Ethical selving in cultural contexts: fairtrade consumption as an everyday ethical practice in the UK and Germany

Fairtrade consumers, by enacting their political and moral concerns through consumer choice, are at the same time constructing themselves as ethical selves. I will argue that they can only do so by drawing on cultural contexts. While fairtrade is instituted in supranational organizations and acts on a global level, there are still differences on a national level. On the basis of an Anglo‐German study, this paper seeks to map out the cultural contextualization of fairtrade consumption on both a supranational and a national level. The paper identifies the framing role of global consumer culture and an implicit ethics of equitability inscribed in capitalist practices of exchange and specifies how these play out differently in Germany and the UK. In both cases, there are strong references to sovereign consumer choice, and expectations of equitability in commodity exchange have been found. But while, in the British case, there is more emphasis on individual choice and taste, German fairtrade consumers seem to follow more what they perceive as an authoritative discourse. And, while British respondents envisaged the relation to be achieved with producers along the lines of a business relationship, German respondents conceptualized it more as a paternalistic employment relation between fairtrade organizations and producers. Differences will be explained in terms of distinctive consumer cultures, national moral economies and colonialist histories. I will argue that the two national settings not only offer different opportunities and challenges in terms of market success but also pose distinct ethical questions for fairtrade marketers.     

Mediated communication of ‘sustainable consumption’ in the alternative media: a case study exploring a message framing strategy

In view of previous effects of mediated communication on public knowledge, perceptions and concern about sustainability problems, this case study explores a message framing strategy for improving the effectiveness of mediated communication of the somewhat neglected topic of sustainable consumption. It describes how an information campaign on sustainable consumption was strategically framed, employing theories on effective and persuasive communication, and implemented through a community news medium in Christchurch, New Zealand. The resultant impacts of the campaign (significant increases in understanding of sustainable consumption and in the number of parents expressing concern over advertising effects on their children's material desires) were indicative of the potentials of employing strategic message framing for improving mediated communication about sustainability. The study also illustrates the potentials for engaging alternative media in such communication. This paper argues that further steps to develop message framing strategies for mediated communication of sustainable consumption is necessary, as this appears to be a largely neglected area in communication and consumer studies, and concludes with an overview of aspects that may be considered in future communication and other initiatives promoting sustainable consumption as a means for achieving sustainability.     

Who is Going to Supply the Milk to China＇s South？

China＇s dairy industry has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of 23.8 percent from 2000 to 2006. However, there exists a serious geographical distribution imbalance in milk production and consumption. Approximately 85 percent of China＇s milk is produced in northern China, where 40 percent of the country＇s population reside. In contrast, only about 15 percent of the milk is produced in China＇s south, where 60percent of China＇s population reside. This has resulted in a significant gap between milk production and consumption in southern China and this gap is expected to rise. This paper considers China＇s milk demand and supply situation, analyzes the likely potential for China to expand its milk production and explores options for meeting milk demand-supply shortages. Policy and trade implications are discussed.     

Innovation in food service technology and its strategic role

Innovation in food service technology offers differentiation and cost leadership in strategic terms. The majority of food service businesses do not have research and development laboratories. At present, the innovations in equipment design and layout, packaging and service techniques are of a defensive or reactive nature. Examples of defensive innovation include faster and better preparation methods, improved temperature control, even heating, energy and labour savings, less waste, better sanitation, faster service and flexibility. In contrast, developments in offensive or pro-active innovation, which can radically change current practices, are rare. Novel food service processes can evolve as a result of adoption of technological breakthroughs in “high tech” fields of the economy. This justifies investments in offensive research and highlights the importance of technical competencies for a food service professional.     

基本养老保险制度及其对居民消费的影响研究

文章首先回顾了养老保险制度从"现收现付制"到以社会统筹与个人账户相结合的"部分积累制"的制度变迁过程.然后重点分析了基本养老保险计划对居民消费决策的影响.一是从微观个体的角度分析了在现行"统账"结合养老保险模式下居民的简单消费决策,认为基本养老保险计划对消费的影响可能存在两种效应:预期保障效应和收入效应;二是从总量经济的层面,采用固定效应模型实证研究了自2000年以来,居民参加基本养老保险对消费的整体影响,认为参保对当前消费存在正面影响,且消费对养老保险是富于弹性的.最后给出了研究结论和相关建议.     

Authorized variance analysis with consumption rate

On the base of budget or plan information, comparing with actual results, making variance analysis, finding real reasons behind variance, this is important way of control and also important function of budget. However, without consideration of changes of environment, there are some limitations for static variance analysis with benchmark of plan data. Adjusting for benchmark according to actual condition, then doing variance analysis, these will improve utilization of variance analysis. Adjusted benchmark is often known as authorized cost/profit. For different understanding for authority concept, with RCA＇s （the abbreviation for Resource Consumption Accounting） view and numerical examples, this paper brings out the concept of consumption rate variance to promoting deeper understanding and analyzing reasons behind variance.     

论消费在促进经济发展方式转变中的作用——从如何看待消费主义谈起

应当重视消费对转变经济发展方式的促进作用。为此需要坚持马克思有关生产与消费辩证关系的理论，关注全球消费呈现的新特点，借鉴国外学者对消费主义的批判。我国消费方式更新既要着重解决“消费不够”的问题，又要引导防止“消费不当”问题。努力做到“生存消费保证、享受消费适度、发展消费引导”，倡导“理性消费、节约资源、美好生活”。     

From mutual recognition to mutual scientific opinion? Constitutional framework for risk analysis in EU food safety law

Regulation 178/2002 (the so-called General Food Law – GFL) codifies risk analysis as the core principle of the modern food safety policy. This article places the GFL in EU multi-level food safety governance and analyses the impact of risk analysis, the precautionary principle and mechanisms of scientific governance introduced by the GFL on both national and Community legislation. It discusses the case law of the European Courts dealing with scientific evidence and the precautionary principle applied to both European and national food safety measures. The article concludes with some observations on the role of the risk analysis methodology in the Community internal market.     

Immiserizing Growth in a Closed Economy

We develop a model with three key features: a factor market distortion, monopoly power in the product market and indivisibilities in consumption. In this setting, multiple equilibria arise, one with high and the other with low equilibrium wages, incomes and output. It is also shown that even in a closed economy, growth may be immiserizing and, finally, that redistribution could be a “rich man's game”.     

2011年上半年电煤供需形势回顾及下半年展望

简要回顾了2011年上半年宏观经济、电力消费和电煤供需的相关情况,对下半年电煤供需形势进行了分析展望,预计下半年全国电煤供需将呈“总体平衡,局地、局段偏紧与偏松并存”的基本格局,供需形势总体好于上半年,但供需矛盾仍然突出,矛盾的实质在于现行体制机制滞后,难以应对电煤需求大规模的增减变动。针对下半年电煤供需形势及近年来反复呈现的问题,从完善煤炭资源重组、推动电价改革等方面提出了若干对策。