|
on Transition Economics |
| By: | Tom Coupe (Kyiv School of Economics); Maksym Obrizan (Kyiv School of Economics and University of Duisburg-Essen and CINCH) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we study the effects of violence on political outcomes using a survey of respondents in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk – two cities that were affected heavily by the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. We show that experiencing physical damage goes together with lower turnout, a higher probability of considering elections irrelevant and a lower probability of knowing one’s local representatives. We also find that property damage is associated with greater support for pro-Western parties, lower support for keeping Donbas in Ukraine and lower support for compromise as a way to stop the conflict. Our paper thus shows the importance of investigating the impact of different kinds of victimization, as different degrees of victimization can have different, sometimes even conflicting outcomes. Our paper also suggests that one of the more optimistic conclusions of previous studies, that victimization can increase political participation, does not necessarily carry over to Ukraine, which illustrates the importance of country and context-specific studies. |
| Keywords: | Ukraine, violence, turnout, war |
| JEL: | P26 D72 |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kse:dpaper:55&r=all |
| By: | Xiaobing, Huang; Xiaolian, Liu |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the reallocation effects generated by dynamics of exporting firms adopting DOPD productivity decomposition. The authors select the exporting firm samples from the dataset of Annual Surveys of Industrial Production for the period from 2005 to 2009. The study indicates that the surviving ability of exporters is weak, and that firm turnover is turbulent. The reallocation effects generated by firm dynamics contributes almost half of productivity improvement. It mainly originates from between-firm effects, rather than firm turnover effects, with the entry effects being negative. This suggests that there is market misallocation, which maybe caused by uneven regional development, industrial monopoly or state-owned enterprises. |
| Keywords: | exporting firms,firm dynamics,productivity growth,reallocation effect,China |
| JEL: | F14 D40 D22 D24 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwedp:201564&r=all |
| By: | Mihály Hajnal (Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary)); György Molnár (Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary)); Judit Várhegyi (Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary)) |
| Abstract: | Exchange rate movements influence prices through numerous channels. In this paper we provide empirical evidence on pass-through of exchange rate movements into consumer prices. The pass-through depends on a number of factors, and its size may vary over time. In recent years, prices have responded less to a depreciation of the exchange rate than would have been warranted by estimates conducted before the crisis. Before the crisis a 1 per cent change in the exchange rate resulted in a 0.3 per cent change in price level after two years. Currently, the pass-through is estimated to be in the range of 0.1–0.2 per cent over a two-year horizon. Both cyclical (subdued demand) and structural (decline in level of inflation) factors have contributed to the weakening of the relationship. |
| Keywords: | exchange rate pass-through, inflation, time series models |
| JEL: | C32 E31 F31 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mnb:opaper:2015/121&r=all |
| By: | Vladimir Balaz (Institute for Forecasting (Bratislava, Slovakia)) |
| Abstract: | In the frame of the Stairway to Excellence project, complex country analysis was performed for the EU MS that joined the EU since 2004, with the objective to assess and corroborate all the qualitative and quantitative data in drawing national/regional FP7 participation patterns, understand the push–pull factors for FP7/H2020 participation and the factors affecting the capacity to absorb cohesion policy funds. This report articulates analysis on selected aspects and country-tailored policy suggestions aiming to tackle the weaknesses identified in the analysis. The report complements the complex qualitative/ quantitative analysis performed by the IPTS/KfG/S2E team. In order to avoid duplication and cover all the elements required for a sound analysis, the report builds on analytical framework developed by IPTS. |
| Keywords: | Research and Innovation, EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, Cohesion policy, Structural Funds, SF, ERDF, European Regional Development Fund, European Structural & Investment Funds, ESIF, quality of governance, evaluation and monitoring mechanisms. |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc97218&r=all |
| By: | Sampawende Jules TAPSOBA (Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches sur le Développement International(CERDI)); Mary-Françoise RENARD (Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches sur le Développement International(CERDI)); Jean-Louis COMBES (Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches sur le Développement International(CERDI)) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the cyclicality of provincial expenditure in China during the period 1978-2013. We assess whether provincial expenditure has been pro-cyclical using panel data for our analysis. Profligacy is found to be a regular feature of provincial fiscal policy. This profligacy occurs both in good and bad times and has markedly increased since 1994 with the increased autonomy of provinces. We further find that the profligacy bias is mitigated when financial constraints are relaxed, the remaining political life of the governor is long, government efficiency is strong, corruption incidence is low, and governments are large. |
| Keywords: | China, Fiscal cyclicality, regional growth |
| JEL: | R12 H60 H50 E62 |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdi:wpaper:1733&r=all |
| By: | Domagoj RaÄić (Independent Expert); Jadranka Å varc (Independent Expert) |
| Abstract: | In the frame of the Stairway to Excellence project, complex country analysis was performed for the EU MS that joined the EU since 2004, with the objective to assess and corroborate all the qualitative and quantitative data in drawing national/regional FP7 participation patterns, understand the push–pull factors for FP7/H2020 participation and the factors affecting the capacity to absorb cohesion policy funds. This report articulates analysis on selected aspects and country-tailored policy suggestions aiming to tackle the weaknesses identified in the analysis. The report complements the complex qualitative/ quantitative analysis performed by the IPTS/KfG/S2E team. In order to avoid duplication and cover all the elements required for a sound analysis, the report builds on analytical framework developed by IPTS. |
| Keywords: | Research and Innovation, EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, Cohesion policy, Structural Funds, SF, ERDF, European Regional Development Fund, European Structural & Investment Funds, ESIF, quality of governance, evaluation and monitoring mechanisms. |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc97338&r=all |
| By: | Ruuta Ruttas (Independent consultant) |
| Abstract: | In the frame of the Stairway to Excellence project, country analysis was performed for the EU MS that joined the EU since 2004, with the objective to assess and corroborate all the qualitative and quantitative data in drawing national/regional FP7 participation patterns, understand the push–pull factors for FP7/H2020 participation and the factors affecting the capacity to absorb cohesion policy funds. This report articulates analysis on selected aspects and country-tailored policy suggestions aiming to tackle the weaknesses identified in the analysis. The report complements the complex qualitative/ quantitative analysis performed by the IPTS/KfG/S2E team. In order to avoid duplication and cover all the elements required for a sound analysis, the report builds on analytical framework developed by IPTS |
| Keywords: | Research and Innovation, EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, Cohesion policy, Structural Funds, SF, ERDF, European Regional Development Fund, European Structural & Investment Funds, ESIF, quality of governance, evaluation and monitoring mechanisms |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc97481&r=all |
| By: | Maja BuÄar (Independent Expert) |
| Abstract: | In the frame of the Stairway to Excellence project, complex country analysis was performed for the EU MS that joined the EU since 2004, with the objective to assess and corroborate all the qualitative and quantitative data in drawing national/regional FP7 participation patterns, understand the push–pull factors for FP7/H2020 participation and the factors affecting the capacity to absorb cohesion policy funds. This report articulates analysis on selected aspects and country-tailored policy suggestions aiming to tackle the weaknesses identified in the analysis. The report complements the complex qualitative/ quantitative analysis performed by the IPTS/KfG/S2E team. In order to avoid duplication and cover all the elements required for a sound analysis, the report builds on analytical framework developed by IPTS. |
| Keywords: | Research and Innovation, EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, Cohesion policy, Structural Funds, SF, ERDF, European Regional Development Fund, European Structural & Investment Funds, ESIF, quality of governance, evaluation and monitoring mechanisms. |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc97527&r=all |
| By: | BLINOV, Sergey |
| Abstract: | Savings are a huge boon for the economy. This means both growth today and prospects for growth tomorrow. This is both an investment resource and a medicine for inflation. However, mistakes made in managing the savings by economic authorities, may turn everything upside down and then the savings become a cause of inflation and many other economic woes. This is exactly what happened in the far-off 1992 in Russia. Two approaches: reliable tools and advantages of the bond type form of savings would enable Russia to quickly create a significant stock of «long» money and increase the GDP and, at the same time, significantly reduce inflation. |
| Keywords: | Savings, Inflation, Shock Therapy, Transitional Economies, Russia |
| JEL: | E20 E21 E31 E32 E52 E65 N10 P20 P24 |
| Date: | 2015–10–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:67147&r=all |
| By: | Péter Bauer (Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary)) |
| Abstract: | The study analyses the relationship between real economy convergence and the convergence of relative prices. Similar to its peers in the CEE region, a significant part of Hungary’s price convergence with developed Western European countries can be attributed to the convergence of the real economy. The crisis, however, impeded catching-up in the entire region, leaving relative prices largely unchanged in the subsequent periods. In addition to decelerating real convergence, this may also have resulted from depreciating nominal exchange rates. The relationship between relative price levels and economic development is often explained by the Balassa-Samuelson effect; according to the findings, however, this effect accounts for only a part of the real appreciation observed in the region over the past one-and-a-half decades. This may have resulted primarily from problems concerning the data required for the estimation of the Balassa-Samuelson effect. Thus, in interpreting the findings, the main focus is a direct estimation of the relationship between relative price levels and economic development. The rate of expected price convergence in Hungary can be calculated from assumptions about future economic growth, relying on estimates pertaining to the relationship between relative price levels and economic development. According to our estimates, real convergence may be accompanied by price convergence of 0.5–1 per cent per annum. This calculation, however, involves significant uncertainty. The lower growth rate of regulated prices may lead to lower convergence rates, while higher economic growth compared to the euro area may drive faster price convergence. |
| Keywords: | price convergence, Balassa-Samuelson effect, real appreciation |
| JEL: | E31 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mnb:opaper:2015/119&r=all |
| By: | Andrea Ascani; Riccardo Crescenzi; Simona Iammarino |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates how the location behaviour of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) is shaped by the economic institutions of the host countries. The analysis covers a wide set of geographically proximate economies with different degrees of integration with the ‘Old’ 15 European Union (EU) members: New Member States, Accession and Candidate Countries, as well as European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries and the Russian Federation. The paper aims to shed new light on the heterogeneity of MNE preferences for the host countries’ regulatory settings (including labour market and business regulation), legal aspects (i.e. protection of property rights and contract enforcement) and the weight of the government in the economy. By employing data on 6,888 greenfield investment projects, the randomcoefficient Mixed Logit analysis here applied shows that, while the quality of the national institutional framework is generally beneficial for the attraction of foreign investment, MNEs preferences over economic institutions are highly heterogeneous across sectors and business functions. |
| Keywords: | Multinational Enterprises, Economic Institutions, Location Choice, European Union |
| JEL: | F23 P33 L20 R30 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eiq:eileqs:97&r=all |
| By: | Bratanova, Alexandra; Robinson, Jacqueline; Wagner, Liam; Kolegov, Vitaly; Nikitchenko, Aleksey; Nikitchenko, Anna |
| Abstract: | Russia set an ambitious energy efficiency goal requiring involvement of all sectors of the economy. It requires specific and efficient public policies at all levels of governance. However, decision making in the energy sector in Russia is complex and characterized by multiple policy objectives, conflicting interest groups and a lack of available quantitative data. This study investigates the decision problem of energy efficiency improvements in the industrial sector – a policy proposed by the Moscow City Government. Multiple criteria analysis (MCA) is tendered as an appropriate evaluation tool. As limited studies exist of the application of MCA in Russia, none – for regional energy systems development, this paper provides a novel solution for regional public management. We adapted the MCA PROMETHEE method and undertook an expert survey to evaluate the policy proposal and develop recommendations. This paper describes the adjustment of the evaluation tool to the existing institutional structure and decision making procedures in Russia. It provides a discussion about the participation of stakeholder groups and determination of policy objectives, options and criteria. The analysis leads to a ranking of preferred policy alternatives to assist policy selection and energy efficiency program development. From this, we recommend partial subsidization of the costs of industrial organisations to implement contracts with energy service companies as the best performing option. More importantly we demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of MCA as a decision support tool for Russian public decision-making. Its wide application is expected to improve public management at both regional and federal levels. |
| Keywords: | multiple criteria analysis; energy; industry; developing country; Russian regions; |
| JEL: | O21 Q40 Q48 |
| Date: | 2015–10–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:67178&r=all |
| By: | Wan, Guanghua (Asian Development Bank Institute); Zhang, Xun (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | The importance of infrastructure in economic development has been increasingly recognized by governments, development institutions, and the research community. Despite a sizable literature on its efficiency and growth effects, the distributive impacts of infrastructure have been largely overlooked, with a few recent exceptions. This is regrettable, particularly given the overwhelming concern about inequality and inclusive growth all over the world. This paper will: (i) demonstrate the deficiency of conventional approaches to modelling inequality; (ii) extend the Mincer earnings function so that both growth and distributive effects of infrastructure can be evaluated; and (iii) fit the extended model to a large sample of individual-level data from rural People’s Republic of China (PRC) over the period of 1989–2011, providing estimates of growth and the distributive impacts of specific physical infrastructures—telephone, tap water and electricity. All these infrastructures are found to promote rural income growth, helping narrow the rural–urban gap, which is the dominant component of the PRC’s overall inequality. Further, the poor are found to gain more than the rich, implying benign distributive effects of these infrastructures. In addition, males, the more experienced, the better educated, and to some extent the married benefited more than their counterparts, especially from telephones. Finally, some of these subpopulation effects have become more significant in recent years and are larger in central PRC, possibly because infrastructure helps open up more opportunities for those with better education or more experience. The empirical results are robust to different definitions of the experience variable, consideration of the mortality selection bias, reconstruction of the telephone data, and possible reverse causality. |
| Keywords: | infrastructure gains; rural PRC; physical infrastructure |
| JEL: | D31 H52 H54 |
| Date: | 2015–10–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0540&r=all |
| By: | Veronika Hecht |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the location choice of German investors in the Czech Republic based on a unique dataset covering all Czech companies with a German equity holder in 2010. The identification of the regional determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) location is an important regional policy issue as FDI is supposed to improve the labour market conditions of the host region. Using a nested logit approach the impact of agglomeration economies, labour market conditions and distance on the location choice decision is investigated. The main result of the paper is that apart from a low distance to the location of the parent company the attractiveness of a Czech district for German investors is mainly driven by agglomeration economies. Besides localisation economies the agglomeration of German companies in a region plays a decisive role. The importance of labour market characteristics differs between investment sectors, sizes and periods. |
| Keywords: | Location choice, FDI, Multinational enterprises, Germany, Czech Republic, Agglomeration Economies |
| JEL: | F24 R12 R30 |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wsr:wpaper:y:2015:i:159&r=all |
| By: | Komendrovskaya, Irina; Bobojonov, Ihtiyor; Glauben, Thomas |
| Abstract: | Russia’s agrifood industry, including processing, wholesale, and retail underwent tremendous changes since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In this transition from the planned to a market economy, supermarkets emerged as important players in Russia, affecting agrifood system via organizational and institutional changes including centralization of procurement from farmers and demanding private standards on product quality and safety.This study examines the penetration of supermarket chains and factors contributing to development of modern retailing in Russia. The panel data at regional level is used in order to investigate the factors influencing on modernization of retail sector in Russia. |
| Keywords: | Agrifood system, food supply chain, food security, sanctions, import, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:gewi15:209253&r=all |
| By: | Hu, Cui; Tan, Yong |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the local export spillover effect on firm-level decisionsto start exporting (the extensive margin) and export volume (the intensive margin) by exploiting a unique dataset of Chinese export firms. Based on a gravity-type equation estimated at firm level, we find thatboth nearby products anddestination specific exporterspositivelyinfluence the individual decisions of firmsto start exporting and their exportvolumes. Several methods are used to verify the robustness of these results. The results imply that the local export spillover lowers both the fixed and variable cost of exporting. In addition, we find that the effect of export spillover on exporting that is both product and destination specificis stronger than it is on exporting that iseither product or destination specificalone, but not both. Small and multi-product firmsare more likely to be influenced by the spillover effect in their decisionsto start exporting, and less likely to be influenced in theirexport volumes. Geographically, local export spillover effect is strongest on firms located in the same city;its effect on firms located in the same province but in different citiesranks second in terms of strength. This result indicates that the effect oflocal export spillover exhibits spatial decay in China. |
| Keywords: | Export spillover; Extensive margin; Intensive margin |
| JEL: | F10 R12 |
| Date: | 2015–10–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:67156&r=all |
| By: | Marek Giergiczny (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw); Natalia Nehrebecka (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw); Tomasz Zylicz (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw) |
| Abstract: | The paper looks at how the foresters try to reconcile sustainable management practices with economic viability of their operations within the legal framework they operate in. In particular, we compare prices received by the State Forest Enterprise in Poland in two types of timber auctions: constrained and unconstrained ones. While the latter allow for higher revenues, the former are maintained for political reasons. The authors verify alternative hypotheses regarding market behaviour of timber buyers. The data from timber auctions in 2011-2012 demonstrate that winning prices are determined by starting prices and by the market power of the State Forest Enterprise (diversified with respect to specific timber varieties), as well as by price expectations. Based on the modelling results the paper makes policy recommendations with respect to the design of timber auctions and – more broadly – with respect to striking a balance between timber and non-timber benefits from the forestry in Poland. |
| Keywords: | Timber markets, Public forests, Multi-unit auction, Sustainable management |
| JEL: | D44 L73 Q23 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:war:wpaper:2015-34&r=all |
| By: | Dunsch, Sophie |
| Abstract: | The unemployment rates, especially youth unemployment rates, increased in various countries of Europe over the last years. This paper examines youth unemployment developments in Germany and Poland with Okun's law to test the hypothesis that young employees are more exposed to the business cycle. I estimate age and country specific Okun coefficients for five different age cohorts. The results show that youth in Poland is more sensitive to the business cycle than adults, while in Germany the difference between the age cohorts is not that distinctive. A further examination of the different labor market institutions regarding youth employment results in policy recommendations beyond GDP growth, such as job-search assistance as short-term and structural reforms regarding education as long-term recommendation. |
| Keywords: | Youth Unemployment,Okun's Law,Poland,Germany |
| JEL: | E24 J64 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:euvwdp:373&r=all |
| By: | Luca Lorenzoni; David Morgan; Yuki Murakami; Chris James |
| Abstract: | In recent years, China has seen an unprecedented expansion of health insurance for its population in its quest to achieve universal health coverage. By 2011, 95% of the Chinese population was insured up from less than 50% in 2005 through public or employer-based insurance schemes. As part of this move, the structure of health care financing has shifted significantly, such that public sources in 2013 funded well over half of all health spending, compared with just over a third in the early 2000s. In that context, it is important to determine the main drivers of future growth in health spending in the medium term, to assess the possible impact on public budgets. Using a component-based health expenditure model developed at the OECD, future projections of public spending on health care and long-term care are made for OECD and key emerging economies, including China. The uniform cross-country framework allows for consistent international comparisons under different cost-pressure and cost-containment scenarios.<BR>Ces dernières années, la Chine a connu une expansion sans précédent de la population couverte par l’assurance maladie dans sa quête pour une assurance maladie universelle. Dès 2011, 95% de la population chinoise était assurée contre moins de 50 % en 2005 par le biais de l’assurance maladie publique. Dans cette même mouvance, la structure du financement des soins de santé s'est déplacée de manière significative, au point que plus de la moitié des dépenses de santé est financée publiquement en 2013, contre un peu plus d'un tiers au début des années 2000. Dans ce contexte, il est important de déterminer les principaux moteurs de la croissance future des dépenses de santé à moyen terme, afin d'évaluer l'impact possible sur les budgets publics. En utilisant un modèle component-based des dépenses de santé développé à l'OCDE, des projections de la dépense publique en soins de santé et de longue durée, ont été réalisées pour les pays de l’OCDE et quelques pays émergents, incluant la Chine. L’utilisation d’une méthodologie unique pour l’ensemble des pays permet des comparaisons internationales cohérentes, avec différents scénarios de tension sur les coûts et de maitrise des coûts. |
| JEL: | H51 I12 J11 |
| Date: | 2015–10–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:elsaad:84-en&r=all |
| By: | Fatime Barbara Hegyi (Artego) |
| Abstract: | In the frame of the Stairway to Excellence project, country analysis was performed for the EU MS that joined the EU since 2004, with the objective to assess and corroborate all the qualitative and quantitative data in drawing national/regional FP7 participation patterns, understand the push–pull factors for FP7/H2020 participation and the factors affecting the capacity to absorb cohesion policy funds. This report articulates analysis on selected aspects and country-tailored policy suggestions aiming to tackle the weaknesses identified in the analysis. The report complements the complex qualitative/ quantitative analysis performed by the IPTS/KfG/S2E team. In order to avoid duplication and cover all the elements required for a sound analysis, the report builds on analytical framework developed by IPTS. |
| Keywords: | Research and Innovation, EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, Cohesion policy, Structural Funds, SF, ERDF, European Regional Development Fund, European Structural & Investment Funds, ESIF, quality of governance, evaluation and monitoring mechanisms |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc97470&r=all |
| By: | Perrotta Berlin, Maria (Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics); Spagnolo, Giancarlo (Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics) |
| Abstract: | One-sided leniency policies and asymmetric punishment are regarded as potentially powerful anti-corruption tools, also in the light of their success in busting price-fixing cartels. It has been argued, however, that the introduction of these policies in China in 1997 has not helped fighting corruption. Following up on this view, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party passed on 23 October 2014 a Decision concerning Several Major Issues in Comprehensively Advancing Governance According to Law which stressed the current government’s strong commitment to fight corruption introducing heavier penalties but also severe restrictions of leniency offered to bribe-givers. Claims on the effects of the 1997 reform are not backed by data, to our knowledge, while evaluating the effects of a policy on crimes like corruption is difficult. These crimes are typically only observed if detected and convicted by the police, and an increase in observed convictions may as well be due to an increase in the total number of crimes rather than to a positive effect of the policy. We collect data on the investigations of bribery and public official corruption, available for most Chinese provinces for the period 1986-2010, and extend to corruption a method to identify deterrence effects from changes in detected cases, originally developed for cartels. The available evidence so far points to a substantial and stable reduction in the number of major corruption cases around the 1997 reform, a result per se ambiguous but clearly consistent with a positive deterrence effect of the 1997 reform. A case study analysis is under way to corroborate and help the interpretation of these preliminary findings. |
| Keywords: | Corruption; Leniency; China |
| JEL: | K14 N45 P37 |
| Date: | 2015–10–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:hasite:0034&r=all |
| By: | Nina Pološki Vokić (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb) |
| Abstract: | The aim of the paper is to assess whether HRM practices in Croatia, as the newest European Union (EU) member country with only cca 20 years of free market economy which implies the change in the HRM philosophy, is heading towards more competitive or more sustainable HRM. In the theoretical part of the paper the characteristics of competitive HRM and sustainable HRM are provided. In the empirical part of the paper, using CRANET methodology, the survey of HRM practices in Croatia has been conducted in order to explore both competitiveness and sustainability of Croatian organizations’ HRM practices, coupled with a comparative analysis using CRANET survey 2011 results for EU countries. |
| Keywords: | competitive HRM, sustainable HRM, CRANET, Croatia |
| JEL: | M12 M14 M5 |
| Date: | 2015–10–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zag:wpaper:1506&r=all |
| By: | Ekaterina A. Klepikova (National Research University Higher School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an analysis of the labor supply of Russian people in pensionable age. It aims to answer two questions: (1) whether bad health is an important limitation for labor activity and (2) whether a greater pension benefit could be a stimulus for delayed retirement. This is an empirical work based on data of the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey - Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE) from 2000-2010. Findings suggest that the most important factor of labor supply is income, and it is more significant for people with higher education. Bad health contributes to leaving the labor force, but the effect is smaller than income’. Some policy implications are also suggested based on the empirical results of the study |
| Keywords: | labor supply, health, pensionable age, postponement of retirement, Russia, RLMS-HSE. |
| JEL: | C2 J1 J2 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:100/ec/2015&r=all |
| By: | Bui, Anh Kim |
| Abstract: | This article develops a set of indicators to assess social capital of the Vietnamese pepper supply chain in the three main aspects, i.e. trust, norm, and network. Likert scale is used to quantify the magnitude of the social capital and to calculate the social capital index. Then, the research evaluates the impact of social capital on the performance of the Vietnamese pepper supply chain using the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Finally, implications of the influence of social capital in supply chain management are discussed. This study contributes to the literature of social capital and SEM methodology. |
| Keywords: | social capital, supply chain, Structural Equation Modelling, pepper, Vietnam, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:gewi15:209255&r=all |
| By: | Manova, Kalina; Yu, Zhihong |
| Abstract: | The fragmentation of production across borders allows firms to make and export final goods, or to perform only intermediate stages of production by processing imported inputs for re-exporting. We examine how financial frictions affect companies’ choice between processing and ordinary trade – implicitly a choice of production technology and position in global supply chains – and how this decision affects performance. We exploit matched customs and balance-sheet data from China, where exports are classified as ordinary trade, import-and-assembly processing trade (processing firm sources and pays for imported inputs), and pure-assembly processing trade (processing firm receives foreign inputs for free). Value added, profits and profitability rise from pure assembly to processing with imports to ordinary trade. However, more profitable trade regimes require more working capital because they entail higher up-front costs. As a result, credit constraints induce firms to conduct more processing trade and pure assembly in particular, and preclude them from pursuing higher value-added, more profitable activities. Financial market imperfections thus impact the organization of production across firms and countries, and inform optimal trade and development policy in the presence of global production networks. |
| Keywords: | China; credit constraints; global value chain; heterogeneous firms; processing trade; trade regime |
| JEL: | F10 F13 F14 F23 F34 G32 |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:10871&r=all |
| By: | Lee, Wang-Sheng (Deakin University); Zhao, Zhong (Renmin University of China) |
| Abstract: | In general, the happiness literature has paid little attention to the relationship between physical appearance and well-being. In this paper, we examine the link between weight, height and well-being for three distinct samples in China given that attractiveness effects likely vary greatly across sociocultural contexts. As China has recently undergone rapid economic transformation in the urban areas, this empirical exercise is particularly interesting because it can highlight how changing social norms have affected the relationship between physical appearance and subjective well-being. For the rural and migrant samples, we find that for both men and women, big and tall individuals have higher levels of well-being. This is consistent with the notion that the strong are better off when more labor intensive work is the norm. For the urban sample and for urban males in particular, no well-being penalty is found for being obese, unlike previous results based on Western samples. It is very likely that the unique Chinese cultural practice of network building banquets and feasting is behind this finding. |
| Keywords: | China, subjective well-being, height, weight, semi-parametric |
| JEL: | I10 I30 |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9397&r=all |
| By: | Lucia Mýtna Kureková |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the implementation of mainstream employment policies in Slovakia with respect to Roma. It highlights positive and negative practices in application, revealing diversity in on-the-ground implementation of different measures as well as institutional deficiencies in the provision of public employment services. By gathering experiences from the stakeholders involved in the implementation, as well as from Roma participants, the paper differs from top-down approaches to analysing employment policies prevailing to date and unveils the experiences, perceptions and practices of Roma themselves. It finds that the employment options available through the mainstream employment framework represent an important opportunity for many Roma in the deprived localities, especially under the economic deprivation aggravated by the recent economic crisis. Efforts should concentrate on up-scaling and targeting the mainstream framework, on fighting institutional discrimination, and on enhanced investment in education and training. |
| Keywords: | employment policies, public employment services, Roma, social inclusion, Slovakia |
| JEL: | D04 I3 J68 |
| Date: | 2015–10–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cel:dpaper:34&r=all |
| By: | Angelina Todorova (Independent Expert) |
| Abstract: | In the frame of the Stairway to Excellence project, complex country analysis was performed for the EU MS that joined the EU since 2004, with the objective to assess and corroborate all the qualitative and quantitative data in drawing national/regional FP7 participation patterns, understand the push–pull factors for FP7/H2020 participation and the factors affecting the capacity to absorb cohesion policy funds. This report articulates analysis on selected aspects and country-tailored policy suggestions aiming to tackle the weaknesses identified in the analysis. The report complements the complex qualitative/ quantitative analysis performed by the IPTS/KfG/S2E team. In order to avoid duplication and cover all the elements required for a sound analysis, the report builds on analytical framework developed by IPTS. |
| Keywords: | Research and Innovation, EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, Cohesion policy, Structural Funds, SF, ERDF, European Regional Development Fund, European Structural & Investment Funds, ESIF, quality of governance, evaluation and monitoring mechanisms. |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc97336&r=all |
| By: | Tilekeyev, Kanat |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the results of a study of the micro-, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in Tajikistan, with a focus on its role in the economic growth of the country. Tajikistan has experienced a significant improvement in economic performance during the last decade. This growth is evident in sectors in which MSMEs operate, suggesting the need to better understand the sector and its role in national economic growth. The paper describes the results of a survey of 325 randomly selected, cluster-based enterprises in three key economic sectors in urban and rural areas across Tajikistan: retail trade and services, transportation and agriculture. The dataset provides detailed information on the personal characteristics of entrepreneurs, as well as specific factors influencing the growth of MSMEs, including labour, capital, information and barriers to growth. Analysis of the determinants of making investments, as well as the success of investment decisions of urban entrepreneurs, provides insight into the necessity of developing education opportunities on business and financial planning for MSME owners. Conclusions are presented to help guide policy and programmes that impact the MSME sector and the broader environment in which it functions. |
| Keywords: | Micro-, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Tajikistan, Business Development, Urban Business Development, Rural Business Development, Economic Growth, Business Environment |
| JEL: | D22 L21 L26 L53 M21 Q13 |
| Date: | 2014–11–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:66719&r=all |
| By: | Michal Horváth; Matúš Senaj; Zuzana Siebertová; Norbert Švarda |
| Abstract: | The paper provides a quantitative assessment of the consequences of departing from a flat-tax system in the context of Slovakia. A behavioural microsimulation model of the labour supply is embedded into a general equilibrium framework with search and matching frictions. Some recently implemented changes in the tax system leave aggregate labour market indicators as well as inequality measures virtually unaffected. We also examine hypothetical revenue-neutral reforms that would significantly increase the progressivity of the system through graduated marginal tax rates. We find that there are narrow limits to what policy makers could accomplish through such reforms in terms of employment and equality of income. Hence, an income tax reform should at best be seen as a complementary tool to other initiatives promoting such objectives. Moreover, we highlight an important trade-off: income tax reforms that promote employment may harm growth. |
| Keywords: | flat tax, microsimulation, general equilibrium, search and matching, labour supply elasticity |
| JEL: | E24 H24 H31 J22 |
| Date: | 2015–10–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cel:dpaper:33&r=all |
| By: | Bobojonov, Ihtiyor; Djanibekov, Nodir; Voigt, Peter |
| Abstract: | Following the 1991 independence, Uzbekistan launched a program of national grain self-sufficiency supplemented by state subsidies and production targets. This policy measure also turned Uzbekistan from a wheat importer into an exporting country. Grounded on a throughout analysis of the post-1991 data and literature, we reconstruct the development trends in wheat sector of Uzbekistan and analyze whether it can emerge as a new player in food security in the Eurasian wheat belt region. The analysis and the discussions in the study suggest that the country has a potential to become an important supplier of wheat to neighboring countries. Although high-quality rainfed wheat is available from Kazakhstan, the central location and good road connections to the neighboring countries as well as less volatile wheat production under irrigation can provide some comparative advantages to Uzbek wheat producers. However, it is difficult to foreseen the further increase in wheat exports without the state procurement mechanism and interventions in the supply chains. Further improvement of the current procurement mechanism with introduction of market-based intensives to wheat producers is required to increase the production quality and efficiencies and the sustainability of wheat supply chain. |
| Keywords: | Wheat production, Central Asia, Caucasus, wheat quality, climate change., Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:gewi15:209217&r=all |
| By: | Sergey P. Postylyakov (National Research University Higher School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | The article deals with relevant problems of determination of the objective limits of the prejudgment using the prejudgment of the particular types of court rulings as an example. The author concludes that the concept of «circumstances» should be defined as facts and established on their basis legal relations. The author considers that the court orders, the judgments in absentia, the judgments of dismissal due to the approval of the settlement as well as the higher court rulings that verify legality of previous judgments not verifying validity should be excluded from the objective limits of the prejudgment. The author analyzes rules of the draft of the Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation of 2000 and comes to the conclusion that Article 61 of the current Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation requires to be amended. |
| Keywords: | prejudgment, civil procedure, objective limits, particular types of court rulings, Russian Federation |
| JEL: | K41 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:55/law/2015&r=all |
| By: | Mario Holzner (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw) |
| Abstract: | Zusammenfassung Aufwind im Westen der MOSOEL In den mittel-, ost- und südosteuropäischen Ländern (MOSOEL) klafft der Ausblick für das Wirtschaftswachstum auch weiterhin auseinander für die meisten der neuen EU-Mitgliedstaaten (NMS) wird eine langsame Beschleunigung des BIP-Wachstums beginnend mit diesem Jahr erwartet. Für 2015 soll das Wachstum durchschnittlich auf 3% ansteigen, um 0,2 Prozentpunkte mehr als im Vorjahr. Die Erholung erfolgt um ein Jahr früher als erwartet. Wesentlicher Faktor ist die bessere Entwicklung in der Eurozone. Auch am Westbalkan wird eine (wenn auch weniger dynamische) Verbesserung der Wachstumsaussichten für die gesamte Prognoseperiode 2015-2017 erwartet. Die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung 2015 in Weißrussland, Kasachstan, Russland und der Ukraine wird düster ausfallen und zum Teil noch schlechter sein als bisher erwartet. Für diese Länder sind die mittelfristigen Wirtschaftsaussichten auch mit substantiellen Risiken behaftet. Insgesamt sollte aber das verstärkte Wachstum in den MOSOEL für die österreichische Wirtschaft als Nachfrageimpuls dienen. Insbesondere die NMS sind für Österreich von zunehmender Bedeutung. English Summary Western CESEE countries in the ascendant The outlook for GDP growth in the Central, East and Southeast Europe (CESEE) region remains divergent we expect a gradual acceleration of GDP growth for most of the EU’s new Member States (NMS) starting this year. For 2015 growth is expected to increase to 3% on average, by 0.2 pp more as compared to last year. The recovery comes a year earlier than expected mainly based on favourable developments in the euro area. In the Western Balkans growth prospects will also improve over the whole forecast period 2015-2017, though slightly less dynamically. Growth performance in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine in 2015, however, will be dismal and partly worse than expected; the medium-term outlook for these countries is also fairly uncertain with considerable downside risks. Overall though, we should expect stronger CESEE growth to act as a demand stimulus for the Austrian economy. The NMS in particular are of increasing importance for Austria. |
| Keywords: | macroeconomic analysis, international trade, competitiveness, consumption, investment, savings, global financial crisis |
| JEL: | E20 F34 G01 O52 O57 P24 P27 P33 P52 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wii:ratpap:rpg:1&r=all |
| By: | Agne Paliokaite (Visionary Analytics) |
| Abstract: | In the frame of the Stairway to Excellence project, complex country analysis was performed for the EU MS that joined the EU since 2004, with the objective to assess and corroborate all the qualitative and quantitative data in drawing national/regional FP7 participation patterns, understand the push–pull factors for FP7/H2020 participation and the factors affecting the capacity to absorb cohesion policy funds. This report articulates analysis on selected aspects and country-tailored policy suggestions aiming to tackle the weaknesses identified in the analysis. The report complements the qualitative/ quantitative analysis performed by the IPTS/KfG/S2E team. In order to avoid duplication and cover all the elements required for a sound analysis, the report builds on analytical framework developed by IPTS. |
| Keywords: | Synergies, Research and Innovation Funding, FP7, Horizon2020, research and Innovation cohesion policy funds, quality of governance of research and innovation system, evaluation and monitoring mechanisms |
| Date: | 2015–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc97303&r=all |
| By: | John Gibson (University of Waikato) |
| Abstract: | The locations of agglomeration economies and their effects on city-level productivity and wages in China are examined. Previous studies rely on inaccurate measures of city scale based on China’s hukou household registration system but more accurate resident-based measures from the 2010 census are used here. The size of agglomeration effects is similar to what is found in other countries. These agglomeration effects occur only in urban districts and operate only through tertiary sector activity. Government-directed efforts to create a dispersed form of urbanization, by stimulating construction and manufacturing activity in less urbanized counties, is unlikely to create beneficial agglomeration effects. |
| Keywords: | happiness; household surveys; inequality; poverty; prices; shared prosperity; |
| JEL: | O15 I38 |
| Date: | 2015–10–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wai:econwp:15/08&r=all |