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22. How Regulatory Reforms in Sweden have boosted Productivity
- Author:
- Espen Erlandsen and Jens Lundsgaard
- Publication Date:
- 09-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- The economic crisis in the early 1990s prompted action on reforming the Swedish welfare state and its institutions, including deregulation of a wide range of product markets. In that way, Sweden took early action compared to other OECD countries currently struggling with how to make public finances more robust in an ageing context. The reforms that were implemented during the 1990s are now paying off in terms of productivity and GDP growth. Empirical evidence suggests that deregulation has delivered a considerable “productivity dividend”. Although significant progress therefore has been made, renewed regulatory reform is needed to safeguard Sweden’s ambitious public policy goals. Efforts should focus on improving enterprise formation and labour utilisation, as well as on providing better value for money in the public sector by raising its efficiency and delivering high quality services.
- Topic:
- Financial Crisis, Reform, Regulation, and Public Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Sweden, and Scandinavia
23. Competition Law and Policy in the European Union
- Author:
- Michael Wise
- Publication Date:
- 10-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- Competition policy played a central role in the development of the EU and its institutions. The European Commission, supported by the European courts, developed the framework for competition policy in Europe. This framework has been built since the Treaty of Rome in 1957 on a foundation of promoting market opening while strengthening the institutions of the European Community. The competition policy of the European Community is now in transition toward a basis in market-centered economic considerations, as well as on application through the now-extensive network of nationallevel authorities. The “modernisation” reforms of the enforcement process became effective in May 2004, along with changes in the control of mergers, and the Commission has been considering revisions to its policies about other topics, notably abuse of dominance and state aid. As the Member States adapt their substantive rules to those of the Community, the roles of the European Commission, the national competition agencies and the courts are changing. Co-ordination of enforcement among many agencies in the European Community, particularly concerning applications for leniency as part of cartel investigations, is increasingly important. The Commission moved to strengthen its capacity for economic analysis and to correct weaknesses in its decision process that had been revealed in critical court decisions. The challenge to this system, well adapted for administrative application, is to produce results that are convincing to the courts while maintaining policy consistency in a system of decentralised enforcement.
- Topic:
- European Union, Legal Theory, Decentralization, and Strategic Competition
- Political Geography:
- Europe
24. Universities, the State and the Market: Changing Patterns of University Governance in Sweden and Beyond
- Author:
- Lars Engwall
- Publication Date:
- 10-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- This paper analyses changes in the governance of universities as a result of growing demands from society as well as of a strong penetration of management ideology into all kinds of institutions. For this purpose the paper uses a theoretical framework focusing on two governance mechanisms in social systems: entry control and performance control. These belong to a larger set of homogenising forces, which the new institutionalists label as (1) coercive, (2) normative and (3) mimetic. Using this theoretical framework to analyse the development of Swedish universities, the author concludes that their governance has undergone a considerable change. Coercive forces that were previously exercised through detailed budgeting have, in recent years, been operating through representation in leading bodies and through the selection of university leaders. This has occurred through a crowding out of normative forces. At the same time there have been strong mimetic forces based on modern management ideas.
- Topic:
- Education, Governance, Higher Education, and Management
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Sweden, and Scandinavia
25. Budgeting in Turkey
- Author:
- Ian Hawkesworth, Daniel Bergvall, and Dirk-Jan Kraan
- Publication Date:
- 10-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- The Turkish budget process has three features which set it apart from other OECD countries: a centralised yet fragmented decision-making process; the IMF stand-by agreement as a de facto fiscal rule; and a very detailed line-item classification. This article analyses these features and makes suggestions for policy adjustment to improve effectiveness and efficiency. The article examines all stages of the budget process (preparation, parliamentary approval, execution, and accounting and auditing) and assesses Turkey’s recent rapid progress with reform. The article offers suggestions for next steps and new priorities for Turkey in the light of other OECD country experience.
- Topic:
- Governance, Budget, and Fiscal Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Turkey, and Asia
26. Economic Survey of the Russian Federation, 2006
- Publication Date:
- 11-2006
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- The Russian economy has been enjoying a period of robust growth, thanks largely to steadily rising terms of trade. The challenge confronting policy-makers is to facilitate Russia's transition into a period of self-sustaining, investment- and innovation-led growth. This will require a sound macroeconomic policy framework to manage the economy's adjustment to sustained high oil prices and a range of structural reforms aimed at creating better framework conditions for business.
- Topic:
- Development, Economics, and Markets
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Europe, and Asia
27. Policies for Migration and Development: A European perspective
- Author:
- Theodora Xenogiani, Robert E.B. Lucas, and Louka T. Katseli
- Publication Date:
- 10-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- Managing migration has become a priority for policy makers both in developed and developing countries; it is a difficult challenge indeed. Large immigration or emigration flows relative to domestic population's impact on almost all aspects of an economy and society: family structures, community life, educational and health systems, labour markets, security systems, governance and institutions. Despite the inherent difficulties in policy making, there is a growing awareness that if management can be improved, important gains for both migrant-receiving (“host”) and migrant-sending (“home”) countries may be generated. Effective management can furthermore mitigate the risks associated with migration.
- Topic:
- International Relations, Development, and Migration
- Political Geography:
- Europe
28. OECD Territorial Reviews: Milan, Italy
- Publication Date:
- 11-2006
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- Milan ranks among wealthy OECD metropolitan regions and is often identified with the “Made in Italy” brand on the international arena, notably for fashion and design. Once a successful industrial city, Milan has grown into the core of a wider industrial metropolitan region that is home to more than 7 million people. Industrial activities still drive the region's periphery while the centre of Milan is veering towards becoming a service platform for a significant share of northern Italy. Milan's historical skills endowment and its advantageous geographic location could underpin its ambition to become a southern European and Mediterranean capital, supplying advanced services and new technologies while remaining an international capital of fashion and design.
- Topic:
- Economics, International Trade and Finance, and Markets
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Italy
29. Economic Survey of Ireland, 2006
- Publication Date:
- 03-2006
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- Ireland has continued its exemplary economic performance, attaining some of the highest growth rates in the OECD. After a remarkable decade, per-capita income has caught up with and overtaken the EU average. Further progress will require strong productivity growth and continued increases in labour supply. These challenges are familiar to most OECD economies. But it also faces some issues that are less common: it is going through a transition phase in upgrading its social services; infrastructure levels need to catch up with the boom in activity and population that has occurred over this period; and it has to manage some sizeable macroeconomic risks.
- Topic:
- Development, Economics, and Markets
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Ireland
30. Economic Survey of United Kingdom, 2005
- Publication Date:
- 10-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- The stability and resilience of the economy has been impressive and labour and product markets are among the most flexible in the OECD, but structural economic performance judged against a range of indicators can be further improved.
- Topic:
- Development, Economics, and Markets
- Political Geography:
- United Kingdom and Europe