PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY OF PORTUGUESE VINEYARD REGIONS

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

Vítor MARTINHO

Coordinator Professor. Agricultura School, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Portugal

vdmartinho@esav.ipv.pt.

Micael SANTOS

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

micaels@utad.pt

Abstract

The overall globalization in wine industry and the search for sustainability of the sector has increased competition which highlights the importance of productivity gains. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the productive efficiency of the viticulture sector for the Portuguese regions, over the period 1989 to 2007, with data from the EUFADN, using both a deterministic and stochastic approach. The results show an increase of Technical Efficiency (TE) when used the stochastic frontiers analysis (SFA) in all regions, while the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach through the Malmquist index reveals a stabilization of TE.

Keywords: Efficiency, productivity, Portuguese regions, viticulture.

JEL classification: C6, Q1

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MEASUREMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SHIPPING COMPANIES IN GREECE

Nikos ALABANOS

Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus

nikosalab@yahoo.gr

Sotiris THEODOROPOULOS

Professor at the Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus

stheod@unipi.gr

Abstract

In the current economic environment of regulatory competition, the reduction of administrative burden (AB) is of crucial importance for the creation of favourable conditions, in order to attract foreign investments. The importance of administrative burden reduction is becoming more important on the agenda of the available policy tools, in order to widen the competitive advantage of national economies. At EU level, efforts to implement the principles of good regulation are of high political priority for the reduction of administrative cost. A key component for the implementation of the principles of good regulation and administrative cost reduction for entrepreneurship is the measurement & reduction of administrative burden via the development of specific methodological tools. In this paper, we estimate the administrative cost for the establishment of shipping companies in Greece, based on a hybrid model that is based on the existent ABM’s structure (mainly on the international SCM) with the introduction of certain amendments, while we submit a concrete proposal for the reduction of AB in the related topic.

Keywords: administrative burden, good regulation, shipping, SCM

JEL classification: G38, K20, L51

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A MECHANISM TO UNDERPIN STATE PATRONAGE OF NOVEL PUBLIC GOODS: REVISITING THE THEORY OF EFFECTIVE MANIPULATION

Tatyana MELNIKOVA

Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of History, Philosophy and Political Science, Saratov Social-Economic Institute (branch) of Plekhanov Russian Economic University

tatyana.s.melnikova@mail.ru

Nataliya MITYAEVA

Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Economic Theory, Saratov Social-Economic Institute (branch) of Plekhanov Russian Economic University

natasha.mityaeva@inbox.ru

Anton PETROV

Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of National Economics and State and Municipal Governance, Saratov Social-Economic Institute (branch) of Plekhanov Russian Economic University

petron_anton.m@list.ru

Arina BOBKOVA

Master of Economics, Postgraduate Student, Department of Economic Theory, Saratov Social-Economic Institute (branch) of Plekhanov Russian Economic University

arina_bobkova@list.ru

Abstract

This paper examines the issue of the development of electronic government and electronic democracy in Russia in terms of fostering the public need for the everyday use of electronic services. The authors unfold the essence of E-government and E-democracy through some economic theory concepts. The purpose of this work is to bring to light the characteristics of effective state patronage of these public goods with the use of special manipulation technology. The authors share the results of an expert survey, ‘Topical Issues in the Development of Electronic Government and Electronic Democracy in Saratov Oblast: The Public Need Aspect’. The paper describes the concept of a state mechanism for fostering public demand based on the use of manipulation technology – PR, propaganda, and advertising. The authors draw the conclusion about effective manipulation being possible only if the process of cultivating specific mindsets to shape and drive human behavior has an all-encompassing nature.

Keywords: electronic government, electronic democracy, Authorities–Society OEI (open electronic interaction) system, propaganda, political socialization

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