Regulation and Amenities: Results of a Modelling Approach

Abstract

This paper shows the strenghts of a modelling approach for the designing of institutional strategies that would support the promotion of regional goods and service, via the creation or the save of specific territorial attribust. After the specification of the methodology used to address this question, the paper gives an example of application of this methodology. This example shows the way by which the construction of an explanatory model of the behaviour of consumers contributes to the creation of new knowledge about the possible impacts of the environmental and cultural features of a given region, of the local production methods, of the landscapes and of the related quality signs, on the behaviour of consumers in face to regional quality products. It also shows how such a modelling approach facilitates the discussion of the results of a research project and contributes to the knowledge dissemination. These results are part of an EU funded project (RIPPLE FAIR-CT96-1827).