This paper presents an ex-ante assessment of the potential implications of the 2011 Human Rights Watch Report on the South African fruit industry. The report explicitly mentions the lack of compliance with ethical cod...This paper presents an ex-ante assessment of the potential implications of the 2011 Human Rights Watch Report on the South African fruit industry. The report explicitly mentions the lack of compliance with ethical codes within the fruit industry, the prevalence of exploitative conditions for farm workers and diverse human rights abuses in farms. The report recommends import ban on culprits as well as engaging third party auditing to ensure compliance. The high vulnerability of the smallholder farmers justified the special interest in the implications on their reputation and hence their ability to access profitable export markets. Although large-scale commercial farmers are potentially at risk of reputational damage due to the Human Rights Watch Report, they are better able to cope owing to their stronger capital base. The opinions of knowledgeable industry insiders were therefore elicited through qualitative research that used a five-point Likert scale to assess perceptions about market access. On the basis of the results, it is probable that the report will lead to improved working conditions for farm workers, improved concern for consumers＇ health, and enforcement of legislation by the govemment. The negative implications involve increased competition, possibility of retailers＇ rationalising their supply base and increased evaluation that ends at the farm gate. There is also high probability of increased marginalisation of the already disadvantaged smallholder suppliers, and possible increase in costs of auditing and accreditation for the entire fruit industry. Thus, active collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the competitiveness of the fruit industry is inevitable.展开更多
As the source of life,water is indispensable to human beings.Being aware of the water stress imposed by population growth,climate change,rapid urbanization,pollution,many scholars and decision makers argue that the es...As the source of life,water is indispensable to human beings.Being aware of the water stress imposed by population growth,climate change,rapid urbanization,pollution,many scholars and decision makers argue that the establishment of water rights and their system is the primary measure to tackle the water crisis problem.However,no consensus has been reached regarding the definition,nature and content of water rights both practically and academically.By examining the existing theories regarding water rights,this article tries to redefine the entitlements from the aspect of civil law.Meanwhile,it provides a system which classifies various rights by the four functions of usufruct.展开更多
文摘This paper presents an ex-ante assessment of the potential implications of the 2011 Human Rights Watch Report on the South African fruit industry. The report explicitly mentions the lack of compliance with ethical codes within the fruit industry, the prevalence of exploitative conditions for farm workers and diverse human rights abuses in farms. The report recommends import ban on culprits as well as engaging third party auditing to ensure compliance. The high vulnerability of the smallholder farmers justified the special interest in the implications on their reputation and hence their ability to access profitable export markets. Although large-scale commercial farmers are potentially at risk of reputational damage due to the Human Rights Watch Report, they are better able to cope owing to their stronger capital base. The opinions of knowledgeable industry insiders were therefore elicited through qualitative research that used a five-point Likert scale to assess perceptions about market access. On the basis of the results, it is probable that the report will lead to improved working conditions for farm workers, improved concern for consumers＇ health, and enforcement of legislation by the govemment. The negative implications involve increased competition, possibility of retailers＇ rationalising their supply base and increased evaluation that ends at the farm gate. There is also high probability of increased marginalisation of the already disadvantaged smallholder suppliers, and possible increase in costs of auditing and accreditation for the entire fruit industry. Thus, active collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the competitiveness of the fruit industry is inevitable.
基金supported by the Projects of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (Grant No 2010XG026)the Innovative Talents Training Fund of Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
文摘As the source of life,water is indispensable to human beings.Being aware of the water stress imposed by population growth,climate change,rapid urbanization,pollution,many scholars and decision makers argue that the establishment of water rights and their system is the primary measure to tackle the water crisis problem.However,no consensus has been reached regarding the definition,nature and content of water rights both practically and academically.By examining the existing theories regarding water rights,this article tries to redefine the entitlements from the aspect of civil law.Meanwhile,it provides a system which classifies various rights by the four functions of usufruct.
