K. K. Klein

Problem Gambling and its Impact on Families: A Literature Review

This paper offers an overview of the existing literature concerning problem gambling and families and identifies gaps in current research knowledge on this topic. Relevant theoretical perspectives are outlined and the role of familial factors in the development of problem gambling is discussed. This is followed by a focused review of the effects of problem gambling on family members, specifically the spouse, children and parents. Available treatments and therapies for family members are also reviewed. The paper concludes by identifying the limitations of existing knowledge and some directions for future research on this topic.

Creating international competitiveness through supply chain management: Danish pork

Claims that by most conventional input cost measures, the Danish pork industry looks very uncompetitive when compared to its rivals in international markets, yet Danish exports account for between 20 and 30 per cent of global pork trade. Explores the reasons for this success, finding answers in the organisation of the Danish pork supply chain. Four farmer‐owned co‐operatives account for virtually all pig slaughtering and processing in Denmark which is highly technologically advanced. The pivotal role of the umbrella organisation, Danske Slagterier, in co‐ordinating market research, genetic and meat processing research is explored. Finally, an assessment is made of the competitive strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the Danish pork supply chain.

Melamine and other food safety and health scares in China: Comparing households with and without young children

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether household responses to melamine and other recent food safety and health scares in China in recent years differed between households that did or did not have young children (less than six years of age). A consumer survey was conducted in Hohhot, China in September 2009, one year after the melamine contamination of milk was disclosed to the public. Households with young children who were not being breast-fed reported that they had reduced milk consumption by at least 1/3 in the immediate aftermath of the melamine disclosure and 39% reported that they cut out milk consumption altogether. A significantly higher percentage of households with children reported being concerned with the effects of melamine in milk and two communicable diseases: SARS and H1N1 influenza than were those with no children. A significantly higher percentage of households with no young children were concerned with the effects of Trace Sudan in chicken, Clenbuterol in pork, chicken eggs with red yolks, and excess iodine in milk powder than were those with young children. All households that reduced consumption of fluid milk following news of the melamine contamination reported a much greater concern with most food safety and health scares than did households that did not reduce consumption of fluid milk. Survey data revealed that most consumers had a relatively low level of knowledge of the Food Safety Law that went into effect just over three months before this survey was conducted. Households with children also were significantly more concerned about melamine and two communicable diseases, SARS and H1N1 than were households without children.

Melamine in Chinese milk products and consumer confidence

Chinese consumers were shocked to learn in September 2008 that melamine, a chemical used in plastics, had been found in domestic dairy products and many people, especially young children, were experiencing adverse health impacts including death. A survey of consumers in four districts of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, near where the two largest dairy companies in China are located, was conducted in November 2008. Findings reveal that consumption of fluid milk, yogurt, milk powder and ice cream, and perceptions of the safety of these products, which had plummeted in the days following the contamination announcement, had recovered strongly by the time of the survey. High proportions of respondents expressed high or moderate levels of confidence in the domestic dairy industry and generally were satisfied with corrective and remedial actions taken by the two large Hohhot-based companies, though there was less satisfaction for actions taken by companies located in other parts of the country.

Water Market Characteristics: Results from a Survey of Southern Alberta Irrigators

In Alberta the passage of the Water Act of 1999 and the Irrigation Districts Act of 2000 enabled water license holders to transfer water rights on a permanent basis and water allocations on a temporary basis, establishing the foundation for water markets. This study explores water market activity in southern Alberta, focusing on the temporary transfer of water allocations by the regions dominant water consumer: irrigators. Irrigators in the regions largest irrigation district were surveyed. It was found that the characteristics of the water market conform to characteristics of water markets elsewhere. Most notable is that the market provided flexibility to producers to manage water during times of water supply constraints and in so doing, enhanced water productivity and efficiency. However, water market activity in southern Alberta is very limited and will likely remain so under the current water management regime.

Export Growth, Export Instability, Investment and Economic Growth in India: a Time Series Analysis

This paper uses Johansen’s co-integration analysis and a vector error-correction model to investigate the relationship between economic growth, export growth, export instability and gross fixed capital formation (investment) in India during the period 1971- 2005. The empirical results suggest that there exists a unique long-run relationship among these variables and the Granger causal flow is unidirectional from real exports to real GDP. For example, ceteris paribus, a 1% increase in exports raises GDP by an estimated 0.42% in the long run. The short term dynamic behavior of income growth function was investigated by estimating an error correction model in which the error correction term was found to be correctly signed and statistically significant. The policy implication is that government should continue to pursue export oriented measures if India is to secure greater levels of income and more rapid and sustained economic growth in the coming years.

Agricultural drought impact evaluation model: A systems approach

Abstract Droughts are a frequent phenomenon on the Great Plains of North America. Since the great drought of 1936–1937, policy-makers have been concerned about the economic impacts of a drought and they have searched for policies that would mitigate these impacts. This paper describes the process of developing an agricultural drought impact evaluation model (ADIEM) for the prairie region of Saskatchewan. It is the first in a series of three papers. Farm and aggregate impact analysis models are described in the second paper. In the third paper, an example of a drought mitigating policy is tested using the ADIEM. The ADIEM is an integrated systems model that contains four components: a yield-hydrology simulation model, farm business simulation models, a regional input-output model, and an employment model. The models are internally consistent and hierarchical, i.e., the output of one model becomes input for subsequent models. The ADIEM can be used in several ways including the evaluation of drought impacts on various types and sizes of farms, and on the regional and provincial economies. Various drought mitigative practices or public programs can also be evaluated in terms of their mitigative effects on farmers and the economy as a whole.

Mad Cow Chaos in Canada: Was It Just Bad Luck or Did Government Policies Play a Role?

The authors here argue that government policies helped to bring about a boom in the Canadian beef industry, but these policies also contributed to the industrys vulnerable structure, which then led to financial chaos with the discovery of BSE in Alberta in 2003. The paper describes the genesis of the problem, the impact of the discovery of BSE, the responses of the federal and provincial governments, and the exacerbating effects of protectionism in foreign markets. The authors highlight key changes that must occur if Canadian beef is to compete successfully in the international marketplace over the long term.

An evaluation of supply chain performance in the Canadian pork sector

Examines the hog marketing system in Canada and the development of single‐desk hog marketing agencies, acting as central selling agencies, which have made an important contribution in enhancing the pork supply chain. Reports the results of a 1995 survey, soliciting opinions from representatives of meat packers, provincial marketing agencies and producers across Canada, from which a framework was developed to evaluate the efficiency of five main areas: production and distribution; equitable distribution of rewards; growth in pork processing; investment opportunities; and degree of competition. Emphasizes the vulnerability of the Canadian pork sector to increased competition from producers in other countries, and stresses the need for Canada to develop an effective supply chain in order to maximize its potential in this sector.

Lamb‐buying preferences of Canadian abattoirs and producer marketing groups: implications for the Canadian supply chain

The Canadian lamb industry is small compared to lamb industries in many other countries and the supply chain for lamb is weak and fragmented. Without improvements in the flow of information, product quality and continuity of supply, the formal supply chain in Canada may collapse and Canadian lamb will become a local cottage industry with the retail chain and institutional markets serviced by offshore suppliers. Examines one of the key interfaces in the Canadian lamb supply chain. Conjoint analysis is used to assess the attitudes of the major commercial buyers of lambs ‐ abbatoirs and producer marketing groups ‐ towards key attributes of the lamb supply chain. The relative importance of a number of characteristics are assessed: a regular supplier, the basis of payment, reduced handling of lambs from farm to abattoir and the price paid for the lambs.