Claudio Marcianò

Performance Evaluation of Rural Governance Using an Integrated AHP-VIKOR Methodology

The objective of this study is to provide an assessment of the performance of the development process of the Leader Approach in the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 in Calabria. In particular, on one hand, it measured and evaluated the application of the ‘Good Governance’ criteria by the identification and selection of an appropriate set of process indicators, procedures and actions practiced by Local Action Groups (LAG) in the planning phase of the Local Development Plans. On the other hand, those indicators have been employed to construct an evaluation tree through which the performance of each LAG is tested and compared to an ideal model of ‘Good Governance’. To this end, it used an integrated multicriteria model, which combines two techniques: the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija the Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR). The results deal with the definition of a possible model for assessing the quality of the integrated planning process of rural governance. The results can be useful to policy makers at the regional level and also to the LAGs in highlighting eventual elements of criticism and possible virtuous behaviours of their own planning process that can be considered in the future EU programming period of 2014–2020.

Governance Assessment of the Leader Approach in Calabria Using an Integrated AHP - Fuzzy TOPSIS Methodology

The paper carries out an evaluation of the performance of the development process of Leader Approach in the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in Calabria. An appropriate set of process indicators have been identified and measured in order to evaluate the procedures and actions practiced by Local Action Groups (LAG) in the planning phase of the Local Development Plans. Those indicators have been employed to construct an evaluation tree through which the performance of each LAG is tested and compared to an ideal model of Good Governance through the application of an integrated multicriteria methodology based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (fuzzy-TOPSIS). The results outline a possible model for evaluating the quality of the integrated planning process of the LAGs, pointing out eventual elements of criticism and virtuous behaviours.

Institutional Relations in the Small-Scale Fisheries Sector and Impact of Regulation in an Area of Southern Italy

This article is part of a broader study of the fishery system in a coastal area of Southern Italy. It presents a description of the main features of the fishing sectors in the five ports of the southernmost part of Tyrrhenian coast of the Reggio Calabria province, as derived from personal interviews to key informants. Such description contributes to an understanding of the key elements of the economic, social and political environment surrounding the small-scale fishery sector and its performance, both from a narrow economic and a broader development perspective. Further data, obtained by structured interviews to a sample of fishermen, provide information on the relations that fishermen entertain with cooperatives and other professional organizations. The main conclusion is that the system of such relations is still weak, heavily conditioned by some of the problems that resulted from the imposition, long time ago, of environmentally-motivated restrictions to the fishing activity in the area, which have all but been resolved. Lack of transparent, reliable information on the real environmental impact and sustainability of traditional practices contributes to create an environment that does not encourage active participation.

The Role of Social Relations in Promoting Effective Policies to Support Diversification Within a Fishing Community in Southern Italy

Small-scale fishery in Southern Italy is exposed to increasing pressure from changing economic, institutional and environmental conditions. Diversification strategies to accompany the changes will require the support from effective institutions, where fishermen are given a central position and an active role. To explore the strength of the social fabric of the fishing community and its ability to sustain the needed institutional innovation, this article analyses the type of relationships that fishermen declare to entertain with their colleagues. Data collected by interviewing twenty-five fishermen, distributed across the five ports of the area, are used to create social network representations of the revealed acquaintance, information sharing and trust relationships. The discussion on the results is contextualized in the evolving institutional and legal setting associated with the new European Common Fishery Policy. While the current level of sharing managerial information is low, we find that there is sufficient trust among fishermen across the five ports to support increased cooperation, an essential requirement – in our opinion – to enable a small-scale fishery community to respond to the emerging sustainability challenges.

Strategie di sviluppo del settore ittico in un’importante marineria calabrese

The fishing sector in Calabria presents specific problematics according to the environmental and socio-economic differences of the various maritime compartments. Bagnara Calabra, in the Costa Viola area, plays an important role in terms of consistency of fisheries structures and professionals involved, with particular reference to catch swordfish. The aim of this study is the definition of an integrated development plan (idp) for the fishing sector of the area conducted through an interdisciplinary research. The idp, through specific analysis and with the involvement of local stakeholders, identifies possible lines of action in view of public funding sources provided at the regional level, particularly those related to eu Structural Funds. The idp includes different measures and interventions for structures and services, promoting a first integration process of the territorial interests and creating a synergy between public and private actors. The study promotes the development and diversification of the fishery activities in the area, and considers the possibility of establishing a fish production district in the Costa Viola area. Furthermore, the methodology outlines a process of territorial animation and sensibilization that could integrate the analysis already done and facilitate the definition of a broader Local Development Plan for the area carried out by a specific Coastal Action Group (cag), the public/private socio-economic partnerships introduced in the Fourth Axis of the European Fund for Fisheries in order to extend the Leader Initiative in fisheries and coastal management.

Using an Hybrid AHP-SWOT Method to Build Participatory Ecotourism Development Strategies: The Case Study of the Cupe Valley Natural Reserve in Southern Italy

Within Protected Areas, the Natural Reserves are intended to maintain the ecosystems, so environmental protection is the first objective of ecotourism, which is ecological tourism that does not disturb the environment. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the ecotourism development prospects of the Cupe Valley Reserve in Calabria, Southern Italy. Starting with an explanation of Protected Areas, the paper develops the concept of ecotourism, which allows local communities to benefit from this recreational activity. There follows a description of the area, its tourist flows, and the process that led to the establishment of the Nature Reserve. Then, the methodology section applies the hybrid A’WOT model, whereby various strategies can be formulated in order to weigh the elements that make up the SWOT analysis. The results show how the enhancement of natural resources has changed the economy of the local community, but they also highlight the political problems and obstacles that can impede the development process of the area. Therefore, the strategies are designed to take account of the opinions of the interviewed stakeholders, who represent the main categories of local actors in the entire framework of the Reserve, together with the municipalities and an environmental organization.

Action Research and Participatory Decision-Aid Models in Rural Development: The Experience of “Terre Locridee” Local Action Group in Southern Italy

The increasing involvement of local stakeholders in planning processes implies the decentralization of decisional power through participatory activities which make it possible to define development strategies that take into account a wide variety of perspectives. This paper, in the context of Action Research, focuses on the planning process of a Local Action Plan (LAP) within the Leader Axis that involves stakeholders from 36 municipalities belonging to the “Locride” area, in Southern Italy. At the basis of the LAP is the principle of consultation and cooperation between public and private actors, in order to identify common paths of development, thus activating the latent potential of the territories and leveraging the real knowledge of local actors on the issues of the areas designated for intervention. In such a context, a decision-aid model based on a multicriteria method and a convergence process was used in order to control the escalation of conflicts that arose among different stakeholders in the identification of shared thematic areas to be included in the LAP. The results show that the conflicts were effectively managed, and that the main drivers commonly chosen for the development of the territory combine interventions related to the fields of agro- food and artisan products, the social context, and the historical and environmental landscape.

Consumers’ Preferences for Local Fish Products in Catalonia, Calabria and Sicily

Research on public markets in small provincial towns is scarce, particularly on the role they play in maintaining a relationship with the local culture, environment and production. This paper examines consumers’ habits and preferences for food shopping in three European regions with respect to the purchase of fish products. The goal is to investigate consumers’ preferences for local fish to highlight the motivations that lead to different choices. A multiple correspondence analysis explores the motivations behind purchasing preferences, showing the complex process that drives individual consumer choices. Based on 504 interviews conducted in cities and areas adjacent to the cities of Girona, Reggio Calabria, and Lipari, we found no evidence of converging habits and homogenization on preferences. It supports the perspective in which the interplay between local culture and consumption of local products is strictly associated.

Economic Value Assessment of Forest Carbon Sequestration and Atmospheric Temperature Mitigation in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria (South Italy)

Forest CO2 sequestration and effective atmospheric temperature mitigation, two important aspects of the global warming mitigation strategy, are evaluated for the forested area of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria (South Italy). Carbon Stock in different living (above- and below-ground biomass) and non-living (litter, necromass, and soil) pools, along with Carbon Flux, is estimated using a ground-based method that relies on National Forest Inventory data. The results are compared with those analogously estimated in a Northern Italian area (Trento Province) and both the similarities and the differences found in the way carbon gets into the diverse C-pools are discussed. C-Flux estimated values are also reported and discussed. An analysis of the qualitative composition of our Southern forest stands indicates that they are dominated by broadleaf trees, which are capable of effective atmospheric temperature mitigation. The contribution to the mitigation of global warming via CO2 sequestration, although relatively low, is nevertheless noteworthy (15.000 Gg of C). Moreover, the economic values of this environmental asset are remarkably high, even when a low C-emission-trading market price is considered. Therefore, there is an urgent need to protect this forested area from negative human impacts (pollution, illegal cutting, and fires), while developing sustainable ways of exploiting it (e.g. by FSC-certification and Carbon Credits).

Being Excellent Entrepreneurs in Highly Marginal Areas: The Case of the Agri-Food Sector in the Province of Reggio Calabria

Abstract The paper presents and discusses the findings of a field research study undertaken in a rural area in the province of Reggio Calabria, in Southern Italy, focused on firms belonging to the agri-food sector, in particular, on the excellent firms. Its objective is to point out how, even in rural and extremely marginal areas, and in unfavourable socio-economic and institutional contexts, it is possible that excellent firms were born and grew, and that they became competitive at the national and global scale. The paper therefore analyses these entrepreneurial case studies in-depth, using a methodologically mixed approach: on the one hand, focusing on their economic performance (quantitative analysis), and, on the other hand, investigating their strategy by means of direct open interviews. The paper concludes by providing “lessons” useful to understand how firms can not only survive, but also can be competitive and expand their business, even if they are located in extremely unfavourable peripheral contexts. This can be achieved by exploiting the strengths of these territories, which, even if few, they do not lack.