Adam M. Komarek, Max Spoor, Shuyi Feng and Xiaoping Shi
The purpose of this paper is to explore the expansion of agricultural production into marginal lands, also known as “wasteland,” and examine the association between political…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the expansion of agricultural production into marginal lands, also known as “wasteland,” and examine the association between political capital, household income, and using additional marginal lands for agriculture in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of western China.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses exploratory data analyses methods, including descriptive statistics, graphical analysis, econometrics and propensity score matching, and data from a 2008 survey of 342 households in Awat County of Aksu Prefecture to explore the role of political capital in an agricultural household setting.
Findings
Preliminary results suggest that wasteland usage has a positive association with income, and that household political capital, in the form of Communist Party membership or being a village cadre, correlates with wasteland usage because it improves access to irrigation water.
Originality/value
A constant topic of debate in China is the role of political capital in influencing livelihoods. The authors aim to add modest insights into this debate and provide a starting point to foster additional debates regarding the role of political capital, rural livelihoods, and natural resource usage.
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Lihua Li, Maria Estela Varua, Adam M. Komarek, Sriram Shankar and William D. Bellotti
The purpose of this paper is to explore the endogenous relationship between production specialisation and market commercialisation with an empirical study of farmers in Northwest…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the endogenous relationship between production specialisation and market commercialisation with an empirical study of farmers in Northwest China.
Design/methodology/approach
The three-stage least squares were used to address simultaneity and over-identification problems in comparison with two-stage least squares (2SLS). The Durbin-Wu-Hausman test was employed to identify the endogeneity of the commercialisation and specialisation variables. The validity, relevance, and strength of the instruments were tested using the Stock-Yogo weak instrument diagnostics test.
Findings
A two-way interrelationship between specialisation and commercialisation were confirmed, and suggest that farmers’ decisions on farm commercialisation and production specialisation are actually separate and interacting.
Social implications
By demonstrating that a virtuous cycle exists between agricultural commercialisation and on-farm specialisation, policies can be formulated to complement these two effects that may help increase small holders’ income. Farmers’ market participation can be indirectly improved by combining market improvement and risk management tools to encourage production specialisation.
Originality/value
The insights of this study cast further light onto the farm market participation theory by emphasising that higher asset endowments enable small farmers to specialise in production with comparative advantage.
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Adam M. Komarek and Fredoun Z. Ahmadi‐Esfahani
Low productivity and the prevalence of marketing and demand constraints are all interrelated problems for banana growers in East Africa. The purpose of this paper is to examine…
Abstract
Purpose
Low productivity and the prevalence of marketing and demand constraints are all interrelated problems for banana growers in East Africa. The purpose of this paper is to examine how different marketing policies can alter the incomes of banana‐growing households in the Ntungamo district of Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach
A partial equilibrium model and a trader profit‐maximisation model are used to analyse changes in banana market equilibrium conditions, marketing costs and market competitiveness.
Findings
The results indicate that increasing supply relative to demand reduces grower returns. It appears that reducing market power and lowering middlemen marketing costs may lead to higher grower returns. Policies facilitating lower marketing costs for traders are proposed in conjunction with strategies that promote banana processing.
Originality/value
Drawing on both primary and secondary data, this paper examines how increasing demand and reducing marketing costs impacts on banana‐grower returns. Furthermore, sources of price movements in the Ugandan banana industry are assessed.
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Jan Babecký, Luboš Komárek and Zlatuše Komárková
The global financial crisis of 2007/2008 interrupted the process of financial integration observed in the European Union since the beginning of the 2000s. This paper empirically…
Abstract
The global financial crisis of 2007/2008 interrupted the process of financial integration observed in the European Union since the beginning of the 2000s. This paper empirically analyzes whether financial integration resumed, focusing on the period 2002–2015 and employing the indicators of the speed and the level of integration. The analysis covers four financial markets (the money, foreign exchange, bond, and equity markets) of the selected inflation-targeting Central European economies (the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland), representatives of new euro area countries (Slovenia and Slovakia) and the selected advanced Western European economies (Austria, Germany, Portugal) with the euro area. The results reveal that the global financial crisis caused mainly a temporary price divergence of the financial markets in the analyzed countries vis-à-vis the euro area. By 2015 the situation on the financial markets returned gradually to the pre-crisis degree of integration with the euro area for most of the countries and markets; however, there are signs of fragmentation on the government bond markets.
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Nabila Khurshid, Hamza Sharif, Mosab I. Tabash and Ghaleb A. El Refae
There will probably be nine billion people on the earth by 2050, meaning food consumption will rise dramatically. Pakistan, the fifth most populous nation in the world, is rapidly…
Abstract
Purpose
There will probably be nine billion people on the earth by 2050, meaning food consumption will rise dramatically. Pakistan, the fifth most populous nation in the world, is rapidly expanding its population, making it difficult for the nation to sustain its food supply. Unfortunately, the country's focus on ensuring food security has not kept up with the demographic shifts in its population. However, innovative solutions are sorely needed in the face of several worldwide problems, especially in the crucial agriculture sector. This underscores the need to integrate sustainable financial practices. Considering these circumstances, this research thoroughly examines the intricate relationship inside Pakistan between financial stability (FS), agricultural subsidies, and productivity. Acknowledging the underlying intricacies and asymmetries at work, this study aims to analyze the complex relationships influencing the nation's agricultural production.
Design/methodology/approach
The research tries to shed light on the subtle processes at the intersection of financial stability, agricultural subsidies, and agricultural productivity through a comprehensive investigation of these multiple challenges. A non-linear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) technique is used, using a dataset from 1980 to 2022.
Findings
The results show that FS has a mixed impact on agricultural productivity, both positive and negative. Increasing FS_POS has a beneficial influence on agricultural output, linked to a notable 1.404% increase in output. On the other hand, increasing FS_NEG causes a significant 11.441% decrease in agricultural output, demonstrating its negative impact on output. Subsidies for agriculture also have asymmetric impacts; SUB_POS and SUB_NEG influence variations in agricultural productivity. A substantial 2.414% rise in agricultural output is shown by SUB_POS, demonstrating its noteworthy beneficial influence. Conversely, SUB_NEG adds a relatively small increase of 1.659% in agricultural output. However, the different amounts of each person's contribution show how subtle their effects are.
Research limitations/implications
The current study is limited to the relationship between financial stability, agricultural subsidies, and agricultural productivity, considering the inherent complexity and asymmetries at work in Pakistan only. Further studies are required in Asian markets to have a bigger picture of the agricultural sector.
Originality/value
Considering these critical empirical findings, the report recommends strategic strategies to promote long-term agricultural growth in Pakistan. These include providing integrated financial services customized to farmers' needs, such as credit, insurance, and savings alternatives. Transparency and efficiency in procedural frameworks and the formation of efficient public-private partnerships should be prioritized. Furthermore, improving agricultural subsidy schemes emerges as a crucial priority. Targeting marginalized farmers more effectively and optimizing distribution through transparent, digitally driven systems can significantly improve program performance.
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The agricultural sector is a critical component of global economic development, and its significance has grown significantly in recent years. The risks associated with agriculture…
Abstract
Purpose
The agricultural sector is a critical component of global economic development, and its significance has grown significantly in recent years. The risks associated with agriculture and the behaviors of farmers in handling these risks are becoming increasingly important, given the sector’s increasing dependence worldwide. Various activities related to agriculture are vulnerable to multiple risks, which can have severe consequences for farmers’ livelihoods. The purpose of this systematic review is to present a comprehensive analysis of the sources of risk faced by farmers and their choices in adopting risk management strategies worldwide.
Design/methodology/approach
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol was utilized to select relevant literature, and a total of 102 studies were analyzed. Through the use of Venn diagrams and graphical methods, the authors provide a transparent overview of the risks faced by farmers and the adoption of risk management strategies in developed and developing countries.
Findings
From the analysis, the authors found that, in terms of risk management strategies, diversification, reserve credit and accumulated assets are frequently used in developing countries, while developed countries tend to rely on future/forward contracts, crop insurance and hedging. Diversification is the most widely used risk management strategy across both developed and developing countries. Our study also highlights the different perceptions of weather-related risks among growers in developed and developing countries.
Practical implications
This systematic review provides valuable insights into the risks associated with agriculture and farmers' strategies in managing these risks, which could inform policy decisions and promote sustainable agricultural practices. For instance, understanding the individualistic nature of farmers' risk perception and the varying risk sources and management strategies depending on the locality and provide assistance to the farmers accordingly.
Originality/value
The paper explains how farmers behave during uncertainty in terms of risk perception and their decision to adopt risk management strategies in developed and developing countries.
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Christian Dunis, Georgios Sermpinis and Maria Ferenia Karampelia
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the empirical dimension of financial integration among the five newest members of the European Monetary Union (Cyprus, Estonia, Malta…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the empirical dimension of financial integration among the five newest members of the European Monetary Union (Cyprus, Estonia, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia) and the euro area. The main objective is to study the level and the speed of integration between the stock markets of those European Union (EU) member states and the rest of the euro area, assessing in this way the role that the EU enlargement, the drive towards European Monetary Union and the actual adoption of the euro play in the process of European financial market integration.
Design/methodology/approach
This study will exclusively test the integration of the stock markets of EU member states that joined in 2004, when the EU expanded, but are already members of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Since there is limited evidence on the effects of EU and EMU enlargements or their announcements, it will be a useful addition to the examination of this issue. Given the small size of those emerging stock markets and the fact that they are part of a stable and well-regulated system, the degree to which they are integrated has implications for investors' portfolio allocation decisions, as they may offer diversification benefits without extreme risks. The case of integration will be examined using various econometric methodologies, two of which (beta- and sigma-convergence) have been given less formal attention and their application is rare, so as to detect both long- and short-run interdependencies and achieve robust results.
Findings
The findings indicate an increasing degree of integration for Malta and Slovenia, while Estonia appears segmented. Cyprus and Slovakia exhibited a degree of integration after their accession into EU but this trend changes after they adopted the euro. Overall, the integration process accelerated after the accession in the EU but EMU does not seem to have the same positive impact on it.
Originality/value
Compared with previous studies, the authors' apply the concept of beta- and sigma-convergence, a methodology that will help us identify the speed of integration. Moreover, the period under study includes the recent crisis: this allows us to see if the worsened economic environment has had effect on the level and speed of integration of the countries under study. In the end, it is worth noting that previous studies focused on either advanced markets or neighbouring countries or states with a common history. This alone can create a level of interdependence between the countries under study and bias the results. In this paper, the markets under study have almost nothing in common except their small size and the fact that they are members of the EMU.
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Neha Goyal Tater, Garima Toor and Tarush Chandra
This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical evolution and contemporary transformations inherent in cultural landscapes, framed within the narrative of a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical evolution and contemporary transformations inherent in cultural landscapes, framed within the narrative of a cultural odyssey. The concept of cultural landscapes extends beyond the physical arrangement of landscape elements, encompassing social and cultural customs and economic dynamics in both tangible and intangible aspects of heritage. Instead of being confined to a linear evolutionary model of sacred-historic landscape development, these sites are understood to exist across different historical periods such as ancient, medieval, etc. reflecting their multifaceted nature.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilizes a thorough and systematic examination of existing literature, covering several disciplines such as cultural studies, anthropology and environmental studies. The methodology prioritizes a holistic approach by including succinct discussion of many locations to improve the analysis. The collection of qualitative data on the cultural importance of eco-heritage involves conducting participant observations and focus group talks to capture a diverse range of perspectives.
Findings
The paper highlights the importance of preserving and interpreting cultural landscapes as living, evolving entities. By recognizing diverse layers of history and cultural significance within these sites, research suggests strategies for integrating sustainable practices in the management of cultural landscapes.
Originality/value
This work makes a substantial contribution to the academic field by examining the intersection where cultural heritage and eco-transformations converge. By embarking on a cultural odyssey, the paper not only charts the progress of societies but also sheds light on the transformative impact of eco-heritage interactions. The novel perspectives offer a new framework for scholars, policymakers and practitioners to analyze and value the complex interrelationships between cultural legacy and ecological changes.
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Batuhan Aktepe and Barış Demirci
The main objective of this research is to unravel and analyze emergent technologies that are altering and improving the event industry. The study seeks to recognize the most vital…
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of this research is to unravel and analyze emergent technologies that are altering and improving the event industry. The study seeks to recognize the most vital technological advancement, uses and effects on event preparation, management and participant experience.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a narrative literature review method was used to examine emerging technologies in event management.
Findings
The research reveals that the emerging technologies examined in the articles affect and transform the event industry differently. Many of these technologies are currently being used in the event industry and are likely to be utilized in the coming years.
Originality/value
Numerous studies in the literature are related to the research field. However, as technology evolves rapidly, it is necessary to repeat studies at regular intervals. This article contributes to the literature by tracking new technological developments in the event industry.
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This study aims to analyse the effects of the Presidential Powers (Temporal Measures), amendment to the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act to include legal practitioners…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyse the effects of the Presidential Powers (Temporal Measures), amendment to the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act to include legal practitioners under the list of designated non-financial business and professions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is a textual analysis of anti-money laundering legislation [anti-money laundering (AML) legislation] within the context of legal practice in Zimbabwe.
Findings
The amendment put Zimbabwe on the international standard in the fight against money laundering, as legal practitioners have become a soft target for money laundering. Despite its noble aim, in Zimbabwe there is anecdotal evidence that the AML legislation turns lawyers into watchdogs or law enforcement agents. On the contrary, the amendment prevents lawyers from falling to the mercy of organised criminals and money launderers. Furthermore, there is a dearth of empirical research that can demystify the impact of some of the provisions of this law on contested issues, such as legal professional privilege.
Research limitations/implications
This study aims to outline the rationale for anti-money laundering policy and law. This study will analyse how the issue has been approached in other jurisdictions such as England and Wales. The paper will then try to establish coherent principles in the prevention of money laundering. This study will also suggest a number of recommendations as to how Zimbabwe could approach some of the issues while still considering the need to balance competing influences of legal privilege and money laundering regulations.
Practical implications
The paper will bring this issue to the fore and initiate an informed debate, as well as provide practical talking points for legal practitioners to embrace the AML regime and to engage policymakers on the issues that need reform.
Originality/value
This paper provides the first in depth analysis of the money laundering legislation in the legal fraternity in Zimbabwe and goes to offer practical tips and entry points on the application of the regulations or for advocacy towards any reform as might be needed.