Patterns of development and conservation in agricultural lands—The case of the Tel Aviv metropolitan region 1990–2000

Until the 1990s Israel was implementing a strict agricultural land preservation policy program, rooted in Zionist ideology. This was changed when shifts in Israeli planning and land policy towards the end of the 20th century brought about accelerated growth and sprawling development in agricultural lands at the urban–rural fringe, particularly in the Tel Aviv metropolitan region (TMR). In this article we describe the background for policy shifts and the resulting impact on metropolitan growth, and then proceed to identify patterns of development in former agricultural lands and their impact on conservation, based on a study of statutory land use plans converting agricultural land to built-up uses within the TMR. It was found that most of the plans were converting large tracts of agricultural land to residential uses, characterized by low-density suburban-type family housing, thus reducing considerably the spatial conservation potential. In addition, only relative small portions of land were conserved as public open space within plans’ boundaries, and even then only about half of that was actually effective for active open space uses.     

以色列农业发展经验对我国西北干旱区农业现代化的启示

农业现代化是我国农业发展的出路,而我国西北干旱区农业现代化进程比较缓慢。以色列农业现代化凭借高科技的支撑,完美的市场化操作,政府的全力支持顺利地实现。文章借鏊以色列农业现代化发展经验,结合我国西北干旱区农业现状,提出了相应的改进对策。     

资源匮乏下的创新路径研究——以以色列为例

以色列是全球领先的创新型国家,在政治地缘环境险恶、自然资源严重匮乏的情况下,依靠不断创新实现了经济腾飞。论文阐述了以色列建设创新型国家采取的主要路径,包括：吸引培养高素质人才、培育有利于创新的文化、帮助高素质人才充分就业和创业、构建国家创新制度体系等。基于以色列的经验,结合我国的实际对建设创新型国家提出了若干建议。     

The water market in Israel: An example for increasing the supply

In this study we search for solutions to the problem of Israel's water shortage. To illustrate the shortage, we first model the water market in Israel, i.e., the corresponding supply and demand of water, and from it the dynamics of water prices. A direct way to solve the shortage problem and to reduce the high equilibrium price can be found via a different way of sharing water among the Levant countries, or by bringing more water from outside the region. The latter can take the form of conveying Nile water or water from Turkey or by constructing desalination plants along the shores. In this study we concentrate on the importing of Nile water.The costs of most of the solutions are too high compared to the returns to water in agriculture. This relation is continuously changing with the increasing demand for water for domestic and agricultural use. Our analysis shows that within 5–10 years the marginal value product of water in the area west of the Jordan river would equal the marginal costs of water from the Nile, $0.40m³.     

以色列高效创新机制对我国的启示

以色列在科技创新方面取得的惊人成就,有目共睹,许多方面值得世界称道。以色列建立高效创新活动运行机制的主要方法,一是通过首席科学家制度提高创新活动决策水平;二是通过多层次研发机构提高科技成果转化水平;三是通过科技计划导向机制提高整个社会研发水平。这些措施,对我国提高创新活动的宏观决策水平,促进科技成果的应用性转化,增强全社会的研发能力,都具有重要的参考价值。     

Defying Convergence: Globalisation and Varieties of Defence-Industrial Capitalism

Globalisation is transforming the production of armaments in ways poorly understood, yet critical to states' security. Most analysts contend that this process forces states to converge upon laissez-faire policies that systematically disadvantage smaller states. However, broader research in comparative political economy suggests that domestic institutions drive states to adapt in distinct ways independently of their size. Indeed, the Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) approach argues that national institutions shape both how states develop adjustment strategies and their firms' comparative advantages. This article examines two small states – Israel and Sweden – to ascertain whether defence-industrial transformation drives them to converge upon common laissez-faire policies or, contrarily, whether distinct VoC shaped their adaptation strategies along different lines. To preview the conclusions, institutions impel states to respond to defence-industrial transformation in divergent ways. Liberal market states, such as Israel, respond by introducing greater competition for contracts and liberalising their import/export policies. In coordinated market states, such as Sweden, government cooperates with business groups to selectively open industries to foreign capital and position them to compete globally. Although they adapt differently to transformation's common challenge, these cases demonstrate that even small states can retain robust defence-industrial bases, albeit ones with increasingly distinct comparative advantages and disadvantages.     

以色列水资源税制度经验与启示

以色列是水资源最为短缺、水资源税制设置最为复杂但实施效果最好的国家之一。通过系统梳理以色列水资源税制度的设立原则、法律保障、架构设计、征管措施以及税款分配等内容,分析总结其在法律保障、税制设计、税款分配、农业水资源有偿使用等方面的经验,根据得到的启示,提出了完善我国水资源有偿使用和实践的思路与建议,为推进我国水资源税费改革提供参考。     

2009年以色列科技发展综述

本文对2009年以色列科技发展的重大政策动向、研究与开发支出、新的科技统计数据与指标、高科技产业发展,以及科技成果和国际科技合作动态等情况进行了综合评述。     

Marketing in high-tech start-ups: Overcoming the liability of newness in Israel

For new companies in general, marketing is a critical issue. However, many high tech start ups face particular problems associated with marketing. They may have a product, rather than a customer focus; they may lack marketing experience and may even neglect marketing to focus on developing a better product. They also work in an ambiguous environment; a new, or yet to be established market, unclear application and often a need to internationalise rapidly. The purpose of this paper is thus to try to capture what experienced experts have found to work best in these difficult conditions. The study is based in Israel, but may have lessons for many other small countries. A multiple stage methodology, seeking expert views; analysing, consolidating and then refining them was adopted, based on the condensed wisdom of some 80 of the key players in new Israeli high tech firms. The paper shows how some aspects are vital for success, but also explores the roles played by the various aspects of marketing.