Water trade in Andalusia. Virtual water: An alternative way to manage water use

The main idea of this paper is to analyse the relationships between the productive process and the commercial trade with water resources used by them. For that, the first goal is to find out, by means of the estimation of virtual water, the exported crops which have the highest water consumption. Similarly, we analyse the crops that are imported and therefore, might contribute to save water. The second objective is to put forward new ways to save water by means of the virtual water trade.This first conclusion contradicts not only the comparative advantages theory but also the environmental sustainability logic. The previous conclusion is derived from the great exports of water via potatoes and vegetables, and also via citrus fruit and orchards; and, on the other hand, from the imports, such as cereals and arable crops, with lower water requirements. The second conclusion affirms as Andalusia utilises large amounts of water in its exports, and in turn, it does not produce goods with low water requirements, the potential saving would be very significant if the terms of our trade were the other way round. We are convinced that the agricultural sector must modify the use of water to a great extent in order to reach significant water savings and an environmental sustainability path.     

如何正确运用伙伴关系

一、伙伴关系的特点 不论采用哪种合同,业主既可以建立非伙伴关系,也可以建立伙伴关系.近年来,建立伙伴关系的工程项目越来越多.那么,什么是伙伴关系呢?所谓伙伴关系是指工程项目的有关参与方,包括业主和其他项目团队成员,致力于共同的目标,共担风险,共享所得.     

Functions and failures: how to manage technological promises for societal challenges

Technological promises are becoming part of the way in which scientific and technological communities try to attract the attention of stakeholders, aiming at legitimation, reputation, and funding. Not all promises, however, become reality. With the increase in the use of promises comes the risk of disillusion and cynicism, which may affect negatively policy-makers and the public opinion. The paper suggests that the introduction in the field of S&T and innovation policy of a tool commonly used in engineering fields aimed at identifying and measuring all possible failures of a proposed technology. Instead of focusing on the magnitude of promises, it suggests that a useful perspective can be gained by placing systematic attention to the negative side, i.e. all reasons why a given technology may fail to deliver the promises. The paper develops the methodology, presents a case study, and illustrates the benefits of using it in policy-making.     

Alternate instruments to manage the capital flow conundrum: A study of selected Asian economies

Capital inflows to and outflows from emerging market economies (EME) have increased significantly since 2000. This rapid increase, accompanied by a sharp rise in volatility, has amplified the complexity of macroeconomic management in EME. While foreign capital provides additional financing for productive investment and offers avenues for risk diversification, unbridled flows exacerbate financial and macroeconomic instability. In this paper, we focus on the experience of six emerging Asian economies (EAE) in dealing with capital flows. Using quarterly data, we identify the waves of capital flows experienced by these EAE and the efficacy of the various policy measures taken. The policy choices include negotiating the trilemma (i.e. balancing the need for monetary policy autonomy, exchange rate flexibility and capital account openness), as per the demands of the macroeconomic situation. The paper also analyses the extent to which intervention in the foreign exchange market and imposition of short‐term capital flow management measures have aided countries to negotiate the trilemma. The efficacy of these responses have been varied across countries, implying that a judicious mix of these measures, along with improvement in financial and institutional development, is required to effectively counter the vagaries of capital flows.     

Responsible innovators: open networks on the way to sustainability transitions

This paper elucidates ways in which small high-technology companies through using open knowledge networks may contribute to sustainability transitions. The analysis focuses on young university spin-off companies as an important channel for bringing responsible innovations from university to market while it connects the micro-level with the meso-level of networks supporting socio-technical system changes. A conceptual reflection on responsible innovation, openness in knowledge networks and socio-technical systems’ transitions, is followed by an empirical research. Based on a hundred companies and four case studies, the results indicate that responsible innovation is one of the drivers of openness in knowledge networks. However, partner diversity in openness tends to have a negative effect on growth of the companies. Our preliminary evidence indicates that focus (product–market) and selectivity in the choice of partners connected to professional (venture) capital, market access, credibility and complementary assets are highly relevant when it comes to influencing change in socio-technical systems. A discussion of the implications of this study and suggestions for future research close the paper.     

对华反倾销与中国的出路

反倾销日益成为国际贸易保护主义的重要手段,目前中国已成为国际反倾销报复的最大目标国。文章通过对国际对华反倾销的规模密度、涉及行业及国别的实证分析,揭示了国际对华反倾销的形势和发展趋势,并从宏观层面探讨了遏制对华反倾销的出路。     

城市联盟是提高城市竞争力的有效途径

城市是社会生产力高度发展的产物,城市不断聚集和扩散,形成新的空间结构。城市竞争力在城市的可持续发展中起着决定作用。城市联盟是城市之间建立的稳定的优势互补的超边界组织,它打破了行政区域划分的限制,有效配置资源,增加城市的资本和科技投入,有利于人才的合理流动,增强了城市发展的后劲,是提高城市竞争力的有效途径。     

数学化，中国经济学现代化的必由之路

经济学的数学化提高了经济学的科学性,而“倡导科学”则是现代化的一个基本价值取向。那么,通过数学化达到科学化就可能实现经济学的现代化。关于经济学数学化的讨论有着广阔的社会历史文化背景。站在传统文化的立场上,抵制逻辑实证的思维方式而拒绝数学化是落后于时代的;站在后现代主义的立场上,由批判现代化的弊端,到批判“科学主义”,进而反对数学化,则超越了现实的时代。这两种观念都错在没能找准我国在经济社会发展进程中的时空定位。     

优化城市生态经济结构

城市经济结构问题是我国城市经济的基本问题。当前我国正在进行城市经济结构调整,以生态经济学的理论为指导,研究我国城市经济结构类型的选择,以及优化我国的城市生产结构、城市流通结构和城市组群结构等问题有重要的现实意义。本文试对这方面的问题作一些探讨。     

The effectiveness of gasoline taxation to manage air pollution

Higher gasoline taxes can be justified because cars cause significant local, regional, and global air pollution damages. This study examines whether charging higher taxes would result in significant emission reductions. Both experimental survey data and actual behavior in Southern California and Connecticut are evaluated to explore whether people would change their driving behavior in response to higher gasoline prices. Both sets of results reveal that drivers are price inelastic in the short run (−0.4 to −0.6) and long run (−0.5 to −0.7). Imposing environmental surcharges on gasoline will result in only a small reduction in driving and thus only a small improvement in the environment. Such taxes will place a heavy and clear burden on drivers, however, making gasoline taxes extremely unpopular. Finally, the study finds that the income elasticity of gasoline is low (0.1–0.2) so that the gas tax will fall heavily on the poor.     

跳出"三农"思维定势,实现农业现代化

实现农业现代化，必须跳出“三农”思维定势，以全面建设农村小康目标统揽全局，以增加农民收入为核心，着力推进农业和农村经济结构的战略性调整，继续推进农业区域布局调整，大力发展农业关联产业，积极推进新的农业科技革命，加强农业服务体系建设，切实提高农产品的市场竞争力，加快农业经营体制创新步伐，使传统农业转变为现代市场农业。     

The fable of the leeches,or: The single most unrealistic positive assumption of most economists

Most economists assume that markets depend on government to enforce contracts and rules against default or fraud. With small transactions, however, the cost to use the legal system far exceeds the value at stake in a contract, and even with large contracts, the legal system often cannot solve problems quickly enough to be helpful for companies. This article focuses on four real stories that illustrate how market participants solve problems privately rather than through law and then concludes with a fable to help illustrate that point.