International equality of stock market returns

Real returns, excess returns, and nominal returns from stock markets in 11 developed countries are compared for the difference in their means and variances by using a new procedure to test their equality and to determine if one stock market dominates another. The sample period from January 1973 to September 1989 is divided into three subperiods. Results show that stock markets in the United States and Germany dominate those in the other countries in early sub-periods, but not in a recent sub-period, to indicate an increasing capital market integration. Integration with Germany has increased more than with the United States, due possibly to the European Monetary System.     

A New Method for the Identification of Patterns in Input–Output Matrices

This paper suggests a new algorithm for selecting the input–output (IO) coefficients of a Leontief matrix in order of importance, so providing an analytical method for decomposing an IO matrix. It avoids the choice of arbitrary thresholds for eliminating flows or coefficients, and allows for circular relationships. For this purpose, a simple inverse-important criterion has been chosen, which is consistent with the logic of the Leontief model. A procedure that greatly reduces the computational burden is then devised. This method permits new comparisons of IO structures of different countries or regions, for identifying their different degree of internal integration and their reciprocal influence through the exchange of intermediate goods. An application to an IO model for seven European Community countries for 1980 is then presented.     

关于建立注册会计师诚信机制的思考

审计执业是会计师事务所和社会环境博弈的过程。审计质量的高低,取决于博弈双方的策略选择。本文通过对影响博弈双方效用函数因素的分析,提出建立CPA诚信机制应从外部环境治理和事务所自身两个方面入手。     

Alcohol taxation and regulation in the European Union

This article surveys alcohol consumption, taxation and regulation in the European Union (EU). It uses the estimates of cost-of-illness studies to gauge the external costs of harmful alcohol use. In all but one member state, the costs exceed alcohol excise duty collections. An optimal alcohol excise is difficult to design, because the welfare gains from a reduction in socially costly heavy drinking must be balanced against the welfare loss from a fall in moderate drinking. This suggests that while an alcohol excise increase may be efficiency improving, complementary regulatory measures, which focus on specific problem groups, should be an important element of the policy package. A case can also be made for reducing wasteful cross-border shopping by raising the minimum duties on wine, beer and spirits, preferably in line with their relative alcohol content.      

Option Pricing For Jump Diffusions: Approximations and Their Interpretation

We derive a computable approximation for the value of a European call option when prices satisfy a jump-diffusion model with the coefficients depending explicitly on time. This is achieved by approximating the original coefficients with functions that are piecewise constant in time. We give an interpretation of the approximating option values, in particular in the context of a discrete-time model associated with the approximating continuous-time model.     

上海高科技产业发展体制和机制创新的几点思考

上海高科技产业的体制、机制创新应注意做好三方面工作:一是加大推进科技与资本结合的力度,二是营造 有利于创新的良好氛围,三是提升企业的运营质量。     

多普勒雷达本振相位噪声导致的目标信噪比损失

本文讨论本振相位噪声产生的运动目标信号与接收机热噪声功率比的损失,得到了本振相噪为白噪声调相和白噪声调频时,目标信噪比损失的计算公式。     

DYNAMIC SPANNING: ARE OPTIONS AN APPROPRIATE INSTRUMENT?1

Ross (1976) has shown, in a static framework, how options can complete financial markets. This paper examines the possible extensions of Ross's idea in a dynamic setup. Surprisingly enough, we find that the answer is very sensitive to the choice of the stochastic model for the underlying security returns. More specifically we obtain the following results: In a discrete-time model, classical European options typically become redundant with some probability (Proposition 2.1). Obnly path dependent (“exotic”) options may generate dynamic spanning (Proposition 4.1). In a continuous-time model with stochastic volatility of the underlying security, and under reasonable assumptions, a European option is always a good instrument for completing markets (Proposition 5.2).     

Evaluating Productivity Growth Measures in the EU

In this paper we evaluate the productivity growth of the member countries in the European Union (EU) before and after the enforcement of the Maastricht convergence criteria in 1992. Total factor productivity was measured by employing the growth-accounting approach and Tornqvist indices. The evaluation of productivity growth was performed by employing the non-parametric method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in particular years and within three time periods. DEA was also used to evaluate the relative efficiency of EU members with respect to the convergence criteria with important implications for their economic integration. TFP growth was found to have contributed the most in the EU, while its share in the latest recessions was the smallest as compared to labor and capital share.     

French media bias and the vote on the European constitution

This article analyses the behavior of the French media during the campaign for the 29 May 2005 referendum on the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe. The media were biased in favour of the Treaty. The media bear a share of responsibility in the rejection of the Treaty in leading people who felt that the media were disconnected from the people's concerns to vote against the Treaty.