THE LABOUR MARKET IMPACT IN THE DOURO VITICULTURE: A FUZZY CLUSTER DISTRIBUTION APPROACH

Cátia SANTOS

Research fellow. University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) and Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD)

cisantos@utad.pt

Aníbal GALINDRO

Research fellow. University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) and Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD)

anibalg@utad.pt

Ana MARTA-COSTA

Corresponding author. Assistant Professor. University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) and Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), Portugal, www.utad.pt

amarta@utad.pt

Abstract

Demography and the labour market dynamics are recognized as a key factor for the development of a region. Performing labour market insights can be even more disjointed on mountain and steep slope regions where the hand labour is usually sparse and scarce. This study intends to find the labour influence into the core variables of a vineyard productive system such as production or overall revenues and realize their importance in the sustainability of the Douro region. Simultaneously, the sensibility of each variable upon external shocks was determined. The data was collected performing face-to-face inquiries directly from 50 Douro vine-farms and the Fuzzy Average with Fuzzy Cluster Distribution methodology was used for rank the variables. The results have shown that the labour costs seem to be the most influential variable on the vineyard production followed up by the steepness and terrain orientation. Nonetheless, the familiar labour also gains some prominence when the revenues are selected as the core variable. This study showed that the labour force plays an important role on the grape farm output and due to the current demographic trend in the region, the hand labour availability might be an alarming problem that threatens the sustainability of the Douro.

Keywords: Douro Region, fuzzy cluster distribution, labour influence, population dynamics, sustainable development

JEL classification: J43, Q12, Q19
read more

STRATEGIES OF SMALL ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Tatyana Nikolaevna YAKUBOVA

Associate Professor, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6, Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation

yakubova_tn@rudn.university

Boy Moustoifa SAGAFFE

PhD student, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 13, Miklukho-Maklaya Street, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation

Sagaffe15@gmail.com

Abstract

The article describes the basic concepts and classification icons/symbols of small enterprises. Small enterprises are defined by the author as irreplaceable drivers of economic development, which are a source of economic growth and a tool for resources redistribution. This study analyzes the current strategies of small enterprises development in African countries such as Morocco, SAR and Tunisia, which made it possible to formulate conclusions and recommendations.

Keywords: African country, SMEs, entrepreneurship, small enterprises development strategies, competitiveness
read more

EFFECT OF COMMODITY PRICES ON INFLATION PERSISTENCE: PARTIAL ADJUSTMENT APPROACH

SURIANI

Department of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

suriani@unsyiah.ac.id

Fuad RIDZQI

Department of Development of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

fuadrizqi@rocketmail.com

Abstract

The objective of this study is to measure the inflation persistence level in Aceh Province. By using the autoregressive model, the level of persistence counted in general and the level of inflation persistence of commodity groups counted from forming consumer price index (CPI). In addition, this study also explores the source of inflation pressure from these commodity groups by using a partial adjustment model (Partial Adjustment Model). The observation period is the year 2005-2014 using monthly data. The results of this study found that the inflation persistence rate in Aceh Province was relatively low. However, there are several inflation rate variables for CPI commodity groups that exceed the inflation persistence level in common. The source of inflationary pressure discovered also comes from two variables with relatively high persistence levels from other variables, namely foodstuff commodity group variables (BM) and housing, water, electricity, gas, fuel (PERAL) commodity groups. These variables represent the components of inflation of volatile foods and administered price inflation. This study provides recommendations to relevant policymaker in coordinating, preventing, and overcoming the effects of volatile foods and administered prices on inflation by maintaining the supply of goods (supply stock) and regulating prices that are in line with people’s purchasing power

Keywords: Inflation Persistence, Autoregressive, Commodity Prices

JEL classification: C22, E31, E52
read more