0000000000925758
AUTHOR
Adam Asmundo
The cost of protection racket in Sicily
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the current cost of protection rackets in Sicily. By means of a database constructed on judicial evidence, it has been possible to come up with an estimate of the average and total costs of the protection-money system, as well as finding out in which sectors of economic activity and in which provinces is most pervasive. The average monthly payment is approximately 600 euros per business, with stronger effects in those areas with a relatively more traditional economic structure. As a whole, in monetary terms, the protection racket in Sicily accounts for over 1.4% of gross regional product. Finally, the paper supports the hypothesis that in most cases,…
Third Sector, Social Enterprises and Local Authorities in a EU Candidate Country. The Case of Albania
The paper is based on evidence offered by survey data collected through a structured questionnaire in a long range survey launched in July 2012 by the Steering Group of ASE Forum. The aim of the study was to reveal the trend, status, profile, features and the role of potentials enterprises in Albania in supporting welfare and wellbeing in synergy with the local authorities.After an appropriate methodological introduction, the paper reports main statistical evidence concerning the Third sector in Albania and the direct survey outcomes about the features and the activity of the organizations interviewed.Conclusions will be driven by data analysis and will be focused on the needs, limits and o…