In the search for explanations of persistent differences in economic growth rates, the conditional convergence growth model has introduced the possibility of incorporating a wide set of factors as determinants of growth. Controlling for spatial dependence, we assess the contribution of differences in social and institutional variables on growth rates of per capita income for counties in the United States. The empirical results indicate that, ceteris paribus, social and institutio variables explain some of the differences in convergence rates among counties. In particular, (i) ethnic diversity is associated with faster rates of economic growth; (ii) higher levels of income inequality are associated with lower rates; and (iii) higher levels of social capital have a positive effect on economic growth rates.

A growing belief exists that social capital contributes to economic growth of communities. In this paper, we identify inputs into the production of social capital at the level of US counties, using an array of individual and community factors that are theoretically important determinants of social capital. We use data from the Bureau of the Census, County Business Patterns, USA Counties on CD, National Center for Charitable Statistics, and the Regional Economic Information System for two time periods. Ethnic homogeneity, income inequality, attachment to place, education, age, and female labor force participation are strongly associated with levels of social capital across US counties.

The effect of social capital on economic growth is examined using linear regression analysis and U.S. county-level data. Results reveal that social capital has a statistically significant, independent positive effect on the rate of per-capita income growth.

The self-organization paradigm, a theoretical framework with roots in biology and physics, has been proposed as having relevance to understanding change in social systems. The processes and design features associated with self-organization can be used to describe the dynamics of social groups and organizations, especially in cases where non-marginal change disrupts the basic structure of a community. Self-organization refers to the ability of a complex system, when exposed to severe shock, to find a new equilibrium that may be far from its starting point. When applied to economic systems it leads to a major shift in perspective, from a search for ways to return to the prior equilibrium, to a search for a new one. Recent advances in our understanding of community-based development initiatives are shown to be consistent with the notion of a self-organizing system and in the article we discuss the conditions necessary for this type of approach to work. When development is seen in this context the roles of community development professionals and senior levels of government are also altered. Finally we note that self-organization complements rather than replaces traditional equilibrium models, which remain useful for analysis of marginal change.

C C hange in rural places comes from many sources and often affects rural areas unevenly. The following list of factors important in rural change is not exhaustive, nor are the factors listed in order of importance. A minor force in one place can be the dominant force in another.

For a majority of farm families and operators in OECD countries, off-farm or non-farm occupations have become a significant source of income and a major determinant of their well being. This study investigates the use of off-farm employment as a risk management tool by farm operators. A two-part model is developed to estimate the impact of farm income risk on

For a majority of farm families and operators in OECD countries, o-farm or non-farm occupations have become a signicant source of income and a major determinant of their well being. This study investigates the use of o-farm employment as a risk management tool by farm operators. A two-part model is developed to estimate the impact of farm income risk on the decision to participate in the o-farm labour market and the level of o-farm employment income. Longitudinal farm level data for about 30,000 Canadian farms from 2001 to 2006 are used for this study. The variability of farm market revenue is found to positively aect the likelihood of o-farm work and the level of o-farm employment income, in particular for operators of larger commercial farms. The apparent ability of a signicant number of operators of large farms to increase their resilience and coping capacity through o-farm employment income suggest the presence of substantial interactions between o-farm income and farm income stabilization policies.

This study examines the time-varying Japanese price reactions to the 2001 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) discovery, the 2000 outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD), and the 1996 E. coli food po isoning events. Historical decomposition of retail-level price-series aids in explaining the behavior of beef prices in a neighborhood (period-by-period time interval) of the three events. This is based on an application of directed acyclic graphs, constructing orthogonal innovations to determine causal patterns behind contemporaneous innovations. The results show the beef safety events had different negative impacts on Japanese retail beef prices, suggesting that consumers understood and differentiated among the health risks. The results provide incentives for beef producers and retailers to proactively inform consumers about ongoing beef safety measures. Understanding consumer reaction to BSE, FMD and E. coli helps the beef industry restore consumer confidence after future food safety crises, and provides policy makers a basis for countermeasures and compensations. [EconLit citations: Q11, Q13.]

Fish is a low-fat protein source high in omega-3 fatty acids, but in 2004 consumers also heard that farmed salmon had high levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs). This research evaluated how Canadian consumers and processors reacted to the conflicting health messages. Demand estimates and time-series analysis of 2001-2006 frozen meat scanner data in Alberta, Canada show a significant drop in salmon expenditure share following the PCB finding. The industry responded by launching low-priced wild salmon products, which contributed to significant demand expansion. The analysis illustrates how a food safety threat was averted and even served as a catalyst for growth.

This research examines the relationship between U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports of processed foods to China and identifies management strategies to enhance U.S. competitiveness. Two-stage least-squares empirical econometric results from a simultaneous equation system indicate that there exists a strong complementary relationship between U.S. exports and FDI into China. Therefore, the appropriate managerial strategy to access Chinese processed foods markets is to increase overall business activity, both FDI and exports into China.

A binary logistic regression is used to evaluate factors contributing to an agricultural or food processing firm's decision to export. The objective of the project is to identify economic concepts and factors that are most significant in firm's choice to export its value-added products. In this study of Kentucky agribusinesses and food processors, firm size is a strong determinant of whether or not a firm exports. Perceptions and beliefs about the global marketplace heavily influence the firm's exporting decision. The recommendation for policymakers seeking to increase exports among small to medium sized agribusinesses and food processors is to target the perceptions held by those firms regarding international marketing.

This paper examines problems being faced by agribusiness firms in developing countries in meeting the food-safety standards imposed by importing countries in their respective markets. Based on existing institutional frameworks in developing countries such as India, it is suggested that in order to meet the prescribed standards in international markets there is a need to establish inter-linkages across different institutions