The lack of ex-ante evaluation of germplasm in genebanks has been the single most prevalent and long-standing complaint of plant breeders about the management of genebanks. Advances in biotechnology offer the possibility of faster, cheaper, and more efficient evaluation methodologies. Will these...

Since the 1970's, the worldwide capacity of genebanks for ex situ conservation of crop genetic resources has increased greatly. This has increased the accessibility of landraces and wild and weedy relatives to crop breeders; in situ conservation, though essential, is not an efficient means of...

In contrast to a perception that ex situ collections of germplasm are rarely used, this empirical case study reveals large quantities of germplasm samples distributed by the U.S. National Germplasm System to many types of scientific institutions located in numerous countries around the world....

Crop genetic resources are the basis of agricultural production, and significant economic benefits have resulted from their conservation and use. However, crop genetic resources are largely public goods, so private incentives for genetic resource conservation may fall short of achieving public...

A growing impact evaluation literature on antipoverty transfer programmes in low‐ and middle‐income countries measures changes in utilitarian terms, at their unit value. The paper argues that valuing antipoverty transfers is more appropriately done within a framework of prioritarian social...

Crowdinvesting bietet Privatinvestoren die Möglichkeit, sich auch mit relativ geringen Geldbeträgen an Startups zu beteiligen. Jedoch haben die Anleger durch eine Vielzahl teils öffentlichkeitswirksamer Pleiten einen Totalverlust des eingesetzten Kapitals erlitten. Die Ausfallraten deutscher...

This study tests whether the human capital theory is stronger than the screening hypothesis, using data from the Greek health sector. The paper estimates the rates of return of workers in the Greek health sector and tests the screening hypothesis. The evidence shows that the 'weak' version of...

Investitionen in Bildung sind für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der deutschen Volkswirtschaft von großer Bedeutung. Vor allem frühkindliche Bildungsangebote versprechen eine hohe Rendite - weil Kinder davon noch Jahre später profitieren können und sich beim Lernen neuer Fähigkeiten leichter...

The traditional workplace is evolving; the way in which businesses communicate today is different than it was in the past and yet is likely to change again in the future. The current state of the economy and globalization has forced every organization to review its future business plans and cut...

On average, investors in stocks of West Michigan-based companies lost money in 2007. Three out of four companies saw their stock prices decline. Interestingly, prices of only three of the fourteen stocks comprising the Index rose, while the others fell, often substantially. How does the Index...