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on Project, Program and Portfolio Management |
| By: | Martijn Brons (European Commission – JRC - IPTS); Panos Christidis (European Commission – JRC - IPTS) |
| Abstract: | The Marco Polo programme of the European Commission aims to shift or avoid freight transport off the roads to other more environmentally friendly transport modes. The programme is implemented through yearly calls for proposals. The proposals received to each call are selected for financial support inter alia on the basis of their merits in terms of environmental and social benefits. The evaluation of each proposal's merits in terms of environmental and social benefits is based on the external costs for each transport mode. On the Commission’s request the Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (JRC-IPTS) modified and updated the methodology underlying the calculation of external costs and the software application that automates the estimation of the impact on external costs for specific projects. The work was based on a combination of data and model results that allow the estimation of transport volumes, fleet mixes, levels of utilisation and resulting externalities with up-to-date methodologies for the economic valuation of these externalities. The new external cost methodology and calculator covers road, rail, inland waterways and short sea shipping. External cost coefficients are provided for environmental impacts (air quality, noise, climate change) and socio-economic impacts (accidents, congestion). The methodology permits the estimation of external cost coefficients for specific mode subcategories based on fuel technology, cruising speed, vehicle size, and cargo type. The present methodological note describes the methodology and calculator used to evaluate proposals submitted for the 2013 Marco Polo call for projects. The note is an updated version of a report entitled "External cost calculator for Marco Polo freight transport project proposals - Call 2013 version", published in April 2013 by the European Union under ISSN 1831-9424. |
| Keywords: | freight transport, external costs of transport, sustainable transport, transport technology |
| JEL: | F18 Q51 Q53 Q54 Q55 Q56 R41 |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc82783&r=ppm |
| By: | Maria Teresa Costa-Campi (University of Barcelona & IEB); Néstor Duch-Brown (University of Barcelona & IEB); José García-Quevedo (University of Barcelona & IEB) |
| Abstract: | The energy industry is facing substantial challenges that require innovation to be fostered. Nevertheless, levels of R&D investment and innovation remain quite low in comparison with other sectors. In this paper we analyse the main drivers of R&D investment and obstacles to innovation in the energy industry. We examine, firstly, whether the stated R&D objectives pursued by firms play a role in their R&D effort. Secondly, we analyse the effects of financial, knowledge and market barriers on the innovation outcomes of the firms. We rely on data from the Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) for Spanish firms for the period 2003-2010. We use a structural model with three equations corresponding to the decision to carry out R&D or not, the R&D effort and the production of innovations. The results of the econometric estimations show, first, that R&D intensity is positively related to process innovation. Second, the main barriers that hamper innovation in the energy industry are related to market factors while financial and knowledge obstacles are not significant. |
| Keywords: | R&D, innovation, energy, barriers, regulation |
| JEL: | Q40 O31 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ieb:wpaper:2013/6/doc2013-23&r=ppm |
| By: | Christophe Bonnet (GDF - Gestion, Droit et Finance - Grenoble École de Management (GEM)); Peter Wirtz (Centre de Recherche Magellan - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon III : EA3713); Martine Séville (COACTIS - Université Lumière - Lyon II : EA4161 - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Etienne) |
| Abstract: | This research is an attempt to make progress in the understanding of the process of board formation and its impact on the functions performed by the board in young entrepreneurial ventures. We study the link between board members' characteristics and the effective accomplishment of monitoring and resource provision functions. Expanding earlier research we argue that the identity of external financiers matters in configuring the board and designing its working mode and roles. This is because different investors (1) may be endowed with different skills and knowledge, and (2) their social identities influence the motivation to accomplish different roles. We present a conceptual framework of the process of board formation in entrepreneurial firms and confront it with an in-depth longitudinal case study of a young venture that has received funding from business angels and venture capitalists. We show that board composition and routines are co-constructed by different (but not all) salient stakeholders who were involved in the first input of external capital. The intended and actual role of the board members depends on their specific capabilities and financial stakes and on processes of social identification. The observation of evolving board routines shows that certain members participate in two parallel processes of interaction with the entrepreneurs. Formal board meetings essentially serve the purpose of regular monitoring, whereas certain board members contribute to resource provision in parallel informal interactions, when they strongly identify themselves with entrepreneurs. |
| Keywords: | Nascent governance; board of directors; entrepreneurial finance; social identification |
| Date: | 2013–06–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:gemptp:halshs-00850021&r=ppm |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | This report presents the findings of a research project to investigate the drivers and criteria shaping the application of genomic biotechnology to health in different national settings, and the barriers to implementation nationally and internationally. A case study approach was adopted for the project. The findings are based on the active participation in the survey of seven self-selected countries, including both OECD member and non-member countries (Finland, Israel, Luxembourg, Mexico, the United Kingdom, China and South Africa). The report outlines a number of potentially important patterns that are seen to emerge when the country case studies are set alongside one another and viewed in transnational perspective. The data, albeit based on limited evidence from a small sample of countries, suggest a significant divergence in the way that different countries are tending to adopt genomics for public health, which may have important implications for thinking about how genomic science and technology might best be employed in the interests of global public health. |
| Date: | 2013–08–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stiaac:8-en&r=ppm |