Solutions to the request reassignment problem in collaborative carrier networks

The paper considers an arrangement for exchanging transportation requests to facilitate collaboration among independent carriers. The goal is to maximize the total profit without decreasing the individual profit of the carriers. Two solution approaches are developed for this problem involving decentralized control and auction based exchange mechanisms. The results are compared with those obtained without collaboration and by a centralized control. They indicate that horizontal collaboration pays off even in highly competitive environments.     

Collaborative innovation and policy support: the emergence of trilateral networks

ABSTRACT

The present article models the critical factors for a successful and evolutionarily stable National System of Innovation. We simulate a model, against the background of increasingly complex technologies, in a national process of agents’ interactions with social-dilemma characteristics. In particular, the articleinvestigates the emergence of a trilateral collaborative innovation alliance among ‘enterprise’, ‘university’ and ‘government’. We apply a tripartite evolutionary game with a replication process and explore the role and options of the public policy agent to support collaboration on innovation. We find that some policy mix, in particular, a combination of (1) public rewards for cooperation, (2) public punishment for non-cooperation and (3) settings of public cost controls and tax income from innovation, can promote broad and sustainable innovation alliances. For instance, threats of strong punishment, even with low public rewards for cooperation, may promote the formation of a collaborative innovation alliance. We run some sensitivity analyses of the results through parametric variation of two critical factors of the model, knowledge spillover and output elasticity of knowledge input. We find some qualifications for the velocity of the process.     

Assessment of Brazil's research literature

This ‘country study’ analyses substantial samples of research papers by Brazilian authors drawn from two global databases. The approach and the findings may each be of interest. Our approach is to examine R&D outputs through bibliometrics (to identify key authors, institutions, journals, etc.) and text mining with taxonomy generation (to identify pervasive research thrusts). We extend prior country studies by providing for interactive data access and exploring military-relevant R&D information. The resulting publication activity profiles provide insight on Brazilian R&D strengths and investment strategies, and help identify opportunities for collaboration. Brazil, a nation of 190 million, evidences a substantial research enterprise, with major capabilities in the life and biomedical sciences, as well as the physical sciences. We benchmark research patterns and trends against several other countries. We find a large measure of international collaboration, particularly with the USA.     

Ageing, labour markets and well-being

This keynote speech draws three broad lessons to turn the challenges of population ageing into chances: Lesson number one is that the quantity effects of adding more labour into our ageing economies are very large. To exploit them, one has to use the entire spectrum of labour market policies: earlier labour market entry, later retirement age, higher female labour force participation, and lower unemployment. Lesson number two is that there is a positive and enforcing effect of pension reform. A pension regime that alleviates the tax burden of the younger generation creates higher productive capacity. The third lesson is on behavioural effects. Some strengthen reform but they are dominated by opposition effects, such as taking advantage of loopholes, withdrawal of labour supply, or simple within-household substitution. Negative behavioural effects can be minimised by informing people better about the chances and challenges of population ageing, and by de-mystifying false beliefs about ageing.     

Forecasting exchange rates: Non-linear adjustment and time-varying equilibrium

By linking two main strands of equilibrium exchange rate research, this paper models and forecasts exchange rate movements around a time-varying equilibrium using both linear and non-linear techniques. Our results support evidence of linear and non-linear (ESTR) stationary behaviour around a time-varying equilibrium, particularly when using a trade based price index. The latter results are largely robust across a break due to the Plaza Accord. Forecasts of both the equilibrium deviations and exchange rates themselves are largely supportive of the ESTR model over several alternatives. This is notably so across most measures with respect to the equilibrium deviations and over the sign based measures for the exchange rate forecasts. Overall, our results suggest that short-run changes in exchange rates are forecastable when allowing for a time-varying equilibrium rate and using an appropriate price index. Such a result has important implications for researchers, policy-makers and goods and financial market participants. For example, policy-makers need to be cognisant of a changing equilibrium level and not necessarily conduct policy in such a manner as to restore a previous equilibrium. Similarly, those engaged in hedging need to be aware that equilibrium rates are time varying but, beneficially, movements around equilibrium appear predictable.     

Economics and Design of Capacity Markets for the Power Sector

Capacity markets are a means to assure resource adequacy. The need for a capacity market stems from several market failures the most prominent of which is the absence of a robust demand-side. Limited demand response makes market clearing problematic in times of scarcity. We present the economic motivation for a capacity market, present one specific market design that utilizes the best design features from various resource adequacy approaches analyzed in the literature, and we discuss other instruments to deal with the problems. We then discuss the suitability of the market for Europe and Germany in particular.     

PV adoption: the role of distribution tariffs under net metering

Journal of Regulatory Economics - The deployment of decentralized productions units (DPU) like rooftop solar panels is a major challenge for a transition towards greener energy sources. Under a net...