Collector Market Research Articles

Econometric analysis of factors affecting market outlet choice of mango fruit producers in Hadero Tunto Zuriya District, Southern Ethiopia

The perishability nature of mango fruit necessitates an effective marketing outlet choice decision. But, selecting the appropriate market outlet is not easy task because different constraints affect producers to select the relevant outlet. Thus, this study was undertaken to identify factors affecting mango fruit market outlet choices in Hadero Tunto Zuriya District, Ethiopia. Combinations of purposive and random sampling techniques were employed, to select 150 mango producers in the study area. Multivariate Probit model (MVP) was used to analyze the determinant factors that affect the choices of market outlet of smallholder mango producers. In the study area local collectors, wholesalers, retailers and direct consumers marketing outlets were used by mango producers. MVP model result revealed that distance to the nearest district market and quantity produced had a positive association for the probability to choose the local collector market outlet whereas, current market price a negative association. The probability to choose wholesaler outlet was positively influenced by quantity of mango fruit produced. Market price, own transport access and market information had positive association for consumer market outlet, whereas non/off-farm income access and amount of quantity produced were negatively affected the probability to choose the retailer outlet. Therefore, this implies that the need to invest on improving the present infrastructure like roads, transportation facilities and market information delivery system are vital area of intervention that would assist smallholder farmers to choose the more rewarding market outlet.

English

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important crop produced in Ethiopia for oilseed production and it was ranked first in total production from oil crops in 2013. The study is based on a survey of 166 farmers covering six kebeles in Gimbi district, Ethiopia with the objectives of identifying factors affecting choice of market outlet of sesame producers in the study area. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources in 2015/2016. Multivariate probit model was for analysis. The results indicated that the probability of wholesalers to choose an outlet was positively and significantly affected by household education, distance from the nearest market, quantity produced and market price of sesame but negatively affected by collector market outlets. On the other hand, the probability of choosing cooperative marketing outlet is positively affected by membership of cooperative and distance from the market whereas it is negatively affected by market price of sesame. Therefore, the study confirmed the continued viability of sesame marketing cooperatives as suppliers of sesame-to-sesame buyers in the study area. The results obtained have important implications for farm management and future of farmers, as well as for the assessment of their development impacts.   Key words: Sesame, multivariate probit model, market outlet choices.

Disadvantages of Imperfect Competition in Solar Energy Collector Markets and Policy Recommendations

This paper’s aim is to show how the features of renewables in terms of both the product and the sector considering solar energy flat plate collector market should be. We focus on a technological device: flat plate solar collector, designed as solution for energy problems of Turkey. We introduce the device and define the market’s structure economically. We show the problems of the sector and the disadvantages of market. We offer a solution based on economic policy regarding what can be done for the future for this product and the related sector in the Turkish Markets.

Recently identified features that help to distinguish ceremonial tsantsa from commercial shrunken heads

This is an anthropological investigation into a collection of 65 shrunken human heads, to determine if new characteristics can be identified to facilitate the differentiation between ceremonial tsantsa and commercial shrunken heads. Ceremonial tsantsa refers to shrunken heads mummified as war trophies within the ancient traditions and rituals of the Amazonian Shuar, Achuar, Awajun/Aguaruna, Wampis/Huambisa and Candoshi-Shapra (SAAWC). Commercial shrunken heads are comparatively modern objects constructed specifically for the collector market of the past. Low earning individuals in South and Middle America, outwith the SAAWC culture, who had access to corpses and appropriate medical or taxidermy provisions, produced these for trade purposes. These heads were made in abundance and do not present the same historical value or heritage as ceremonial tsantsa. The relevance of an accurate provenance for heads may directly impact museums, with regard to identifying the authenticity of a specimen and how they should handle any potential requests to return such artefacts to their cultural homes. Complying with current anthropological standards, a total of 6 ceremonial tsantsa and 36 commercial heads were identified. Greater confidence is prescribed to the assignment of commercial heads as their morphological appearance is at odds with the highly standardised presentation of ceremonial tsantsa. Many indicated that the processor had access to modern resources such as gloves and fine suturing equipment, which were not typically available to the SAAWC. Since traders sometimes closely replicating ceremonial tsantsa when shrinking and decorating heads for trade, limited certainty can be prescribed to this category. Minor deviations in ceremonial design resulted in 23 heads being defined as ambiguous in origin. Each head was examined by manual inspection, infrared reflectography (IRR), CT and microscopic hair analysis, with ten new differentiating characteristics identified. © 2016.

Towards Global Certification of Solar Collectors

The EN/ISO 9806 standard for collector testing is expected published in 2013 - and could then form a basis for a global collector certification scheme. The objective is to propose a way towards global certification of solar collectors - and to make the first steps. Introducing a global certification scheme is an ambitious task. A pragmatic approach could be to work “step by step” e.g.: First investigate possibilities for harmonizing the main existing certification schemes. And then - if this shows successful - to harmonize with more existing certification schemes and implement the harmonized scheme in countries with no certification scheme. Two existing successful certification schemes are Solar Keymarki and SRCCii. Solar Keymark covers around 90% of the European solar collector market and SRCC has similar success at the North American market. Some cooperation is already taking place at testing level between the two certification schemes - giving a good basis (together with the up-coming EN/ISO standard for collector testing) for aiming at a common certification scheme. Both Solar Keymark and SRCC are already “spreading” out in neighboring regions. Similar schemes are being established in e.g. North Africa and South America. Next step could be to implement the common certification scheme in interested countries, adapting the scheme rules to new conditions if necessary.

Technological advancements in overspray collectors

After many years of evolutionary refinements to established technology, the fragmented paint overspray collector market is being driven by a comparatively fast pace of technological advances. Industrial spray finishing processes stand to benefit as these innovations translate into improved collector performance and reduced booth operating costs. This article discusses some of the factors driving overspray collector development. It will show how the small-company, producers/marketers who dominate this business are taking technology perfected elsewhere and adapting it to their industrial customers' evolving finishing process challenges. It concludes with tips on selecting overspray collectors for your finishing process.

The Role of Race in Football Card Prices

Objective. Several studies have examined the impact of race and the value of baseball cards, but few have investigated the role of race on football card values. Methods. Data were derived from 1,279 black and white football players who were selected to participate in at least one Pro Bowl and who started their careers between 1946, the year professional football in the United States became racially integrated when Kenny Washington played in a game for the Los Angeles Rams, and 1988, the last year of Topps' monopoly in the football card market. Data for each player's race, value of their rookie card, card availability, card vintage, performance, Hall of Fame status, and position were obtained. Results. When controlling for other factors, race has no effect on the value of players' rookie cards, whereas card vintage exerted the most influence on the value of players' cards. Conclusions. Football card values are largely driven by objective markers, supporting the conclusion that the market performs pretty much as expected for a collector market. Speculations on the absence of race effect, limitations related to the study, and suggestions for future research are offered.

THE OLIPHANT IN THE MUSEE CALVET AT AVIGNON: Evidence of the autonomous art of Sierra Leone in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries

A carved ivory ohphant from the collection of Esprit Calvet (1728-1810) provides useful insights into the history of African art. Analyses are offered of the symbolism of the ornament and of the cultural affinities of the piece; an origin in sixteenth-century Sierra Leone is suggested. Uncontaminated by European influences, the oliphant stands as a monument to the independent originality of African artists at the moment when their output was about to be influenced by the demands of the European collector's market.