New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa – Institutional and Local Perspectives. African Development Perspectives Yearbook, Vol. 14
Tobias Knedlik, Karl Wohlmuth, Philippe Burger, Achim Gutowski, Mareike Meyn, T. (eds) Urban, Afeikhena Jerome
,
2009
Abstract
The Volume XIV analyses the “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa“. Institutional issues and perspectives in designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in various case studies (Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania). Other studies deal with institutional problems of resource-rich countries after conflict (Sudan) and with the institutions to enhance environmental protection parallel to economic growth and poverty reduction (Niger). Further studies deal with institutions to bridge the gap between formal and informal entrepreneurial sectors in Kenya and Tanzania. Local issues and perspectives for designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in case studies on rural-urban development gaps in Tanzania and on microfinance as an instrument for new growth and poverty alleviation strategies (Tanzania and Eritrea). A study on small farmers in Ghana provides information on the role they can play in value chains. Two studies on Nigeria highlight the local and the sub-regional health and poverty alleviation programmes and the relation to growth. Book reviews and book notes on the theme are part of the volume. This volume builds the foundation for a comprehensive strategy of policy reforms in Africa so as to integrate new growth and poverty alleviation strategies. Complementary to Volume XIV is Volume XIII on “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - Interational and Regional Perspectives“. Both volumes are of importance for all those who work in African countries as officials, executives, managers, researchers, and policy-makers, but also for all those who actively support Africa's development concerns at the international, regional, country, local, and project levels. They will experience this Volume XIV and also the complementary Volume XIII as indispensable sources of insight, reference, and inspiration.
Read article
Lending Technology, Bank Organization and Competition
Hans Degryse, Steven Ongena, Günseli Tümer-Alkan
Journal of Financial Transformation,
2009
Abstract
This paper reviews recent theoretical and empirical studies investigating how both bank technology and organization shape bank-borrower interactions. We refer to two related concepts for bank technology. First, the technologies banks employ in loan granting decisions and second, the advances in information technology linked to the bank's lending technology. We also summarize and interpret the theoretical and empirical work on bank organization and its influence on lending technologies. We show that the choice of lending technology and bank organization depend heavily on the availability of information, the technological progress in the collection of information, as well as the banking market structure and the legal environment. We draw important policy conclusions from the literature. Competition authorities and supervisors have to remain alert to the consequences of the introduction of any new technology because: (1) advances in technology do not necessarily lead to more intense banking competition, and (2) the impact of technological and financial innovation on financial efficiency and stability depends on the incentives of the entire „loan production chain.‟
Read article
Consequences, opportunities and challenges for modern biotechnology for Europe (BIO4EU) - TASK 2. Report 3
S. Gaisser, Iciar Dominguez Lacasa, Thomas Reiss
Einzelveröffentlichungen,
No. 4,
2008
Abstract
Modern biotechnology is one of the key enabling technologies of the 21st century with a potentially wide range of applications in many sectors, including health, agriculture and industrial processes. Considering the potential of modern biotechnology to contribute to the achievement of major European Union policy goals, such as economic growth and job creation, public health, environmental protection and sustainable development, the European Parliament has requested the European Commission to carry out an assessment of modern biotechnology. The European Commission welcomed the initiative and announced to undertake a study “to conduct a cost benefit analysis of biotechnology and genetic engineering, including genetically modified organisms in the light of major European policy goals formulated in the Lisbon Strategy,
Read article
Gesamtwirtschaftliche Effekte der Förderung regenerativer Energien, insbesondere der Biomasse - Eine kritische Beurteilung vor dem Hintergrund modelltheoretischer Konzeptionen
Götz Zeddies
Zeitschrift für Umweltpolitik und Umweltrecht 2/2006,
No. 2,
2006
Abstract
Erneuerbare Energieträger werden in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland derzeit durch politische Instrumente von Bund und Ländern in großem Umfang gefördert. Die Auswirkungen der Förderpolitik auf Konjunktur und Beschäftigung sind jedoch politisch sehr umstritten. Von wissenschaftlicher Seite her sind die makroökonomischen Effekte der Fördermaßnahmen bereits in zahlreichen Studien verschiedenster Autoren beurteilt worden. Auf den ersten Blick lassen jedoch auch die wissenschaftlichen Ergebnisse aufgrund erheblicher Diskrepanzen keine eindeutigen Schlüsse zu. Die Ursachen hierfür sind in der Verschiedenartigkeit der verwendeten Prognosemodelle hinsichtlich ihrer Geschlossenheit und der Modellannahmen zu sehen. Vor diesem Hintergrund soll das Ziel des folgenden Beitrags darin liegen, die generelle Problematik makroökonomischer Politikanalysen zu erörtern, modelltheoretische Anforderungen zu formulieren und wichtige zu diesem Zeitpunkt vorliegende Studien hinsichtlich dieser Anforderungen zu überprüfen und ihre Ergebnisse zu bewerten.
Read article
Non-market Allocation in Transport: A Reassessment of its Justification and the Challenge of Institutional Transition
Ulrich Blum
50 Years of Transport Research: Experiences Gained and Major Challenges Ahead,
2005
Abstract
Economic theory knows two systems of coordination: through public choice or through the market principle. If the market is chosen, then it may either be regulated, or it may be fully competitive (or be in between these two extremes). This paper first inquires into the reasons for regulation, it analyses the reasons for the important role of government in the transportation sector, especially in the procurement of infrastructure. Historical reasons are seen as important reasons for bureaucratic objections to deregulation. Fundamental economic concepts are forwarded that suggest market failure and justify a regulatory environment. The reasons for regulation cited above, however, may be challenged; we forward theoretical concepts from industrial organization theory and from institutional economics which suggest that competition is even possible on the level of infrastructure. The transition from a strongly regulated to a competitive environment poses problems that have given lieu to numerous failures in privatization and deregulation. Structural inertia plays an important role, and the incentive-compatible management of infrastructure is seen as the key element of any liberal transportation policy. It requires that the setting of rules on the meta level satisfies both local and global efficiency ends. We conclude that, in market economies, competition and regulation should not be substitutes but complements. General rules, an "ethic of competition" have to be set that guarantee a level playing field to agents; it is complimented by institutions that provide arbitration in case of misconduct.
Read article
Cross-border bank mergers: What lures the rare animal?
Claudia M. Buch, G. DeLong
Journal of Banking and Finance,
No. 9,
2004
Abstract
Although domestic mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the financial services industry have increased steadily over the past two decades, international M&As were until recently relatively rare. Moreover, the share of cross-border mergers in the banking industry is low compared with other industries. This paper uses a novel dataset of over 3000 mergers that took place between 1985 and 2001 to analyze the determinants of international bank mergers. We test the extent to which information costs and regulations hold back merger activity. Our results suggest that information costs significantly impede cross-border bank mergers. Regulations also influence cross-border bank merger activity. Hence, policy makers can create environments that encourage cross-border activity, but information cost barriers must be overcome even in (legally) integrated markets.
Read article
Employment in the East German environmental sector - an analysis based on the IAB Company Panel
Walter Komar
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 13,
2001
Abstract
Auf der Basis einer Analyse des IAB-Betriebspanels wurde die Umweltbeschäftigung in den neuen Bundesländern berechnet.
Danach waren 1999 etwa 182 000 Personen in der Produktion von Umweltschutzgütern und Umweltschutzdienstleistungen tätig. Den
Einschätzungen der Betriebe zufolge ist mittelfristig eine Zunahme der Beschäftigung bei den Umweltschutzdienstleistungen, insbesondere im Klimaschutz, zu erwarten.
Read article
Climate protection policy in the housing sector: Lacking impact and need for action
Steffen Hentrich
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 11,
2001
Abstract
Energiesparmaßnahmen im Wohnungsbau tragen erheblich zur Reduzierung von Treibhausgasen bei. Trotz der Potenziale sind die Emissionen der Haushalte in den vergangenen Jahren weiter gestiegen. Die Wirkung von Energiesparvorschriften und Förderprogrammenwurde überschätzt und wichtige marktspezifische Hemmnisse blieben unbeachtet.
Da die Risiken des Treibhauseffekts in den gegenwärtigen Heizenergiepreisen kaum Niederschlag finden, reichen die preislichen Energiesparanreize für einen wirksamen Klimaschutz nicht aus. Wohnungsmarktspezifische Wirkungsbrüche verstärken dieses Defizit, mit der Folge, dass wirtschaftlich vertretbare Energiesparmaßnahmen unterbleiben. Das beschränkt die Wirksamkeit von Wärmeschutzstandards und Förderprogrammen.
Notwendig sind daher Maßnahmen, die bei Anbietern und Nachfragern gleichermaßen Energiesparanreize setzen. Eine schrittweise Erhöhung der Ökosteuer auf Heizenergieträger, eine geringere Wohnungsmarktreglementierung und Maßnahmen zur Erhöhung der Energieverbrauchstransparenz vergrößern die Energiesparanreize für beide Marktseiten.
Read article
Beschäftigungseffekte einer umweltgerechten Entsorgung von Siedlungsabfällen
Steffen Hentrich
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 149,
2001
Abstract
Read article
Employment in Germany´s environmental sector. An empirical analysis based on the IAB company panel
Jens Horbach, Uwe Blien, Michael von Hauff
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 132,
2001
Abstract
Read article
