A socially acceptable solution to the demand for hybrid assembly lines can be attained by having the manual section ‘drive’ the automatic section.
Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way…
Abstract
Investigates the differences in protocols between arbitral tribunals and courts, with particular emphasis on US, Greek and English law. Gives examples of each country and its way of using the law in specific circumstances, and shows the variations therein. Sums up that arbitration is much the better way to gok as it avoids delays and expenses, plus the vexation/frustration of normal litigation. Concludes that the US and Greek constitutions and common law tradition in England appear to allow involved parties to choose their own judge, who can thus be an arbitrator. Discusses e‐commerce and speculates on this for the future.
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Renardus is a collaborative project of the EU’s User‐friendly Information Society programme with partners from national libraries, university research and technology centres and…
Abstract
Renardus is a collaborative project of the EU’s User‐friendly Information Society programme with partners from national libraries, university research and technology centres and subject gateways Europe‐wide. Its aim is to build a single service allowing users to search and browse existing Internet‐accessible scientific and cultural resource collections distributed across Europe. Renardus builds on the successes of subject gateway initiatives in Europe and elsewhere, and is evolving a collaborative model for addressing the increasingly difficult issues of sustainability and scalability facing individual gateway services. Describes the project’s context, progress to date and outstanding issues. Also outlines the opportunities and benefits for future collaboration with other organisations in developing the fully operational service.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyse aspects of technological change in rice agriculture, related to adoption of the Green Revolution (GR) in Indonesia. Rice production is…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse aspects of technological change in rice agriculture, related to adoption of the Green Revolution (GR) in Indonesia. Rice production is selected in this study because it plays an important role in the development of Indonesian economy. Particular attention is paid to the use of agrochemicals that has potentials of contaminating the environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses an econometric model to investigate the impact of different technologies and policies related to rice production. Production function technology that enables non-neutrality of input use is the underlying concept of this paper. Types of land and transformation in policies related to rice production were accounted for to determine biased technological change. National-wide data were compiled from the Indonesian Bureau of Statistics.
Findings
The results show that rice agriculture underwent technological progress with biased technological change. The technological change was capital- and labour-saving, and agrochemical-augmenting. Production system in wetland led to technological change less capital- and labour-intensive, whilst the GR led to technological change more labour-saving and more agrochemical-augmenting.
Research limitations/implications
This study only pays attention to environmentally detrimental inputs as a cause of externalities. This is a not full representation of real environmental consequences. In some studies on environmental degradation associated with intensive agricultural practices, however, there are other factors that can degrade the environment, such as soil erosion and soil compaction resulting from certain agricultural practices, and deforestation resulting from agricultural expansion. These are also important environmental impacts. The author expects that these factors are interesting and challenging subjects to be modelled in future research on sustainability of agricultural productivity growth, both theoretically and empirically.
Practical implications
Increase in use of agrochemicals was strongly GR linked. Moving from the GR towards more environmentally friendly policy was a wise step to reach sustainable rice production. After the GR, an act that removed pesticide subsidies and disseminated environmentally friendly technology, called integrated pest management was able to reduce the intensity of agrochemical use in rice agriculture. Further actions to support environmentally friendly policy could be the use of bio-agents such as bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides. Enhancing farmers’ knowledge on the environmental issues and engaging farmers as a part of agro-ecosystem would synergise the actions.
Originality/value
This study uses the concept of biased technological change, estimated econometrically using national-level data. The production function used in this analysis enables non-neutrality of agrochemical use. When the result significantly shows the agrochemical-augmenting technological change, it is a convincing evidence, not just by accident, that the GR really led to environmental problem.
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Mohammad Chhiddikur Rahman, Valerien Pede, Jean Balie, Isabelita M. Pabuayon, Jose M. Yorobe and Samarendu Mohanty
Because of the increasing differential between farm and retail prices, the study proposes to investigate the extent of market power in the rice value chain of Bangladesh using…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the increasing differential between farm and retail prices, the study proposes to investigate the extent of market power in the rice value chain of Bangladesh using advanced econometric techniques.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a Stochastic Frontier Estimation approach on cross-sectional data, the study examines the price spread along the rice value chain to determine whether millers and wholesalers exercise market power.
Findings
Empirical results reveal that, on average, rice millers and wholesalers charge 33 and 29% above the marginal cost, respectively. This study confirms the non-competitive behavior of the rice market with wholesalers and millers wielding substantial market power
Research limitations/implications
A limitation of the study is that it does not include the retailers who also play a major role in the Bangladesh rice value chain. This is left for future study.
Originality/value
This study combines primary and secondary data collected on the Bangladesh rice sector to examine the market power of two major players along the value chain, millers and wholesalers, using an advanced econometrics approach.
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Sagar Saroha, Sawan S. Sinha and Sunil Lakshmipathy
In recent years, the partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) methodology has earned acceptability as a viable scale-resolving bridging method of turbulence. To further enhance its…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, the partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) methodology has earned acceptability as a viable scale-resolving bridging method of turbulence. To further enhance its capabilities, especially for simulating separated flows past bluff bodies, this paper aims to combine PANS with a non-linear eddy viscosity model (NLEVM).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors first extract a PANS closure model using the Shih’s quadratic eddy viscosity closure model [originally proposed for Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) paradigm (Shih et al., 1993)]. Subsequently, they perform an extensive evaluation of the combination (PANS + NLEVM).
Findings
The NLEVM + PANS combination shows promising result in terms of reduction of the anisotropy tensor when the filter parameter (fk) is reduced. Further, the influence of PANS filter parameter f on the magnitude and orientation of the non-linear part of the stress tensor is closely scrutinized. Evaluation of the NLEVM + PANS combination is subsequently performed for flow past a square cylinder at Reynolds number of 22,000. The results show that for the same level of reduction in fk, the PANS + NLEVM methodology releases significantly more scales of motion and unsteadiness as compared to the traditional linear eddy viscosity model (LEVM) of Boussinesq (PANS + LEVM). The authors further demonstrate that with this enhanced ability the NLEVM + PANS combination shows much-improved predictions of almost all the mean quantities compared to those observed in simulations using LEVM + PANS.
Research limitations/implications
Based on these results, the authors propose the NLEVM + PANS combination as a more potent methodology for reliable prediction of highly separated flow fields.
Originality/value
Combination of a quadratic eddy viscosity closure model with PANS framework for simulating flow past bluff bodies.
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Christopher N. Boyer, Andrew P. Griffith and Karen L. DeLong
The objective of this research was to determine the optimal age and pregnancy status for buying and selling replacement of beef females for risk-neutral and risk-averse producers.
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this research was to determine the optimal age and pregnancy status for buying and selling replacement of beef females for risk-neutral and risk-averse producers.
Design/methodology/approach
A hedonic pricing model was estimated to measure how age, pregnancy status, breed and cull cow prices impact the sale price of these cattle. Data came from an annual heifer and cow sale in Tennessee between 2009 and 2018. A financial simulation model was developed to generate distributions of net present value (NPV) for buying replacement females at various ages and pregnancy status and then selling that female at various ages and pregnancy status.
Findings
The hedonic pricing model indicates sale prices were highest for five-year-old cows that were between four to five months pregnant. NPV was higher for buying heifers versus buying cows and for buying an open female versus a pregnant female. Regardless of age and pregnancy status when purchased, NPV was higher when the female was sold as pregnant prior to the end of her productive life. The risk analysis showed that risk aversion, buying older open cows and selling them as pregnant earlier in their productive life was preferred
Originality/value
This research offers unique insight into how pregnancy status and age at sale impacts the animal's NPV while considering risk. These results have implications for educating producers on purchasing and selling decisions of heifers and cows as well as for lenders who finance these purchases.