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on Heterodox Microeconomics |
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Issue of 2014‒12‒19
seven papers chosen by Carlo D’Ippoliti Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” |
| By: | Green, Mitchell |
| Abstract: | The surplus approach of classical political economy is applied to the problem of qualitative change in the social provisioning as concerns the Pacific Northwest. Two features of the surplus approach, 1) emphasis on structural interdependence and 2) the Sraffian notion of ‘viability’, allow for the economic history of the Pacific Northwest to be recast as a problem of embeddness. It is argued that two distinct provisioning processes were embedded in two societies, and viability of each is mutually inconsistent with the other. That is, capitalist use of the Columbia River watershed undermined the viability of the non-capitalist provioning process that precedes it, in which indigenous groups were central. Taking the social relation as the unit of analysis qualititive change is examined with reference to the electrification of the region, and the subsequent rendering of the watershed as an ‘organic machine.’ |
| Keywords: | surplus approach, Sraffa, Pacific Northwest, embeddedness |
| JEL: | B5 L94 N9 P0 |
| Date: | 2014–11–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:59874&r=hme |
| By: | Massimo Folador; Angela Greco; Gaetano Citro; Maurizio Benedetti |
| Abstract: | The great financial crisis started in 2007 in the Western world has spread its bad effects to the economies of many countries and is still generating serious social problems, particularly in Europe. The globalization of markets and a financial system increasingly self-regulated are now bringing a charge against the further sustainability of the mainstream economics. Going back to the sources of the economic studies, we discover that the country where economics became an independent research field was actually Italy. In fact Antonio Genovesi, born near Naples, established the first Faculty of Economics in the mid of the 18<sup>th</sup> century. Far away from the present market economic model, the one proposed by his School was closer to the idea of economics as a social science, aimed to find out the best rules and ways of creating general well-being. Under the name of Civil Economics, values like mutual confidence, respectful relationships and ethical behavior are the essential background for individual and general progress. Other Italian famous thinkers of the time (Verri) and Adam Smith, from Scotland, took advantage from these studies for their analysis and research about the reasons of wealth and ways of growth of nations. Beccaria, Romagnosi and Cattaneo, following the same path, gave further relevant contributions in the 19th century. Nevertheless, the Industrial Revolution and the role of market as the main regulatory body of the economic system diverted the interest to the neoclassical or mainstream economics. Only more recently, some schools of management revalued such principles at a corporate level, introducing the concept of a plurality of stakeholders and the corporate social responsibility (CSR). This paper aims to verify whether the values proposed by Civil Economics can find an application in the present situation, at least at the microeconomic level of corporate organizations. Once identified an organization undertaking these values as a driver for strategies and day-by-day management, we made an appraisal of the consequences on qualitative and economic performances. Following this criteria, the case chosen is “Ospedale Regionale La Carità di Locarno” (OdL), in Switzerland, well-known for its best practices among Swiss organizations, in (and out) the health services sector. We found out that the long-time investment the management has been realizing into those ethical principles contributes to build up an intangible asset generating economic and social value. Organizational behaviors and rules fostering innovation and individual commitment create ongoing qualitative improvements, high levels of stakeholders’ satisfaction and first-rate economic performances, placing OdL as an example of excellence in its field of activity. |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:liu:liuced:275&r=hme |
| By: | Tony Andreani (UP8 - Université Paris 8, Vincennes-Saint-Denis - Université Paris VIII - Vincennes Saint-Denis); Rémy Herrera (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - CNRS : UMR8174 - Université Paris I - Panthéon-Sorbonne) |
| Abstract: | Cet article, écrit pour se joindre à un ouvrage collectif publié par les Éditions Delga et réunissant des contributions sur la Chine contemporaine, notamment celles présentées lors d'un colloque organisé à l'Assemblée Nationale (France) en mars 2013, propose un examen critique du livre La Voie chinoise de Michel Aglietta et Guo Bai. Après avoir présenté l'interprétation du " capitalisme sui generis " chinois que donnent ces auteurs, puis notre propre grille de lecture, nous revenons sur certains des thèmes abordés dans ce livre, en particulier : l'analyse des déséquilibres de l'économie chinoise, les questions de l'allocation des facteurs et de leurs prix, celles de la gestion des ressources naturelles et de l'accès à la terre, les réglementations des marchés obligatoire et des actions, l'internationalisation de la monnaie et la souveraineté monétaire, les spécificités des entreprises publiques, la conception des services publics, la planification stratégique, la question du pouvoir et le " socialisme à la chinoise ". |
| Keywords: | Chine; développement; capitalisme; socialisme de marché |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00840770&r=hme |
| By: | Stan Metcalfe (University of Manchester) |
| Abstract: | An Address to Karl-Franzens Universitat, Graz; In Celebration of the Distinguished Career of o.Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Heinz D Kurz |
| Date: | 2014–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:grz:wpaper:2014-08&r=hme |
| By: | Montfort Mlachila; Rene Tapsoba; Sampawende J.-A. Tapsoba |
| Abstract: | This paper proposes a new quality of growth index (QGI) for developing countries. The index encompasses both the intrinsic nature and social dimensions of growth, and is computed for over 90 countries for the period 1990-2011. The approach is premised on the fact that not all growth is created equal in terms of social outcomes, and that it does matter how one reaches from one level of income to another for various theoretical and empirical reasons. The paper finds that the quality of growth has been improving in the vast majority of developing countries over the past two decades, although the rate of convergence is relatively slow. At the same time, there are considerable cross-country variations across income levels and regions. Finally, emprirical investigations point to the fact that main factors of the quality of growth are political stability, public pro-poor spending, macroeconomic stability, financial development, institutional quality and external factors such as FDI. |
| Keywords: | Inclusive growth;Developing countries;Social indicators;Quality of growth, social indicators. |
| Date: | 2014–09–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:14/172&r=hme |
| By: | Buvinic, Mayra; Furst-Nichols, Rebecca |
| Abstract: | A review of rigorous evaluations of interventions that seek to empower women economically shows that the same class of interventions has significantly different outcomes depending on the client. Capital alone, as a small cash loan or grant, is not sufficient to grow women-owned subsistence-level firms. However, it can work if it is delivered in-kind to more successful women microentrepreneurs, and it should boost the performance of women's larger-sized SMEs. Very poor women need a more intensive package of services than do less poor women to break out of subsistence production and grow their businesses. What works for young women does not necessarily work for adult women. Skills training, job search assistance, internships, and wage subsidies increase the employment levels of adult women but do not raise wages. However, similar interventions increase young women's employability and earnings if social restrictions are not binding. Women who run subsistence-level firms face additional social constraints when compared to similar men, thus explaining the differences in the outcomes of some loans, grants, and training interventions that favor men. Social constraints may also play a role in explaining women's outcome gains that are short-lasting or emerge with a delay. The good news is that many of the additional constraints that women face can be overcome by simple, inexpensive adjustments in program design that lessen family and social pressures. These include providing capital in-kind or transacted through the privacy of a mobile phone and providing secure savings accounts to nudge women to keep the money in the business rather than to divert it to non-business uses. |
| Keywords: | Financial Literacy,Primary Education,Gender and Development,Banks&Banking Reform,Labor Policies |
| Date: | 2014–11–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7087&r=hme |
| By: | Aisa, Rosa; Larramona, Gemma |
| Abstract: | The aim of this paper is to identify the drivers of labor market outcomes for the Spanish Roma population. Our analysis reveals that discrimination and education have an influence on the labor market outcomes of this ethnic group, and social networks also play a key role, via ethnic and cross-ethnic social contacts and family background. Discrimination and family background have a significant effect on unemployment rates of this population, while education and ethnic social contacts have an important influence on the levels of self-employment. |
| Keywords: | Spanish Roma population, labor market, discrimination, social networks |
| JEL: | J15 J24 J71 |
| Date: | 2014–11–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:59866&r=hme |