Papers by Guenter Schamel
Proceedings “Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaues e.V.”, 2000
Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Jun 13, 2021
The academic literature analyzing the behavior and interactions among commensals at a table gener... more The academic literature analyzing the behavior and interactions among commensals at a table generally resorts to experimental settings with volunteer decision makers or focuses on receipts issued at actual restaurants. The experimental approach widens the potential scope of the phenomena that can be analyzed but is subject to observer effects, with decision makers being aware of the fact that their actions are being monitored. The approach using receipts is not subject to observer effects but limited in its scope by lacking interactions with the commensals and the data that can be collected. In the current article, we make extensive use of a data set collected by restaurant personnel following specific instructions. They gathered information on a number of decisions made at the table throughout the whole meal without the commensals being aware that they are being monitored. As a result, we are able to examine empirically the importance that the choices of the first-person ordering (the leader) may have for the decisions made by the other commensals at the table. In particular, we study the similarity of orders—in terms of dishes, drinks, and prices—between the table leader and the other commensals. Our results reveal that table leaders, both male and female, have a considerable influence on the choices made by other commensals under a variety of different scenarios. We also describe the differences arising when males and females act as table leaders, as well as the influence that specific payment arrangements have on the ordering behavior of the commensals.
BIO web of conferences, 2019
Several studies have found that wine cooperatives struggle to produce high quality grapes allowin... more Several studies have found that wine cooperatives struggle to produce high quality grapes allowing them to produce better quality wines and to receive higher retail prices. In contrast, cooperatives in South Tyrol perform well and receive price premiums for wine quality relative to privately-owned local competitors. We identify the structural, organizational and social factors (i.e., elements of social capital) that may contribute to the economic success of a cooperative enterprise, surveying individual members of 13 wine cooperatives in South Tyrol. Relative payment per kg of grapes (pay-out) delivered measures the economic success of member growers. We propose that "the strength of common vision among cooperative members" is an important element identifying the "working social capital" of cooperatives and examine whether it depends on specific social and organizational variables such as commitment, trust or the strengths of personal relationships, participation in training activities and/or the presence of specific grape quality assessment criteria. Moreover, we examine if the pay-out or economic success of cooperative members can be explained by a set of structural variables and working social capital. We estimate two regression models to explain both the working social capital (i.e., strength of a common vision among cooperative members), and pay-out or economic success that cooperative members receive for delivering grapes. Results indicate that specific social factors such as member commitment, trust, personal member-winemaker relations and gender as well as organizational factors (e.g., training activities, quality assessment criteria) help to explain working social capital while physical production capital (farm size), working social capital (common vision) and indicators of human capital (involvement, vineyard consulting) are important factors to explain the economic success of cooperative members.
World Scientific Studies in International Economics, Nov 1, 2019
The Centre was established in 1989 by the Economics Department of the Adelaide University to stre... more The Centre was established in 1989 by the Economics Department of the Adelaide University to strengthen teaching and research in the field of international economics and closely related disciplines. Its specific objectives are: • to promote individual and group research by scholars within and outside the Adelaide University • to strengthen undergraduate and postgraduate education in this field • to provide shorter training programs in Australia and elsewhere • to conduct seminars, workshops and conferences for academics and for the wider community • to publish and promote research results • to provide specialised consulting services • to improve public understanding of international economic issues, especially among policy makers and shapers Both theoretical and empirical, policy-oriented studies are emphasised, with a particular focus on developments within, or of relevance to, the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Dec 7, 2022
We analyse the impact of the antihail net promotion on the actuarial soundness of the hail insura... more We analyse the impact of the antihail net promotion on the actuarial soundness of the hail insurance market. Specifically, we present a simple model showing that, in the presence of an imperfect insurance market, incentives for antihail nets could cause low‐risk farmers to exit the insurance market more likely than high‐risk ones. This induces a typical adverse selection problem. The theoretical model predictions are corroborated by an empirical investigation. Based on a fixed‐effect conditional logit regression, we show that a higher per‐hectare output value and a location strongly affected by hail both increase the chance that a plot is hedged through antihail nets.
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Apr 1, 2019
There is a growing interest in analysing the diffusion of agricultural insurance, seen as an effe... more There is a growing interest in analysing the diffusion of agricultural insurance, seen as an effective tool for managing farm risks. Much attention has been dedicated to understanding the scarce adoption rate despite high levels of subsidization and policy support. In this paper, we analyse an aspect that seems to have been partially overlooked: the potential competing nature between insurance and other risk management tools. We consider hail as a single source weather shock and analyse the potential competing effect of anti-hail nets over insurance as instruments to cope with this shock by presenting a simple theoretical model that is rooted into expected utility theory. After describing the basic model, we perform some comparative static analysis to identify the role of individual elements that are shaping farmers' decisions. From this exercise it results that the worth of anti-hail nets compared to insurance is an increasing function of the overall risk of hail damages, of the farmers' level of risk aversion and of the worth of the agricultural output. Finally, we develop a simulation model using data related to apple production in South Tyrol, a Northern-Italian province with a relatively high risk of hail. The model generally confirms the results of the comparative static analysis and it shows that, in this region, anti-hail nets are often superior than insurance in expected utility terms.
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Jul 1, 2018
We analyze how grape supply may determine implicit prices for organic wine and regional denominat... more We analyze how grape supply may determine implicit prices for organic wine and regional denominations. We analyze three grape supply chains and the related wine quality they produce: cooperatives, owngrowing and mixed-sourcing. Cooperatives have their grapes supplied by their member growers. Owngrowers are making wine exclusively from their own-grown grapes. Mixed-sourcing describes wineries that use own-grown grapes and contract-grapes from independent growers. Cooperative producers face the challenge to raise grape and subsequent wine quality (e.g. setting appropriate incentives that induce their members to grow high quality grapes through vineyard management and grape pricing schemes). We analyze data on retail prices, wine quality evaluations, winery reputation indicators, organic production and regional denomination rules (DOC, IGT). Using a hedonic model, we show that wines from cooperatives may command a price (or reputation) premium relative to wines from private producers and we observe specialized grape supply chains with price premiums for DOC wine from cooperatives, IGT denominated wine from own-growing wineries and organic wine from mixed sourcing and own-growing producers. We confirm that cooperatives may gain a price premium in the market. Moreover, we show that the price premium for organic wine may depend on specialized grape supply chains.
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin eBooks, 2012
We address the question whether cooperatives can effectively compete with private wineries regard... more We address the question whether cooperatives can effectively compete with private wineries regarding product quality and reputation. Cooperative reputation for product quality depends on individual grower contributions subject to variation and on their management’s ability to produce and market high quality wine. Hence, cooperatives may face larger variations in grape quality with more uncertainty about wine quality further downstream. In contrast, private firms may have more control during the production cycle and may in turn gain a higher reputation with final consumers. We analyze a data set for Alto Adige wineries with retail prices and relevant evaluations for wine quality and producer reputation. It allows to differentiate local cooperatives and privately owned firms, IGT vs. DOC designations and a number of control variables. We employ a hedonic pricing model to test whether wine from private producers receive a reputation premium relative to cooperatively produced wines. Moreover, we hypothesize that wines from private wineries receive a price premium relative to cooperatively produced wine. Our results reject the hypothesis that private producers receive a reputation premium relative to cooperatives. On the contrary, our estimation reveals a significant and positive coefficient for cooperative reputation. We also confirm that cooperative wines receive a significant quality premium relative to non-coop wines. Moreover, comparing IGT and DOC denominations, our results indicate that the relative competitiveness between regional cooperatives and privately owned firms evolves towards a segmentation. Cooperatives get a collective reputation premium by focusing on DOC rules while their non-cooperative competitors use an IGT strategy emphasizing their brands.
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, 2006
We present a first analysis of auction markets for specialty food products. We identify auction p... more We present a first analysis of auction markets for specialty food products. We identify auction prices, trade volume and value for domestic and foreign origin specialty ham with geographical indications (GIs) which were actually sold in online auctions in Germany within a one-month period. Applying hedonic modeling, we examine potential factors that may influence online bidding behavior and final auction prices. We estimate positive auction price effects for weight, bidding activity, and auction length, that the domestic product is sold at a discount, that higher shipping cost have a negative impact on final prices, and that auctions ending on Fridays and Saturdays yield lower prices. The model may be used to estimate the value of GIs. In our example, we estimate relative price differences of 20-30% for the GIs of three specialty hams (Prosciutto di Parma, Jamón Serrano, Schwarzwälder).
Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Feb 15, 2021
New conceptualizations propose the concept of terroir as referring to a place of distinctiveness ... more New conceptualizations propose the concept of terroir as referring to a place of distinctiveness that is able to create marketing value. However, the knowledge regarding the role of terroir in tourism marketing is still scarce. Specifically, the concept of resident commitment has received little attention in research on tourism marketing, and therefore there is a gap in knowledge on the components of resident commitment and the role it can play in the construction or renewal of a tourist destination. To fill this gap, the purpose of this study is to analyze the role of residents’ commitment in consideration of terroir as referring to both a winegrowing region and a place of residence. The study aims to determine how residents’ commitment interacts with the brand dimensions identified in the marketing literature and consumer behavior research. In our theoretical framework we presented the wine terroir commitment (WTC) as a multidimensional grassroots construct and we empirically verified it by conducting a survey in a wine region, the Eisacktal Valley in South Tyrol (Italy). The findings show that Terroir Identification and Terroir Loyalty are two important antecedents of WTC as they mediate the exogenous latent variables of Terroir Prestige, and Wine Involvement as well as Resident Commitment and Terroir Experience, respectively. In the conclusions, we derive some recommendations for scholars and practitioners.
World Scientific handbook in financial economic series, Mar 26, 2018
Social Science Research Network, 2019
In this paper, we consider hail as a single source weather shock and we analyse the trade-off bet... more In this paper, we consider hail as a single source weather shock and we analyse the trade-off between anti-hail nets and insurance. We propose a simple theoretical model that is rooted into expected utility theory. After describing the basic model, we perform some comparative static analyses to identify the role of individual elements for farmers' decisions.We find that the benefit of anti-hail nets compared to insurance is an increasing function of the overall risk of hail damages, of the farmers' level of risk aversion and of the worth of the agricultural output. Finally, we develop a simulation model using data related to apple production in South Tyrol, a Northern-Italian province with a relatively high risk of hail. The model generally confirms the results of the comparative static analysis and it shows that, in this region, anti-hail nets are often superior than insurance.
Proceedings of the Integrated Crop Management Conference, Nov 30, 2000
We address if cooperatives can compete with private wineries regarding product quality and reputa... more We address if cooperatives can compete with private wineries regarding product quality and reputation. Cooperative reputation for quality is subject to individual growers supplying varying grape qualities and on their management ability to produce and market high quality wine. Hence, cooperatives may face varying grape qualities with more uncertainty about wine quality further downstream. In contrast, private firms may have more control over production and in turn gain a higher reputation with final consumers. • Design: We analyze a data set for private and cooperative wineries from Alto Adige with retail prices and relevant evaluations for wine quality and producer reputation. It allows to differentiate local cooperatives vs. private wineries as well as IGT and DOC designations. We employ a hedonic pricing model to test whether wines from private producers receive a reputation premium relative to cooperatively produced wines. Moreover, we hypothesize that wines from private wineries receive a price premium relative to cooperatively produced wine. • Findings: Our results reject the hypothesis that relative to cooperatives, private producers receive a reputation premium. In contrast, we estimate a significantly positive cooperative reputation premium as well as a significant quality premium. Regional cooperatives and privately owned firms evolve towards segmenting IGT and DOC denominations. Cooperatives get a collective reputation premium by focusing on DOC rules while non-cooperatives use an IGT strategy emphasizing their brands. • Practical implications: Our results indicate that cooperatives are able to successfully coordinate for improved grape quality and to receive a quality and reputation premium in the market. The strategic use of denomination rules allows private wineries and cooperatives to capture premium prices in different market segments.
The theoretical section of the paper presents a formal model illustrating how cooperatives and pr... more The theoretical section of the paper presents a formal model illustrating how cooperatives and private firms can coexist within a market while obtaining different quality rewards. The basic intuition follows from the literature on firm boundaries determined via incomplete contracts where organizational forms, when agreed upon competitively, condition the sense of entitlement of the parties. If feeling aggrieved by the outcome of the contract, parties may shade by underperforming, which creates deadweight losses. The main result obtained states that if the intensity of shading depends positively on the existing payoff imbalances between bosses and managers, then (non)integration with coordination is more plausible when the profits of bosses and benefits of managers are (dis)similar. Moreover, given some plausible parameter constraints, social surplus tends to be higher under integration whenever coordination takes place. These results illustrate that both organizational forms, an integrated cooperative and a nonintegrated private firm, may coexist in a coordinated equilibrium and how the former may even obtain a higher social surplus than the latter one. When applied to our empirical setting, this result leads us to conclude that similar interests between both parties, the boss and the unit managers, strengthened by the shared regional DOC denomination, would lead to a small value of shading, which encourages coordination within a cooperative (integrated) environment. On the other hand, privately emphasizing a dominant brand over the rest obtaining an IGT denomination premium results from dissimilar interests between the parties, which leads to a nonintegrated though coordinated equilibrium scenario. In the empirical section we analyze a data set for cooperative and private wineries from Northern Italy (Alto Adige and Trentino). We first use a hedonic model to test whether wines from private wineries receive a wine quality premium and/or a reputation premium for ownership structure relative to cooperatives. For Alto Adige, we estimate a significantly positive reputation premium and a higher quality premium for wines produced by cooperatives. For the Trentino, we estimate a significant reputation premium for private wineries but higher quality premium for wines produced by cooperatives. In a second model, we include interaction terms between quality denominations (IGT/DOC) and organizational form (i.e. Coop/Non-Coop) to see if there is any strategic orientation towards specific denomination rules and organizational forms. Our expected result is that cooperatives concentrate on regional DOC rules while private wineries increasingly turn to a strategy of marketing and branding distinctly different IGT wines. We test this hypothesis estimating a modified equation on the whole sample with DOC wines produced by cooperatives selected as base category wines. The estimated coefficients indicate that cooperatives may emphasize DOC production and use IGT denomination for lower quality grapes, while private producers tend to use IGT to market distinctly different wines often with specific brand names.
Social Science Research Network, 2019
In several areas of the world, hail is one of the most detrimental atmospheric phenomenon for agr... more In several areas of the world, hail is one of the most detrimental atmospheric phenomenon for agriculture, causing a significant loss of output and, consequently, of farms' revenues. Despite being a highly stochastic and localized phenomenon, thus allowing for a sustainable insurance market to hedge against its detrimental effects, this last is often subsidised. The present paper tries to figure out if the promotion of an alternative hedging instrument, anti-hail nets, could help to increase the actuarial soundness of the hail insurance market. In the first part of the paper a simple model is presented showing that the relation between the differential profitability of anti-hail nets versus insurance and the plot specific versus the average expected damage has an inverse U-shape. This implies that incentives to anti-hail nets could cause low risk farmers to exit the insurance market more likely than high risk ones. Such finding is confirmed by the empirical investigation, further showing that higher per-hectare output values and being located in an area strongly affected by hail increase the chance of a plot to be hedged through anti-hail nets.
Journal of Wine Economics, Nov 1, 2018
We empirically examine the strategic importance of the choices of the first person ordering, that... more We empirically examine the strategic importance of the choices of the first person ordering, that is, the leader, for the decisions made and money spent by other commensals at a restaurant table. Our aim is to study the similarity of orders—in terms of dishes, drinks, and prices—among the table leader and the other commensals. The empirical results reveal that table leaders, both male and female, exert a considerable influence on the choices made by other diners. We analyze the differences arising when males and females act as table leaders. (JEL Classifications: D12, D91)
Journal of Wine Economics, Aug 1, 2018
Sustainability, Jul 9, 2019
This paper examines the prices of agritourism accommodation that include food services (i.e., the... more This paper examines the prices of agritourism accommodation that include food services (i.e., the option to have breakfast) and related farm attributes. We analyze what tourists are willing to pay per night for a designated farm holiday stay in South Tyrol offered through the "Red Rooster" brand (n = 367). We first identify factors that may influence tourist decisions to book a holiday at a farm, which include the number of flowers (i.e., the red rooster quality-rating scheme), the type of accommodation, the distance to various leisure activities, and externalities related to agricultural practices. Second, the paper develops two hedonic models to estimate implicit prices for farm holiday accommodation rates. Specifically, the dependent variables are the prices paid by guests during the summer peak and low seasons. Independent variables are various accommodation attributes, the quality of food service, and the range of possible activities in the area surrounding the farm. The results of the study show that the red rooster quality-rating scheme (i.e., the number of flowers) and the quality of food services are highly significant and have a positive impact on guest willingness to pay. Farm types, such as fruit-growing and livestock operations, have a significant but negative effect on accommodation rates at least during the peak season, whilst wine production and organic farming display a positive influence on the accommodation rates during the low season. Implications for practitioners and policy-makers are discussed.
Agricultural Finance Review, Jun 25, 2021
PurposeHailstorms are a major risk in agriculture. In order to mitigate the negative consequences... more PurposeHailstorms are a major risk in agriculture. In order to mitigate the negative consequences on farm revenues, in the present paper the authors analyse the choice between insurance contracts and anti-hail nets. Furthermore, the authors discuss the consequences of anti-hail nets adoption on the actuarial soundness of the insurance market.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper the authors firstly develop a theoretical model based on expected utility theory to compare the profitability of no-hedging against insurance and anti-hail nets. Subsequently, they test their theoretical model predictions with data of South Tyrolean apple producers.FindingsThe authors find that the benefit of anti-hail nets compared to insurance is an increasing function of the overall risk of hail damages, of the farmers' level of risk aversion and of the worth of the agricultural output.Practical implicationsGiven the authors’ findings that anti-hail nets are more profitable for riskier, risk-averse and high-profitable farmers, the diffusion of anti-hail nets could be beneficial for the actuarial soundness of insurance markets.Originality/valueThe model developed in the paper is specifically designed to compare the profitability of different agricultural hedging options and can be easily extended to cover other hazards.
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Papers by Guenter Schamel