A consumer segmentation study with regards to genetically modified food in urban China

The objective of this study is to identify the underlying subgroups of Chinese consumers in terms of their perceptions and attitudes toward GM foods. In particular, we address the following specific questions: may researchers segment Chinese urban consumers in terms of their attitudes and perceptions toward GM foods? Are there any relationships between segmented consumer groups and other factors – such as their exposure to GM knowledge and socio-demographics? And, what policy implications can be drawn from this research to the future biotech development in China? Based on a large-scale survey data collected by the authors in 2002 and 2003 in 11 cities of China, this research applies consumer research methodologies. The combination of factor and cluster analysis enables us to identify successfully and consistently four Chinese consumer clusters based on their perceptions and attitudes toward GM foods, which include a food safety cluster, a nutritional technologist cluster, a GM skeptic cluster, and a cluster of GM for non-food promoter.     

Consumer-perceived risk model for the introduction of genetically modified food in Spain

Since the last part of the 20th century, the search for new forms of cultivation and food has basically centred on the application of biotechnology, giving rise to GM foods. Consumer acceptance is conditioned by the risk that they perceive from introducing food into their consumption habits processed through technology that they hardly understand. Besides, information is insufficient in the consumer ambit and moreover, it is influenced by ideological and ethical determining factors. The factors were analysed that influence this consumer-perceived risk through a structural equation model. This study was conducted in Spain, concretely in the province of Alicante, located in the southeast of this country.     

Consumer acceptance,valuation of and attitudes towards genetically modified food: Review and implications for food policy

An increasing set of evidence has been reported on how consumers could potentially react to the introduction of genetically modified food. Studies typically contain some empirical evidence and some theoretical explanations of the data, however, to date limited effort has been posed on systematically reviewing the existing evidence and its implications for policy. This paper contributes to the literature by bringing together the published evidence on the behavioural frameworks and evidence on the process leading to the public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) food and organisms (GMOs). In doing so, we employ a set of clearly defined search tools and a limited number of comprehensive key words. The study attempts to gather an understanding of the published findings on the determinants of the valuation of GM food – both in terms of willingness to accept and the willing-to-pay a premium for non-GM food, trust with information sources on the safety and public health and ultimate attitudes underpinning such evidence. Furthermore, in the light of such evidence, we formulate some policy strategies to deal with public uncertainly regarding to GMOs and, especially GM food.     

Price policies and the SAM: A wheat-maize comparison

This article examines the historical development of Mexico's foodgrain policies and the events that led to the Sistema Allmenticio Mexicano (SAM). Government investment and support price policies are compared for the commercial and smallholder grain sectors. Analysis centres on the relatively favourable wheat policies, in contrast to those for maize. The prospects for success in developing the long-ignored peasant sector through SAM are assessed in the light of these past policies. It is concluded that, without profound structural change in Mexico's grain sectors, it will be consumers and commercial growers who will benefit most from SAM.     

Implementation of food distribution policies: A case study in South India

Public policy for foodgrains distribution and consumption in Coimbatore District of South India involves processing through state trading institutions, and distribution through fair price shops, Food for Work and Employment Guarantee Schemes. Policies are evaluated in terms of their objectives, and institutions for the implementation of policy are analysed in terms of the way in which they mobilize and distribute resources: foodgrains, capital and labour. Although this deficit district has captured shares of Tamil Nadu State's publicly distributed grain which are disproportionate to its share of the state's ‘vulnerable’ population, nevertheless, schemes to increase the latter's foodgrain consumption have been patchily implemented over space and time, and they have had little measurable impact on intended beneficiaries.     

Determining the level of regulation in EU telecommunications. A preliminary assessment

The attention of the EU is currently focused on which aspects of telecommunications should be regulated at a national and which at a European level. The paper argues that in practice this is not an ‘either/or’ question, but a question of the degree of regulatory detail at the European level. The criteria for making choices on this dimension should be the standard ones of efficiency, equity, accountability and (in this case) consistency with the single market. The presence of externalities favours a central solution, while reliance on local information and a desire for political accountability favour decentralization. A number of possible regulatory frameworks are analysed, including the creation of an independent European regulator. In many contexts, some form of policy coordination is preferable to the creation of new centralized institutions.     

Exact and approximate calculation of the cycle service level in periodic review inventory policies

The parameters of stock policies are usually determined to minimize costs while satisfying a target service level. In a periodic review policy the time between reviews can be selected to minimize costs while the order-up-to-level is based on the fulfilment of a target service level. Generally, the calculation of this service measurement is obtained using approximations based on an additional hypothesis related to the demand pattern. Previous research has shown that there is a substantial difference between exact and approximate calculations in some general circumstances, so in these cases the service level is not accomplished or the stock level is overestimated. Although an exact calculation of CSL was developed in previous work, the computational effort required to apply it in practical environments leads to the proposal of two approximate methods (PI and PII) that, with the classic approximation, are analysed and evaluated in this paper. This analysis points out the risks of using the classic approximation and leads one to suggest PII as the most suitable and accurate enough procedure to compute the CSL straightforwardly in practice. Additionally, a heuristic approach based on PII is proposed to accept or reject an inventory policy in terms of fulfilling a given target CSL. This paper focuses on uncorrelated, discrete and stationary demand with a known distribution pattern and without backlog.     

Combined price support and fertilizer subsidy policies for food self-sufficiency: A case study of rice in Bangladesh

Output price support and input subsidies, particularly fertilizer subsidies, are used in many developing countries as short-term policies for stimulating food production. This paper presents a method of evaluating combined price support and fertilizer subsidy policies, allowing for differences in emphasis on each. Bangladesh is taken as a case study. The paper also indicates the likely distributional consequences of the various combined policies and formulates policy suggestions based on the results. The guiding hypothesis for the study is that some combination of price support and fertilizer subsidies is preferable to a price support or fertilizer subsidy monopolicy in achieving rice self sufficiency in Bangladesh.     

Local food,food miles and carbon emissions: A comparison of farm shop and mass distribution approaches

This paper provides a critical commentary on the conception of food miles followed by an empirical application of food miles to two contrasting food distribution systems based on carbon emissions accounting within these systems. The comparison is between the carbon emissions resultant from operating a large-scale vegetable box system and those from a supply system where the customer travels to a local farm shop. The study is based on fuel and energy use data collected from one of the UK’s largest suppliers of organic produce. The findings suggest that if a customer drives a round-trip distance of more than 6.7 km in order to purchase their organic vegetables, their carbon emissions are likely to be greater than the emissions from the system of cold storage, packing, transport to a regional hub and final transport to customer’s doorstep used by large-scale vegetable box suppliers. Consequently some of the ideas behind localism in the food sector may need to be revisited.     

Business networks and retail internationalization: A case analysis in the fashion industry

The paper presents different theoretical perspectives on the issue of business networks and their role in the process of internationalization. With regard to methodology, a specific case study is conducted of a vertically integrated firm in the fashion supply chain, which has implemented branding and retailing strategies in international markets. The case analysis, which is the result of a longitudinal study conducted over several years, aims at an in depth analysis of the extent to which business relationships represent a learning context involving opportunities/constraints in the internationalization process. The paper outlines the relationship between the specific business model, the international patterns followed, and business relationships. Three research questions are posed and discussed. Some final remarks on the relationships between business networks and international retail expansion conclude the work.     

The impacts of marketing and operations capabilities on financial performance in the UK retail sector: A resource-based perspective

Drawing upon the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, this study investigates the relationships among marketing capability, operations capability, and financial performance. Using archival data of 186 retail firms in the UK, we find that that marketing capability has a significant impact on operations capability, and that operations capability is significantly and positively related to retail efficiency. The results also suggest that operations capability fully mediates the relationship between marketing capability and financial performance. The findings of this study provide practical insights for practicing managers to consider when developing functional capabilities in order to achieve superior financial performance.     

US and EEC agricultural trade policies: A long-run view of the present conflict

This paper traces post-war agricultural policy in the USA and compares it with the developing policies of the EEC. It examines the reasons for, and the results of, the protectionist policies which have been adopted in each case, and how the present conflict between the two trading blocs were inevitable, due to the foundations laid in the 1950s. The grain sector is used to illustrate the dominant tendencies in US agricultural policies, which include a programme of food aid used as an outlet for US agricultural capacity. The conclusion outlines how the EEC, with its potential for further growth in grain exports, can learn from the US experience in this, and other, aspects of agricultural trade.     

A comparative political economic analysis of maize sector policies in eastern and southern Africa

Maize sector policies in eastern and southern Africa are characterized by a large and often growing presence of the state. Yet the scope, scale, and modalities of state activities vary substantially across countries. Drawing on data from Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, and Mozambique this article compares the relative degree of state intervention in the maize sector. We show that relative preferences for output market subsidies, input market subsidies, trade restrictions, or non-interventionist approaches reflect the interplay of interest group lobbying, patronage networks, and ethnic and regional political affiliations. These relationships have deep historical roots and have often been intensified in the context of the emergence of multiparty politics. We show that interventionist orientations in output markets and trade do not translate into better performance or welfare outcomes. Input subsidy preferences produce more ambiguous welfare results, when the opportunity costs are not fully accounted for.     

2021年中国能源政策回顾与2022年调整方向研判

2021年中国经济社会运行快速恢复,能源政策内容重点主要体现在提升清洁能源消纳保障能力、促进传统石化能源更多向与新能源相融合的系统重构方向发展、各类能源定价机制的市场化改革,以及出台碳达峰碳中和统领文件。2022年,碳达峰碳中和“1+N”政策体系中分领域分行业的实施方案和保障细则将继续陆续出台;能耗“双控”制度向碳排放“双控”制度的转变起步;以“双碳”目标为指引的能源市场体制改革进一步推进;维护能源市场稳定运行,加强对重点领域市场监管;着眼创新前沿,加快推动氢能等可再生能源绿色低碳发展。     

湖南电力市场营销环境初探

不断变化着的社会经济和自然、技术环境,既可给电力营销带来市场机会,也可以形成某种威胁。本文就湖南电力市场营销环境作了深入探讨,对发现、分析环境力量并预测其趋势,以促进企业目标实现具有指导作用。     

德法两国仿制药品市场发展的比较分析

目的 分析德国、法国仿制药品发展的影响因素.方法 对比分析专利保护、定价、报销政策、处方替换和处方预算制度这五个因素对德法两国仿制药品发展的影响.结果 和结论 低廉的药品价格和专利法规是阻碍法国市场发展的关键因素,加强教育和鼓励医生在处方中使用药品通用名称有助于促进仿制药品市场发展.在德国,随着仿制药品市场的成熟,参照价格体系的作用越来越不明显,医生的处方行为将是影响市场发展的关键因素.     

A preliminary study into the investigation of the prediction of craftmanship skills in children

Psychometric and physical data were investigated as predictors of six different craftmanship skills in a sample of 290 children (Female = 131; Male = 159), at age 12 + in a Manchester comprehensive school. The results of regression analysis indicate that certain craftmanship skills can be predicted by reference to specified cognitive and physical measures. Only one of the craftmanship skills (transverse error in making a saw cut) was shown to be related to the sex of the child, boys being more accurate than girls.