Prolonged gestation: Energy efficiency and renewable energy businesses

Life cycle theories suggest that businesses evolve through a number of stages: from an embryonic stage of introduction to growth, maturity, and decline. The force that propels their development is consumer acceptance. Industries pass through life cycles as well. However, not all industries pass through each stage of the life cycle, and the duration of stages varies across industries. Some industries skip the slow introductory phase; others avoid the decline stage and are continually revitalised through technological innovation. Still others continue to show substantial promise, but fail to take-off. It is this industry condition, persistent promise without corresponding growth, that we characterise as extended gestation. We believe that energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) businesses in Minnesota face the challenge of extended gestation. In this paper, we review the literature on the traditional stages of industry development, explore some of the factors that may lead an industry to remain in a state of extended gestation, and report the results of a study undertaken to better understand the factors that affect the growth of EERE businesses.     

The new protectionism and the limits of structural adjustment

However sharp the clash between the industrial countries' notions of a world economic order and those of the developing countries, one point is gaining increasing importance for both camps: the fight against spreading protectionism. Rising import barriers in the North restrict the developing countries opportunities to increase their foreign currency earnings, to come to grips with their debt problems and to push ahead with industrial development. Those concerned with economic policy in the North fear an escalation of trade discrimination that would gradually neutralise the allocative function of the market, hamper recovery from the present recession, encourage inflation and lead to the inefficient organisation of production throughout the world. Why is protectionism so difficult to halt in spite of the unanimous condemnation of it?     

Investment in Eastern Europe: The role of multilateral organisations

Director and Chief Economist, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America, European Investment Bank.     

Erfolgreiche Sanierung in der Insolvenz aus Sicht des Schuldnerunternehmens

Zusammenfassung Der Beitrag stellt die M?glichkeiten eines geplanten und gesteuerten Einsatzes des Insolvenzverfahrens zur Sanierung Not leidender Unternehmen dar. Aufbauend auf den Erkenntnissen der Krisentheorie sowie einer ?konomischen Analyse des Insolvenzrechts eignen sich aus Sicht eines schuldnerischen Unternehmens vor allem das Insolvenzplanverfahren auf Basis eines Antrags wegen drohender Zahlungsunf?higkeit in Verbindung mit einem Antrag auf Eigenverwaltung zur Sanierung in der Insolvenz. Der Erfolg der gerichtlichen Sanierung h?ngt dabei ma?geblich von einem effizienten Vorgehen unter Beachtung des aus Sicht der Anteilseigner optimalen Insolvenzzeitpunkts, der Bewertung der Insolvenzeignung des zu sanierenden Unternehmens und der Entscheidung über die Verwertungsart ab.

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Summary This paper addresses the options of systematically managed insolvency proceedings to reorganise nonperforming firms. Crisis theory and an economic analysis of insolvency law suggest an “Insolvenzplanverfahren” based on a motion because of imminent insolvency in conjunction with requesting a debtor in possession solution is the best option for an indebted company. The success of a juristictional reorganisation depends on the optimal time to file for insolvency, a preselection of companies based on the appropriateness for a juristictional reorganisation, and the decision on asset utilisation.

     

Stil und Ordnung des europäischen Wirtschaftsraumes

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Messung und Klassifikation destechnischen Fortschritts Eine Antwort an A. Heertje

Ohne ZusammenfassungA. Heertje: Zur Ottschen Klassifikation des technischen Fortschritts. In dieser Zeitschrift, S. 227 f.