This thesis explores the status and prospects of transition towards a bioeconomy. It asks how bioeconomy actors’ sociotechnical imaginaries, their perception of context conditions and their institutional work contribute to the current status of an emerging bioeconomy. Theoretical concepts from...

This study contributes to economic knowledge by recovering the system of economic philosophy and theory developed by the 19th century American Protectionists. The account provided in this thesis is comprehensive and covers all major aspects of their theoretical system. Put simply, this study...

Agricultural extension services and direct payments are key policy instruments; yet their effectiveness is often debated. Extension services lack a demand-driven approach, neglecting farmer preferences. Similarly, the effects of direct payments, particularly coupled payments, remain unclear....

This study examines agricultural and rural development in post-communist Kyrgyzstan through three papers: 1. Food Demand During Revolutions: Analyzes the 2005 and 2010 revolutions' impact on food demand, revealing shifts in expenditure on staples and luxuries. 2: Trade Policy Effects: Shows that...

Violent conflicts remain a nagging problem in Nigeria. Because Nigeria’s population is polarized along ethnic and religious lines, conflicts that have nothing to do with ethnicity and religion often turn ethnoreligious owing to the ethnic and religious identities of the conflict actors. This...

An inclusive institutional environment is vital for the livestock industry's success, enhancing animal health, food security, trade, and economic resilience. This dissertation examines the institutional factors shaping livestock performance in post-Soviet countries, focusing on the transition to...

This dissertation focuses on the bioeconomy in Germany, examining the mechanisms by which technological and institutional innovations influence, promote, and support its development. Specifically, this dissertation i) evaluates the potential impact of R&D investments on carbon emissions through...

As climate extremes intensify, biodiversity declines, and ecosystems degrade, agriculture faces scrutiny as both a driver and a victim of these crises. Its dependence on fossil fuels and ethical concerns around intensive farming fuel criticism from civil society. Corporate social responsibility...

This dissertation explores the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) in Central Asia, where land degradation and productivity decline are major concerns due to Soviet-era monocultures and weak post-independence land management. Using farm-level data from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,...

This dissertation explores the use of behavioral economics to advance climate change mitigation strategies. While climate change is often treated as a technical or economic problem in policy discussions, this research argues that it is ultimately also a behavioral problem. The dissertation...