nep-cis New Economics Papers
on Confederation of Independent States
Issue of 2014‒03‒01
nine papers chosen by
Alexander Harin
Modern University for the Humanities

  1. THE GRAVITY MODEL OF RUSSIA’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE: THE CASE OF A LARGE COUNTRY WITH A LONG BORDER By Andrey Kaukin; Georgy Idrisov
  2. A Policy Perspective On The Russian Technology Platforms By Liliana Proskuryakova; Dirk Meissner; Pavel Rudnik
  3. The effect of regulatory institutions on macroeconomic growth in Russia By Nikiforova, Vera; Valahov , Dmitriy; Nikiforov , Aleksandr
  4. The effectiveness of simple homogeneous commodity procurement under rigid govermental regulation: the case of granulated sugar procurement in Russia By Andrey Yakovlev; Aleksandra Bashina; Olga Demidova
  5. The Effect of Labor Migration on the Diffusion of Democracy: Evidence from a Former Soviet Republic By Mahmoud, Toman Omar; Rapoport, Hillel; Steinmayr, Andreas; Trebesch, Christoph
  6. THE FUNDAMENTAL PRIVATIZATION THEOREM: IDEOLOGY, EVOLUTION, PRACTICE By Alexander Radygin; Revold Entov
  7. Technology Parks Potential for Small and Medium Enterprises By Anna V. Vilisova; Qiang Fu
  8. The agricultural invasion and the political economy of agricultural trade policy in Belgium, 1875-1900 By Maarten VAN DIJCK; Tom TRUYTS
  9. Former Soviet Union Countries and European Union: Overcoming the Energy Efficiency Gap By Yulia Raskina

  1. By: Andrey Kaukin (Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy); Georgy Idrisov (Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy)
    Abstract: The paper contains the results of theoretical development and empirical verification of spatial gravity model of Russian trade. The authors conclude that the spatial variables and especially the location of the state border checkpoints have a significant effect on the volume and routes of Russian imports.
    Keywords: international trade, gravity model, border checkpoints
    JEL: F1 F2
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gai:wpaper:0088&r=cis
  2. By: Liliana Proskuryakova (National Research University Higher School of Economics (Russia)); Dirk Meissner (National Research University Higher School of Economics (Russia)); Pavel Rudnik (Russian Ministry for Economic Development)
    Abstract: The paper analyses the evolution of the ‘technology platform’ concept starting from an instrument for R&D and innovation management used by companies towards a policy instrument used for technology and economic development at national and international level. The authors propose a theoretical approach to technology platforms (TPs) as a policy concept and institutional framework useful for policy making in the sphere of science, technology and innovation. Furthermore the paper offers an analysis of the newly established Russian Technology Platforms that have the potential for advancing the national innovation system. The case-study of Russian Technology Platforms is aimed at analyzing technology platforms in Russia as a science, technology and innovation (STI) policy tool from theoretical and practical perspectives. The study addresses the question “What is the place of the Russian TPs in the national STI policy mix?” and outlines lessons learnt from the experience of the European technology platforms. Conclusions are drawn on the prospects of the TPs as an STI policy tool in Russia
    Keywords: technology platform, science and technology policy, innovation policy, regional development, economic development, public private partnerships
    JEL: O32 O33 O38
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:26sti2014&r=cis
  3. By: Nikiforova, Vera; Valahov , Dmitriy; Nikiforov , Aleksandr
    Abstract: The paper analyses common Russian practice. The structural changes in the Russian economy are further stimulated by the improvement of the government regulation policy. The paper examines the factors and effects of the general economic growth and the integration processes. The paper examines the institutional changes in the government policy of economic regulation aimed at improving the country’s performance in the world financial system.
    Keywords: economic growth; government regulation; integration processes; institutional changes
    JEL: E4 E40 E44 G1 G18
    Date: 2014–02–16
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:53714&r=cis
  4. By: Andrey Yakovlev (National Research University Higher School of Economics); Aleksandra Bashina (National Research University Higher School of Economics); Olga Demidova (National Research University Higher School of Economics)
    Abstract: In the 2000s the Russian government considered electronic auctions (e-auctions) as the best way to procure goods for public needs. In this paper we confirm this proposition using an empirical dataset of contracts for the procurement of granulated sugar in Russia in 2011. Our data shows that unit prices are higher in the case of long-term contracts. This result can be explained by the rigidity of public procurement regulations as Russian legislation allows only fixed price contracts. Under these conditions suppliers can participate in public procurement tenders for long-term contracts only if their price includes a “risk premium” covering additional expenses of the supplier in case of an unfavorable turn in the market. Our analysis shows that sugar prices in Russian public procurement are lower for contracts with higher volume. These results are in the line with conclusions of previous studies of public procurement in other countries. The influence of competition measured by the number of suppliers participating in the procurement procedure has a quadratic form. It means that the effect of a new participant is lower when number of competitors is higher and vice versa. Our analysis also shows that there are essential distinctions in the influence of the same factors on contract prices for competitive procedures and void auctions
    Keywords: public procurement, e-auctions, procurement effectiveness
    JEL: H57 P35
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:13/pa/2014&r=cis
  5. By: Mahmoud, Toman Omar (Kiel Institute for the World Economy); Rapoport, Hillel (Paris School of Economics); Steinmayr, Andreas (University of St. Gallen); Trebesch, Christoph (University of Munich)
    Abstract: Migration contributes to the circulation of goods, knowledge, and ideas. Using community and individual-level data from Moldova, we show that the emigration wave that started in the late 1990s strongly affected electoral outcomes and political preferences in Moldova during the following decade and was eventually instrumental in bringing down the last ruling Communist government in Europe. Our results are suggestive of information transmission and cultural diffusion channels. Identification relies on the quasi-experimental context studied and on the differential effects arising from the fact that emigration was directed both to more democratic Western Europe and to less democratic Russia.
    Keywords: emigration, political institutions, elections, social networks, information transmission, cultural diffusion
    JEL: F22 D72 O1
    Date: 2014–02
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7980&r=cis
  6. By: Alexander Radygin (Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy); Revold Entov (Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy)
    Abstract: The article focuses on the analysis of the evolution of contemporary theoretic approaches to the choice of an optimal form of ownership, and the corresponding estimation of privatization in the context of the advantages and disadvantages of the public and private sectors of the national economy. Various interpretations of the fundamental privatization theorem are considered: based on the principal-agent relationship; based on the comparison of the structure of information flows; the combination of ownership rights and contractual rights; consideration of sociopolitical factors, etc. The latest trends in Russia’s de-statization policy in 2010-2013 are analyzed in the context of ‘reluctant privatization’, with special emphasis on the asymmetry between the statization and privatization processes.
    Keywords: privatization, government failures, state policy, public choice, allocational efficiency, information
    JEL: H82 K11 L32 L33
    Date: 2014
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gai:wpaper:0087&r=cis
  7. By: Anna V. Vilisova; Qiang Fu
    Abstract: Being one of the most important factors of economic growth of the country, innovations became one of the key vectors in Russian economic policy. In this field technology parks are one of the most effective instruments which can provide growth of innovative activity in sectors, regions and economies. In this paper, we made a model that allows us to evaluate the effect of technology parks in the economy of the country and its potential for small and medium enterprises. The model is based on a system of coupled equations, whose parameters are estimated on the statistical data that reflect the activity of the economic entity, in an environment of this entity the technology parks are acting. Typically, there are regression equations linking a number of economic factors with some output indicators. We analyzed the property of increasing the share of surviving small and medium enterprises for Russian conditions as one of the effect of technology parks and built a working model for estimating the maximum (limit) values of the effect.
    Date: 2014–02
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1402.5373&r=cis
  8. By: Maarten VAN DIJCK; Tom TRUYTS
    Abstract: After 1875, cheap grain from the United States and Russia flooded the European markets. Many countries like Germany, France, and Sweden turned to agricultural trade protection, while others, like the UK and Denmark, held on to a free trade position. Belgium adopted a middle position, leaving its grain markets open but protecting animal husbandry, dairy production, and the processing of foodstuffs. The econometric analysis of the votes of Belgian Members of Parliament on four proposals to install protectionist measures on agricultural trade seeks to identify which economic or political interests explain the Belgian policy option.
    Date: 2014–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ete:ceswps:ces14.02&r=cis
  9. By: Yulia Raskina
    Abstract: This paper evaluates convergence of energy intensity for the former USSR countries during 1995-2010. We divide these countries into three clubs and show convergence in income and in energy intensity for each club. We also demonstrate that rate of convergence is higher in countries with a low level of development.
    Date: 2014–02–20
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erp:euirsc:p0362&r=cis

This nep-cis issue is ©2014 by Alexander Harin. It is provided as is without any express or implied warranty. It may be freely redistributed in whole or in part for any purpose. If distributed in part, please include this notice.
General information on the NEP project can be found at http://nep.repec.org. For comments please write to the director of NEP, Marco Novarese at <director@nep.repec.org>. Put “NEP” in the subject, otherwise your mail may be rejected.
NEP’s infrastructure is sponsored by the School of Economics and Finance of Massey University in New Zealand.