Defining and Measuring Competences: An Application to Graduate Surveys

In this article, we review the competence concept and apply it to the measurement of competences in graduate surveys. The relevant literature reveals that three important perspectives on the meaning and operationalisation of competences may be distinguished: The educational perspective, the labour market perspective and the human resources perspective. The second part of the article is concerned with the measurement of competences in the context of labour market research using graduate surveys. Using the insights obtained from the literature, competences are defined and a measurement method is chosen. Empirical evidence suggests that this measurement method performs better than previously used measurement methodologies.     

Financial Incentives in Disability Insurance in the Netherlands

Summary In this article, we assess the impact of financial incentives on the inflow in the public Disability Insurance (DI) scheme in The Netherlands. For this matter, the variation in replacement rates over different sectors is exploited to estimate the probability of DI enrolment over a sample of employees from the Dutch Income Panel (1996–2000). On the basis of these administrative data, we find a point estimate of the elasticity of DI enrolment with respect to the DI wealth rate of 2.5. Simulations indicate that a 5%-point rise in replacement rates in the two first years of DI increases DI enrolment by 6%.     

Differentiation in black education

Based on a graphical and statistical analysis of 1993 survey data, this article shows that educational inequalities among black school-age children were substantial and systematically associated with socio-economic status. Children of more affluent, better educated and metropolitan parents progressed better in schools, thus attaining higher levels of education, and also outperformed others who had progressed as far in terms of cognitive outcomes (measured by literacy and numeracy test scores). Thus, educational inequalities may become enduring, as the ability to benefit from education is usually transmitted across generations (better educated individuals obtain better jobs, and their children are again better educated). The abysmal educational quality of the largest part of the school system therefore has to be improved drastically, to allow poor children to overcome their socio-economic deficits and to benefit from education.     

Wie kann wissenschaftliche Politikberatung zu besserer Politik beitragen?

Wissenschaftliche Beratung kann der Politik wichtige Hinweise zur effektiven Probleml?sung liefern und zur Legitimation institutioneller Reformen beitragen, die potenziell strittig sind. Welche Formen der Politikberatung gibt es in Deutschland? Inwieweit war die Politikberatung erfolgreich, wo liegen ihre Defizite und wie k?nnte sie effizienter gestaltet werden?     

Pricing in the hotel and catering sector

Summary A model explaining gross margins in the hotel and catering sector is developed. A cost-mark-up model for the retail sector is used as a starting point. Although we have to reject the hypothesis of mark-up pricing in the hotel and catering sector, the model proves a useful instrument to discriminate between such influences as sales composition, costs and their various components, scale and demand conditions on price setting. Our empirical evidence stems from the Dutch hotel and catering sector (1977 through 1981).We are extremely grateful to the Central Bureau of Statistics (particularly the Department of Interior Trade and Commercial Services) in Voorburg, The Netherlands for permitting the use of their data under certain secrecy conditions.     

Anreizregulierung in der Gaswirtschaft

Im Juli 2005 trat das Energiewirtschaftsgesetz in Kraft. Dieses auch die Gaswirtschaft betreffende Gesetz schreibt der Bundesnetzagentur die Vorlage eines Berichtes zur Anreizregulierung bis zum Juli 2006 vor. Inwieweit besteht ein Regulierungsbedarf in der Gaswirtschaft? Welche Mechanismen einer Anreizregulierung sind effizient? Wie sollte eventuell entstehenden Qualit?tsm?ngeln begegnet werden?     

Structural change in oecd countries: A normal pattern analysis

Summary This article discusses the development of sector shares against the background of growingper capita income and some other key variables. It elaborates on Chenery's normal pattern approach, which emphasizes the existence of regularities. Long-term dynamics in the economic structure are quantified. Conclusions are drawn with respect to the continuing process of industrialization, the role of the service sector and the rise or decline of manufacturing subsectors. The slow-down of overall growth rates and the discovery of energy resources are given special attention. Finally it is tried to detect some country-specific specialization patterns.I am indebted to Professor Theo van de Klundert and to my colleagues Robert de Groof and Anton Markink.     

The contribution of manufacturing to shortening design cycle times

Shortening design cycle times, without increasing design costs or sacrificing quality has become an important management goal. In this paper, we will provide a short overview of the literature on shortening design cycle times. Building on this, we want to establish how manufacturing and the manufacturing/R&D interface can contribute to shorter development cycle times. The European Manufacturing Futures database will be used to test some of the literature findings on a sample of large European Manufacturers.