Hitting and hoping?: Meeting the exchange rate and inflation criteria during a period of nominal convergence

This paper analyses the effect of the nominal convergence process on the ability of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) to meet both the inflation and the exchange rate criteria for Eurozone entry. The size of these convergence effects on the exchange rate (for inflation targeters) and for inflation differentials (under a fixed exchange rate) is estimated for a variety of different convergence scenarios. The key result, robust across all scenarios, is that countries with fixed exchange rates will find it much harder to simultaneously meet the criteria than inflation targeters. Probit estimates on the ability of a country to get inflation below the reference value under a fixed exchange rate show a strong effect for the relative price level.     

Price convergence of peripheral European countries on the way to the EMU: A time series approach

This paper examines price and inflation convergence between three European countries (Italy, Spain and the U.K.) and a European average and, alternatively, between them and Germany from the beginning of the 80's.  For this purpose the long-run stochastic relationships on prices derived from the convergence criteria agreed in the Maastricht Treaty are analyzed. In order to do this, some recent unit root tests have been applied as well as time-varying parameters models.  The results reject the long-run convergence hypothesis in all the cases but allow us to accept the existence of catching-up with the European average and Germany in some cases depending on the nature of the prices and on the countries considered. First version received: March 1997/final version received: May 1999     

Empirical evaluation of nominal convergence in Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary (CPH)

We estimate a four variable structural vector auto regression (SVAR) model of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary economies in order to evaluate the links between the instruments of monetary policy and inflation outcomes. We find that the linkages between the interest rates and price levels are weak. However, the exchange rate constitutes the most important channel of monetary policy transmission for Poland and Hungary. For the Czech Republic, the link between interest rate rise and price level is rather indirect.     

论法经济学建立的经济学基础

法经济学体系的建立,依赖于两大理论作基础,一是经济学理论,二是法理学基础。在经济学方面,古典自由主义的经济学说为法经济学提供了思想武器,新古典经济学为法经济学提供了重要的理论基础,新制度经济学则直接为法经济学提供了方法论基础。     

论当代科学论的经济学转向

哲学家借助经济分析来应对科学相对主义和经济学家寻求扩展经济学解释范围等诸多动因,促成了当代科学论的经济学转向。科学经济学和科学知识经济学是科学论应用经济学分析工具的两种理论形式。科学知识经济学对科学知识生产和传播机制的阐述有助于削弱科学相对主义的威胁,并且对制定科学政策有重要的启发意义。     

新制度经济学的边界——三种代表性观点及其比较

在新制度经济学的边界问题上,新制度经济学家(威廉姆森和芮切特)、旧制度经济学家(霍奇森)以及经济思想史家(卢瑟福)不仅边界刻画依据不完全相同,而且他们对新制度经济学智力成果的描述也存在着很大的差异。新制度经济学家认为,某种制度分析是否属于新制度经济学关键是看该理论是否假定环境存在着不确定性、人是否具有有限理性,是否明确地或隐含地以交易费用为正为前提。而新制度经济学的边界在旧制度经济学家和经济思想史家那里被进一步放宽。他们深入到本体论层面,认为某种制度分析只要坚持方法论个人主义,那么它就属于新制度经济学的内容。而新制度经济学家的边界刻画更能准确、客观地反映新制度经济学的智力成果。     

Poland’s uninterrupted growth performance: new growth accounting evidence

Since 1992 Poland has experienced an exceptionally long spell of output growth that was not interrupted even by the global economic crisis. Using a growth accounting exercise based on new estimates of flows of capital and labour services in the Polish economy during the period 1996–2013, we study the structure of this growth, highlighting the key role of certain supply-side factors. Most notably, unlike other European countries, the Polish economy recorded both a marked increase in capital deepening, a big improvement in workforce composition (driven mostly by educational attainment), and an uninterrupted process of productivity convergence. We also comment on the supply-side factors which contributed to Poland’s relative resilience to the global economic crisis of 2007–2010.     

Opening Up Possibilities: Limiting Particularism and Welcoming Convergence on Socially Progressive Goals

This article argues the importance of reconsidering the way that institutionalist-heterodox development discourse has essentialized culture at the expense of acknowledging the need for generalization-based theories of economic development. It points out that such a state of affairs obscures the purposive function of socio-economic development, which is to create or radically reconfigure existing national institutions in order to fit the intended goals of social progress and the universal protection of human rights. In light of this necessity, a convergence hypothesis—whose significance lies in its emphasis on the common humanity and universally shared values in different socio-economic systems— deserves re-reading and re-interpretation.     

经济现象的复杂性与经济学数量化的认识论局限

科学本身具有主观性和不确定性,因而数学在科学研究中本身就存在一定的限度;同时,由于社会科学所面对的对象更不确定、所获的认知更为主观,因而数学在经济学的应用存在更大的局限.一方面,经济学中预设前提的设定不同于自然科学,它存在是否合理或者存在抽象的限度问题,并体现了主体的认知和理想:另一方面,经济学中逻辑推理不同于自然科学,它不是局限于严格的数理关系上,而是关涉到人的行为逻辑.但是,现代主流经济学却主要集中于第二阶段的演绎分析,并把经济学的逻辑等同于敖理逻辑,从而导致了数学在经济学中的泛滥;正因如此,我们必须重新审视经济学的研究方法,审视数学在经济学中的应用限度.     

我国上市软件公司全要素生产率实证研究

全要素生产率是近年来研究的热点,它是反映一个国家、地区产业内生增长的一个重要指标。软件产业与一般的产业有很大不同,软件技术本身就是替代脑力劳动为主的一门信息技术,因此研究软件产业的内生增长需要重点考虑人力因素。本文着重从全要素生产率的角度,运用非参数估计方法对于我国软件产业的10个上市公司进行考察。同时通过对软件行业近10年的全要素生产率变化变动情况,以及通过人力资本模型在总量增长模式两个方面进行详细分析与描述。有针对性地提出相关对策建议,这对于政府制定软件产业发展政策、合理配置人力资本资源有重要意义。本文研究思路基本如下：首先是对国内外关于全要素生产率估计方法以及有关人力资本的重要相关文献的简要回顾;在此基础上,提出本文的理论基础以及实证方法;然后着重从人力资本的数据选取上作出分析和判断;并且对于全要素生产率和人力资本方法的实证结果作出基本的描述和初步解释;最后是对文章的结论和政策涵义作出简要总结。     

工资变动、汇率变动与产业结构调整——基于跨国行业数据的动态分析

名义工资与名义汇率作为引导资源配置的重要价格性指标,如何变动与调整对于产业结构的调整和优化具有重要意义。通过运用动态一般均衡理论与动态面板数据模型分析发现,名义工资增长对制造业部门内部的产出结构优化存在积极影响,而名义汇率贬值能够对部门间产出结构优化发挥积极作用。因此,为有效促进经济结构调整,需要适度提升名义工资,保持名义汇率相对稳定或适度贬值。     

The Masters of Economics: Where are we Now?

In this article, the authors present results from a survey of Masters of Economics program directors to determine the missions, inputs, and outcomes of these degree programs throughout the United States and Canada. They compare results of this survey to those of two previous studies that they conducted 20 and 10 years ago. Respondents were asked to provide information on program admission requirements, curriculum, faculty characteristics, enrollment, graduation rates, student financial support, and placement. The authors describe the changes that have occurred in the most recent decade; determine whether the changes they observed between 1992 and 2002 have continued, been reinforced, or been reversed in the most recent 10 years; and determine whether any consistent long-term trends are evident over the 20 years of study.     

Introduction to field experiments in economics with applications to the economics of charity

This special issue highlights an empirical approach that has increasingly grown in prominence in the last decade—field experiments. While field experiments can be used quite generally in economics—to test theories’ predictions, to measure key parameters, and to provide insights into the generalizability of empirical results—this special issue focuses on using field experiments to explore questions within the economics of charity. The issue contains six distinct field experimental studies that investigate various aspects associated with the economics of charitable giving. The issue also includes a fitting tribute to one of the earliest experimenters to depart from traditional lab methods, Peter Bohm, who curiously has not received deep credit or broad acclaim. Hopefully this issue will begin to rectify this oversight.      

The Austrian roots of the economics of institutions

This paper presents an analysis of the way the Austrian theory of institutions evolved from Menger’s main works. It also tries to advance the idea that the economics of institutions, when it deals with the emergence and evolution of rules and norms from interacting individuals, is inspired by Menger’s work and more generally by the Austrian analysis of the emergence and evolution of institutions. Recent works in the economics of institutions build on this earlier Austrian work to make it more formalized and testable.

对构建新疆财经大学文化管理体系的思考

面临机遇和挑战,可通过构建大学文化管理体系以提升新疆财经大学的竞争力。文化管理体系的构建应当从组织文化管理的角度出发,以校训“经世济公、至善至诚”为核心价值理念,并将其作为一项系统工程,主体包括学校所有人员,内容包括物质文化、制度与行为文化和精神文化,三者紧密相连。     

Price-setting behavior of Austrian firms

This paper explores nominal rigidities by investigating price-setting behavior of Austrian firms based on survey evidence. Distinguishing between two stages of price setting—first the price reviewing phase and second the price changing phase—our results suggest that the main obstacles to price flexibility lie on the second stage. Our main result is that firms postpone price adjustments, because they are afraid to antagonize customers with frequent price changes. Thus, customer relationships - especially those with consumers—are a major source of price stickiness in the Austrian economy.

自生能力、经济转型与新古典经济学的反思

现有的新古典经济学理论体系把企业具有自生能力作为暗含的前提。但是 ,转型中国家和其他许多发展中国家的企业却因政府的赶超愿望 ,进入不具比较优势的产业而不具自生能力。当经济中大量企业缺乏自生能力时 ,实行根据新古典经济学所制定的改革或转型政策 ,往往达不到预期效果 ,而且 ,可能给社会带来巨大痛苦。本文主张 ,在分析社会主义经济、转型经济和发展经济问题时 ,放弃现有的新古典经济学体系中企业具有自生能力的暗含前提 ,把企业是否具有自生能力作为一个具体的考虑变量 ,这是新古典经济学理论的必要发展。