal feed and crop rotation, there were significant differences between districts in the relative importance of several criteria for different uses. Improved varieties were used by the majority of respondents in all districts and fertilizers in all except Alamata where severe moisture stress dictated the choice of variety and reduced fertilizer application. Weed control was mainly by hand except in Alamata where chemical control was common because of the predominance of broad-leaved weeds. Transplanting maximized the yield of tef, but a cost–benefit analysis showed that row sowing was more profitable. The study concluded that new varieties better adapted to the likelihood of reduced rainfall and that respond efficiently to fertilizer inputs need to be developed. Until suitable technologies are available, high labour costs would in part dictate some agronomic practices, even if this led to lower yields.