Multidimensional Poverty Comparisons within Europe. Evidence from the European Community Household Panel

This paper is a cross-sectional study on multidimensional poverty comparisons among the European Union countries, based on data provided by the European Community Household Panel (ECHP). In addition to the empirical results and the methodological problems, the study underlines the opportunities and the difficulties met while using the ECHP. The extended concept of poverty is relative and multidimensional and it reflects not only the financial aspects, but also dimensions like family composition, leisure, subjective deprivation, social participation, durable goods, housing conditions, access to education. Hence, it requires comparative assessments through ordinal measures. In order to compare the multidimensional poverty in 1999 and in a time interval (1994-1999), we have applied the Totally Fuzzy and Relative Method (TFR) in two forms: original (Cheli and Lemmi, 1995) and alternative (Cheli, D’Agostino and Filippone, 2001). The research reveals the hierarchy of countries according to different indicators of poverty. Although the rankings given by the two methods are similar in some parts, there are differences establishing the issues which arise when different features of deprivation are aggregated into a collective index. We show that the variables taken into account, the method and its interpretability, the data and the national particularities, they all have a big influence on the relative and comparative measurement of poverty.multidimensional poverty ; fuzzy set theory ; poverty comparisons ; poverty measurement ; well-being assessment

How Will Be Change the Hungarian Farmers' Life After EU Integration

On 13th December 2002 Heads of State and Government of the EU and ten candidate countries reached an agreement on a formula to enlarge the EU by ten new member states by the year 2004. Hungary will join the EU on 1st May 2004. The Hungarian agricultural subsidiary system is different from the EU's and it is important to help the agricultural sector preparing for the integration. Thus, Hungarian agricultural subsidies aim to help increasing and improving the sector's competitiveness and profitability. The subsidies are essential and account for a significant percentage of the financial resources of smallholders. In the European Union, the farms are classified by different methods. One is the European Size Unit (ESU) with a subsidy of 1,200 EUR/unit. In Hungary the smallest unit is 2 ESU. More than 90% of the Hungarian agricultural farms belong to the first category and only about 70,000 farms agricultural area exceeds 5 hectares and have more than 5 standard animal-units. This analysis is based on the data of the Hungarian Farm Accountancy Data Network.Farm Management, International Relations/Trade,

Analysing Wine Buying Behaviour in Hungarian Hypermarkets

In Hungary the amount of money spent on wine marketing is much below the level as it should be and the amounts spent are largely to support direct selling. Choosing the right distribution channel is of key importance. My objective was to identify wine buying behavior of consumers in the hypermarket. I have chosen this type of distribution channel because it is the fastest growing one in Hungary and the largest in wine trade and compared to the international situation it plays a leading role. In the article I show the results of analyzing 578 questionnaires. According to the research fou r wine buyer segments were to identify the 'Drinking with friends', the 'Trendy guests', the 'Cognoscente', and the 'Average friends of wine'. These segments are clearly to distinguish from each other and can help the wine producers and the hypermarket itself to set up such marketing plans and strategies that creates higher satisfaction of the wine buyers.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Item response theory and the measurement of deprivation: Evidence from PSELL-3

Item Response Theory (IRT) has recently been proposed as a framework to measure deprivation. It allows deriving a latent measure of deprivation from a set of dichotomous observed items of deprivation and analyzing determinants of deprivation. We investigate further the use of IRT models in the field of deprivation measurement. Firstly, the paper emphasizes the importance of item selection and the Mokken Scale Procedure is applied in order to select the items to be included in the scale of deprivation. Secondly, we apply the one and the two-parameter probit IRT models for dichotomous items on two different sets of items, in order to highlight different empirical results. Finally, we introduce a graphical tool, the Item Characteristic Curve (ICC) and analyse the determinants of deprivation in Luxembourg. The empirical illustration is based on the fourth wave of the Luxembourg socioeconomic panel “Liewen zu Lëtzebuerg” (PSELL-3).item response theory ; deprivation ; latent trait ; Mokken Scale ; PSELL3

Exploring the Economic Convergence in the EU New Member States by Using Nonparametric Models

This paper analyzes the process of real economic convergence in the New Member States (NMS) bein g formerly centrally planned economies, using nonparametric methods instead of conventional parametric measurement tools like beta and sigma models. This methodological framework allows the examining of the relative income distribution in different periods of time, the number of modes of the density distribution, the existence of “convergence clubs” in the distribution and the hypothesis of convergence at a single point in time. The modality tests (e.g. the ASH-WARPing procedure) and stochastic kernel are nonparametric techniques used in the empirical part of the study to examine the income distribution in the NMS area. Additionally, random effects panel regressions are used, but only for comparison reasons. The main findings of the paper are the bimodality of the income density distribution over time and across countries, and the presence of convergence clubs in the income distribution from 1995 to 2008. The findings suggest a lack of absolute convergence in the long term (1995-2008) and also when looking only from 2003 onwards. The paper concludes that, in comparison with the parametrical approach, the nonparametric one gives a deeper, real and richer perspective on the process of real convergence in the NMS area.real convergence, nonparametric models, stochastic kernel, modality

The patterns and causes of social exclusion in Luxembourg

The paper investigates the forms and determinants of social exclusion in Luxembourg and addresses both conceptual and empirical issues. We therefore examine the following issues: what definition of social exclusion is more appropriate for Luxembourg, if the economic and social disadvantages cumulate within the social exclusion process in Luxembourg, if the “spiral of precariousness” applies for Luxembourg, how poverty and deprivation lead to social exclusion, which are the main determinants of social exclusion and deprivation and if there are significant differences between them. The analysis is based on the data coming from the Luxembourg socioeconomic panel (PSELL-2).social exclusion ; deprivation ; cumulative disadvantage

Real convergence in the CEECs, euro area accession and the role of Romania

The paper is aimed at studying the absolute and conditional convergence in the Central and Eastern European countries. Given that these countries have common roots and their economies have experienced similar challenges over time, the regional convergence in the CEE region might be seen as an intermediary stage of the CEE participation to the EMU. The case of Romania is particularly examined, with a focus on its macroeconomic performances and the role it plays in the process of regional convergence. In the empirical section the GDP growth is regressed upon a number of macroeconomic indicators in order to assess the absolute/ conditional convergence and to highlight the determinants of growth. The study has a longitudinal dimension and uses panel data techniques. Several estimators are used in order to get robust results and to allow us comparing the empirical findings. The paper finds empirical evidence on both absolute and conditional convergence in the CEE countries, and identifies the main drivers of regional growth. The presence of Romania among the CEE countries is a key element of the absolute convergence, while the conditional convergence occurs anyway. In the light of these results, the paper contributes to the growing literature in the field and brings additional evidence for convergence in the CEE region.Convergence, Romania, CEE countries, euro area

Water management development and agriculture in Syria

Irrigated agriculture has increased steadily in Syria over the last decades, almost doubling since 1985. This mounting pace has responded to the nation’s food security policy objectives to satisfy the food production needs of an increasing population that features one of the largest growth rates in the world, namely 3,50 percent in 1985 and still 3,39 percent in 2007. Total expenditures for irrigated agriculture accounted for almost 70 percent of all expenditures in agriculture. Sustainable irrigation water policies aimed at increasing the efficiency of water use in agriculture and at conserving water resources by reducing future consumption. The Euphrates River is 2.800 km long and its middle traverses a wide floodplain in Syria, where it is used extensively for irrigation, and the Euphrates Dam is 230 ft (70 m) high. The total estimated water use volume is about 15 billion m3. The Euphrates and Orontes basins account for about 50% and 20% of the water use respectively. About 701.634 ha has been irrigated by ground water in the year 1997. This area represents 60% of the total irrigated land in Syria It has been gradually increased from 30% during 1970 to 44% in 1980 and 49% in 1990. The Government projects extended on 349.820 hectare area, which includes large, medium and small scale farms. The small scale government project is under 2000 hectare, but large scale project over 20.000 hectare areas. The Syrian Government wants to ensure the food supply for sharply increasing population based on established governmental agricultural projects, as state-owned farms. Water balance for Syria indicates that most of the basins are in deficit. This will be exacerbated further especially in basins encompassing large urban areas and if the country’s population continues to grow at its current rate (about 3%) and water use efficiency is not increased effectively.Water utilisation, Water management, Modern irrigation technologies, Benefits of agricultural sector, Governmental supports, Total Renewable Water Resources (TRWR), Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Risk and Uncertainty,

Exploring the Economic Convergence in the EU New Member States by Using Nonparametric Models

This paper analyzes the process of real economic convergence in the New Member States (NMS) being formerly centrally planned economies, using nonparametric methods instead of conventional parametric measurement tools like beta and sigma models. This methodological framework allows the examining of the relative income distribution in different periods of time, the number of modes of the density distribution, the existence of 'convergence clubs' in the distribution and the hypothesis of convergence at a single point in time. The modality tests (e.g. the ASH-WARPing procedure) and stochastic kernel are nonparametric techniques used in the empirical part of the study to examine the income distribution in the NMS area. Additionally, random effects panel regressions are used, but only for comparison reasons. The main findings of the paper are the bimodality of the income density distribution over time and across countries, and the presence of convergence clubs in the income distribution from 1995 to 2008. The findings suggest a lack of absolute convergence in the long term (1995-2008) and also when looking only from 2003 onwards. The paper concludes that, in comparison with the parametrical approach, the nonparametric one gives a deeper, real and richer perspective on the process of real convergence in the NMS area.Der Beitrag untersucht den realen Konvergenzprozess in den neuen Mitgliedstaaten der EU (NMS), die nach ihrer Transformation von der Plan- zur Marktwirtschaft 2004 bzw. 2007 in die EU aufgenommen wurden. Im Gegensatz zu den üblichen parametrischen Vorgehensweisen wie der Berechnung von beta- bzw. sigma-Konvergenz werden hier nicht-parametrische Ansätze verfolgt. Sie erlauben es, die relative Einkommensverteilung zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten zu untersuchen, die Anzahl der Modalwerte in der Wahrscheinlichkeitsdichte zu bestimmen, das Bestehen von 'Konvergenzclubs' innerhalb der Verteilung zu ermitteln und die Aussage zu überprüfen, ob sich der Konvergenzprozess auf einen einzigen Punkt hin bewegt. Die Tests auf Anzahl der Modalwerte (d. h. das ASH-WARPing Verfahren) und die Ermittlung stochastischer Kerndichte-Funktionen sind nicht-parametrische Verfahren, um die Einkommensverteilung in den NMS-Staaten zu untersuchen. Zusätzlich werden Panelregressionen mit Random-Effekten durchgeführt, die jedoch nur zu Vergleichszwecken mit den nicht-parametrischen Ergebnissen dienen. Die wesentlichen Ergebnisse des Beitrags lauten, dass einerseits eine bimodale Verteilung der Einkommen über die Zeit und unter den Ländern vorliegt, andererseits die Existenz von Konvergenzclubs aus den Einkommensverteilungen von 1995 bis 2008 hergeleitet werden kann. Die Ergebnisse legen den Schluss nahe, dass absolute Konvergenz weder für den längeren Zeitraum 1995 bis 2008 noch für den kürzeren Zeitraum ab 2003 beobachtet werden kann. Der Beitrag schließt mit dem Ergebnis, dass im Vergleich zu parametrischen Methoden nicht-parametrische Ansätze einen tieferen und reichhaltigeren Einblick in den Prozess der realen Konvergenz in den NMS-Ländern vermitteln

A comparative analysis of Romanian and Greek exports in the process of EU-integration

This paper provides a comparative analysis of Romanian and Greek exports in the context of EU-integration. The Romanian revealed comparative advantage in exports is investigated by calculating the specialization index. The same indicator is examined in the case of Greece. The evolution of bilateral trade flows between Romania and Greece is addressed further. The current economic crisis poses serious challenges for both countries’ exporters. The impact of the crisis on the structure of Greek exports is compared to Romania’s situation. Subsequently, some conclusions and policy recommendations are issued to improve Romania’s and Greece’s export competitiveness in the following period.peer-reviewe