We consider the consequences of a shared brand name such as geographical names used to identify high quality products, for the incentives of otherwise autonomous firms to invest in quality. We contend that such collective brand labels improve communication between sellers and consumers, when the...

Historically, rural areas have been the place where most of the population lived and made its living. As a result of various economic, demographic, social and cultural changes, the second half of the 20th century was characterized by structural change in many western rural regions. Within this...