Are Three Cracks in the Danish Model of Industrial Relations?

The Danish system of industrial relations bears a lot of similarity to the traditional Scandinavian model of industrial relations. In this article the authors argue that whilst the Danish model has weathered the forces of change remarkably well up to now, a number of recent developments have started to produce ‘cracks’ in the model.     

Interest Rate Dynamics and Consistent Forward Rate Curves

We consider as given an arbitrage‐free interest rate model M, and a parametrized family of forward rate curves G. We study the question as to when the given family G is consistent with the dynamics of the interest rate model M, in the sense that M actually will produce forward rate curves belonging to G. We allow the interest rate model to be driven by a multidimensional Wiener process, as well as by a marked point process, and we give necessary and sufficient conditions for consistency. As test cases, we study some popular models, obtaining both positive and negative results about consistency. We also introduce a natural exponential‐polynomial family of forward rate curves, and for this family we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of consistent interest rate models with deterministic volatility functions.     

A Model for Positively Correlated Count Variables

An α-permanental random field is briefly speaking a model for a collection of non-negative integer valued random variables with positive associations. Though such models possess many appealing probabilistic properties, many statisticians seem unaware of α-permanental random fields and their potential applications. The purpose of this paper is to summarize useful probabilistic results, study stochastic constructions and simulation techniques, and discuss some examples of α-permanental random fields. This should provide a useful basis for discussing the statistical aspects in future work.     

EFFICIENCY GAINS IN BETA-PRICING MODELS1

Recent literature shows that the risk premium is efficiently estimated in the usual two-pass procedure, estimating betas in the unrestricted model, and then regressing returns on estimated betas. This paper shows that this is not so when allowing for factor unobservability. Imposing the financial theory restriction from the outset leads to a strictly positive efficiency gain in the risk premium estimation. In addition, the role of an associated efficiency gain in the beta estimation is studied in the context of a zero-beta model.     

The Impact of Liberalizing Barriers to Foreign Direct Investment in Services: The Case of Russian Accession to the World Trade Organization

In this paper a computable general equilibrium model of the Russian economy is used to assess the impact of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which encompasses improved market access, Russian tariff reduction, and reduction of barriers against multinational service providers. It is assumed that foreign direct investment in business services is necessary for multinationals to compete well with Russian business services providers, but cross‐border service provision is also present. The model incorporates productivity effects in both goods and services markets endogenously, through a Dixit–Stiglitz framework. It is estimated that Russia will gain about 7.2% of the value of Russian consumption in the medium term from WTO accession and up to 24% in the long run. It is also estimated that the largest gains to Russia will derive from liberalization of barriers against multinational service providers. Piecemeal and systematic sensitivity analysis shows that the results are robust.     

全球贸易保护中国对策

2009年12月8日,美国奥巴马总统针对就业和经济增长问题发表了讲话,呼吁加大用于基础没施的公共投资,实现美国交通运输和通信网络的现代化,这是在他先前的经济刺激计划之外的又—项提议。奥巴马的这一提议反映了经济学家的一项共识,即投资于基础设施是利用政府支出改善经济活动的最有效途径之一。     

Joining forces: collaboration patterns and performance of renewable energy innovators

Small Business Economics - This article explores the pattern and breadth of collaboration activities of innovating firms active in renewable energy (RE), and the impact of collaboration on...     

Corporate legitimacy in risk society: the case of Brent Spar

The aim of this paper is to understand what lessons on corporate legitimacy can be drawn from the Shell – Greenpeace conflict in 1995 about the dumping of the Brent Spar oil storage platform in the North-East Atlantic. Based on theories of corporate legitimacy and risk society, it is argued that the Brent Spar conflict reflects a new balance between business, government and civil society as well as a radicalization of the requirements for corporate legitimacy. As a part of these new and more demanding requirements, corporations will need to address a much broader scope of responsibilities and a wider circle of stakeholders than suggested so far by theories of stakeholder management. In addition, corporations will need to develop new and trustworthy forms of dialogue with the public. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.     

Energy use in the Namibian economy from 1995 to 1998

As part of a natural resource accounting project being undertaken in Namibia, energy accounts have been compiled and are used to analyse energy use by different economic sectors. Households account for most energy use, especially of traditional fuels, and many households continue to rely on firewood even when they have access to electricity. A new paraffin tax was introduced in 1999, because it was believed that the price differential between diesel (which was already taxed) and paraffin encouraged substitution, but there is little indication that substitution was actually taking place. The policy goal of increasing mines' use of electricity at the expense of fossil fuels appears to have been met during the period studied, but this is entirely due to the problems of one mining company which is expected to resume operations shortly. The results also suggest that there is room for improved efficiency in energy use for water supply, and that instituting measures against theft and non-payment of electricity might save substantial amounts of electricity.