International Journal of Regional Development

12-26

Authors: Muhammad Abdul Ghani, Sirojuzilam, Badaruddin, Rujiman,

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has strategic goals to maintain a harmonious relationship and contribute to socio-economic impacts on the surrounding communities. Therefore, CSR could be seen as a part of planning and development program in the particular area. This study focuses on oil palm plantation companies. This study aims to (1) analyze and assess the effect of CSR program in the development of rural areas around the estate by using indicators of socio-economic impact; (2) Analyze and assess the effect of intervening variables Integrated CSR Implementation to the socio-economic impact on local communities; (3) Analyze and assess the effect of CSR on the social impact of surrounding communities; (4) Analyze and assess the effect of CSR on the economic impact of surrounding communities; (5) Based on point 1 to 4, it could be shaped the Strategic Model of Integrated CSR Program. This research conducted in PTPN IV Pabatu Estate, District of Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatera, Indonesia. The selection method uses multistage random sampling technique. Total sample is 367 respondents, by using analytical methods Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). There is a Causal Relationship between the Input of CSR and an Integrated CSR Implementation, this is indicated by CSR Input (X) is significant and has positive impacts on the implementation of Integrated CSR (Y). The direct effect of the application of CSR (X) on the Implementation of Integrated CSR (Y) is 0.988. It means whenever there is an increase in the performance of the application of CSR (X) it will improve the implementation of Integrated CSR (Y) which is equal to 0.988 units. The results show that the model-based of Intervening Integrated CSR provides a significant and positive effect on socio-economic aspects thus The Strategic Program of Integrated CSR Model is very appropriate to be applied in the realization of an integrated and sustainable palm oil industry.

44-60

Authors: Vífill Karlsson

In this paper, the author examines the development of the spatial distribution of housing prices. Due to consumer preferences for access over amenity value, there is a spatial disparity of housing prices. According to Alonso’s extension of von Tünen’s theory, the relationship between housing prices in urban and rural areas tends to follow certain principles. This relationship is more often negative than positive, i.e. the price of a standardized unit of housing declines with increasing distance from a central business district (CBD). It has been documented that this relationship is negative for Iceland, as well as in many regions of other countries. It is argued here that this relationship has become increasingly marked in Iceland, most likely due to the altered household preferences and structural changes. A macro panel data set from Iceland will be used, representing several essential variables of the residential housing market for 79 municipalities in Iceland from 1981 to 2006.

17-38

Authors: Vifill Karlsson

This study investigated the amalgamation of the municipalities in Iceland and its impact on expenses, classified by 12 different affairs. An earlier paper suggested that the average cost is lower for larger municipalities than for smaller ones in Iceland. The present study, however, tested whether the average cost of municipalities becomes lower following their amalgamations by implementing a new approach. Instead of estimating the presence of scale economies, dummy variables are used to detect the changes of average cost following the amalgamation. With this approach, the analysis separates effects traced to ordinary population change from population change caused by municipality amalgamations. Furthermore, it also tested the impact of municipality geographical size (in km2), local population, distance from Reykjavík, and number of urban communities within each municipality on the average cost. Since the data include several years prior to the economic crisis in 2008 and several years after, it was feasible to test the real return of the local government retrenchment because of the crisis. The prior study was implemented on data for average cost of all municipalities’ affairs in the year 2006. The present study was based on the average cost for all municipalities’ affairs during the period of 2004-2010. Panel data analysis was implemented. The paper suggests that the average cost has become lower following amalgamations in industrial and cultural affairs. Those affairs, however, only generate about 5% of municipalities’ total costs. Accordingly, the impact is thus rather limited in terms of cost. Moreover, larger municipalities have lower average cost than smaller ones in all affairs except for social service.

58-75

Authors: F. Mugagga, B. Nagasha, B. Barasa & M. Buyinza

We investigated the impact of land use change on carbon stocks and its implications to climate variability in Mountain environments. Remotely sensed biophysical data was used to determine the extent of land use change over the last two decades. Land uses were stratified thus; forest under restoration, woodlots/plantations, agricultural land, regenerating forest and intact forest. Carbon in above and below ground biomass was measured using the allometric equations, whilst soil samples were analyzed for total carbon by the dry combustion method. The differences in carbon stocks in various land uses were analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Top soil layers (0-10cm) were found to store more carbon than the deeper ones. Furthermore, intact forest stored more soil organic carbon (> 45t/ha) compared to other land uses with the least in land under agriculture (about 1.5 t/ha). The decimation of land uses with high carbon stocks was noted to reduce the potential of Mt. Elgon as a carbon sink. This therefore calls for the scaling out and up of forest restoration programmes in and around mountain environments, whose success will depend on the active participation of all stakeholders including, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), local communities, politicians and leaders.