Emerging countries are increasingly concerned with improving their competitiveness and productivity. This Element develops a robust econometric methodology, based on controlling for usual unobservable effects at the firm or plant level. By robust empirical results in total factor productivity (TFP), we mean estimating investment climate (IC) elasticities, or semi-elasticities, with equal signs and similar magnitudes for more than ten different competing TFP measures. The key to achieve similar empirical results for several TFP measures is to avoid having a problem omitted variables, achieved through imputation of large proportions of missing observations in relevant variables (i.e. the capital stock). Furthermore through the use of a new concept of aggregate TFP (tfpIC), that measures the associated IC effects on firms tfp, we are able to make meaningful cross-country firms level productivity comparisons, avoiding the usual problem of comparing 'apples with oranges' that would otherwise occur if we directly compare country's TFP measurements.

This book is an up-to-date and comprehensive reference covering pest management in organic farming in major crops of the world. General introductory chapters explore the management of crops to prevent pest outbreaks, plant protection tools in organic farming, and natural enemies and pest control. The remaining chapters are crop-based and discuss geographic distribution, economic importance and key pests. For each pest the fundamental aspects of its bio-ecology and the various methods of control are presented. Understanding of the scientific content is facilitated with practical advice, tables and diagrams, helping users to apply the theories and recommendations. Handbook of Pest Management in Organic Farming: * Consists of rational approaches and advice. * Is authored by a team of international specialists in pest control. * Represents the only available comprehensive review of insect pest management in organic systems. This is an essential resource for researchers and extension workers in crop protection, integrated pest management and biocontrol, and organic farming systems.

Invasive arthropods cause significant damage in agricultural crops and natural environments across the globe. Potentially threatened regions need to be prepared to prevent new pests from becoming established. Therefore, information on pest identity, host range, geographical distribution, biology, tools for detection and identification are all essential to researchers and regulatory personnel. This book focuses on the most recent invasive pests of agricultural crops in temperate subtropical and tropical areas and on potential invaders, discussing their spread, biology and control.