Obituary: Henri Theil, 1924–2000

This note contains a short biography of Professor Henri Theil and a brief sketch of his contributions to econometrics and related fields. Professor Theil is known as the author of the Principles of Econometrics , one of the most cited advanced textbooks of econometrics, and in particular made a large number of contributions including two and three stage least squares, the inequality coefficient, the Rotterdam model of consumer demand and the entropy based measure for income inequality.     

Further experience in Bayesian analysis using Monte Carlo integration

An earlier paper [Kloek and Van Dijk (1978)] is extended in three ways. First, Monte Carlo integration is performed in a nine-dimensional parameter space of Klein's model I [Klein (1950)]. Second, Monte Carlo is used as a tool for the elicitation of a uniform prior on a finite region by making use of several types of prior information. Third, special attention is given to procedures for the construction of importance functions which make use of nonlinear optimization methods.     

Een produktieproces in ontwikkeling

Waarin de lezer wordt rondgeleid in een fabriek die met behulp van econometrische methoden kwantitativee economische beleidsadviezen produceert; en waarin enige voordelen worden geschilderd van het vervangen van machines van het merk Neyman-Pearson door machines van het merk Bayes. Rede uitgesproken bij de aanvaarding van ambt van gewoon hoogleraar in de econometrie aan de Nederlandse Economische Hogeschool, te Rotterdam op 8 februari 1968. 1) Zie Tinbergen (1936); voor een Engelse vertaling: Tinbergen (1959).     

Environmental strategies in the paint and coatings industry

In general, a proactive strategy entails an anticipatory approach to problems. It is also associated with taking the initiative and doing more than is strictly needed. The nature of proactivity that businesses may display with respect to the environment is considered and also its meaning in terms of strategic behaviour and technological development. A conceptual framework is developed that differentiates between types of proactive strategies. This framework is based on a study of the paint and coatings industry in Great Britain and the Netherlands and is applicable to both countries. Even though the big international paint companies play a decisive role in the development and introduction of cleaner technologies, it is argued that the small- and medium-sized paint companies deserve special attention. Not only is proactive behaviour by the big companies important, but also proactive strategies by the small- and medium-sized companies, even if they are limited in scope, because the latter determine at national and local levels the pace and nature of the transformation that has to take place to produce a sustainable economy. This process is crucial to ecological modernization if it is intended not only to get rid of old-fashioned ways, but also to create new opportunities for economic upgrading and rejuvenation.