The emergence and spread of infectious diseases reflect the interaction of ecological and economic factors within an adaptive complex system. We review studies that address the role of economic factors in the emergence/spread of infectious diseases and identify three broad themes. First, the process of macro-economic growth leads to environmental encroaching, which is related to the emergence of infectious diseases. Second, there are mutually reinforcing processes associated with the emergence/spread of infectious diseases. For example, diseases can cause significant economic damages, which in turn may create the conditions for further spread. In addition, the existence of a mutually reinforcing relationship between global trade and macroeconomic growth amplifies the emergence/spread of infectious diseases. Third, microeconomic approaches to infectious disease point to the adaptivity of human behaviour, which simultaneously shapes the course of epidemics and responds to it. Most of the applied research has focused on the first two aspects, and to a lesser extent on the third aspect. In this respect, there is a lack of empirical research aimed at characterising the behavioural component following a disease outbreak. Future research should seek to fill this gap and develop hierarchical econometric models capable of integrating both macro and micro-economic processes into disease ecology.

The extra-virgin olive oil, in the rural economy of our country, is taking an increasingly important role. The increasing price volatility due to the opening of markets and the competitive relationship with other producing countries, the increase in demand for quality products, along with consumer requirements in terms of quality and assurance, manufacturing companies are heading to make choices of major structural order to maintain or improve their competitive position.

Technological regimes define the technological environment in which innovative and learning activities take place within each sector of the economy. However, in our view technological regimes must be interpreted and elaborated by each organisation operating in a specific sector in order to be rationally implemented, thus turning into perceived technological regimes. We test this argument on a sample of wine companies in the Apulia region (Italy). We find empirical evidence that the perceived technological regimes exist and that firms’ perceptions tend to vary uniformly across different wine technologies. In addition, we find evidence that different firms’ characteristics have a strong impact on firms’ perceptions both at the aggregate level and when distinct perception groups are identified.

Il lavoro propone un'analisi quantitativa del mercato degli oli extravergini di oliva finalizzata a studiare la concorrenza intra-settoriale e analizzare la profittabilità delle strategie di prezzo per le diverse tipologie aziendali: piccoli produttori, grandi produttori nazionali, produttori internazionali e private label. L'analisi si concentra sugli scambi all'interno della grande distribuzione organizzata (GDO) che rappresenta il primo canale di distribuzione degli oli extravergini di oliva a livello nazionale. Lo studio fa riferimento alla teoria dell'organizzazione industriale e, attraverso la stima della domanda, perviene alla misurazione dei price cost margins. I risultati più rilevanti riguardano le preoccupazioni per i produttori minori rispetto alle private label e ai grandi gruppi nazionali e internazionali nell'ipotesi di un'ulteriore flessione dei prezzi degli oli extra vergine di oliva.

Purpose Our study could be of your interest because presents an attempt to evaluate Italian Olive oil brand competition thought the analysis of consumers’ visual perspective, matching the fields of interest of Qualitative Market Research. Design/methodology/approach Through the implementation of a new IT system called “Visual Marketing REL”, which furnish eye tracking measures, we were able to produce important information relative to the layout organization of to the Italian olive oil shelf, a strategic product of the agro-food chain. The research uses the "in situ" testing of the software developed. Findings The research, following up the thesis of sensorial marketing affecting choices, intends to identify a IT tool to facilitate the design of the shelf by increasing the efficiency of the retail mix. Results, highlight that specific positioning could impact the differentiation effect and orientate consumers choices, thus, increasing the efficiency of the retail mix. Research limitations/implications To generalize the results would require many repetitions of different product categories. In this case it would be possible to quantify the levels of correlation between visual information and sales Practical implications This work opens important considerations in term of strategic management of modern distribution, leaders and minor brands competitive relationship, as well as opportunities for producers of high quality products, which could address their strategies to differentiation and niche market in cooperation with retailers. Originality/value The most important result is the connection among choices, visualization, differentiation strategy and positioning/ordering on the shelf. The layout management, in fact, could be used as a joint strategy of retailers but also producer to emphasize quality and price differentiation as well increasing sales. Moreover, the study provides for the first time the outcomes of a brand new software “Visual Marketing REL”, highlighting its limits and its positive elements

il brevetto concerne un film edibile innovativo realizzato per la sostituzione di additivi e conservanti utilizzati nei prodotti da forno e per la pasticceria