The paper presents preliminary results of the analysis of cost efficiency of peanut production in the South-Eastern region utilizing data from the 2001 Peanut Farm Costs and Returns Survey. Stochastic cost frontier analysis using both Cobb-Douglas and translog functional forms is used as the...

In the article, stochastic frontier analysis of peanut-production efficiency in the Southeastern region of the United States is conducted with a view of assessing the likely farm-level impacts of the 2002 Farm Act. Results indicate that , although quota ownership did not significantly impact...

This paper focuses on the ability of microfinance rating agencies to impose market discipline on microfinance institutions by rating these organizations' performance. Results indicate that not all rating agencies are equal as only one rater was able to impose market discipline by promoting...

This paper explores the idea that off-farm income is used for investment in farm assets. Using Alabama farm data for the 1997-2004 period, we find that farm investment is more sensitive to off-farm than to on-farm income, and that this sensitivity is stronger for farms with sales less than $250,000.

A competing risks model is implemented to establish the influence of cash flow-based counseling on mortgage loan repayment by rural and urban low-income households. Data from 405 counseled and non-counseled clients are used to test hypotheses about the effectiveness of counseling, duration of...

This study establishes empirically that the financial restrictions faced by micro and small entrepreneurs in Russia influence their investment decisions. Survey data from 305 entrepreneurs are used to identify credit market imperfections resulting from asymmetric information.

This paper evaluates the efficacy of two alternative lending technologies - the traditional banking technology and a cash flow based counseling program - by using competing risks (option-based) and choice theoretic approaches. We find evidence to support the notion that low-income borrowers have...

This paper studies how various governance mechanisms affect the performance of microfinance institutions in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. Results show that managerial compensation matters, that market forces are becoming important disciplining device, and that...

We study the link between economic growth and resource endowment in the southeastern United States and find signs of Dutch Disease. Using data for 815 counties in this region, we focus attention on the connection between economic growth and forest resources. Our data support the Dutch Disease...

Replaced with revised version of paper 02/10/10