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| Basu, Arnab K.; Qaim, Matin. |
| This paper considers genetically modified (GM) seed adoption decisions by farmers in a developing country under two alternative information regimes (with and without perfect information regarding production conditions) that allows the monopolist producer of GM seeds to either practice perfect discrimination or uniform pricing. Under each regime we analyze two scenarios: when the government can and cannot credibly commit to the announced form of welfare enhancing intervention in the domestic seed market. We show that the optimal policy under either information regime is to subsidize the price of conventional seeds. The optimal size of the conventional seed subsidy depends systematically, in turn, on the (i) marginal cost of GM and conventional seeds, (ii)... |
| Tipo: Working or Discussion Paper |
Palavras-chave: Crop Production/Industries; Demand and Price Analysis. |
| Ano: 2007 |
URL: http://purl.umn.edu/7115 |
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| Basu, Arnab K.; Hicks, Robert L.. |
| In this paper we investigate how label information detailing the performance of the Fair Trade labeling program with respect to coffee affect consumers’ willingness to pay in the United States and in Germany. We provide respondents (University students in the U.S and Germany) information regarding hypothetical benefits of the Fair Trade Coffee program on its intended beneficiaries on the production side (the revenue gains to participating marginal farmers (scope of the program)), and using stated preference conjoint methods test how this performance criterion relates to the willingness to pay for Fair Trade Coffee. Our empirical results identify a “threshold'' property of performance-based labels. In effect, the willingness-to-pay for performance-based... |
| Tipo: Working or Discussion Paper |
Palavras-chave: Fair Trade; Labeling program; Consumer; Consumer/Household Economics; International Relations/Trade; F13; E21. |
| Ano: 2008 |
URL: http://purl.umn.edu/44336 |
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| Basu, Arnab K.; Chau, Nancy H.; Grote, Ulrike. |
| Why do some countries establish their own national eco-labeling programs and some do not? In this paper, we provide both theoretical arguments and empirical evidence suggesting that the answer to this question can shed new light on three questions that have taken center-stage in the trade and environment debate: (i) does trade exacerbate the exploitation of the environment; (ii) are countries competing in export markets engaged in a race to the bottom in environmental performance; and (iii) do market-based environmental instruments benefit the rich and hurt the poor? Our analysis shows that a country's decision to adopt eco-labeling programs is systematically related to a country's: (i) stage of development, (ii) existing environmental performance in the... |
| Tipo: Working or Discussion Paper |
Palavras-chave: Environmental Economics and Policy; International Relations/Trade. |
| Ano: 2003 |
URL: http://purl.umn.edu/18764 |
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| Abegaz, Berhanu; Basu, Arnab K.. |
| Using a model that admits variable returns and imperfect competition, we investigate the impact on total factor productivity of trade liberalization in six emerging economies. Regressions based on panel data for 28 three-digit manufacturing industries show that productivity growth is insensitive to tariff reduction. These results are at variance with country-specific studies which, using firm-level data, generally find a positive association between liberalization and productivity growth. While aggregation effects may matter, our results can also be explained thusly: significant productivity gains by latecomers via technological assimilation do take time and require appropriate sequencing of reforms of trade and industrial policies. |
| Tipo: Working or Discussion Paper |
Palavras-chave: Production Economics. |
| Ano: 2010 |
URL: http://purl.umn.edu/94717 |
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