COLOURFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN DUTCH CITIES: A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

Mediha Sahin

Dept. of Regional Economics, VU University Amsterdam m.sahin@ vu.nl

Alina Todiras

Dept. of Regional Economics, VU University Amsterdam todiras.alina@gmail.com

and

Peter Nijkamp

Dept. of Regional Economics, VU University Amsterdam p.nijkamp@vu.nl

Abstract:

Entrepreneurship has clearly evolved as a critical element in the organization and restructuring of modern economies. It has been further fostered by the deregulation and privatization process in many Western countries. In addition, governments have acknowledged and started promoting the role of entrepreneurship in stimulating economic growth and development. In recent decades, we witness an increasing importance of migrant (or ethnic) entrepreneurs, in particular in big cities in the Western world. The aim of the present study is to provide both a contextual and empirical framework for assessing the business performance of migrant entrepreneurs in major cities in the Netherlands. The study is organized as follows. After an exposition of entrepreneurship and migrant entrepreneurship, the urban orientation of this new form of entrepreneurship is highlighted. Then the database and the methodology are presented. Next, the statistical findings are provided, followed by a concluding section.

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ECONOMIC VALUATION, VALUES AND CONTINGENT METHOD: AN OVERVIEW

Paulo Nunes

The Johns Hopkins University, Bologna Center, Via Belmeloro 11, 40126 Bologna, Italy

and

Peter Nijkamp

Department of Spatial Economics, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; e-mail: pnijkamp@feweb.vu.nl

Abstract:

In this paper the concept of total economic value of an environmental asset is introduced. The different valuation methods, putting a monetary value on environmental resources as a nonmarket good are also reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on policy-making and the link of contingent valuation method to standard economic theory. Potential measurement bias attached to the contingent valuation estimates are also reviewed, addressed in terms of an efficient survey design and alternative microeconomic formulations.
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SOURCE APPORTIONMENT OF PM10, PM2.5 AND PM1 IN THE LARGER CITY IN THE NORTH OF ALBANIA

Florian Mandija1, Jozef Bushati2, Piro Zoga3 and Floran Vila4

1Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Shkodra, Albania

2Advising Information Students Center, University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Albania

3Department of Engineering and Mineral Sources, Faculty of Geology and Mines, Polytechnic University, Albania

4Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Albania

Abstract:

In this paper we are focused on the determination of particular matter concentrations in different locations in Shkodra city, Albania, and rural areas around it. Monitoring results show that principal aerosol sources in the city of Shkodra are traffic and residential activities. Overall measurement results show a particularly problematic situation, where PM concentrations in the city clearly exceed international recommendations. To improve this situation, it is recommended to order traffic, re-construct existing roads, substitute old vehicles with new ones, and improve also the fuel quality.
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Keywords: PM concentrations, monitoring campaign, air quality