Narrow Results

We analyze the pre- and post-election processes as a two-period game between an incumbent and a challenger. Before the election, in period 1, an incumbent allocates resources into production, fighting with the challenger, and providing public goods, which impact the probability of winning an election. After the election, in period 2 the incumbent may accept the election result, or a coalition or standoff may follow. Six outcomes are that the incumbent wins, the challenger wins, and that a standoff or coalition arises after one of the players wins. We analyze the incumbent’s and challenger’s strategic choices, how these choices depend on a variety of parameters, and the impact of the choices. The analysis is mapped to and tested against empirics of 48 African elections during 2009–2015 which are classified into the six outcomes. To test the model empirically, the correlations between three variables (the incumbent’s fighting and public goods provision and the challenger’s fighting, in period 1) and the six election outcomes are determined for 48 African elections.

In this paper, two natural production inventory models based on fuzzy total production inventory cost with the preference of a decision maker are introduced, and combined by natural number parameters in which values are linguistic values in natural language, crisp real number variables, and fuzzy number variables. These are the one natural production inventory model for crisp production quantity, and the other natural production inventory model for fuzzy production quantity. The natural arithmetical operations of both natural numbers and fuzzy numbers by Function Principle are used to compute fuzzy total production inventory cost of each natural production inventory model. Graded k-preference integration representation method is discussed for defuzzifying fuzzy total production inventory cost by preference of decision maker. Furthermore, Extension of the Lagrangean method is used to solve inequality constrain problem in our natural production inventory model. We find out that our optimal solutions can be specified to the classical production inventory model when preference 0.5 of decision maker and natural numbers and fuzzy numbers in our models are crisp real numbers.

Economic analyses of regional irrigated agricultural production typically make little distinction between perennial and annual crops despite the distinctive characteristics of perennials. Such factors include high planting costs, lags in production, long lifespan, and potentially long-lasting impacts of input use and weather shocks. This study establishes a fully dynamic model of irrigated perennial crop production in a regional context where annuals are also grown. Perennial crop area is modeled as a vintage capital stock with age-dependent yields. The model is applied to the Riverland region of South Australia to examine the possible effects of both temporary and permanent changes in water supplies and the establishment of water prices, which is then used to estimate agricultural water demand. The model demonstrates that annuals are fallowed during drought so that perennial crops may be preserved and how, due to the fixed costs of re-planting perennials, annual crops are used to smooth profits while recovering from a severe shock. In all scenarios, a very slow rate of convergence to the steady state is found, highlighting the need for models that capture the transitional dynamics of agricultural land use in areas with significant perennial production.

The aim of this study is to examine the phenomenon of non-consumption and its impact on the tobacco industry. Utilizing industry data, we illustrate the challenges arising from changing market conditions. Non-consumption significantly affects manufacturing companies; a decline in tobacco use reduces their revenue and underutilizes production capacity. In the 21st century, growing environmental and health consciousness among consumers is leading to decreased demand for tobacco products, impacting the industry and its associated companies. This downturn is reshaping the tobacco industry, with production shifting to regions experiencing a rise in tobacco use. Tobacco processing companies face the challenge of adapting to these market changes. Companies focused on mass production, due to their specific production models, struggle more to adapt compared to those already equipped for flexible production.

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• The economic rationale

• The UK experience

• Lessons from the US

• Summary

• References

• Appendix

The following sections are included:

• Profile of UK North Sea oil production

• Factors influencing changes in North Sea oil production

• The impact of fiscal reform

• The impact of cost-saving new technology

• Comparing the fiscal and technology effects

• Impact of new technology on established fields