From eco-efficiency to eco-effectiveness: The policy-performance paradox

The internalisation level of sustainability issues varies among topics and among countries. Companies give up less internalised issues for more internalised ones. Discrepancies between legal, market and cultural internalisation lead to different escape strategies: firms develop a high level environmental management system and they have nice sustainability policy and reports. These achievements cover the fact that their total emission keeps increasing and they do not proceed in solving the most crucial global community or corporate governance problems. ‘Escaper’ firms are often qualified as ‘leading’ ones, as a current stream of research is also ‘escapist’: it puts too much emphasis on sustainability efforts as compared to sustainability performance. Genuine strategies focus on hardcore sustainability issues and absolute effects rather than on issues easily solved and having high PR effects. They allow for growth in innovative firms, if they crowd out less efficient or more polluting ones. They produce positive environmental value added when sector average eco-efficiency is used as benchmark and do not accelerate market expansion and consumerism.

Spontaneous order and social norms. Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution

Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution is a generalization of his theory on spontaneous market order. Hayek explains both the emergence of market and social institutions serving as a social basis for that order within the framework of a unified evolutionary logic. This logic interprets the emergence and survival of spontaneous order and group-level rules of conduct as an unintended consequence of human action. In order to explain the emergence of social norms exclusively on the basis of methodological individualism, one would have to give up an exclusively evolutionary explanation of these norms. Since Hayek applies the invisible-hand explanation to the investigation of social norms, he combines the position of methodological individualism with functionalist-evolutionary arguments in his analysis. Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution represents a theory in the framework of which methodological individualism and functionalism do not crowd out but complement each other.

Spontaneous order and social norms. Hayek’s theory of socio-cultural evolution

Hayek's theory of socio-cultural evolution is a generalization of his theory on spontaneous market order. Hayek explains both the emergence of market and social institutions serving as a social basis for that order within the framework of a unified evolutionary logic. This logic interprets the emergence and survival of spontaneous order and group-level rules of conduct as an unintended consequence of human action. In order to explain the emergence of social norms exclusively on the basis of methodological individualism, one would have to give up an exclusively evolutionary explanation of these norms. Since Hayek applies the invisiblehand explanation to the investigation of social norms, he combines the position of methodological individualism with functionalist-evolutionary arguments in his analysis. Hayek's theory of socio-cultural evolution represents a theory in the framework of which methodological individualism and functionalism do not crowd out but complement each other.

State subsidy and moral hazard in corporate financing

This paper investigates the impact of state subsidy on the behavior of the entrepreneur under asymmetric information. Several authors formulated concerns about state intervention as it can aggravate moral hazard in corporate financing. In the seminal paper of Holmström and Tirole (1997) a two-player moral hazard model is presented with an entrepreneur initiating a risky scalable project and a private investor (e.g. bank or venture capitalist) providing outside financing. The novelty of our research is that this basic moral hazard model is extended to the case of positive externalities and to three players by introducing the state subsidizing the project. It is shown that in the optimum, state subsidy does not harm, but improves the incentives of the entrepreneur to make efforts for the success of the project; hence in effect state intervention reduces moral hazard. Consequently, state subsidy increases social welfare which is defined as the sum of private and public net benefits. Also, the exact form of the state subsidy (ex-ante/ex-post, conditional/unconditional, refundable/nonrefundable) is irrelevant in respect of the optimal size and the total welfare effect of the project. Moreover, in case of nonrefundable subsidies state does not crowd out private investors; but on the contrary, by providing additional capital it boosts private financing. In case of refundable subsidies some crowding effects may occur depending on the subsidy form and the parameters.

Welfare Policies and Solidarity Toward the Elderly

In this paper we analyze the effect of welfare policies oriented toward the elderly on solidarity toward the elderly in a sample of European countries. The research question is whether more generous welfare policies crowd out solidarity. For this purpose, we analyze four waves of the SHARE database. We use multilevel analysis to estimate the effect of national variables on transfers toward the elderly, controlling for individual level variables. At the national level we focus on the effect of public spending on policies oriented toward the elderly after controlling for some other relevant variables, such as the proportion of elderly people, female labor force participation and unemployment. Our results indicate that expenditure in social protection toward the elderly has a positive and significant (albeit moderate) effect on the economic support received by the elderly (which is in line with the Crowding-in hypothesis). However, in the case of time transfers, we find that expenditure in social protection toward the elderly has a negative and significant impact on the time transfers received by the elderly (which is consistent with the Crowding-out hypothesis).

Impacto del Programa de Alimentación Escolar en el Trabajo Infantil: Una aproximación desde la toma de decisiones familiares

Esta investigación analiza el impacto del Programa de Alimentación Escolar en el trabajo infantil en Colombia a través de varias técnicas de evaluación de impacto que incluyen emparejamiento simple, emparejamiento genético y emparejamiento con reducción de sesgo. En particular, se encuentra que este programa disminuye la probabilidad de que los escolares trabajen alrededor de un 4%. Además, se explora que el trabajo infantil se reduce gracias a que el programa aumenta la seguridad alimentaria, lo que consecuentemente cambia las decisiones de los hogares y anula la carga laboral en los infantes. Son numerosos los avances en primera infancia llevados a cabo por el Estado, sin embargo, estos resultados sirven de base para construir un marco conceptual en el que se deben rescatar y promover las políticas públicas alimentarias en toda la edad escolar.

Crowd lined up in the street for the going-out-of-business sale at Meyerhof am Platze Store; Hildesheim, Germany. Business Establishments; Stores

Loaned for duplication by Renate Feuchtwanger

Crowd lined up in the street for the going-out-of-business sale at Meyerhof am Platze Store; Hildesheim, Germany. Business Establishments; Stores

Loaned for duplication by Renate Feuchtwanger

Avaliação do efeito econômico da substituição de variedades por híbridos, na Região Central do Brasil.

2006

Efeito da substituição da farinha de peixe por farinha de algas Gracilaria sp. e Ulva rigida no crescimento e nos parâmetros metabólicos da dourada (Sparus aurata)

Dissertação mestr., Engenharia Biológica, Universidade do Algarve, 2008

Efeito da adição de fibras da palma do licuri (syagrus coronata) no comportamento físico e mecânico de compósitos de matriz cimentícia

This research was motivated by the requirement of asbestos s replacement in building systems and the need to generate jobs and income in the country side of the state of Bahia, Brazil. The project aimed at using fibers from licuri leaves (syagrus coronata), an abundant palm in the region, to produce composites appropriate for the sustainable production of cement fibre reinforced products in small plants. The composites were produced in laboratory using Portland cement CP-II-F32, sand, water, licuri palm fiber contents of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% by weight of binder (two different fiber length) and metakaolin. The latter was chosen as an additional binder for its efficiency to reduce the alkalinity of cementitious matrixes therefore preventing the degradation of vegetable fibers. The characterization of the composite components was carried out by sieving and laser particle size analyses, thermal analysis, fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. The composites performance was evaluated by 3- point-bending tests, compressive strength, ultrasound module of elasticity, free and restrained shrinkage, water capillarity absorption and apparent specific gravity. It has been found that the addition of fibers increased the time to onset of cracking over 200.00% and a 25% reduction in cracks opening in the restrained shrinkage test. The capillary absorption reduced about 25% when compared to fiber-free composites. It was also observed with regard to flexural strength, compressive strength and specific gravity, that the addiction of fibers did not affect the composite performance presenting similar results for compounds with and without fibers. In general it can be stated that the reinforced composite fibers of palm licuri presents physical and mechanical characteristics which enable them to be used in the intended proposals of this research

Efeito da adição de cargas minerais leves na resistência mecânica de grautes para cimentação de poços offshore

The preparation of cement slurries for offshore well cementing involves mixing all solid components to be added to the mixing water on the platform. The aim of this work was to study the formulation of pre-prepared dry mixtures, or grouts, for offshore oilwell cementing. The addition of mineral fillers in the strength of lightweight grouts applied for depths down to 400 m under water depths of 500 m was investigated. Lightweight materials and fine aggregates were selected. For the choice of starting materials, a study of the pozzolanic activity of low-cost fillers such as porcelain tile residue, microsilica and diatomaceous earth was carried out by X-ray diffraction and mechanical strength tests. Hardened grouts containing porcelain tile residue and microsilica depicted high strength at early ages. Based on such preliminary investigation, a study of the mechanical strength of grouts with density 1.74 g/cm3 (14.5 lb/gal) cured initially at 27 °C was performed using cement, microsilica, porcelain tile residue and an anti-foaming agent. The results showed that the mixture containing 7% of porcelain tile residue and 7% of microsilica was the one with the highest compressive strength after curing for 24 hours. This composition was chosen to be studied and adapted for offshore conditions based on testes performed at 4 °C. The grout containing cement, 7% of porcelain tile residue, 7% of active silica and admixtures (CaCl2), anti-foaming and dispersant resulted satisfactory rheology and mechanical strength after curing for 24 hours of curing

Efeito do armazenamento da calda na eficácia de herbicidas aplicados em pré-emergência (parte II)

Diferentes tipos de pulverizadores são utilizados para a aplicação de herbicidas sendo que, em pequenas propriedades, é comum, por questões econômicas, a adaptação de barras ou pistolas manuais a tanques de grande capacidade. Por outro lado, em grandes propriedades, é crescente a tendência da substituição do sistema tradicional de reabastecimento dos pulverizadores pelo sistema de calda pronta. em ambos os casos, pode haver a necessidade de um armazenamento prolongado nos tanques ou no veículo reabastecedor, principalmente na ocorrência de períodos prolongados de chuva. Torna-se, portanto, importante a determinação de períodos de tempo pelos quais as caldas de herbicidas possam ser armazenadas, sem que haja prejuízo à eficácia dos mesmos. O presente trabalho estudou os efeitos do tempo de armazenamento da calda sobre a eficácia de herbicidas aplicados em pré-emergência. O experimento foi instalado no delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, no ano agrícola 91/92, em área da Fazenda Experimental da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da UNESP, município de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Avaliou-se as formulações comerciais de ametryne e diuron com 00, 05, 10, 15, 20, 25 e 30 dias de armazenamento da calda, além de uma testemunha, onde não se efetuou a aplicação de herbicidas. Foram realizadas contagens do número de emergências e altura, por espécie, das plantas daninhas em 1,2 m2 por parcela, aos 30, 45 e 59 dias após a aplicação e uma avaliação visual do controle geral por parcela aos 95 dias após a aplicação. Os resultados obtidos mostram que nenhum dos períodos de armazenamento testados interferiu significativamente na eficiência dos herbicidas, independente do produto utilizado (teste de F a 5%). Portanto, conclui-se que as caldas dos herbicidas testados puderam ser utilizadas normalmente, quando armazenadas por até 30 dias.

Efeito do armazenamento da calda na eficácia de herbicidas aplicados em: I. pós-emergência

Diferentes tipos de pulverizadores são utilizados para a aplicação de herbicidas sendo que, em pequenas propriedades, é comum, por questões econômicas, a adaptação de barras ou pistolas manuais a tanques de grande capacidade. Por outro lado, em grandes propriedades, é crescente a tendência da substituição do sistema tradicional de reabastecimento dos pulverizadores pelo sistema de calda pronta. em ambos os casos, pode haver a necessidade de um armazenamento prolongado nos tanques ou no veículo reabastecedor, principalmente na ocorrência de períodos prolongados de chuva. Torna-se, portanto, importante a determinação de períodos de tempo pelos quais as caldas de herbicidas possam ser armazenadas, sem que haja prejuízo à eficácia dos mesmos. O presente trabalho estudou os efeitos do tempo de armazenamento da calda sobre a eficácia de herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência. O experimento foi instalado no delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, no ano agrícola de 91/92, em Área da Fazenda Experimental da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da UNESP, município de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Avaliou-se as formulações comerciais de glyphosate, mistura pronta de glyphosate + 2,4?D, MSMA e paraquat com 00, 05, 10, 15, 20, 25 e 30 dias de armazenamento da calda, além de uma testemunha, onde não se efetuou a aplicação de herbicidas. Foram realizadas avaliações visuais de controle, geral e por espécie, aos 15, 31 e 46 dias após a aplicação e os resultados obtidos mostram que nenhum dos períodos de armazenamento testados interferiu significativamente na eficiência dos herbicidas (teste de F a 5%), independente do produto utilizado e da época de avaliação. Portanto, conclui-se que as caldas dos herbicidas testados puderam ser utilizadas normalmente, quando armazenadas por até 30 dias.