Number of results to display per page
Search Results
122. Technological Regimes, Schumpeterian Patterns of Innovation and Firm Level Productivity Growth
- Author:
- Fulvio Castellacci and Jinghai Zheng
- Publication Date:
- 03-2008
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
- Abstract:
- The paper investigates the relationships between technological regimes and firm-level productivity performance, and it explores how such a relationship differs in different Schumpeterian patterns of innovation. The analysis makes use of a rich dataset containing data on innovation and other economic characteristics of a large representative sample of Norwegian firms in manufacturing and service industries for the period 1998-2004. First, we decompose TFP growth into technical progress and efficiency changes by means of data envelopment analysis. We then estimate an empirical model that relates these two productivity components to the characteristics of technological regimes and a set of other firm-specific factors. The results indicate that: (1) TFP growth has mainly been achieved through technical progress, while technical efficiency has on average decreased; (2) the characteristics of technological regimes are important determinants of firm-level productivity growth, but their impacts on technical progress are different from the effects on efficiency change; (3) the estimated model works differently in the two Schumpeterian regimes. Technical progress has been more dynamic in Schumpeter Mark II industries, while efficiency change has been more important in Schumpeter Mark I markets.
- Topic:
- Economics and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Norway
123. Desert Power: The Economics of Solar Thermal Electricity for Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East
- Author:
- David Wheeler and Kevin Ummel
- Publication Date:
- 12-2008
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for Global Development
- Abstract:
- A climate crisis is inevitable unless developing countries limit carbon emissions from the power sector in the near future. This will happen only if the costs of lowcarbon power production become competitive with fossil fuel power. We focus on a leading candidate for investment: solar thermal or concentrating solar power (CSP), a commercially available technology that uses direct sunlight and mirrors to boil water and drive conventional steam turbines. Solar thermal power production in North Africa and the Middle East could provide enough power to Europe to meet the needs of 35 million people by 2020.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Energy Policy, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Middle East, and North Africa
124. The Commission's New Border Package: Does it take us one step closer to a 'cyber-fortress Europe'?
- Author:
- Florian Geyer, Sergio Carrera, and Elspeth Guild
- Publication Date:
- 03-2008
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Centre for European Policy Studies
- Abstract:
- The European Commission presented a new 'Border Package' on 13 February 2008, setting out its vision of how to foster the further management of the EU's external border. Billed in a Commission press release as a “comprehensive vision for an integrated European border management system for the 21st century”, one of the key elements of this package is a Communication aimed at establishing an EU entry/exit system registering the movement of specific categories of third country nationals at the external borders of the EU. This Communication furthermore recommends the setting up of an Automated Border Control System enabling the automated verification of a traveller's identity (for both citizens and non-EU citizens alike), based on biometric technology as well as an Electronic Travel Authorisation System – abbreviated to ETA – which would oblige non- EU travellers to provide personal data for a pre-departure online check.
- Topic:
- Security and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Europe
125. Cyber War I: Estonia Attacked from Russia
- Author:
- Kertu Ruus
- Publication Date:
- 01-2008
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- European Affairs
- Institution:
- The European Institute
- Abstract:
- Suddenly, the lights go out. Communication lines fall silent. Internet connections are lost. People venturing into the congested streets discover that banks are closed, ATMs are malfunctioning, traffic lights are jammed. Radio and TV stations cannot broadcast. The airports and train stations are shut down. Food production halts, and the water supply starts rapidly diminishing as pumps stop working. Looters are on the rampage; panic grips the public; the police cannot maintain order. This grim picture is not the opening scene of a Hollywood fantasy, but the beginning of a cyber attack, as described by Sami Saydjari, president of Professionals for Cyber Defense, to a Congressional homeland defense subcommittee in April 2007. In vivid terms, he described how a superpower can be reduced to third-world status by a cyber take-down of a nation's electronic infrastructure. The defense expert called his description “a plausible scenario” – and one for which the United States is unprepared. Even if military computer systems are usually protected against outside interference, most civilian electronic systems remain vulnerable to a massive assault that enjoyed the sponsorship of a state.
- Topic:
- Security, NATO, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Russia, United States, Europe, and Estonia
126. Data DNA: The Next Generation of Statistical Metadata
- Author:
- Cynthia M. Taeuber, Daniel W. Gillman, and Laura Smith
- Publication Date:
- 03-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Brookings Institution
- Abstract:
- Statistical metadata is commonly defined as data about data. Metadata documents information about a statistical dataset's background, purpose, content, collection, processing, quality, and related information that an analyst needs to find, understand, and manipulate statistical data. As such, the metadata for a statistical dataset broadens the number and diversity of people who can successfully use a data source once it is released. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss issues related to the development and use of statistical metadata and to describe resources to standardize and automate statistical metadata. While there are many types of metadata – this paper is concerned only with statistical metadata.
- Topic:
- Development, Government, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Europe
127. Co-chairmen's report of brainstorming "Implementing the un general assembly's counter-terrorism strategy: addressing youth radicalisation in the Mediterranean region. Lessons learned, best practices and recommendations"
- Publication Date:
- 07-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Istituto Affari Internazionali
- Abstract:
- The Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and the Center for Global Counter Terrorism Co-operation (Center) convened a brainstorming on 11 - 12 July in Rome on “Implementing the UN General Assembly's Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Addressing Youth Radicalisation in the Mediterranean Region. Lessons Learned, Best Practices and Recommendations.” The event was organised in co-operation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centro Studi sul Federalismo (Turin), with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo. The participants included experts from the UN and other multilateral bodies, officials from the Italian and German governments, and academic and other non-government experts from the United States, Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The meeting also included a roundtable of representatives of the “Consulta Giovanile per il Pluralismo Religioso e Culturale” (Youth Consultative Council), a youth advisory board recently established by the Italian Ministries of Youth and Sport and Interior to enhance the role of youth in promoting dialogue and tolerance among different cultures and religions. The Rt. Hon. Giovanna Melandri, the Italian Minister for Youth Policies and Sport addressed the brainstorming.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Islam, Science and Technology, Terrorism, and United Nations
- Political Geography:
- United States, Europe, Middle East, and North Africa
128. Ammunition Technical Assessment of Montenegro and Disposal of Heavy Weapon System
- Publication Date:
- 03-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
- Abstract:
- The Government of Montenegro has demonstrated a firm commitment to resolve their conventional ammunition problems, but lack the resources to do so. Therefore they requested assistance from UNDP Podgorica for an assessment of the ammunition stockpile management and demilitarization situation within Montenegro. As a result of this request, SEESAC undertook an Ammunition Technical Assessment (ATA), (in partnership with an independent consultant), of Montenegro during January and February 2007, and the results will be briefed to interested stakeholders at the EUCOM South East European Clearinghouse Working Group meeting in Podgorica on 14 March 2007. The Government of Montenegro will then determine 'next steps'
- Topic:
- Arms Control and Proliferation, Development, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Europe
129. Innovation and Adaptability in a Digital Era: How Wealthy Nations Stay Wealthy
- Author:
- Tobias Schulze-Cleven, Bartholemew C. Watson, and John Zysman
- Publication Date:
- 05-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy
- Abstract:
- The challenge for the advanced countries is to stay wealthy in a rapidly evolving and ever more competitive global economy. As a new digital era emerges and the mechanisms of value creation – i.e. the engines of productivity and growth – change in volatile marketplaces, wealthy nations have to find new ways to adapt. Particularly in Europe, successful adjustment has often been posed as a choice between social protection and market flexibility. In this paper, we recast this all too common framing and emphasize instead that competitive advantage for the advanced countries may be built through appropriate social policy. Upon clarifying the character of competition in the emerging digital era, we argue that the long-standing strong social protection systems particularly in many European countries could be leveraged to these countries' unique advantage in the emerging digital era. With such benefits as promoting social peace and assisting people in meeting new labour market demands, social protection systems have an important role to play in helping societies reorganize existing economic structures in support of successful adaptation to new competitive conditions.
- Topic:
- Economics, Globalization, International Political Economy, and Science and Technology
- Political Geography:
- Europe
130. Using Minimum Energy in Ireland's Schools
- Author:
- John Dolan
- Publication Date:
- 09-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Abstract:
- This article explains how Ireland has incorporated low energy design into primary and post-primary schools and gives an overview of projects that have helped inform this approach.
- Topic:
- Education, Energy Policy, Science and Technology, and Green Technology
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Ireland