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on Transition Economics |
| By: | Olteanu, Dan Constantin (Romanian Academy, National Institute of Economic Research) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we verify and quantify the convergence trend of public social expenditure at European Union level (27 countries), as well as between Western European (WE) and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries between 1995 and 2022, structured on the three social sectors (health care, education and social protection), and three destinations (public consumption, compensation of employees and social benefits). At the same time, we investigate the manner and extent to which the effects of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020-2022 have affected this convergence trend. |
| Keywords: | social convergence, public social expenditure, health, education, social protection, public consumption, public wages, social benefits |
| JEL: | H51 H52 H53 I18 I28 I38 |
| Date: | 2025–06 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ror:wpince:250630 |
| By: | Yuriy Gorodnichenko (University of California, Berkeley); Maurice Obstfeld (Peterson Institute for International Economics) |
| Abstract: | The monumental task of rebuilding postwar Ukraine requires early planning and identification of growth strategies. The earlier accession of Eastern European countries to the European Union and NATO offers a template that relies on massive foreign direct investment and public structural funds. This approach helps to raise incomes directly and can create a virtuous circle where capital deepening facilitates technological upgrades and repatriation of war refugees, which in turn stimulate more investment. The authors show theoretically that the government can refine this strategy by internalizing positive externalities from having a higher capital stock: Investment in physical capital relaxes borrowing constraints (thus allowing more capital inflows) and raises wages (thus encouraging more Ukrainian refugees to return home). |
| Keywords: | conflict, reconstruction, capital flows, economic growth |
| JEL: | E2 F2 F5 P2 |
| Date: | 2026–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iie:wpaper:wp26-1 |
| By: | Schuurman, Bart |
| Abstract: | Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin has increasingly used a “hybrid” strategy, supporting its conventional battlefield operations with irregular activities against Kyiv’s European supporters. At their forefront are low-cost and easily replaced “disposable agents” that provide Russia with considerable operational reach as well as plausible deniability. Using a new dataset of 127 disposable agents, this study combines descriptive and inferential statistics with social network analysis to exploratively examine their demographics, roles, deployment patterns, and organisational structure. Findings indicate that disposable agents are predominantly male, mid-thirties, drawn disproportionately from Ukrainian, Russian, Moldovan, and Bulgarian populations, and quite frequently re-used. Networks appear structurally hierarchical and compartmentalised, and seem designed with plausible deniability in mind. However, inconsistent operational security by GRU and FSB officers may have limited Russia’s ability to claim ignorance. The findings provide empirical insight into a covert and significant facet of Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, informing both policy responses to an ongoing threat and further scholarship. |
| Date: | 2025–12–16 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:d5erf_v1 |
| By: | Jayant Menon; Roland Rajah; Ahmed Albayrak (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)) |
| Abstract: | Viet Nam is one of the most remarkable success stories of economic transformation in Asia. In a span of 3 decades, Viet Nam has managed to transform itself from an isolated, centrally planned agrarian economy into a dynamic manufacturing and services hub that is deeply connected to global supply chains. Increased trade and investment have been pivotal to Viet Nam’s economic success, with exports, in particular, playing a critical role. This study addresses the key question of whether Viet Nam has been able to utilise its trade policy, in general, and its free trade agreements (FTAs), in particular, as a vehicle to pursue and unlock difficult domestic reforms. If so, which of the agreements have had the greatest impact on domestic reforms, and in which sectors? To do this, the analysis employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, as well as an extensive review of existing studies. The findings indicate that modern FTAs, especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the European Union-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement, have been able to keep the reform momentum going and fill gaps in some of the more difficult areas of reform. Nevertheless, significant changes came with the decisions to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the World Trade Organization, and the preparatory reforms associated with them continue to influence the economy more than any of the FTAs signed subsequently. If the FTAs can promote domestic reforms, then they have the potential to further facilitate the structural transformation of the economy. Structural transformation modelling allows us to estimate the typical development path of the manufacturing share of employment relative to Gross domestic product per capita over time and compare this with the actual path for Viet Nam, in the past and into the future. The comparison reveals that Viet Nam’s manufacturing share of employment rose rapidly from substantially below the typical development path to one substantially higher and maintaining an upward trend. Nevertheless, avoiding employment deindustrialisation in the future will require further domestic reforms that enhance within-sector productivity growth. Continued implementation of the more difficult reforms embedded in the modern FTAs, together with strong domestic reform efforts, will play a determining role in ensuring Viet Nam’s continued economic transformation and growth. |
| Keywords: | FTAs; WTO; structural transformation; Viet Nam |
| JEL: | F13 F16 F63 O47 |
| Date: | 2025–11–28 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2025-09 |
| By: | Tran The, Tuan; Bui Van, Vien; Do Thi, Tho |
| Abstract: | Small and medium-sized enterprises account for more than 98.2% of total enterprises in Hanoi and contribute significantly to the city’s employment, innovation, and GDP. This study aims to analyze and evaluate the influence of corporate social responsibility and green marketing on the competitive advantage of small and medium-sized enterprises in Hanoi, Vietnam. With 292 valid survey responses, data analysis was conducted through PLS-SEM. The study results show that corporate social responsibility and green marketing are critical to the competitiveness of small and medium-sized firms in Hanoi. Corporate social responsibility positively influences green marketing (β = 0.812, p |
| Keywords: | social responsibility, green marketing, reputation, competitiveness, economic growth, community welfare, environment |
| JEL: | M14 M31 Q01 |
| Date: | 2025–02–28 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:127538 |
| By: | Son Thi Kim Le; Laurent Scaringella (Rennes SB - Rennes School of Business) |
| Abstract: | Literature on innovation has identified specific innovation patterns under scarcity conditions. This research investigates organizational and business environment factors that could be predictors of Jugaad-driven innovation to gain insight into the mechanisms of how resourceconstrained firms can innovate following an informally recognized innovation paradigm. In particular, we explore the drivers of self-constructed innovation-a form of Jugaad-driven innovation among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in resource-constrained environments in developing countries. Using quantitative analysis of 2929 Vietnamese SMEs, we investigate how resource scarcities, social networking, and absorptive capacity influence the emergence of self-constructed innovation. Our findings reveal that weak infrastructure plays a significant role in triggering self-constructed innovation, whereas capital and human resource constraints do not show a significant effect. Additionally, we find that strong social networking and higher absorptive capacity enhance SMEs' ability to access external knowledge and develop selfconstructed innovations. The study also highlights that self-constructed innovation primarily emerges as a cost-effective, non-R&D alternative for firms facing resource limitations, reinforcing its strong connection with bricolage and frugal innovation. By examining the combined influence of external knowledge sources and internal capabilities, this study contributes to the literature on non-R&D innovation management, in particular Jugaad innovation and responds to the call for further research on innovation networks in developing economies. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and managers seeking to support SME innovation under resource constraints. |
| Keywords: | Developing country, Social networking, Absorptive capacity, Scarcity |
| Date: | 2025–07–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05411228 |
| By: | Ghazaryan, Armen; Kirakosyan, Anna |
| Abstract: | Armenia, strategically positioned at the geopolitical crossroads of East and West, is actively pursuing a transformative agenda to establish itself as a "Digital Bridge Gate." This article examines Armenia's digital infrastructure and burgeoning innovation capabilities, analyzing their potential to foster robust communication and trade pathways with the Global South. Leveraging quantitative metrics from the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, the analysis benchmarks Armenia's performance in ICT development, internet penetration, e-government, and digital trade capacity against key Global South nations and developed economies. The report identifies Armenia's existing digital diplomacy initiatives, such as its cooperation with India on Digital Public Infrastructure and its economic partnership with the UAE. It argues that Armenia's unique blend of advanced human capital in software development and a supportive regulatory environment positions it not merely as a conduit but as a potential "Digital Hub" for South-South digital collaboration. Policy recommendations focus on accelerating infrastructure upgrades, boosting AI research, enhancing digital literacy, and strategically leveraging its digital expertise to deepen ties with the Global South, thereby reinforcing its geopolitical resilience and economic diversification. |
| Keywords: | Digital Gateway-Bridge, Global South, Digital Infrastructure, Innovation, Digital Diplomacy, Armenia |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:opodis:333911 |
| By: | Abdal, FMS; Deb, Uttam K. |
| Abstract: | The United States is the world’s top importer and the eleventh-largest exporter of fish and fishery products, with US$4.5 billion. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. trade performance, comparative advantage, and competitiveness in exports, as well as the potential of fish and fishery product exports over the last two decades. Estimates of the gravity model via Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) revealed that U.S. exports are significantly influenced by the GDP and population of importing countries, as well as by free trade agreements. Conversely, domestic fish production in importing nations tends to substitute for U.S. exports. The market assessment estimates show that the U.S. had a mixed performance in market utilization with its major trading partners. High performance was observed in countries like Lithuania, the Netherlands, Italy, and Thailand, while share was lost in recent years in South Korea, France, and China. The market utilization rate for the U.S. is close to or slightly higher than the market potential for long-term trading partners, such as Canada and Japan. Revealed Comparative Advantage was used to measure the competitiveness, and the U.S. had a consistent competitiveness in the export of frozen fish (HS 0303), fish fillet and other fish meat (HS 0304), dried/salted/in-brine and smoked fish (HS 0305). For other products, the U.S. had a comparative advantage with a few destinations only. The U.S. can expand its exports through enhancing domestic processing capacity, improving trade facilitation with the EU, strengthening maritime infrastructure, and supporting exporters in meeting international standards. |
| Keywords: | International Relations/Trade |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea25:361033 |
| By: | Juan Pereyra; Li Chen; Min Zhu |
| Abstract: | Recent literature shows that dynamic matching mechanisms may outperform standard mechanisms in delivering desirable results. We highlight an under-explored design dimension: the time constraints that students face under such a dynamic mechanism. First, we theoretically explore the effect of time constraints and show that the outcome can be worse than the outcome produced by the student-proposing deferred acceptance mechanism. Second, we present evidence from Inner Mongolian university admissions, which indicates that time constraints can prevent dynamic mechanisms from achieving stable outcomes, thereby creating losers and winners among students. |
| Keywords: | Market Design, Dynamic Mechanism, Time-constrained, College Admissions |
| JEL: | C78 D47 D78 D82 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mnt:wpaper:2509 |
| By: | Edward L. Glaeser; Martina Kirchberger; Andrii Parkhomenko |
| Abstract: | This paper discusses the rebuilding of Ukrainian cities. We start by outlining key facts about Ukraine and its cities: (i) the country’s population is declining; (ii) there is a shift in demand for housing from east to west; (iii) Kyiv’s advantage is growing; (iv) house prices are rising in Kyiv and western cities, (v) Ukraine’s cities are slow and congested. We then present a theoretical framework for maximizing the benefits of Ukraine’s rebuilding effort to highlight the welfare effects of different allocations of post-war infrastructure. Finally, we consider the cost curve for reconstruction, as determined, in particular, by the cost of materials, labor, the industrial organization of the building industry and public practices in procurement and regulation. We highlight three broad strategies for shifting the cost curve: openness, standardization and investing-in-investing. We conclude by outlining areas for future research. |
| JEL: | F51 H54 O40 R11 |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34598 |