An Analysis of the Welfare Effects of Long-Distance Market Entry by an Integrated Access and Long-Distance Provider

This paper discusses the welfare effects of entry by a vertically integrated access and long-distance service provider into the long-distance market. Using a stylized model of these markets, we conclude that substantial net consumer benefits arise when a vertically integrated firm is created by the entry of a LEC into the long-distance market, and these gains are mostly achieved from declines in supra-competitive profits received by long-distance incumbents. We find that these gains dominate losses in producer surplus that could arise even if integrated firm entry were to displace more efficient long-distance providers.     

BRITISH HORTICULTURE AND THE COMMON MARKET

Tariffs and quotas against the Six are not consistent with Britain as a part of the Common Market. Such restrictions have produced the traditional policy for horticulture in Britain. Now their removal is threatened and with it the incomes of our producers. This paper attempts to measure the seriousness of the threat to British growers. Three features are most relevant to this question. Firstly, somewhat less than two-thirds of the producers depend wholly on income from horticultural produce. Secondly, only one-tenth of the producers account for two-thirds of the output. Thirdly, horticultural produce is of distinct types, decorative, dessert, salad, or staple, and the future demand and supply prospects vary accordingly. The E.E.C. is poised to send us more glasshouse vegetables and more apples and pears. Thus the most highly capitalised sectors of horticulture are most vulnerable and those growers with modernised investment will best meet the increased competition. The future will see further adjustment within the industry, but the outcome will mainly depend on the general level of prosperity in Britain.     

Ethical consumers in search of markets

Research in ethical consumerism has concentrated on attempts to either categorize ethical consumers or to uncover their decision‐making processes, but to‐date there have been few investigations into the key ethical drivers behind the decision‐making process. This study attempts to identify these ethical drivers within their particular product groups by means of a survey of self‐proclaimed ethical consumers distributed via a questionnaire placed in the Ethical Consumer Magazine. The findings indicate that environmental issues are ranked above human rights and animal rights/welfare issues and that the ethical consumer considers the product groups to have differential importance ranging from the food products goods group, being the most strongly associated with ethical issues, to the ‘brown goods’ group (electric goods such as stereos and TVs), which proved to be least associated with these issues. An examination of the ethical drivers within each group suggests that ethical consumers consider each product group on the basis of its bundle of ethical attributes, with differing levels of importance placed on each ethical issue within the purchase decision. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.     

Engaging the stakeholders: corporate views and current trends

This paper is based on research conducted at Imperial College in 1996, in which the authors have reviewed the extent, purpose and motivation of evironmental stakeholder initiatives (ESIs). The research objective was to determine ESIs' impact on corporate environmental management through a survey of businesses engaged in such initiatives, and to propose a set of recommendations for successful implementation of ESIs. Previous research on the subject has mainly discussed the case for stakeholders' involvement, reviewing whom companies would target as stakeholders. This paper goes a step further by assessing the current ESI practices of the researched companies in terms of style, purpose and method of engagement, as well as the target audiences and timing of these initiatives. Five stages of ESI undertaken by companies are identified and the benefits, as well as limiting factors, are discussed. In addition to the research conclusions the key factors for successful ESIs and a set of recommendations for companies engaging in such initiatives are presented. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.     

Manifest destiny meets inclusion: Texas nationalism at the Alamo

In San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo is an annual destination for 2.5 million visitors. From the early 1900s, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) controlled the Alamo, with their nationalist, Anglo-centric version of the past. They allegedly ignored its previous history, erasing the Tejanos (Texas Latinos) who supported the 1836 Texas Revolution. Texas lawmakers recently voted to restrict DRT's control of the site. For tour guides, what is the Alamo's meaning? What happens as that meaning becomes more inclusive? This study documents Alamo guides' interaction with tourists, through the use of participant observation and interviews. At the Alamo, narratives now embrace Tejano heroism alongside Anglo heroism, and there is substantial inclusion of the Spanish language. Tour guides integrate political context and evidence-based history, alongside – and often in conflict with – the myth-making of the DRT. These are distinct and important adjustments, yet slavery and Alamo tourism's antagonistic past are not fully confronted. Guides wonder whether their story is simply harder to promote in the face of cultural pressures. When contested sites become more inclusive, there are unforeseen obstacles and consequences.