Valeria Borsellino

The quality of websites and their impact on economic performance: the case of nurseries and gardening companies in the Italian 'Mezzogiorno' regions

The aim of this paper is to examine the quality of websites and the entrepreneurial perception of the importance of the website to improve the business performance in nurseries and gardening companies adopting web-marketing strategies. On this purpose, the paper firstly analyses which structural features enable a potential website to be labelled as good; the awareness of these aspects is pivotal to define effective web-marketing solutions. Secondly, it examines whether the plant nursery entrepreneurs perceive the company website as a tool of additional sales able to increase the firm turnover. The results show that the websites are well framed and with a well-groomed design, but lacking in some essential functions able to improve their usability. Moreover, the surveyed companies give a little importance to the customer and community services; in fact, few of them have a chat or a forum. The adoption of the website as sales channel is hardly diffused. The website has stimulated sales that were ultimately transacted both via phone, fax and e-mail, and directly in firm. Lastly, almost all interviewees consider the website an effective tool to boost their company image, leading to an improvement in their economic performance, although not readily quantifiable.

Implementation and prospects of the rural development policy in Sicily to support young farmers

The paper analyses the implementation of the RDP 2007-2013 for Sicily up to 31/12/2013, with particular reference to the Measure 112 and its related measures (Young People Package). By collecting and subsequently analysing different information categories (financial, physical, procedural and expert opinion) it’s clear the remarkable success of the Measure 112 in terms of eligible applications, of which only 1/3 funded, due to the limited programmed budget. Referring to the integrated approach, also through the “face to face” interviews to the regional officials, it emerges the low expenditure speed of the Package-related measures, due to critical economic situation, red tape issues, difficult access to credit and the short time for realizing investments, disregarding in this case the achievement of the set objectives.

New development opportunities for the craft brewing segment: the case study of a micro-malthouse

In Italy in the past few years, the number of small breweries penetrating the craft beer sector has grown exponentially. Craft producers intend to give a strong added value and a local character to their production in different ways. One of these is the use of malt derived from small batches of local cereals and pseudo cereals. The aim of this study is the assessment of investment profitability, through a cost-benefit analysis (CBA), for a compact and a modular micro-malting plant in Sicily (Southern Italy). The CBA for a micro-malthouse was carried out considering both installation and operating costs. Net present value (NPV), discounted benefit-cost ratio (DBCR) and internal rate of return (IRR) highlight the feasibility of an investment in a compact 2-tonnes micro-malthouse. Sensitivity analysis shows positive results of the above financial indices up to a 15% increase in the raw material costs, while with a 10% reduction of malt selling price, the same indices start being negative.

Explorative study of multifunctional agriculture in a Sicilian inland area

The study investigates the agricultural multifunctional activities carried out in a Sicilian typical rural area, the motivations for entrepreneurial choices and the overall level of satisfaction. An exploratory survey was therefore carried out on a selected group of 13 farms localized in 3 Sicilian provinces, with the goal to identify strengths and weaknesses of their multifunctional activities. From the farm survey, several positive results came to light, among which a wide variety of services and activities, an increase in farm workforce and a high level in communication and Internet services. On the other hand, some criticalities emerged in the transition process, such as heavy delays in the administrative authorizations or in plant construction, as well as long Pay-Back periods, due to both an increased local competition in the supply of multifunctional activities and a generalized financial crisis.

Development and management of winemaking sustainability: an explorative survey in Sicily

Sustainability is reshaping the global wine industry. This paper provides a fact-finding contribution to the knowledge on how the Sicilian winegrowing sector is facing the challenge of the new scenario of sustainable productions. To reach this goal we carried out an explorative analysis of those Sicilian wineries involved in 2 important sustainability programs in the Italian wine sector, Magis and SOStain, aimed at improve the implementation of sustainable viticulture and wine production. The results of our research concerning 5 wineries in Sicily reveal that adopting sustainable productive methods has lead in general to good technical and financial results by improving their business efficiencies and management systems, with positive socio-economic implications at a local level.

Sustainability initiatives and experiences in the Sicilian wine industry

The Italian wine sector shows an increasing interest towards sustainability issues. As a result, a wide number of programs and initiatives concerning environmental, social and economic sustainability has been developed in recent years. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the adaptation of the Sicilian wine sector to the new scenario of sustainable productions. To this purpose a direct survey of 5 Sicilian wineries involved in two different sustainability programs, SOStain and Magis, was carried out. The findings of the study reveal that the sustainability path undertaken by the wineries analyzed has led to management awareness that company activities can ensure social and human benefits, as well as fulfill environmental and economic objectives in the long term.

Latest trends in the EU and the Italian market for biodiesel. First results of a fact-finding survey in Italy.

This paper presents an updated picture on the market of biodiesel in the EU and in Italy outlined by official statistics and a direct survey carried out involving Italian processing companies. The highly uncertain sectorial policy with low incentives, and the strong competition from imports are among the main reasons contributing to a new Italian energy dependence in terms of vegetable oils and biodiesel, given of the increasing annual quotas scheduled for input in consumption ofbiofuels. The future prospects of the sector are highly dependent on both legislative supporting measures and the ability of companies to diversify the supply.