What role for cooperation in conservation tenders? Paying farmer groups in the High Andes

This paper sheds light on the potential of group-level tenders to enhance conservation where it depends on cooperation of small-scale farmers. We analyze data from two pilot payment for ecosystem service (PES) schemes focused on the conservation of agricultural biodiversity in the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. Contracts were assigned to farming groups who could choose between different types of in-kind payments with varying degrees of divisibility between group members. Our main results indicate that: (1) stronger general patterns of collective action are positively related to the level of cooperation in group-bid making; (2) where collective action is robust, collective payments seem to provide stronger conservation incentives than individual payments; (3) collective payments could mitigate some potential rent-seeking behavior; (4) selecting bid offers based on both a ‘cooperation’ criterion and conservation land area offered does not overly compromise the cost-effectiveness of PES; and (5) group-level contracts may create strong incentives for contract compliance. Hence, combining farmer group-level contracts with collective in-kind payments can enhance the cost-effectiveness of conservation tenders, while generating co-benefits in terms of increased interaction and social capital among group members.     

Identifying beliefs underlying successors’ intention to take over the farm

The youth out-migration of rural areas, the ageing of farmer population and the lack of a successor within the farm family imply some drawbacks for rural development and for a more sustainable agriculture. This study used the reasoned action approach (RAA) to identify the beliefs underlying Brazilian successors’ intention to take over the farm. The RAA hypothesizes that successors’ intention to take over the farm is determined by three constructs: attitude, perceived norms and perceived behavioral control. These three constructs are derived from behavioral, normative and control beliefs. Results showed that the behavioral beliefs ‘Satisfaction for taking care of family farm assets’ and ‘Ease for managing the farm’ influence successors’ evaluation (attitude) of taking over the farm. The normative beliefs ‘Father’ and ‘Mother’ influence successors’ perceptions about the social pressure (perceived norms) to take over the farm. The control beliefs ‘Ease to buy more land’ and ‘Professional recognition’ influence successors’ perceptions about their own capability (perceived behavioral control) to take over the farm. The identification of these beliefs revealed important implications for designing interventions to encourage successors to take over the farm.     

江苏动画产业发展现状、问题及政策建议

本文通过对发达省市动画产业成功经验与江苏产业现状、问题的比较研究,从产业规划及产业政策、人才集聚战略实施、引导企业丰富动漫题材及产品等方面提出了对策建议。     

浅谈组织如何有效开展内部质量体系审核

简要介绍组织应科学制定内审计划,认真实施内审计划,并从注重审核方法,注重纠正措施的落实,加大整改力度等方面,来提高内部质量体系审核的有效性。     

Generalized densities of order statistics

Let X ₁, ... , X _n be independent identically distributed random variables with distribution F . We derive expressions for generalized joint 'densities' of order statistics of X ₁, ... , X _n , for arbitrary distributions F , in terms of Radon–Nikodym derivatives with respect to product measures based on F . We then give formulae for conditional distributions of order statistics and use them to derive results concerning Markov properties of order statistics, formulae for distributions of trimmed sums, and other useful representations. Our approach leads to simple and natural expressions which appear not to have been given before.     

The continuing need for affirmative action

Affirmative action is defined as the steps taken to end the absence in jobs, schools, and honored positions of members of groups that have been subordinated. Its purpose is to reduce discrimination, to reduce income disparities between groups, and to promote diversity by gender and race in every role and activity. The persistence of occupational segregation by sex and race to a degree that cannot be explained by differences in qualifications or voluntary behavior testifies to the need for further action. Alternatives to affirmative action, such as helping people regardless of race or sex from disadvantaged backgrounds, “just enforcing the law against discrimination”, or waiting for educational improvements to bring groups better qualifications would not do the job affirmative action is designed to do.     

基于赤道原则的移民安置行动计划

文章简述了赤道原则体系及其适用范围,以老挝南塔河1#水电站为实例,探讨了移民安置行动计划与赤道原则的符合性。研究认为,该项移民安置行动计划与赤道原则具有一致性。     

基于赤道原则的移民安置行动计划

文章简述了赤道原则体系及其适用范围,以老挝南塔河1~#水电站为实例,探讨了移民安置行动计划与赤道原则的符合性。研究认为,该项移民安置行动计划与赤道原则具有一致性。     

篮球进攻队员假动作技术分析

进攻队员假动作在篮球比赛攻防对抗中产生,是完成篮球技战术必不可少的动作方法。文章通过对进攻队员假动作进行分类,探讨在其比赛中的具体运用,提出进攻假动作应具备的条件和注意的问题,为篮球教学与训练提供参考。     

Integrating Factors Influencing Consumers’ Halal Products Purchase: Application of Theory of Reasoned Action

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to determine Muslim consumers’ purchase perceptions of Halal products in Pakistan. The research team has integrated different factors such as processing, Halal logo, ingredients, health consciousness, perceived value, food safety concern, and religious factor with Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and they investigated their influence on consumers’ attitudes and intentions to purchase Halal food products. A survey was conducted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi city, Pakistan. A total of 282 (56.4%) completed questionnaires were received from 500 respondents. Structural equation modeling technique was used to determine consumers’ purchase intention and behavior regarding Halal products. Except for health consciousness and Halal logo, all factors positively influence consumers’ attitude and purchase intention of Halal food products and, subsequently, their purchase behavior.