Book Reviews

This paper reformulates Kalecki's investment models based on 'the principle of increasing risk'. First, it is shown that in his model risk can be interpreted as a conditional probability of bankruptcy of a firm, or the 'hazard rate' in reliability theory. Secondly, a simple static Kaleckian investment model is developed based on this interpretation. In the model, a slightly modified Kaleckian optimality condition for investment holds. It is also shown that, as Kalecki correctly pointed out, the principle of falling marginal efficiency of capital (or investment) is not required to obtain a finite level of investment. Finally, I consider sequential investment in an intertemporal model. In this model, a modified version of the Kaleckian optimality condition determines investment. In addition, as Kalecki emphasized, his increasing risk limits the level of investment even without increasing and convex adjustment costs associated with investment, by which the finite rate of investment is derived in the macroeconomics literature.     

Random polymers

This paper is a mini-review of some recent developments on probabilistic models for polymer chains.     

Competition Policy and Innovation

The question addressed by the paper is whether standard proceduresand widely accepted insights of competition policy remain validwhen one deals with potentially anti-competitive conduct ininnovative industries. The question of appropriateness arisesbecause competition in these industries displays features thatare radically different from those encountered in traditionalsectors of the economy. Competition is for the market ratherthan in the market, dynamic aspects of competition matter morethan allocative aspects, intellectual property rights (IPR)reinforce network effects present in knowledge-based industries.The paper examines why these differences matter with respectto market delineation, assessment of intensity of competition,and predatory conduct. It also raises the question as to whatextent competition law limits the innovators' rights not tolicense their inventions to others, especially when they correspondto essential facilities. It explores the problem created byexcessive protection as well as the hold-up problem that arisesin a context of sequential innovations. It examines the antitrustposition in regard to the treatment of collaborative arrangementsamong holders of IPRs, such as cross-licences, patent-pools,and joint-standard settings. Finally, it presents a discussionon a possible role of competition law in shaping intellectualproperty laws in order to benefit from the complementarity betweenintellectual protection and antitrust rules.     

Jeremy Bentham and Adam Smith on the usury laws: a ‘Smithian’ reply to Bentham and a new problem

Adam Smith justified the contemporary usury laws and was severely criticised by Bentham and most modern writers with the important exception of J.M. Keynes. We argue that pace Bentham, Smith did not intend to preclude loan financing of all ‘risky’ ventures and give a ‘monopoly’ to safe investments and did not neglect the potential emergence of black credit markets. Yet Smith ought to have modified his position independently of Bentham's criticism, considering a marked rise in the rate at which governments borrowed in the late 1770s.     

Automatic summarization of earnings releases: attributes and effects on investors’ judgments

Review of Accounting Studies - Firms often include summaries with earnings releases. However, manager-generated summaries may be prone to strategic tone and content management, compared to the...     

Education cost, intergenerational mobility, and income inequality

Using a modified version of the Maoz and Moav [Maoz, Y. D. and Moav, O., 1999. Intergenerational mobility and the process of development. Economic Journal 109(458) 677-697] model, we show that the dynamics of income inequality and intergenerational mobility, and the effects of technological changes on inequality, depend crucially on the share of education cost in income.     

Foreign location decisions by US transnational firms: An empirical study

The paper aims at identifying the variables that are significant in determining the choice of host countries for manufacturing subsidiaries of US transnational firms. The approach that is taken is to relate variables that on the basis on a priori theoretical reasoning influence foreign location decisions, with (a) total market penetration by US firms and (b) the choice these firms make between exporting to their foreign markets and on site manufacturing. Location decisions are viewed as emerging from the interaction of characteristics typical to the industry of the transnational firm and factors specific to potential host countries. Particular attention is devoted to finding out whether locational choices and market shares are interdependent. The sample of observations under investigation consists of the activities of US majority-owned subsidiaries, classified in fourteen industry groupings and operating twenty countries. Sub-samples of countries are also studied. It is found that for the European countries, in particular EEC members, market penetration is dependent on local manufacturing.     

Contracting: The Queensland Housing Commission Experience, 1945—1957

The practice of public sector contracting has a long history in Australia. The analysis of the experience of one agency, the Queensland Housing Commission (QHC), highlights the role of market conditions in shaping outcomes. The building industry had been severely disrupted by World War II and the demand for accommodation far exceeded supply. The QHC found it difficult to secure the services of builders and was forced to move away from competitive tendering. In these circumstances, it was forced to depend on the contract to protect its interests. However, the contracts between the QHC and its contractors did not accommodate all contingencies and failure carried economic and political costs for the Queensland Government.