INVESTMENT IN FIXED CAPITAL AND COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY DYNAMICS

This paper explores the possibilities for complex dynamic behaviourin an industry where a fixed capital good, once acquired andinstalled, is specific to that industry. A central theme isto understand the sorts of factors which can impose bounds onthe behaviour of market price and which can impart stabilityto the system. The analysis highlights the significance notonly of the durability and specificity of physical capital goodsbut also of capacity (under-) utilisation decisions and of thecautiousness of producers when expanding their capacities.     

ENTREPRENEURIAL HUMAN CAPITAL AND MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESS IN LAO PDR

This paper examines the determinants of performance in 1,776 micro and small enterprises that represent all industry sectors and geographical regions in Lao PDR. Although considerable resources are being directed toward promotion schemes in the country, empirical research on this subject is very limited. This study provides concrete insights into development strategies, particularly investment in basic education. The impact of business experience is small and insignificant. The differences between urban and rural, and Lao and ethnic minorities are narrowing in the younger generation, but still remain very large. The difference between male and female entrepreneurs found in most reports is rejected regardless of region, groups, and generation. These findings would help to formulate further efforts attempting to promote this sector.     

LABOUR SKILLS AND HUMAN CAPITAL IN THE EXPLANATION OF TRADE PATTERNS

In the discussion of the qualitative inferences to be drawnfrom the signs of _s and c₃ [OEP 43.2 p. 448], possibilities(ii), (iii) and (iv) and the beginning of the immediately followingparagraph should read:

1. if both _s and c₃ are positive and ß₃₁> ß₃₂
2. if _s is positive and c₃ is negative theneither ß₃₁and ß₃₂ are both positive andß₃₁ > ß₃₂,or they are both negativeand |ß₃₂|>|ß₃₁|,or ß₃₁ ispositive and ß₃₂ is negative.
3. if _sis negative andc₃ is positive then either ß₃₁and ß₃₂ areboth positive and ß₃₂ < ß₃₁,or theyare both negative and |ß₃₁| > |ß₃₂|,or ß₃₁ is negative and ß₃₂ is positive.

Notice that without first confirming that _s = 0 when c³ 0 nothingmuch can be said about the factor content of trade by lookingat c₃ alone; for, in terms of signs of ß₃₁ and ß₃₂,c₃ < 0 precludes only the combination (ß₃₁ <0 & ß₃₂ > 0); and c₃ > 0 precludes onlythe combination (ß₃₁ > 0 & ß₃₂ <0). Similarly...