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on Economic Geography |
| By: | Giuranno, Michele G.; Rongili, Biswas |
| Abstract: | This paper develops a model of centralized public spending where decision-makers are the regional median voters instead of the national median voter of the received literature. Regional representatives decide the level of public spending by bargaining in the central legislature. We study how exogenous changes in the composition of the regional electorate either deteriorate or mitigate inter-jurisdictional redistributive conflicts and how these, in turn, influence the size of the government. We find the conditions under which migration-induced inter-regional income convergence (divergence) leads either to a bigger or a smaller government. Finally, the relationship between migration and efficiency is explored within the present framework. |
| Keywords: | Demographic Changes; Government Spending; Inequality; Redistribution; Bargaining; Political Economy Theory |
| JEL: | H50 R1 D30 H41 D78 H00 |
| Date: | 2012–10–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:42604&r=geo |
| By: | Timo Mitze; Falk Strotebeck |
| Abstract: | We analyse the determinants of network formation in Germany’s biotechnology industry using social network analysis combined with a regression approach for count data. Outcome variable of interest is the degree centrality of German regions, which is specified as a function of the region’s innovative and economic performance as well as biotech-related policy variables. The inclusion of the latter allows us to shed new light on the question to what extent R&D-based cluster policies are able to impact on the formation of the German biotech network. Our results show that policy indicators such as the volume of public funding for collaborative R&D activity are positively correlated with the region’s overall and interregional degree centrality. However, besides this direct funding effect, we do not observe any further (non-pecuniary) advantages such as prestige or image effects. Regarding the role played by locational factors as elements of the sector-specific and broader regional innovation system, we find that the number of biotech patent applications, the share of regional hightech start-ups and the population density among other factors are positively correlated with the region’s position in the German biotechnology network. |
| Keywords: | Biotechnology; network formation; degree centrality; R&D policy |
| JEL: | C21 R38 |
| Date: | 2012–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rwi:repape:0374&r=geo |
| By: | William A. Brock (Department of Economics, University of Wisconsin); Gustav Engström (The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics and University of Stockholm); Anastasios Xepapadeas (Athens University of Economics and Business) |
| Abstract: | We couple a one-dimensional energy balance climate model with heat transportation across latitudes, with an economic growth model. We derive temperature and damage distributions across locations and optimal taxes on fossil fuels which, in contrast to zero-dimensional Integrated Assessment Models, account for cross latitude externalities. We analyse the impact of welfare weights on the spatial structure of optimal carbon taxes and identify conditions under which these taxes are spatially nonhomogeneous and are lower in latitudes with relatively lower per capita income populations. We show the way that heat transportation affects local economic variables and taxes, and locate sufficient conditions for optimal mitigation policies to have rapid ramp-up initially and then decrease over time. |
| Keywords: | One-dimensional Energy Balance Model, Heat Transport, Latitudes, Temperature Distribution, Damage Distribution, Social Planner, Competitive Equilibrium, Local Welfare Weights, Optimal Taxes |
| JEL: | Q54 Q58 R11 |
| Date: | 2012–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fem:femwpa:2012.74&r=geo |
| By: | ZHAO Ting; ZHAO Wei |
| Abstract: | By reviewing and improving previous empirical works on this topic, the present paper investigates the dynamic externalities of agglomeration in China. Taking China's top three municipalities (i.e., Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin) as sample regions, it assesses empirically and compares how three types of dynamic externalities—namely MAR (Marshall-Arrow-Romer), Jacobs, and Porter externalities—affect manufacturing productivity. The main findings of this paper are threefold. First, all three types of dynamic externalities measured in labor productivity can be found in the three sample regions, but large differences in the degrees and directions of the effects exist among them. Second, the degree and sign of the effects of each type of externality vary with changes in time lags. Third, the positive effects of these externalities seem to be substitutable for one another. Specifically, if MAR externalities contribute more to productivity growth in one city, Jacobs or Porter externalities do so to a lesser degree and vice versa. |
| Date: | 2012–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:dpaper:12072&r=geo |
| By: | Bruno Martins |
| Abstract: | Asymmetric information and transportation costs incurred by borrowers may raise spatial price discrimination in bank lending. This paper exploits the large geographic dispersion in the market structure of the Brazilian banking sector to investigate the relationship between market concentration and bank competition. Local markets are also distinguished by the degree of barrier to entry in order to assess its effect on bank competitive behavior. The findings indicate a negative correlation between market concentration and bank competition and an even stronger effect in locations where the barriers to entry are higher. The paper also highlights the importance of evaluating the geographic impact of mergers and acquisitions for the analysis of the effect of market concentration on bank competition. |
| Date: | 2012–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bcb:wpaper:299&r=geo |
| By: | Davide Fantino (Bank of Italy); Alessandra Mori (Bank of Italy); Diego Scalise (Bank of Italy) |
| Abstract: | In the last decade R&D expenditure in Italy has been lagging at a bare 1.2-1.3 per cent of GDP. Its private share is low by international standards and Italian firms take out only a small number of patents. External sources of innovation, however, are available to firms. This work aims at examining the determinants of research collaboration between firms and universities using the results of the 15th Bank of Italy Business Outlook Survey on Firms, together with data on the quality and importance of university research. Controlling for endogeneity problems, we show that the distance from top research centres is the most important factor in determining the probability of collaboration. Other results indicate that the presence of different innovation sources increases the probability of collaboration; and that proximity is more important for small- and medium-sized firms, while larger ones collaborate with universities that are better able to sell the results of their research, regardless of their location. Sector effects also emerge from the analysis. |
| Keywords: | research collaboration, innovation, R&D expenditure, technology transfer |
| JEL: | L24 O31 O32 R12 |
| Date: | 2012–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_884_12&r=geo |
| By: | IOVINO, Giorgia (CELPE - Centre of Labour Economics and Economic Policy, University of Salerno - Italy) |
| Abstract: | Sebbene gli attuali scenari recessivi abbiano portato a un ulteriore ampliamento del divario di sviluppo dell’economia del Mezzogiorno dalle regioni centro-settentrionali, vi è un comparto di attività - quello delle energie rinnovabili - che ha fatto registrare in quest’ultimi anni tassi di crescita nel Meridione significativamente più elevati rispetto al resto del Paese. Il presente lavoro si propone di indagare le implicazioni territoriali connesse a tale crescita e più precisamente di raggiungere due principali obiettivi: descrivere le relazioni che tendono ad instaurarsi tra filiere energetiche e territorio e verificare se le Fer possano essere utilizzare come “leve” per perseguire obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile. |
| Keywords: | rinnovabili; sostenibilità territoriale; Mezzogiorno |
| JEL: | Q42 |
| Date: | 2012–11–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sal:celpdp:0123&r=geo |
| By: | Contò, Francesco; Fiore, Mariantonietta; La Sala, Piermichele; Papapietro, Paolo |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this proposal is to explore a new concept of 'Metadistrict' to be applied in a region of Southern Italy – Apulia - in order to analyze the impact that the activation of a special network between different sector chains and several integrated projects may have for revitalizing the local economy. The Metadistrict model stems from the LAGs and the IPFs frameworks and it may represent a crucial driver of the rural economy through the realization of sector circuits connected to the concept of multi-functionality in agriculture, that is Network of the Territorial Multi-functionality (NTM). It was formalized through a simplified model based on Matrix Organization. The adoption of the Metadistrict perspective as the territorial strategy may play a key role to revitalize the primary sector through the increase of economic and productive opportunities due to the implementation of a common and shared strategy and organization. |
| Keywords: | Network; Local Action Group; Food Chain |
| JEL: | Q10 Q18 |
| Date: | 2012–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:42376&r=geo |
| By: | Martana, Kadim; Evison, David; Lennox, James A.; Manley, Bruce |
| Abstract: | The Government of Indonesia is committed to cut its emissions by 26% by 2020. In forestry sector, this is done through reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) program. One of several pilot activities of the REDD Program is the Berau Forest Carbon Program (BFCP) which is located in the Berau District East Kalimantan Indonesia. The Program attempts to generate behavioural changes of the forests stakeholders like forest-dependent community, forestry/logging company and oil palm plantation company to contribute to the emissions reduction, which is formulated in the Program‟s strategies. Changes of these behaviours are reflected in the costs being borne by the relevant forest stakeholders as well as the incentive rewarded for engaging in the programme. This paper focuses on the dataset preparation i.e. the Berau District Social Accounting Matrix for CGE modeling analysis of the above context. A non survey method was employed to generate the regional accounts and was it combined with available data as well as experts‟ estimates. |
| Keywords: | Demand and Price Analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2012–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nzar12:136049&r=geo |