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on Urban and Real Estate Economics |
| By: | Yann Algan (Department of Economics, Sciences Po - Sciences Po); Camille Hémet (Department of Economics, Sciences Po - Sciences Po, AMSE - Aix-Marseille School of Economics - Aix-Marseille Univ. - Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - Ecole Centrale Marseille (ECM)); David Laitin (Department of Political Science, Stanford University - Stanford University) |
| Abstract: | This paper demonstrates the effects of ethnic diversity on social relationships and the quality of public spaces at a very finite neighborhood level. We use detailed block level data on diversity and housing quality from a representative survey on housing in France. We show how and to what extent diversity within a neighborhood can directly affect household well-being and the quality of the common spaces, whereas the previous literature looks at more aggregate outcomes through voting channels. Our identification strategy relies on the exogeneity of public housing allocations with respect to ethnic characteristics in France, to address the bias due to endogenous residential sorting. Diversity is shown to have a negative effect on the quality of local public goods, either due to vandalism, not deterred by other-regarding preferences and social policing, or due to collective action failure to ensure effective property management. However, we find that diversity has no robust effect on public safety at a local level and, if anything, is more related to social anomie. |
| Keywords: | diversity; neighborhood effects; living conditions; public housing |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00843173&r=ure |
| By: | David Law; Lisa Meehan (The Treasury) |
| Abstract: | Housing affordability has been a topic of much interest in New Zealand over recent years with the median house price increasing by over 50% between 2004 and 2008. The aim of this paper is to inform debate by drawing out evidence from two surveys: the Household Economic Survey (HES); and the Survey of Family, Income and Employment (SoFIE). In particular, the paper examines how patterns of house prices, expenditures, and home ownership have changed over time and across groups. A model which may be suggestive of whether or not an individual or couple is likely to find home-ownership affordable is also developed. This model incorporates information relating to four important influences of affordability: income; net wealth; house prices; and the structure of mortgage contracts (including the interest rate and mortgage term). |
| Keywords: | Housing Affordability; House Prices; Homeownership; Housing Expenditures; Rent; Mortgage Payments |
| JEL: | R21 R31 R32 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nzt:nztwps:13/14&r=ure |
| By: | Ge, Jiaqi |
| Abstract: | This paper develops an analytical framework and an agent-based spatial model of the housing market. We show that low down payment requirement will cause housing bubbles. With low down payment requirement, a small decrease in the housing price will cause mortgage rate to rise in response to the lowering value of collateral . The rising mortgage rate will further suppress demand and turn the market into a downward spiral. The agent-base model is based on our interviews with local real estate agents. The exploratory work in this paper will help us better understand the housing market, give policy advice, and eventually prevent another damaging housing bubble. |
| Keywords: | housing market; agent-based model; Housing Bubbles |
| Date: | 2013–07–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:isu:genres:36279&r=ure |
| By: | Richard Disney; John Gathergood |
| Abstract: | We examine the impact of housing wealth on labour supply using exogenous local variations in house prices and household panel data for Britain. Our analysis controls for variations in local labour demand and income expectations which might co-determine house prices and labour supply. We find significant effects of house price variations on labour supply, consistent with leisure being a normal good. Labour supply is particularly sensitive to house prices among the young and older men. Our findings imply that housing wealth losses may have contributed to the unexpectedly high rates of labour market activity in Britain during the Great Recession. |
| Keywords: | Labour supply; Wealth effects; House prices JEL codes: E51, E52, F31, F33 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:not:notecp:13/02&r=ure |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | <UL> <LI>In most countries and economies, students who attend schools in urban areas tend to perform at higher levels than other students. </LI> <LI>Socio-economic status explains only part of the performance difference between students who attend urban schools and other students. </LI> <LI>Schools in urban settings are larger, tend to benefit from better educational resources, and often enjoy greater autonomy in how they can allocate those resources. </LI></UL> |
| Date: | 2013–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:eduddd:28-en&r=ure |
| By: | Fortin, Nicole M. (University of British Columbia, Vancouver); Hill, Andrew J. (University of British Columbia, Vancouver); Huang, Jeff (University of British Columbia, Vancouver) |
| Abstract: | We provide the first solid evidence that Chinese superstitious beliefs can have significant effects on house prices in a North American market with a large immigrant population. Using real estate data on close to 117,000 house sales, we find that houses with address number ending in four are sold at a 2.2% discount and those ending in eight are sold at a 2.5% premium in comparison to houses with other addresses. These price effects are found either in neighborhoods with a higher than average percentage of Chinese residents, consistent with cultural preferences, or in repeated transactions, consistent with speculative behavior. |
| Keywords: | superstition, lucky Chinese numbers, housing markets efficiency, immigration |
| JEL: | D03 J15 R2 Z1 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7484&r=ure |
| By: | Son Thierry Ly (PSE - Paris-Jourdan Sciences Economiques - CNRS : UMR8545 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - Ecole des Ponts ParisTech - Ecole normale supérieure de Paris - ENS Paris - Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA), EEP-PSE - Ecole d'Économie de Paris - Paris School of Economics - Ecole d'Économie de Paris); Arnaud Riegert (PSE - Paris-Jourdan Sciences Economiques - CNRS : UMR8545 - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - Ecole des Ponts ParisTech - Ecole normale supérieure de Paris - ENS Paris - Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA), EEP-PSE - Ecole d'Économie de Paris - Paris School of Economics - Ecole d'Économie de Paris, INSEE - Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques - INSEE) |
| Abstract: | Students' social networks are deeply disrupted during school transitions and students start in a classroom environment where almost all their peers are new. In this study, we investigate the consequences of keeping partly the same classmates during the transition to high school. To overcome the issue of endogenous selection across classes, we exploit rare natural experiment settings in which students are plausibly randomly allocated to classes within high schools. Two estimation strategies are presented and provide the same results. We find that each classmate who was already in a student's class in the last grade of middle school reduces substantially the risk of grade retention in 10th grade, but also in following grades. For low-ability students, the effect amounts to minus 1 percentage point per "persistent classmate", without increasing the risk of dropping out. A number of robustness checks are provided. By analyzing the distribution of the effect, we show that it is the strongest for students who are the most likely to experience a difficult transition, i.e. low-ability, low-SES students from low-quality middle schools. The underlying mechanisms are examined. Our results suggest that grouping students who already know each other during school transitions would constitute an efficient, no-cost policy lever to improve overall achievement and equality in high schools. |
| Keywords: | Friendships ; Social Networks ; High schools ; Class composition ; Peer effects |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:psewpa:halshs-00842265&r=ure |
| By: | Ira Nichols-Barrer; Joshua Haimson |
| Keywords: | Expeditionary Learning, Middle Schools, Academic Achievement, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–07–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:7821&r=ure |
| By: | Neil T.N. Ferguson (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute); Maren M. Michaelsen (Ruhr University Bochum) |
| Abstract: | The relationship between deprivation and educational outcomes has been the subject of a long-running and deep debate in the economic literature. Recent discussions have focused on causality, with experimental and quasi-experimental approaches taken, yet, predominantly, the literature continues to proxy deprivation with measures of wealth. This paper explores a much wider measure and identifies a causal relationship between regional deprivation and school performance in Northern Ireland. Combining panel data on Key Stage II results from each of Northern Ireland's primary schools with the 2005 Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure, we show the net negative impact of this wider measure, whilst an extension explores the impacts of each single domain. Using an error-component two-stage least squares model, we account for school and neighbourhood selection and the potential endogeneity of our deprivation measure, showing spatial variation in historical violence, which occurred during “The Troubles”, to be a valid instrument for deprivation. Our results confirm the negative impact of deprivation frequently found in the literature but also that, when the impacts of other deprivation domains are accounted for, education and crime deprivation, and not financial deprivation, play a significant role in determining outcomes. This confirms the limitations of using wealth as a proxy for neighbourhood deprivation, whilst suggesting that policies focusing only on income redistribution will be unsuccessful in improving education outcomes of those exposed to deprivation. |
| Keywords: | Violent Conflict, Regional Deprivation, Human Capital Accumulation, Northern Ireland |
| JEL: | I24 R23 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hic:wpaper:151&r=ure |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | <UL> <LI>Successful education systems are able to guarantee that all students succeed at high levels. </LI> <LI>Across OECD countries, around 60% of the overall, country-level variation in student performance can be traced to differences in how well students who attend the same school can be expected to perform. </LI> <LI>About 40% of the variation in student performance in OECD countries is observed between schools; but among high-performing countries, differences in performance are generally smaller than those in the average OECD country. </LI></UL> |
| Date: | 2013–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:eduddd:27-en&r=ure |
| By: | Babri, Sahar (Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics); McArthur, David Philip (Dept. of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo); Thorsen, Inge (Dept. of Economics, Stord/Haugesund University College); Ubøe, Jan (Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Road tolls are a well established way of dealing with problems of congestion. Over recent years, the literature has expanded to take account of how congestion charges might interact with imperfections in other markets. In this paper, we consider the case where congestion occurs within a complex road network, with congestion on multiple links. To derive a truly optimal toll, account must be taken of the entire network. As a case study, we take a stylised version of the road network in Bergen, Norway. |
| Keywords: | Congestion pricing; complex network |
| JEL: | R00 R40 R41 |
| Date: | 2013–05–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:nhhfms:2013_004&r=ure |
| By: | Mapa, Dennis; Albis, Manuel Leonard; Comandante, Dorcas Mae; Cura, Josephine; Ladao, Ma. Maureen |
| Abstract: | This paper looks at the spatial relationship of the average per capita income growth using intra-country or provincial data from 1988 to 2009. The results from the study provide insights on the geographical dimensions of provincial income growth and showed evidence on the role of spatial effects in the formal econometric analysis of intra-country income growth models. Despite the data limitations, the study provides a strong empirical evidence of the presence of positive spatial dependence or degree of similarity in the average per capita income growth of the provinces, albeit the degree of positive spatial dependence weakens in the latter periods. This positive spatial correlation suggests the provinces may be converging in terms of their income growth and they do so in movements similar to their neighbors. Moreover, the study shows that spatial dependence weakened in the latter periods (1994-2000 and 2000-2009). The weakening of spatial dependence may provide insights on the uneven provincial/regional income growth experienced in the country. One possible explanation of the weak spatial dependence is that two or more groups of neighboring provinces are growing at similar rates within the group, but at different rates across groups. This opens the possibility of having different convergence clubs (of provinces) within the country. |
| Keywords: | Spatial Dependence, Moran’s Index, Intra-Country Growth Model |
| JEL: | O1 O4 |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:48300&r=ure |
| By: | Jesus Muñuzuri (Departamento de ingenieria de la organizacion 2 - Universidad de Sevilla (SPAIN)); Jesus Gonzalez-Feliu (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État [ENTPE] - Université Lumière - Lyon II) |
| Abstract: | Urban logistics research set off in Europe some fifteen years ago, supported by the funding efforts of the European Commission. The special morphology of European cities, with narrow streets and historical centres which had to be preserved in many cases as world heritage sites, contributed to this interest. However, the problems of urban deliveries also had to be faced in other lively and congested cities around the globe, from Japan to America or Australia. Therefore, several researchers and practitioners have developed in the last years a wide variety of methods to support the different decisions of stakeholders involved in urban logistics. This paper motivates and introduces the Special Issue of European Transport/Trasporti Europei on decision support for urban logistics. The ten proposed papers are classified and presented. |
| Keywords: | urban logistics; decision support; introduction; country-approach |
| Date: | 2013–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00843287&r=ure |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | <UL> <LI>Countries vary in the way they use marks, but they all tend to reward the mastery of skills and attitudes that promote learning. </LI> <LI>Teachers tend to give girls and socio-economically advantaged students better school marks, even if they don’t have better performance and attitudes than boys and socio-economically disadvantaged students.</LI> <LI>It seems that marks not only measure students’ progress in school, they also indicate the skills, behaviours, habits and attitudes that are valued in school. </LI></UL> |
| Date: | 2013–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:eduddd:26-en&r=ure |
| By: | Timothy N. Bond; Kevin Lang |
| Abstract: | We address the ordinality of test scores by rescaling them by the average eventual educational attainment of students with a given test score in a given grade. We show that measurement error in test scores causes this approach to underestimate the black-white test score gap and use an instrumental variables procedure to adjust the gap. While the unadjusted gap grows rapidly in the early school years, particularly in reading, after correction for measurement error, the education-scaled gap is large, exceeds the actual black-white education gap and is roughly constant. Strikingly, the gap in all grades is largely explained by a small number of measures of socioeconomic background. We discuss the interpretation of scales tied to adult outcomes. |
| JEL: | C18 I24 J15 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:19243&r=ure |
| By: | Raffaello Bronzini, (Banca d'Italia); Luigi Cannari (Banca d'Italia); Alessandra Staderini (Banca d'Italia); Laura Conti (Banca d'Italia); Leandro D’Aurizio (Banca d'Italia); Alessandro Fabbrini (Banca d'Italia); Andrea Filippone (Banca d'Italia); Giuseppe Ilardi (Banca d'Italia); Giovanni Iuzzolino (Banca d'Italia); Pasqualino Montanaro (Banca d'Italia); Marco Paccagnella (Banca d'Italia); Valeria Pellegrini (Banca d'Italia); Raffaele Santioni (Banca d'Italia) |
| Abstract: | In the last decade, and especially in the course of the recent global economic slowdown, the gap between southern and northern industry has widened. Industrial investment and employment decreased more sharply in the South than in the rest of Italy, and the contribution of the southern regions to the total industrial value added diminished. In this report we analyse southern industry micro- and macro-economically, showing that the area suffers from the same structural problems that affect the Italian economy overall, but more severely: small firm size, specialization in relatively low-tech sectors, and scant innovation and internationalization. Although the weaknesses prevail over the strengths, there are signs of vitality for some local productive systems and types of firms, mainly large enterprises. |
| Keywords: | industry dynamics, regional growth, agglomeration |
| JEL: | L60 R00 D20 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdi:opques:qef_194_13&r=ure |
| By: | Meixing Dai (BETA - Bureau d'économie théorique et appliquée - CNRS : UMR7522 - Université Louis Pasteur - Strasbourg I); Frédéric Dufourt (AMSE - Aix-Marseille School of Economics - Aix-Marseille Univ. - Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) - École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales [EHESS] - Ecole Centrale Marseille (ECM)); Qiao Zhang (BETA - Bureau d'économie théorique et appliquée - CNRS : UMR7522 - Université Louis Pasteur - Strasbourg I) |
| Abstract: | We introduce Large Scale Asset Purchases (LSAPs) in a New-Keynesian DSGE model that features distinct mortgage and corporate loan markets. We show that following a significant disruption of financial intermediation, central-bank purchases of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are uniformly less effective at easing credit market conditions and stabilizing economic activity than outright purchases of corporate bonds. Moreover, the size of the effects crucially depends on the extent to which credit markets are segmented, i.e. to which a "portfolio balance channel" is at work in the economy. More segmented credit markets imply larger, but more local effects of particular asset purchases. With strongly segmented credit markets, large scale purchases of MBS are useful to stabilize the housing market but do little to mitigate the contractionary effect of the crisis on employment and output. |
| Keywords: | financial frictions; mortgage-backed securities (MBS); corporate bonds; unconventional monetary policy; large scale asset purchases (LSAPs); portfolio balance channel; credit spreads |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00842279&r=ure |
| By: | Tommaso Colussi (Queen Mary, University of London and fRDB) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates how the job search outcomes of displaced migrants are affected by the labor market outcomes of past co-workers of the same nationality. For this exercise I use matched employer-employee micro data on the universe of private-sector employees in Italy between 1975 and 2001. The analysis shows that a 10 percentage point increase in the network employment rate raises the re-employment probability within 36 months after job loss by 5.7 percentage points. The paper also sheds light on the different mechanisms generating the social effect and it highlights the role of migrant networks in explaining immigrant segregation. |
| Keywords: | Migration, Job displacements, Networks |
| JEL: | J61 J63 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qmw:qmwecw:wp706&r=ure |
| By: | B. Sudhakara Reddy (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research); P. Balachandra (Indian Institute of Science) |
| Abstract: | The study investigates if the present pattern of urban development in India in the creation of mega cities sustainable. This has been done by comparing the Indian cities Mumbai and Bangalore with sustainable mega cities of developed countries (Shanghai, London, and Singapore) using indicators. The objectives of the study are: (i) developing sustainable urban indicator variables spanning all the relevant sectors of a typical mega city, (ii) developing a benchmark sustainable indicator-base for a selected mega city, (iii) developing the database for Mumbai and Bangalore by adopting the same methodology and same indicators, (iv) comparing and evaluating the indicator data with the benchmark indicator database using "gap analysis" approach, and (v) suggesting appropriate policy measures and implementation strategies to bridge identified gaps to attain the goal of sustainable urban system. Economic, Environmental, social and institutional indicators are proposed to be examined in the context of resource utilization. The indicators represent a primary tool to provide guidance for policy makers and to potentially assist in decision-making and monitoring local strategies/plans. The outcome of the study will contribute to the design of policies, tools, and approaches essential for planning to attain the goal of sustainable development and the social cohesion of metropolitan regions. |
| Keywords: | Benchmarking, Gap analysis, Indicator, Sustainability, Urban |
| JEL: | Q4 L94 L95 L98 |
| Date: | 2013–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ind:igiwpp:2013-008&r=ure |
| By: | Monica Andini (Bank of Italy); Guido de Blasio (Bank of Italy); Gilles Duranton (Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania); William C. Strange (Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto) |
| Abstract: | This paper employs a unique Italian data source to take a comprehensive approach to labor market pooling. It jointly considers many different aspects of the agglomeration - labor market relationship, including turnover, learning, matching, and hold up. It also considers labor market pooling from the perspective of both workers and firms and across a range of industries. Overall, the paper finds some support for theories of labor market pooling, but the support is weak. Specifically, there is a general positive relationship of turnover to local population density, which is consistent with theories of agglomeration and uncertainty. There is also evidence of on-the-job learning that is consistent with theories of labor pooling, labor poaching, and hold up. In addition, the paper provides evidence consistent with agglomeration improving job matches. However, the labor market pooling gains that we measure are small in magnitude and seem unlikely to account for a substantial share of the agglomeration benefits accruing to Italian workers and firms. |
| Keywords: | local labor markets, matching, turnover, learning, hold-up, agglomeration |
| JEL: | R23 J60 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_922_13&r=ure |
| By: | Muhamed Kudic |
| Abstract: | Empirical evidence on the evolution of innovation networks within high-tech industries is still scant. We investigate network formation processes by analyzing the timing of firms to enter R&D cooperations, using data on laser source manufacturers in Germany, 1990-2010. Network measures are constructed from a unique industry database that allows us to track both the formation and the termination of ties. Regression results reveal that a firm's knowledge endowment (and cooperation experience) shortens the duration to first (and consecutive) cooperation events. The previous occupation of strategic network positions is closely related to the establishment of further R&D cooperations at a swift pace. Geographic co-location produces mixed results in our analysis. |
| JEL: | O32 C41 D85 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwh:dispap:9-13&r=ure |
| By: | Christoph Eder (Simon Fraser University) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, I study how displacement of parents during a violent conflict affects investment in their children’s' education years later. Using ethnic division during the Bosnian War as a natural experiment, I can identify exogenously displaced households and compare them to households who did not have to move because of the war. I find that displaced households spend significantly less on the education of their children in primary and secondary school (20 to 35 %), while their children are equally likely to be enrolled. The result also holds for expenditure positions like textbooks, school materials and annual tuition in secondary school. A decomposition of the causal effect shows that differences in income and the stock of durable goods can at most explain one third of the finding. Some evidence points towards increased uncertainty about the future of displaced parents. The finding implies that the disadvantage of displacement might be carried on to the next generation through the quality of education. |
| Keywords: | Displacement, Conflict, Education |
| JEL: | I25 J15 O15 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hic:wpaper:152&r=ure |
| By: | Jesus Gonzalez-Feliu (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État [ENTPE] - Université Lumière - Lyon II); Pierre Basck (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État [ENTPE] - Université Lumière - Lyon II); Eleonora Morganti (IFSTTAR/AME/SPLOTT - Systèmes Productifs, Logistique, Organisation des Transports et Travail - IFSTTAR - PRES Université Paris-Est) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the main issues related to the financing of urban logistics solutions, more precisely to the contribution of economic analysis on strategic decision support related for urban logistics financing, focusing on cost benefit analysis. First we present the main funding strategies in urban economics, mainly in the field of urban logistics. Second we address the contribution of cost benefit analysis by recalling the main methodology and adapting it to urban logistics. Third we apply the method to the example of deploying a delivery space booking network, and illustrate the application via a set of three examples containing different situations and scenarios, which are presented, assessed and discussed. From the different simulations, it is observed that the way the system is financed has strong impacts on both its individual cost (for potential users) and its attractiveness. |
| Keywords: | Urban logistics services; refunding strategies; cost-benefit analysis; scenario assessment |
| Date: | 2013–07–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00843282&r=ure |
| By: | Stuetzer, Michael; Obschonka, Martin; Brixy, Udo; Sternberg, Rolf; Cantner, Uwe |
| Abstract: | This paper seeks to better understand the link between regional characteristics and individual entrepreneurship. We combine individual-level GEM data for Western Germany with regional-level data, using multi-level analysis to test our hypotheses. We find no direct link between regional knowledge creation, the economic context and an entrepreneurial culture on the one side and individual business start-up intentions and start-up activity on the other side. However our findings point to the importance of an indirect effect of regional characteristics as knowledge creation, the economic context and an entrepreneurial culture have an effect on the individual perception of founding opportunities which in turn predicted start-up intentions and activity. |
| Keywords: | Regional entrepreneurship; nascent entrepreneurship; opportunity perception; creative class; Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) |
| JEL: | J24 L26 M13 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:48277&r=ure |
| By: | Jason Fletcher |
| Abstract: | Recent evidence has suggested that popularity during high school is linked with wages during mid-life using the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. The results were shown to be robust to a large set of individual-level heterogeneity included completed schooling, cognitive ability, and personality measures. This paper revisits this question by first replicating the results using an alternative dataset that is very similar in structure. Like the previous results, the Add Health baseline effects suggest that an additional high school friendship nomination is linked to a 2% increase in earnings around age 30. However, leveraging the unique sibling structure of the Add Health shows that sibling comparisons eliminate any associations between popularity and earnings. The findings suggest that families, rather than friends, may be the cause of the association. |
| JEL: | J01 J1 J3 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:19232&r=ure |
| By: | Mohamad Fahmi (Department of Economics, Padjadjaran University); Ben Satriatna (Department of Economics, Padjadjaran University) |
| Abstract: | We use The National Socioeconomic Survey (SUSENAS) data from 1992 to 2012, to describe the condition of education development in Indonesia before and after the Reform Era. Historical data on education of Indonesia shows that this country has made a remarkable achievement in education development, which is indicated by a significant improvement on several education indicators. However, 1997-1998 Asian crisis is believed had slowed down the development of education sector in Indonesia. Three indicators areused in this study to measure the performance of education development, which are yearly schooling, net enrollment rate, and literacy rate. We found the gap of years of school between gender, region and income group is getting narrowed in the reform era. The net enrollment rate of all level of education also improved between 1992 and 2012. The gap between gender, region and income group also tends to be narrowed. However, we find that in several conditions the gap tends to be widened after the crisis. First case is between urban and rural people at elementary school. Second case is between income groups at elementary school. Third is between male and female at senior high school. Finally, the case is between income groups at tertiary education level. Literacy rate indicator also shows an improvement. The gap between different groups of people is also getting narrowed, except the gap between the rich and the poor. It tends to be widened after the crisis. The last indicator which is dropout rate also shows an improvement without interrupted by crisis. However, this is only happened at elementary school level. For the other level, the condition happened in different way. The gap between different groups of people is also narrowed after the reform era. |
| Keywords: | Education, Poverty, Indonesia |
| JEL: | I24 I28 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unp:wpaper:201315&r=ure |
| By: | Dascher, Kristof |
| Abstract: | Global emissions of carbon dioxide need to fall lest climate change will accelerate. Any effective climate policy must raise the price of carbon consumption. From an urban perspective, one desirable effect of a carbon tax would be to induce households to move closer to where they work. This paper shows that: If the initial distribution of commuting distances (the city silhouette) is skewed towards the periphery then a carbon tax will leave resident landlords better off - even if these landlords need to shoulder those extra commuting costs themselves, too. If resident landlords are decisive then this insight provides an urban silhouette based explanation of why some governments appear so much more willing to confront their citizens with the true cost of emitting carbon dioxide than others. More briefly, the paper suggests a connection between urban form and climate politics. |
| Keywords: | Urban Silhouette, Climate Policy, Political Economy, Carbon Tax |
| JEL: | H41 Q54 R12 |
| Date: | 2013–07–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:48375&r=ure |
| By: | Pablo Brañas-Garza (GLOBE and Middlesex University London); Ramón Cobo-Reyes (GLOBE and Department of Economic Theory and Economic History, University of Granada.); Natalia Jiménez (GLOBE and Department of Economic Theory and Economic History, University of Granada.); Giovanni Ponti (Universidad de Alicante and Università di Ferrara) |
| Abstract: | Limited attention has been devoted on how (real-life) social networks are elicited and mapped, even less from the viewpoint of mechanism design. This paper surveys the few mechanisms that have been proposed by the experimental literature to this purpose. These mechanisms differ in their incentive structure, as well as in the means of reward they employ. We compare these elicitation devices on the basis of the estimated dierences in the characteristics of the induced networks, such as the number of (mutual) links, correspondence and accuracy. Our main conclusion is that the elicited network architecture is itself dependent on the nature (and the structure) of the incentives. This, in turn, should provide the social scientist with guidelines on the most appropriate device to use, depending on the research objectives. |
| Keywords: | Social Networks, Experimental Economics |
| JEL: | C93 D85 |
| Date: | 2013–07–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gra:wpaper:13/07&r=ure |
| By: | Diego Comin; Mikhail Dmitriev; Esteban Rossi-Hansberg |
| Abstract: | We study technology diffusion across countries and over time empirically. We …find signi…cant evidence that technology diffuses slower to locations that are farther away from adoption leaders. This effect is stronger across rich countries and also when measuring distance along the south- north dimension. A simple theory of human interactions can account for these empirical …ndings. The theory suggests that the e¤ect of distance should vanish over time, a hypothesis that we con…rm in the data, and that distinguishes technology from other ‡ows like goods or investments. We then structurally estimate the model. The parameter governing the frequency of interactions is larger for newer and network-based technologies and for the median technology the frequency of interactions decays by 73% every 1000 Kms. Overall, we document the signi…cant role that geography plays in determining technology diffusion across countries. |
| Date: | 2013–03–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:thk:rnotes:27&r=ure |
| By: | Christian Ambrosini (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État [ENTPE] - Université Lumière - Lyon II); Jesus Gonzalez-Feliu (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État [ENTPE] - Université Lumière - Lyon II); Florence Toilier (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État [ENTPE] - Université Lumière - Lyon II) |
| Abstract: | Urban goods movement modelling is a popular subject in urban logistics research. However, most models remain under-used because practitioners have difficulties to apply them to simulate urban policies and their impacts on transport flows, mainly when the assessed situations are different from the initial usage of the mode. This paper aims to answer to that issue by proposing a methodology of scenario construction and assessment using current models and tools. The methodological contribution of the paper arises on defining the main elements of a policy-based scenario and on developing a procedure to build the inputs a model needs to simulate the impacts of policy-oriented strategies on urban goods transport flows. First, the main elements policy makers can take into account when defining middle term strategies are identified. Then, a scenario construction procedure is proposed, able to build reference scenarios and trend scenarios. An example for the urban area of Lyon is proposed. According to the reference scenario, it becomes possible to compare and understand urban goods movement changes, by implementing the model introducing variations, such as activity relocation or urban distribution centre whose impacts concern not only the freight flows themselves but also the whole urban logistics organisation. In this way, the proposed methodology is adapted to policy-oriented strategic and tactical planning, mainly for public stakeholders. |
| Keywords: | Urban goods movement; transport modelling; scenario construction; urban policy; decision support |
| Date: | 2013–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00843286&r=ure |
| By: | Andrés Rodriguez-Pose; Enrique Garcilazo |
| Abstract: | This paper sets out to examine the impact of the quality of local and regional governments on the returns of investment, focusing on the returns of EU structural and cohesion funds. Despite the widespread belief that the quality of government affects the returns of public investments, whether this is effectively the case has seldom been proved. Using primary data on quality of government collected by the Quality of Government Institute, combined with World Bank Global Governance Indicators data, we conduct a two-way fixed effect panel regression model for a total of 169 in European regions during the period 1996 to 2007. The results of the analysis underline the importance of the quality of government both as a direct determinant of economic growth, as well as a moderator of the efficiency of structural and cohesion funds expenditure. Our analysis finds that both EU investments targeting regions and quality of government make a difference for regional economic growth, but that above a significant threshold level of expenditure, the quality of government is the key factor determining the returns of public investment. In many of the regions receiving the bulk of structural funds, greater levels of cohesion expenditure would, in the best case scenario, only lead to a marginal improvement in economic growth, unless the quality of government is significantly enhanced. |
| Keywords: | investment, European Union, regions, quality of government, regional development and growth |
| JEL: | O43 R11 |
| Date: | 2013–07–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:govaab:2013/12-en&r=ure |
| By: | Doan, Tinh; Nguyen, Ha |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the roles of cost of labour input and competition on productivity dispersion in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector. We look at the effect accounting for labour input quality has on explaining productivity dispersion. This paper tests the hypothesis that mismeasurement of labour input may play a role in large productivity dispersion. We use the cost of labour input of firms as a proxy measure of labour input quality to examine whether incorporating this measure accounts for a part of the productivity dispersion. The paper also examines the role of competition in the extent of productivity dispersion. |
| Keywords: | productivity dispersion, competition, labour input, transition economies |
| JEL: | J24 L1 L25 P27 |
| Date: | 2013–07–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:48357&r=ure |
| By: | Gul, Ejaz |
| Abstract: | The number of road traffic casualties is still very lofty and the trend shows a boost with each passing day. The road traffic accidents involve fatalities due to which economic resources are damaged and the productivity of the economy is correspondingly impaired. Costs resulting from traffic accidents represent the largest single part of the overall cost of traffic to the economy. Knowledge about the harm of these traffic accidents to the economy is essential if measures to reduce road traffic accidents are to be identified and initiated. Once an economic assessment of road safety measures has been made, work on improving safety in accordance with economic criteria can be organized as efficiently as possible. Towards this end, it is necessary to opt for measures that are likely to be successful in a given situation. Current research is regarding the evaluation of road traffic safety measures in Pakistan and its economical effects based on available data. The research reveals that road accidents have key influence on the economic statistics of the country. The study presents a valuable tool for policy formulation on the road safety regulations in the country. |
| Keywords: | Economic, Evaluation, Traffic, Safety, Accidents, Statistical Analysis. |
| JEL: | D61 O18 R41 R42 |
| Date: | 2013–07–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:48350&r=ure |
| By: | Gul, Ejaz |
| Abstract: | The number of road traffic casualties is still very lofty and the trend shows a boost with each passing day. The road traffic accidents involve fatalities due to which economic resources are damaged and the productivity of the economy is correspondingly impaired. Costs resulting from traffic accidents represent the largest single part of the overall cost of traffic to the economy. Knowledge about the harm of these traffic accidents to the economy is essential if measures to reduce road traffic accidents are to be identified and initiated. Once an economic assessment of road safety measures has been made, work on improving safety in accordance with economic criteria can be organized as efficiently as possible. Towards this end, it is necessary to opt for measures that are likely to be successful in a given situation. Current research is regarding the evaluation of road traffic safety measures in Pakistan and its economical effects based on available data. The research reveals that road accidents have key influence on the economic statistics of the country. The study presents a valuable tool for policy formulation on the road safety regulations in the country. |
| Keywords: | Economic, Evaluation, Traffic, Safety, Accidents, Statistical Analysis. |
| JEL: | R41 R42 |
| Date: | 2013–07–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:48373&r=ure |
| By: | Najy Benhassine; Florencia Devoto; Esther Duflo; Pascaline Dupas; Victor Pouliquen |
| Abstract: | Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) have been shown to increase human capital investments, but their standard features make them expensive. We use a large randomized experiment in Morocco to estimate an alternative government-run program, a “labeled cash transfer” (LCT): a small cash transfer made to fathers of school-aged children in poor rural communities, not conditional on school attendance but explicitly labeled as an education support program. We document large gains in school participation. Adding conditionality and targeting mothers make almost no difference. The program increased parents’ belief that education was a worthwhile investment, a likely pathway for the results. |
| JEL: | H52 I21 I38 O15 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:19227&r=ure |
| By: | Claude Mathys (National Bank of Belgium, Microeconomic Information Department) |
| Abstract: | This paper is an annual publication issued by the Microeconomic Analysis service of the National Bank of Belgium. The Flemish maritime ports (Antwerp, Ghent, Ostend, Zeebrugge), the Autonomous Port of Liège and the port of Brussels play a major role in their respective regional economies and in the Belgian economy, not only in terms of industrial activity but also as intermodal centers facilitating the commodity flow. This update paper provides an extensive overview of the economic importance and development of the Flemish maritime ports, the Liège port complex and the port of Brussels for the period 2006 - 2011, with an emphasis on 2011. Focusing on the three major variables of value added, employment and investment, the report also provides some information based on the social balance sheet and an overview of the financial situation in these ports as a whole. These observations are linked to a more general context, along with a few cargo statistics. Annual accounts data from the Central Balance Sheet Office were used for the calculation of direct effects, the study of financial ratios and the analysis of the social balance sheet. The indirect effects of the activities concerned were estimated in terms of value added and employment, on the basis of data from the National Accounts Institute. As a result of the underlying calculation method the changes of indirect employment and indirect value added can differ from one another. (…) After the upturn in 2010, maritime cargo traffic in the Flemish ports continued to rise, albeit at a slower pace in 2011. Direct value added declined in the four ports in Flanders as a whole. Both maritime and non-maritime clusters as a whole were down. The only increase in value added occurred in the port of Zeebrugge. The value added of the non-maritime clusters in each port declined, while in the maritime cluster, the port of Antwerp was the only one to register a steep drop. Direct employment in the Flemish ports as a whole declined during the year 2011. This is true of both the maritime and non-maritime cluster. Only the port of Ghent registered a rise in employment in both clusters. Investment contracted in the Flemish ports as a whole for the third year in a row. The decline in investment was between 7 and 13 percent in the ports of Antwerp, Ghent and Ostend, whereas Zeebrugge recorded a negative rate of one-fifth in its investment levels in 2011. The volume of cargo handled in the port of Liège increased slightly in 2011. Direct value added rose in both clusters, while employment registered a decline in the maritime cluster and a rise in the nonmaritime cluster. After falling in 2010, investment picked up again in 2011 in both clusters. The volume of cargo handled at the port of Brussels rose in 2011. Value added in the maritime cluster was up but contracted in the non-maritime cluster. Employment increased in both clusters. The drop in investment recorded since 2009 continued throughout 2011. This report provides a comprehensive account of these issues, giving details for each economic sector, although the comments are confined to the main changes that occurred in 2011. |
| Keywords: | branch survey, maritime cluster, subcontracting, indirect effects, transport, intermodality, public investments |
| JEL: | C67 H57 J21 L22 L91 L92 R15 R34 R41 |
| Date: | 2013–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbb:docwpp:201307-12&r=ure |
| By: | Cappelli, Riccardo; Montobbio, Fabio (University of Turin) |
| Abstract: | Using data on inventor citations and inventor collaborations, this article analyses changes in geographical patterns of knowledge flows between European regions during the period 1981-2000. It shows that inventor collaborations become less geographically localized, while inventor citations become more localized. The European integration process has a significant effect on reducing barriers to knowledge flows between new and old EU members. For inventor citations, this effect relates only to the EU enlargement of 1995 and is confined to knowledge flows from Austria, Finland and Sweden to old EU members. |
| Date: | 2013–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uto:dipeco:201322&r=ure |