Local Business Sector Research Articles

A case study of new approaches to address health inequalities: Due North five years on.

When local councils took on responsibility for public health in England in 2013, leaders from across the north of England met to consider the scale of the challenge. As a result, Public Health England commissioned the Due North Report which outlined new approaches in tackling health inequalities. This second paper outlines what has been learnt in five years as a case study. This includes influencing devolution deals and new elected city mayors, planning for economic growth in deprived areas and developing community asset-based approaches. The paper outlines a new framework for place-based planning to reduce health inequalities. Data was gathered from annual reports from north of England directors of public health, Office for National Statistics, Public Health England's fingertips database and regional and national publications and strategies such as the Northern Powerhouse. Devolution to English cities and councils as 'places' is a new opportunity to address local needs and inequalities. Due North has supported a new public health narrative which locates health action in the most fundamental determinants-how local economies are planned, jobs created and power is to be transferred to communities and connects reducing years of premature ill health to increased economic productivity. Community asset approaches to empower local leaders and entrepreneurs can be effective ways to achieve change. The north-south divide in health is not closing and may be worsening. Different ways of working between local government, health and business sectors can inhibit in working together and with communities. Place-based working with devolved powers can help move away from top down and silo working, empower local government and support communities. Linking policies on health inequalities to economic planning can address upstream determinants such as poverty, homelessness and unsafe environments. More research is needed on; (i) addressing inequalities at scale for interventions to influence community-led change and prosperity in deprived areas, and (ii) the impact of devolution policy on population health particularly for deprived areas and marginalised group. Commissioning high profile reports like Due North is influential in supporting new approaches in reducing inequality of health through local government, elected mayors; and working with deprived communities. This second paper describes progress and lessons.

Bank Presence and Local Disaster Resilience

Using data on the federal declaration of disasters in contiguous U.S. counties and the presence of brick and mortar bank branches in each county, we show that a greater presence of bank branches reduces the disasters’ impairment on the number of employees, total annual payroll, and the number of establishments in the local business sector. The presence of bank branches also mitigates the disastrous impact on overall local employment and personal wealth. Our findings demonstrate that the physical presence of banking service enhances the resilience of a local economy to disasters significantly, in line with the findings of the previous literature that banks respond to the up rise in credit demand in disaster-affected areas.

The influence of E-WOM on purchase intentions in local culinary business sector

With a large population and high consumer interest in local culinary, Indonesia becomes a potential market for small and medium-sized local culinary enterprises. However, most of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in culinary sector face a wide range of challenges especially when it comes to huge promotion costs. Fortunately, the ever-increasing numbers of Internet users in Indonesia provides an opportunity for these SMEs to promote their products through Electronic Word of Mouth (E-WOM). E-WOM can provide solutions for them since it has a quick and wide promotion reach. The purpose of this study is to find out the influencing factors of E-WOM on consumers’ perceived quality and purchase decisions. This study used a descriptive and verification method. The samples include 76 followers of Instagram accounts of the local culinary enterprises based in Garut, Indonesia chosen using the probability, simple random sampling technique. To find out the influencing factors of E-WOM on the brand image, the data were analyzed using SPSS confirmatory factor analysis. Factors that are formed from the results of the analysis are product information and Emotions. In addition, a PLS method was carried out to explore the influence factors of E-WOM on consumers’ purchase intention using SmartPLS software. Based on PLS calculation, it can be concluded that E-WOM has positive influence on purchase intention.

Percepción y práctica de la responsabilidad social empresarial: el caso de las pyme de Salinas, Santa Elena

Este trabajo busca determinar el grado de conocimiento y práctica de la responsabilidad social empresarial (RSE) en las pyme de Salinas, Santa Elena. Este centro turístico de la novel provincia de Santa Elena, en Ecuador, cuenta con un sector empresarial autóctono pequeño pero dinámico en aras de contribuir al desarrollo de su comunidad. Mediante encuestas aplicadas a las pyme, se valoraron cualitativamente indicadores de RSE. Los resultados indican que la RSE se practica más por los valores propios del empresario que por un esfuerzo consciente y sistemático, lo que limita su incidencia en el desarrollo de la comunidad.

To What Extent do Quality of Education and Quality of Research Influence the Adoption of ICT by Companies?

This paper aims to investigate the influence of education and research quality provided by local educational institutions on the innovative adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) by the workforce in Saudi Arabia. The study tests whether this influence is mediated by domestic competition and/or the level of ICT penetration. A model was developed and tested using data collected from 119 CEOs of foreign companies in diverse local business sectors. The data is analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that educational quality exhibited a lesser contribution to the ICT adoption compared to research quality. These results are analyzed in terms of business environment, market constraints and pedagogical approaches in schools and universities.

KAJIAN LABEL KEMASAN MAKANAN RINGAN UMKM DI TIGA KELURAHAN KOTA BANDUNG

Research about packaging label who produced by UMKM is rarely discussed, eventhough apart from its economical fact, this business contribute large sum of Indonesia’s Domestic Bruto Product. Small local business sector is proven to have endurance against economy crisis which occurs frequently in Indonesia, and have benefit in helping government to tackle unemployment issues.UMKM product like chips and crackers distributed to satisfy low income market,however with the slightly minimum profit margin, they must have fulfill governments policy to put label on its packaging as information medium and brand identity for the consumers.Packaging label of various chips and crackers research shall implement with qualitative approach, in purpose for identifying packaging’s graphic on label. Plastic package possess flexibility in many aspect, from primary, secondary and tertiary function has their own advantage, convenience logistic and possibility to reach remote areas. Majority of products label designed to be symmetrical layout with border and basically the design always similarity between products to another. The utilization of typography and color on the label already decently has informative, the point to be improved is the clarity& neatness. Traditional local words always used ‘Sugih’, ‘Bagja’ or ‘Sari Rasa’ are advisable to be maintained to preserve local taste.Keyword: label; packaging; snack; typography; UMKM

City profile: Medellin

After being known as the ‘murder capital of the world’ in the 1990s, Medellin has pioneered innovative forms of city planning and management and was acclaimed the most innovative city in the world by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in 2013. Hosting the World Urban Forum in 2014 allowed it to showcase its approach, key elements of which have been: creation of innovative transport infrastructure linking poorer peripheral districts to the city centre; culture-led regeneration; strong support of local development from the local business sector; and a successful municipally-owned utilities company. However, the city is spreading outwards without services and employment being provided; new low-income developments are replicating high-rise models which failed worldwide; there is limited intervention in the existing informal areas, many being in highly vulnerable locations where the level of risk is likely to increase with climate change; development has little regard for topography, ecological and environmental considerations; investment in accessible and good quality public space is restricted to some areas; the quality of the public realm does not always support health and wellbeing of the ageing population. This paper explores the institutional and socio-economic context in which Medellín has achieved the internationally recognized status of an ‘innovative city’. It questions to what extent social equity, environmental sustainability and citizen empowerment have been promoted as per the ULI claims when it conferred the prize. The paper queries the extent to which ‘urban innovation’ is happening in Medellín, which has considerable implications given its recently found role as a ‘model’ city in Latin America and beyond.

Multifunctionality – Interactions and Implications: The Case of the Podkylava Village (Western Slovakia)

Abstract Multifunctionality is one of the most important aspects of the sustainable development. There are essentially two approaches to the analysis of multifunctionality. One is to interpret multifunctionality as a characteristic of an economic activity. The second way of interpreting multifunctionality is in terms of multiple roles assigned to agriculture. In this view, agriculture as an activity is entrusted with fulfilling certain functions in society. Social functions are linked to employment and income generation in rural areas and hence sustaining the viability of rural communities and maintaining rural society. The study focuses on social aspect of multifunctional agriculture in Kopanice region located in western part of Slovakia near borders with Czech Republic. The region is according to OECD regional typology being considered as intermediate one approaching the category of predominantly rural region. In spite of the fact, that the share of the primary sector in economy of the region is decreasing, the agriculture still plays an important role from aspects of employment and building of social capital. The paper evaluates the influence of external and internal factors on the development of social capital in the selected region and authors will focus mainly on the impact of local stakeholders and policy measures. The interaction between relevant stakeholders as public sector, civil society, local business sector and primary sector is expected to be beneficial for development of social capital.

Multi-sector cooperation in preventing crime: the case of a South African Neighbourhood Watch as an effective crime prevention model

This case study describes the experience of effective and sustainable multi-sector co-operation in the prevention of crime between the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch (RNW) in Roodepoort, South Africa, the South African Police Service, private security businesses and the local business sector. This case study is illustrated in the context of empowering communities to take ownership of community safety by facilitating a multi-sector approach. Many studies have highlighted the role of the police in driving crime prevention, however, this paper focuses on the role and contribution of communities themselves as an effective vehicle of crime prevention drawing on multi-sector co-operation. Knowledge regarding best practices in this field of crime prevention remains a work in progress, therefore this paper aims to contribute to the general framework for the growth of successful multi-sector community-based crime prevention initiatives.

Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) Population Control Technique and Management Strategies Designed for Developing Country

Acanthaster planci commonly known as crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) is a natural predator of hermatypic corals, and it controls fast growing corals like species of Acropora. However, when the density of COTS on a reef reaches such levels that corals are being consumed faster than they can grow - termed as ‘outbreak” - then that is the time to engage in controlling COTS population in order to protect and conserve coral communities where fishing and tourism industry like in the Philippines depends on it. The goal of COTS population control techniques is to regulate COTS population outbreak in developing country like the Philippines using environment-friendly, cheap and safe methods. The process of COTS Population control techniques and management strategies includes: 1) baseline information or assessment of COTS population and distribution including spawning season, 2) coordination, and 3) planning with the different stakeholders including the local government units and business sectors, and 4) implementation of COTS population control techniques using cheap concentrated salt solution using improvised COTS gun that is easy to make and install. The total cost for the first operation is PhP 3492.00 or PhP 2.03/starfish, and this will reduce into PhP 1,160.00 PhP 1.2/starfish in the next operation. This is cheaper than bounty system of PhP 5.00-10.00/starfish in Caohagan Island and Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte and SCUBA Diving using dry acid with Veldspar Spot Gun of about PhP 10,050.00 0r PhP 41.00/starfish for the equipment and dry acid.

Adult vocational training for migrants in North‐East Italy

AbstractThis article contributes to the study of policies for the integration of immigrants into the labour markets of European immigration countries by focusing on the specific issue of vocational training for immigrant workers in Italy. Vocational training has a central role in the European employment strategy. Moreover, with regard to migrants, it is also relevant to the topical issue of the governance of international labour migration.The article analyses both the demand and the supply of vocational training in north‐east Italy, generally regarded as the rich and industrialised heart of the country. It draws on 30 interviews conducted with key informants and experts from local and regional governmental bodies, trade unions, employment offices, and private educational agencies in the main towns of the Veneto region.Various types of vocational training for immigrant workers are considered, from traditional full‐time courses financed by the European Social Fund to new projects for the selection and pre‐training of immigrants in their countries of origin. The extent to which these policy tools are able to meet the actual needs of immigrant workers and of the local business sector is investigated, as well as their problematic interaction with the national regulatory framework for immigration control.

Fuga de demanda en el sector comercial de Popayán, Colombia: una aproximación con modelos Logit

El objetivo de este estudio es determinar los motivos por los cuales las familias de Popayán no compran bienes y servicios en el sector comercial local y lo hacen en otros municipios o ciudades. Para lograrlo se realiza un muestreo incidental y se implementa un análisis con modelos estocásticos de variable discreta logística. Entre otros resultados, el estudio muestra que para la población encuestada son las mujeres quienes compran con más frecuencia que los hombres por fuera de la ciudad artículos como ropa, zapatosy accesorios. Adicionalmente, se encuentra que un factor determinante es la variedad, seguida por los precios, aunque esto depende del estrato al que pertenezcan. Finalmente, se concluye que el comercio payanes debe mejorar en aspectos como la atención al público, horarios de atención, entre otros.

State–business relations, foreign aid, and development: a comparative study of Ghana and South Korea

This study examines aid, state–business relations, and development in Ghana and South Korea. In 1957, when Ghana achieved independence, Ghana and South Korea shared approximately similar levels of GDP per capita. However, while South Korea has successfully transformed itself from a major recipient to a donor country and enjoys advanced economic growth and a high standard of living, Ghana—despite visible growth in recent decades—remains a low-income and aid-dependent country. In this study, focusing on policies that guide state–business relations and their impact on economic development, we examine the extent to which foreign aid played a role in shaping state–business relations and building (or failing to build) public–private development partnerships in South Korea and Ghana. More specifically, we argue that fundamentally in South Korea, through enabling national development policies, state and business worked together to achieve economic development; for Ghana, the local business sector was inadequately integrated as an economic development partner with the state, which explains the less than outstanding performance of various state-led development projects in Ghana in much of the last 50 years. In addition, we argue that in the case of South Korea, aid was used effectively to support and build local business groups, while in Ghana aid has largely failed to boost the private sector, a key factor explaining the divergent paths of aid and development outcomes between the two countries.

Are Northern Practices for Supporting Entrepreneurs Transferable to the South?

The authors explore the question of model transferability from North to South through a case study of a Canadian non-governmental organization (NGO) which supports entrepreneurs in South Africa. The analysis shows that the transfer to the South of an entrepreneurial support model developed in the North has significant limitations because of country specificities. It becomes apparent that adaptations are necessary to ensure the adequacy of the model in the particular context of the targeted country. Success factors and adaptation strategies were identified based on the limitations to transferability. These limitations relate to consideration of the local business sectors, consideration of lenders' and stakeholders' expectations, establishing partnerships with local players, internal capacity building, segmentation of services according to entrepreneur types, activities targeted at entrepreneur service customization and, finally, the use of quantitative and qualitative indicators and the balance between expansion and consolidation of the organization.

Optimism for new business survival in rural communities: an institutional perspective

This study uses institutional theory to examine the relationship between rural community norms and optimism for new firm survival. A survey of 1161 residents and business owners in 32 rural US communities explored community-wide attitudes toward change and norms related to community and local business sector symbolic and performative actions and their influence on local residents’ optimism about prospects for success of new businesses. Multiple regression analysis revealed that institutional norms supporting change and reflecting positive attitudes regarding residents’ and business owners’ actions in the task environments are positively related to community optimism about new firm survival. Evidence also supports differential effects of population size on norms related to openness to change and retailer performative actions. Findings suggest that the rural community institutional environment may have an influence on efforts to attract and retain new businesses in rural communities.

Przyspieszona nauka konkurencji. Przewodnik dla zbłąkanych w gąszczu reformy

Crash course on competition. A guide for the lost in the tangle of reformThe key resolutions of the reform of the Polish system of science and higher education entered into force in the academic year 2011/2012. This essay contains an in-depth reading of the key governmental documents and legal acts that introduced the reform. Additionally, it comprises a description of the intensive critical discussion on the reform that, unfortunately, started only when the legislative process was nearly finished. Drawing from this debate and developing its interpretations, the essay analyses key institutional solutions of the reform; its fundamental assumptions; its rhetoric and, generally, its discursive background. Such solutions as: moving towards a more competition-based system of public funding for institutions and individuals; intensification of supervision based on quantitatively measured achievement, or enforcing a multi-level integration of public universities with the local business sector do not address the most urgent problems of the underfinanced and insecure students, PhD candidates and academics. In their naively individualistic approach, the reformers ignore the reflection on the social reproduction or the collective and structural aspects of scientific fields. Their monolithic vision of science leads them to imposing requirements developed for natural and technical disciplines upon social sciences and humanities. Finally, what they present as objective expert knowledge grounding the reform can be interpreted as based on deeply conservative economical and ethical assumptions as well as detached from a comprehensive empirical diagnosis.

Viability of Municipal Companies in the Provision of Urban Infrastructure Services

This article discusses the organisational and institutional model of municipal company in the provision of urban infrastructure services in Portugal. The law recently enacted which defined the legal regime for the local business sector, as well as the growing awareness that the new public management models represent great advantages in comparison with the bureaucratic ones that characterise the traditional public administration, make this a current and relevant issue. For the purpose of investigating the viability of this provision model, this research encompasses three complementary analyses. First, the results obtained from a nationwide questionnaire on the features of municipal companies are analysed. Second, a SWOT matrix is constructed to examine the model of municipal company and, third, the total factor productivity (TFP) of these organisations is determined using the index number theory, in order to evaluate their performance and compare it with that of the traditional bureaucratic models. Although the concept of municipal company is based on noble principles and, in theory, it shows advantages compared to other means of service provision, this research points to very negative results regarding the model and leads to the conclusion that the aimed benefits are not achieved in Portugal. There are many causes contributing to this effect, but the political patronage of these companies and the lack of technical competence are presumably two of the most significant ones.

The spatial-economic impact of cultural events

Cultural events such as festivals are emerging worldwide as a dynamic sector of the tourism and leisure industries with significant economic, social, cultural and political impacts on the destination area. Their economic importance stems from the expenditure of the attendants that filters through the local economy of the host community. This paper seeks to explore the degree to which economic benefits generated by film festivals are spread out evenly around the festival venues within the host community. The paper uses a business survey technique to assess the direct economic impact of a film festival on the local leisure business sector. The 2008 Thessaloniki International Film Festival is used as a case study in order to provide empirical evidence for an uneven economic impact over space. The paper makes use of primary data to determine the spatial extent of the festival’s economic benefits within the Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area.

The aid trap: hard truths about ending poverty

Over the past twenty years more citizens in China and India have raised themselves out of poverty than anywhere else at any time in history. They accomplished this through the local business sector--the leading source of prosperity for all rich countries. In most of Africa and other poor regions the business sector is weak, but foreign aid continues to fund government and NGOs. Switching aid to the local business sector in order to cultivate a middle class is the oldest, surest, and only way to eliminate poverty in poor countries. A bold fusion of ethics and smart business, The Aid Trap shows how the same energy, goodwill, and money that we devote to charity can help local business thrive. R. Glenn Hubbard and William Duggan, two leading scholars in business and finance, demonstrate that by diverting a major share of charitable aid into the local business sector of poor countries, citizens can take the lead in the growth of their own economies. Although the aid system supports noble goals, a local well-digging company cannot compete with a foreign charity that digs wells for free. By investing in that local company a sustainable system of development can take root.

Urban governance in cross-border coalitions: The case of the Jiangyin Economic Development Zone in Jingjiang, China

Joint industrial development zones have emerged among cities in the Yangtze River Delta region in recent years. Given that such zones involve collaboration between different authorities, this has implications for the practice of urban governance in China. This article examines these processes in relation to the Jiangyin Economic Development Zone in Jingjiang (JZJ) using debates around urban growth coalitions. Two categories of actors, different levels of local government and business sectors, are identified and their interactions in coalition-building are analysed in detail. After tracing the process of coalition formation, this paper argues that growth coalitions can form between two cities involving processes above the urban scale in a globalising era. In addition, a local government–big business coalition, similar to its Western counterparts, is dominating industrial zone construction within Chinese urban growth.