Union Weakness and Post‐Communist Identities in Eastern Europe: Evidence From the Hungarian Clothing Industry

The literature on Eastern Europe usually points to the desperate economic situation and hostile employers as explanations for post‐communist union weakness. This paper examines an alternative explanation based on mobilisation theory. It argues that a major reason for labour quiescence is the incapability of unions to mobilise their membership which is partly hindered by unions' failure to modernise their communist role identity.     

Interregionale Lieferverflechtungen in Österreich 1976

Summary The first multiregional input-output table (MRIOT) for Austria is the product of an attempt to apply an information-minimizing model to a set of data of varying quality. This set includes data of high reliability, rough estimates, and a number of hypotheses. Since this exercise represents a kind of pilot study, not much attention was paid to refined statistical analysis. Thus the results should rather be taken as an attempt to test the underlying methodology.However, the relatively favorable data situation for 1976 and the flexibility of the mathematical model led to estimates which might be considered a rough approximation of intersectoral and interregional relations in Austria.     

Die Erstellung der fortgeschriebenen Input-Output-Tabelle 1970

Summary The Austrian Input-Output Table for 1970 (32×32, current, purchaser prices) was estimated on the basis of the official 1964 table (55×55), using a slightly modified version ofC. Almon's rejuvenating procedure. This biproportional algorithm permits the introduction of information on intermediate deliveries for the target year as well as the explicit consideration of different degrees of reliability attached to this kind of information. In addition, an import matrix for 1970 was used to define lower boundaries for the elements of the updated Input-Output Table. The results of the updating procedure were tested for plausibility in successive steps and a number of restrictions was imposed on elements or sums of elements to ascertain a good updating performance.Besides methodological aspects of updating the article concentrates on statistical problems connected with the estimation of margins (gross production, value added and final demand by Input-Output sectors) and intermediate deliveries in Austria for 1970.     

Sustainable development in the craft brewing industry: A case study of Iowa brewers

The rapid expansion of the resource-intensive brewing industry has led to U.S. and state-level initiatives to encourage sustainable craft brewing practices. These efforts raise questions about brewers' current brewing practices and the conditions and factors that might influence a brewer's decision to adopt sustainable practices. We conducted an in-depth survey of Iowa craft brewers in 2019 to evaluate current sustainability practices within breweries. In addition, we elicited brewer perceptions regarding consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay for sustainably produced beer. We analyze these factors together with data on brewery production characteristics and the brewer's personal beliefs and demographics. While most breweries in our sample track key environmental metrics to some degree, many of them lack environmental plans. Further, we find significant variation in the degree to which brewers believe there is opportunity to leverage sustainable brewing practices to charge consumers a higher price. We also provide insight on relationships between environmental practices and potential resources provided to breweries. These findings improve our understanding of craft brewers' tradeoffs regarding sustainable brewing practices that could apply more generally to other resource-intensive sectors.     

Steuerreform in den USA

Donald Trump has announced a historic tax reform, and the expectation is that the Destination-Based Cash-Flow Tax will be the blueprint. Besides having beneficial effects on investment, this tax is suspected of having strong protectionist effects on trade. In this article, the latter concern is challenged. The US would only copy a reform Germany has already implemented in 2007.     

Europa am Scheideweg — ein Vorschlag zur politischen Weiterentwicklung

The European Union is approaching a point where it has to decide between two options: deepening political integration or reducing it. Economists tend to be sceptical. Many would prefer to reduce the scale of integration while returning more competences to member states. The debate, though, lacks a plausible vision for the path forward. Every stable currency union needs some kind of transfer mechanism. Once this notion is accepted, the installation of a “real” European Parliament with the power to raise taxes, particularly on capital income, should be considered.