Publications > Cahiers (English)> N° 17, 4th term 1990

• [Conditions of an approach in terms of sectorial "régulation". The case of the wine sector], P. Bartoli, D. Boulet
• [Sectorial specificities and the "régulation" approaches. Comments and prospects about P. Bartoli and D. Boulet's Ph-D thesis], Robert Boyer
• [Returns to scale in agro-food industries. Analysing the proper size of firms from panel data], Gilbert Cette, D. Szpiro
• [Sugar crisis and land reform in Guadeloupe. Agrarian structures and economic and social change], C. Deverre
• [Environment and agriculture. A France-Germany comparison], Claus Schwarzmann, L.-P. Mahé, P. Rainelli

Conditions d'une approche en termes de régulation sectorielle. Le cas de la sphère viticole
[Conditions of an approach in terms of sectorial "régulation". The case of the wine sector]

P. Bartoli, D. Boulet

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 17, 4th term 1990, pp 7-38

Abstract : This paper propounds first a reflexion about conditions in which a "régulation" approach can be brought into operation at a sectorial level. Such a transposition can prove to be rich to read the long-run dynamics of a productive sector. However, it calls for preliminary adjustments of concepts, because sectorial analysis is not only a refraction of macro-economic analysis. Secondly, the authors present the main elements of a research they led, in this theoretical frame, on the French wine growing sector.

Key-words : "régulation" theories, sectorial analysis, wine growing sector, France.

Les problématiques de la régulation face aux spécificités sectorielles. Perspectives ouvertes par la thèse de P. Bartoli et D. Boulet
[Sectorial specificities and the "régulation" approaches. Comments and prospects about P. Bartoli and D. Boulet's Ph-D thesis]

Robert Boyer

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 17, 4th term 1990, pp 39-76

Abstract : This paper provides both a presentation of the thesis and general comments upon the ability of "régulation" approaches to cope with sectorial diversity. This research upon the wine sector delivers three major contributions. First, P. Bartoli and D. Boulet work out a genuine methodology based upon the transposition of the core concepts and not upon a rootinized application of the impact of the global Fordist regime upon their sector. Consequently, they respond to previous criticisms about an extreme functionalism and an implicit homogeneity hypothesis. Secondly, different institutional devices for luxury and current wine production lead to very contrasted sectorial economic regimes. Therefore, the hierarchy of various wines is socially built and the precise channels through which economic interests interact do shape long run, as well as short run, dynamics. Finally, these promising analyses should be extended to other beverages or sub-agricultural sector, to international comparisons, and still more, small models representative of sectoral regulation modes should be elaborated and tested against available case studies or existing statistical data. Consequently, firmer prospective views could be provided about an emerging third sector, based on brand names and no more on soils or undifferentiated wine.

Key-words : wine sector, "régulation" approach, institutional devices, sectorial economic regime, structural crisis, France.

Les rendements d'échelle dans les IAA. Une analyse du dimensionnement des entreprises sur données de panel
[Returns to scale in agro-food industries. Analysing the proper size of firms from panel data]

Gilbert Cette, D. Szpiro

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 17, 4th term 1990, pp 77-96

Abstract : The relationship between productive efficiency and company size is important to understand how the production structures are transformed ; it is also important to appreciate if the firms in an industry have the right size. In order to measure this relation, a production function was estimated from a panel of 568 companies from the food, drink & tobacco industry, belonging to the Banque de France Balance Sheet Data Centre. The production function allows returns to scale to vary continuously according to the size of firms. Loss of efficiency attributable to inappropriate company size was measured, and the quality of the production structures in ten detailed industries is assessed for the food, drink & tobacco broad industry.

Key-words : firm size, return to scale, agro-food industries, production function, panel data.

Crise sucrière et réforme foncière en Guadeloupe. Les structures agraires face au changement économique et social
[Sugar crisis and land reform in Guadeloupe. Agrarian structures and economic and social change]

C. Deverre

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 17, 4th term 1990, pp 97-120

Abstract : The crisis of cane sugar production in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) is tightly linked to the sharp social change produced by the integration of the island to the French metropolitan common system : the transition from a plantation colonial society to a consumer society. The land reform, the aim of which was to break up the crisis by the development of peasant farming, did not stop the fall of production, inducing the State to commit itself more and more in the organization and regulation of the agrarian sector.

Key-words : sugar cane industry, land reform, plantation, peasant farming, Guadeloupe.

Environnement et agriculture. Une comparaison France-Allemagne
[Environment and agriculture. A France-Germany comparison]

Claus Schwarzmann, L.-P. Mahé, P. Rainelli

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 17, 4th term 1990, pp 121-141

Abstract : Despite close traditions in agricultural policy since the end of the 19th century, Germany and France have some differences in the integration of environmental and agricultural policies. It can be seen through the implementation of various measures designed to foster an agriculture more respectful of the environment. The greater concern for environmental problems in Germany is due to the importance of the manufacturing industries in that country, and to a larger share of urbanized population. On the one hand, this means that the demand for environmental goods is high, and on the other, that Germany does not need a strong agriculture. So this country can favor extensification and support small farms.

Key-words : France, Germany, environment, agriculture, agricultural policy, CAP.