Preparations for the Euro by U.K. SMEs with Trading Links with the Euro Currency Area

This paper examines euro preparations by U.K. SMEs with trading links with the euro currency area. It suggests, notwithstanding the U.K.'s decision not to join the euro in the first wave, that SMEs with euro area trade links are particularly likely to have had to make some adjustments for the introduction of the euro. The paper assesses this level of preparation and seeks to understand if it is contingent upon the characteristics of the business, its geographic location, its business orientation and the type of trade link (e.g. importer/exporter). The paper finds, contrary to previous research, that business characteristics, geographic location and business orientation are, on the whole, of limited value in explaining euro preparation. What, instead, seems more significant is the type of link with the euro area: importers, exporters and those with subsidiary businesses in the euro area appear more likely to have made preparations for the euro than U.K. SMEs that are part of a euro supply-chain or are a subsidiary of a euro area business.     

Implications of the introduction of the Euro for the Mediterranean countries

The Mediterranean peripheral countries cannot afford to be passive viewers of the fundamental changes that are taking place in Europe after the introduction of the Euro. The new developments pose formidable challenges and opportunities. It will be argued that no single group of developing countries will be more affected by these changes than the Mediterranean countries given their geographical proximity to the region and their long historical record of extensive and large economic interactions (trade, finance, and migration). This article examines the implications of the introduction of the single currency in Europe on Mediterranean central bank reserves and foreign external liabilities, trade and capital flow, and exchange rate policies. It is shown that since most Mediterranean trade is with the EU, Mediterranean central banks will be necessitated to hold major portions of their foreign exchange reserves in Euros. Also, a Mediterranean currency peg to the Euro, or to a basket of currencies where the Euro is allocated, will be important in reducing financial and trade transaction costs. It will also be hypothesized that Mediterranean foreign debts will eventually have to be converted to Euros. Finally, parallels between this region and the U.S–Caribbean region will be drawn to reinforce the argument that trade and capital dependence will eventually lead to a pegging of the Mediterranean currencies to the Euro. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

上海外来人口生存状态与社会融合研究

中国的城市化过程极为特殊,主要表现在城市人口中形成了一个庞大的外来人口(或农民工)集团.试图提出一个新的城市化模型解释中国城市化的这一特殊性,并为打通中国城市化推进的瓶颈、解决庞大外来人口集团在城市的社会融合问题提供政策思路.以上海为例,考察了改革开放以来城市外来人口的增长趋势、外来人口在城市的居住、就业"生态"及其在社会生态金字塔中的"生态位".外来人口在城市的生存状态相对恶化,与城市居民之间的"城乡"差异呈扩大趋势,在一定程度上已影响社会稳定.据提出的城市化新模型和对上海外来人口生存状态的实证结论,从宏观角度提出了中国推进社会融合、建设和谐社会的政策思路.     

上海外来人口生存状态与社会融合研究

中国的城市化过程极为特殊,主要表现在城市人口中形成了一个庞大的外来人口(或农民工)集团。试图提出一个新的城市化模型解释中国城市化的这一特殊性,并为打通中国城市化推进的瓶颈、解决庞大外来人口集团在城市的社会融合问题提供政策思路。以上海为例,考察了改革开放以来城市外来人口的增长趋势、外来人口在城市的居住、就业“生态”及其在社会生态金字塔中的“生态位”。外来人口在城市的生存状态相对恶化,与城市居民之间的“城乡”差异呈扩大趋势,在一定程度上已影响社会稳定。据提出的城市化新模型和对上海外来人口生存状态的实证结论,从宏观角度提出了中国推进社会融合、建设和谐社会的政策思路。     

A new exchange rate mechanism for the Euro age

Only a limited number of countries will participate in the single currency area at its formation on January 1st, 1999. A new link between the currencies participating in the Euro zone and those unable or unwilling to do so must therefore be created. A new EMS, with the Euro as its anchor currency, must be installed to ease the path into EMU for those countries that wish to join at a later date.     

The Prospects for Future Economic Growth in the Euro Area

With a long-term projection of TFP growth of 0.2 per cent, a gradual decline in the work-age population and a static average workweek, we project a "baseline" average real GDP growth rate in the euro area of just 0.6 per cent over the next decade — even if the unemployment rate and investment share of GDP return to their pre-crisis levels by 2020.     

Introduction of the Euro and the Dense Society

The author voices her misgivings over a purely "technical" introduction of the new single currency. The present social, cultural, economic and political crisis of modern Europe is sketched, and the concept of the "dense society" is used to describe an expanding society with restricted mobility, limited vitality and excessive focus on the present. The special relation between society and finance is also amplified. Against this background, it is maintained that there is a need to restore a virtuous link between the business and finance world and society, stressing, among other things, innovative entrepreneurship, investment flexibility, new forms of work, and the creation of collective mutuality. The introduction of the euro must be connected not only in symbolic but also in concrete terms with a resurgence of development, mobility and social inclusion.In addition, the author describes the specific problems with the changeover to the euro that she sees for Italy, a nation where a very positive attitude towards the euro prevails but where there is little knowledge of the mechanisms of the changeover. The specific characteristics of the retail trade as well as the savings and investment patterns may create particular problems for Italy in connection with the changeover.     

The Socio-Political Dimensions of the Currency: Implications for the Transition to the Euro

In the first section of this paper, the author demonstrates the crucial significance of anchoring symbolically a currency in the representation of a social whole, not least when practical and technical problems bound up with the creation of a new unit of account and the associated means of payment have to be addressed. In the second section of the paper, on the basis of this analysis, a number of practical implications for the transition to the euro are drawn. The analysis starts with the irreducible political and social dimensions of money related to its traditional public functions. The differentiation of modern societies gives to national currencies a regulatory role in insuring the social bond, as the same currency must be accepted in the public economy as well as in the private one. A series of conditions of legitimacy and confidence in the currency can then be drawn from its participation in the social regulation. To achieve legitimacy, every currency must on the one hand be an instrument that can provide the necessary credit for the development of production and trade and allow people to pay their debts to the public authorities, but it must also serve as a symbol of political belonging to a community. This last dimension of the currency is very often overlooked precisely because it is taken for granted. It is these political and symbolic dimensions of money which the transition to the euro now puts squarely on the centre stage.     

The adjustment mechanism in the Euro Area

This paper analyses the adjustment mechanism in the euro area prior to the crisis. Results show that the real exchange rate adjusted to redress cyclical divergences and that after monetary unification, real exchange rate dynamics became less reactive to country-specific shocks but also less persistent. Regulations affecting price and wage nominal flexibility and employment protection play a role in the adjustment mechanism. Indicators of product and labour regulations appear to matter for both the reaction of price competitiveness to cyclical divergences and for the inertia of competitiveness indicators.     

Reflections on the Euro Area Fiscal Stance

Avoiding the mistakes of the past, when the good times were not used to build buffers, will be crucial to avoid countries again being forced to engage in a pro-cyclical fiscal tightening in the next downturn.     

Determinants of Inflation Expectations in the Euro Area

Euro area inflation has been rising strongly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving rise to concerns that there could be second-round effects, with higher inflation leading to higher inflation expectations, which in turn lead to higher inflation. This could result in more persistent rises in inflation.

     

欧元模式适合亚洲吗?

随着欧元的构想成为现实，亚洲的公司、银行、投资看以及政府有必要了解和认识欧洲的单一货币可能产生的诸多影响。     

The Outlook for the Euro Changeover: A Summary and General Analysis

In this paper, the procedures and problems of the changeover to the euro are reviewed. The legal elements involved are discussed as are the psychological aspects. Various practical problems and proposed solutions are described. The possibility of resistance from the consumers in certain segments of the Member State populations is also addressed. One reason for any such resistance might be that for many citizens, the change of currency appears to have little bearing on their everyday concerns.Particular attention is devoted to the scenario for the period 1 January to 1 July 2002, during which coins and notes in euros and national monetary units can be in circulation at the same time.     

The Impact of the Euro Changeover on Between-Currency Conversions

The present paper reviews available data about between-currency conversion strategies. Specifically, it compares conversion-strategy repertoires and execution before the euro changeover and 5.5 years thereafter. The data illuminate what between-currency conversion strategies people use, how they execute and select among them, why some strategies are favoured over other strategies, how long after the euro changeover people need to do conversions. These findings have important consequences for understanding how consumer behaviour may be facilitated by improving between-currency conversions, a key component for a successful currency changeover. This work was supported by grant from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Grant # 06-2-235061).